Bachelor of Science in Biology

at Concordia University, St. Paul USA

The study of History at Concordia University is not only about the past – it is also about the present and the future. A student in this program will learn to think critically about change over time and how contemporary society has been shaped by all those who came before. The program stresses both global and community education. The program offers students the global knowledge they will need to compete in the 21st century. At the same time, students can experience and witness local history first-hand. The History major will allow students to develop skills in both research and content knowledge. The program offers courses that focus on the entire globe. Students get a mix of political, social, economic, and diplomatic history. The major requires a senior research project, where students do an original research paper, as well as a senior readings course. The remaining classes are electives, with the stipulation that at least one of those courses has a global focus. History majors are also required to do an internship, which helps them prepare for their careers and the job market.

The Community Arts program fosters students’ involvement, engagement, and service within the local arts community. In this interdisciplinary program, students learn both traditional and new media techniques, grounding them in practical applications. In the classroom, they gain a foundation in western and global art history and are introduced to community arts history and concepts. The program emphasizes social justice through arts applications. The 45-credit major starts with core studio requirements that familiarize students with various materials and concepts used to understand the nature of visual language. Students then take studio courses to enable a general and versatile art skill base. Students are also encouraged to add electives in theatre, graphic design, or specialize within studio arts. All community arts majors at Concordia take the foundational community arts class and during their final year, complete 8 credits of an internship. Students will be prepared to pursue a variety of career options upon graduation, from advanced degree in the arts to a variety of art-centered careers within community development and engagement. As a community arts major, you will be taught by an experienced faculty of active professionals with close ties to the vibrant Twin Cities art community. You will have complete facilities for ceramics, photography, digital art, printmaking, sculpture, as well as painting and drawing.

The Sport Psychology major focuses on current psychology and kinesiology applications as foundational concepts in sport psychology. Students learn sport and psychological theory and have numerous opportunities to bridge theory into practical applications. This degree prepares students for careers in injury rehabilitation, fitness/wellness centers, coaching, and health and wellness education. The program also serves as preparation for post-baccalaureate study in areas such as sport psychology and sport management.

The English major is an excellent choice for people who enjoy reading and writing. Contrary to popular belief, an English major does not doom graduates to a life of starvation or menial labor. In fact, our graduates go on to find success in a variety of occupations, including journalism, marketing, magazine writing, creative writing, public relations, web content creation, technology, management, and more. English majors also go on to graduate school in a variety of areas, including education, business, literature, creative writing, law, library science, and fashion history.

In the English major, students will gain broad-based knowledge of literature from all periods and from around the world. They will learn to write clearly and persuasively, think independently, create original works, present alternative viewpoints, and solve problems. Students can choose from four emphasis areas within the English major: literature, creative writing, journalism, or professional writing.

The BA Public Health degree involves learning the science of protecting the safety and improving the health of communities through education, policy-making, and research for disease management and prevention. Being a public health professional enables you to work around the world, address health problems of communities as a whole, and influence policies that affect the health of societies.

This program is designed to prepare students with practical marketing skills and knowledge that will be directly applicable to the business world upon graduation. Students learn marketing theory and apply concepts in activities such as electronic commerce, direct marketing, advertising, sales presentations, case analysis and marketing plans. These activities expose students to the practical, challenging and interesting projects and situations they will encounter in their careers. Students develop leadership skills and explore ethics and environmental sustainability. In addition, students earning a BS gain a strong foundation in consumer behavior, social media, and global marketing.

Majoring in Early Childhood Education at Concordia University, St. Paul involves the study of pedagogy, or the method and practice of teaching. You’ll develop the skills and insights to become an effective early childhood educator and a lifelong learner. Concordia offers specializations in Birth-Grade 3 Early Childhood Education, Child Learning and Development or Parent and Family Education. You’ll gain knowledge and skills that are important for any teaching career as you take 64 credit hours towards a Bachelor of Arts degree, and the early childhood education curriculum meets the Minnesota Department of Education requirements for a teaching credential (passage of standardized examinations of content and pedagogy are also required).  
The Teacher Education program at Concordia has been the pride of Concordia for nearly 60 years. It is widely recognized for excellence in its programs, faculty, staff, and candidates, and regarded as among the finest in the state of Minnesota and in the Concordia University System. The program is fully accredited by the National Council of Accreditation for Teacher Education (continuously since 1969) and the Minnesota Board of Teaching. Because of Minnesota’s rigorous teacher licensure standards, students graduating from Minnesota’s colleges and universities are favorably regarded nationwide.

Depending on their career goals, math majors can choose to earn a Bachelor of Science degree or a Bachelor of Arts degree in mathematics at Concordia University, St. Paul. In earning either degree, students will develop the critical thinking and problem solving skills necessary for today’s technological world.  The BS degree is more credits and offers students more opportunities to explore math applications within the math major, while the BA degree is fewer credits and is designed to be paired with a minor or a second major such as secondary education, computer science, business, science, or a variety of other possibilities.  All of the courses in the math major are offered face-to-­face in small classes (usually less than 20 students) and the emphasis is on actively solving problems in class. Throughout the curriculum, students will learn to use technology, including computer algebra systems, geometry modeling software, spreadsheets, 3D printers, and computer programming to model and solve problems. In some courses students investigate topics and learn to present their ideas professionally.  Some of these topics lead to independent research projects that students can present at undergraduate research conferences and help the students earn honors in the major. There is also an active Tri-Pi math club that offers social events to build comradery amongst the math students. Our math majors have followed a wide variety of career paths and are currently working as data analysts, risk analysts, inventory analysts, high school teachers, college professors, statisticians, health professionals, lawyers, and researchers.  Instead of asking “What can I do with a math major?”, you should ask yourself “What can’t I do with a math major?”

The major in theology is designed to prepare students who plan to attend seminary and pursue a master’s of divinity or other advanced theological degree. The core required courses introduce students to biblical studies, Lutheran theology, philosophy, and church history. Students are encouraged but not required to study biblical Greek and Hebrew and can choose from a variety of theology electives that are of interest to them. Although the degree emphasizes Lutheran doctrine, students from any Christian tradition planning to attend seminary will be well prepared by completing this major.

In the business program, students will learn to think about the overall picture of a business’s operations and how it interacts with larger market forces. A business management major at Concordia St. Paul will develop business skills in leadership, team-building, and project management. They will explore core business principles in marketing, finance, management, law, economics, and accounting with an emphasis on international perspectives and ethics.

Students studying business management develop crucial business skills in project management, team-building, HR management, and negotiations to enter the broad field of management. Using core business principles in marketing, finance, management, economics and entrepreneurship, develop a personal management style, learn motivation tactics, and utilize strategic planning skills with an emphasis on ethics. Investigate various dimensions of business decisions by delving into case studies and working as a consultant with area businesses to develop strategies for competitive advantage and growth.