Bachelor of Arts in Biological Sciences (STEM)

at EDUCO - University of Nebraska - Lincoln USA

Biological systems engineering (BSEN) is one of two engineering degree programs offered in the Department of Biological Systems Engineering. Biological systems engineers need to understand biological phenomena and apply engineering principles to solve challenges faced by society. To solve complex problems, a biological systems engineer needs not only to develop expertise in a specific discipline but also be prepared to work across disciplinary boundaries in diverse professional communities. As such, BSEN students develop both depth through engineering coursework in one of three emphasis areas (biomedical engineering, food and bioprocess engineering, or environmental and water resources engineering) and breadth through purposefully selected coursework in the other areas. Biological systems engineers with an emphasis in biomedical engineering might work on systems to micropropagate tissue culture, design devices for monitoring and correcting heart arrhythmias, or develop biological sensors and imaging devices for detecting diseases in humans. Biological systems engineers with an emphasis in food and bioprocess engineering might advance products and manufacturing practices through the design of equipment and processes for producing foods and biofuels. Biological systems engineers with an emphasis in environmental and water resources engineering might restore streams, lakes and wetlands; manage ecosystems; minimize nonpoint source pollution; or design systems for animal waste management.

Geography is a comprehensive discipline that, via spatial patterns analysis, reveals the intricate attributes and connectivity of human cultures and the natural environment. As such, geography is critical to understanding the complexities of global change. Students may specialize in one of many areas, including climate and weather, cultural/human geography, geographic information systems, historical geography of the Great Plains, natural resources, physical geography, pre-community and regional planning, regional studies, or remote sensing.

An education in geography prepares students for careers in government agencies as well as those involved with foreign service, land management, tourism, health care delivery systems, environmental assessment, transportation development, land use planning, air traffic control, and GIS and cartographic analysis, and in a wide variety of businesses, particularly those concerned with environmental mapping, geographic information systems, and planning. A geography major also prepares students for graduate-level degrees in geography, law (especially environmental law), international business, urban and regional planning, and teaching at all levels.

The environmental studies major is designed for students who want to make a difference and contribute to solving environmental challenges on a local to global scale. Solutions to challenges such as climate change, pollution, and resource conservation require individuals who have a broad-based knowledge in the natural and social sciences, as well as strength in a specific discipline. The environmental studies major will provide the knowledge and skills needed for students to work across disciplines and to be competitive in the job market. The environmental studies program uses a holistic approach and a framework of sustainability. This framework recognizes the necessity of meeting current resource needs without compromising the environment or the ability of future generations to meet their needs.

Economic analysis is useful in many decisions made by individuals, businesses, nonprofit organizations, and governments. In addition to opportunities in teaching, economists are employed in many branches of government and on the staffs of corporations in manufacturing, insurance, banking, brokerage, and financial services. Economists often serve as consultants, either individually or in consulting firms. Today's economists deal with problems ranging from monetary and fiscal policy, monopoly and competition, environmental improvement, labor relations, regional development, urban reconstruction, economic development, and international business and finance. Economics is also a popular major for students planning to enter professional and graduate programs, particularly in law, foreign service, labor relations, business administration, or policy analysis.

A national leader in collegiate athletics, the University of Nebraska–Lincoln attracts many students who have a strong interest in sports. The sports media and communication major provides students a unique opportunity to fulfill their aspirations of pursuing a career in sports without being a competitive athlete. Students start by creating a strong foundation of sports knowledge and skills from a variety of perspectives, including journalism, broadcasting, advertising, public relations, and marketing. Students then have the ability to add depth in their upper-level electives.

The college has offered sports courses for decades, including courses in sports broadcasting, sports writing, and sports media relations and promotion, and it has produced highly successful alumni working in sports for major media organizations across the United States. Faculty have built relationships with sports media organizations that provide special learning opportunities for students, such as ESPN, FOX Sports University, BigTen Network, Special Olympics, as well as local stations and agencies.

The sports media and communication major offers a plethora of employment opportunities for students, including jobs in sports journalism, sports announcing, sports information, sports marketing, sports event planning, sports community relations, graphic and Web design in sports, multimedia storytelling in sports, and sports media entrepreneurship.

The field of agronomy encompasses the sciences related to crops and soils. It includes crop production, crop breeding, seed production and certification, weed science, range and pasture management, soil management and irrigation, and soil conservation. The agronomy degree program is designed for students who are interested in plants and soils as they relate to economic crop production and environmental protection.

The film studies program is housed in the Department of English. The program is centered on a core curriculum of four courses in the history of film, film genre, and film directors, as well as film theory and criticism. To these core courses are added related courses, particularly those that integrate the study of moving image culture with rhetoric, philosophy, literary criticism, ethnic literature, and visual cultures of all types. The program is designed for students who wish to ultimately work in academic film studies and also for students who wish to understand film better as an art form, as popular culture, and as a major medium of communication.

A strong mathematics background is essential to an increasing variety of careers. The Department of Mathematics encourages students to select a coherent body of courses in mathematics and in other disciplines that are consistent with their academic and career goals.

The Department of Anthropology synthesizes humanistic and scientific perspectives on human biological and cultural diversity as well as the evolutionary trends seen for humankind. Students and faculty bring this integrated perspective to interactions and collaborations with others in a variety of departments and programs in each of the Colleges across the University.

Courses in anthropology acquaint students with the range of human behavior as differentially explored within each of the subdisciplines within anthropology—archaeology, biological anthropology, and cultural anthropology. Research or methodological courses outfit students with valuable analytic and research skills in qualitative, quantitative and GIS analysis as well as in content-appropriate analytic protocols, as for the analysis of archaeological and ethnographic materials.

The Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences offers both the bachelor of science and the bachelor of arts degrees in geology. The bachelor of science program is designed for those who expect to continue in graduate work and become professional geoscientists. Undergraduate training in geology is also beneficial in many other fields such as teaching at the pre-college level, urban planning, law, civil engineering, environmental studies, and museum work. Students preparing for these or similar areas are advised to take the bachelor of arts program, which is strong in fundamental geology but does not emphasize the ancillary courses required for admission to many graduate programs.