Bachelor of Arts in Plant Biology (STEM)

at EDUCO - University of Nebraska - Lincoln USA

Construction management (CNST) is a complete undergraduate degree program available to students within the Charles W. Durham School of Architectural Engineering and Construction located at Nebraska Hall on the Lincoln City Campus and at the Peter Kiewit Institute (PKI) on the Scott Campus in Omaha. Construction is one of the largest and most diversified industries in the country, accounting for approximately four percent of the U.S. gross domestic product (GDP). The key professional in this vast enterprise is the “constructor,” a term given to leaders and managers in the construction industry who are responsible for planning, scheduling, and building the projects designed by architects and engineers. These highly-specialized efforts are indispensable in meeting the country’s growing need for new structures, infrastructure and environmental controls that are of high quality and are cost effective, efficient and sustainable.

Construction firms vary in size from large corporations to small proprietorships and partnerships. These are often classified according to the kind of construction work they do—general contractors, heavy and highway contractors, specialty contractors—including mechanical and electrical—and residential builders and developers. Many firms engage in more than one category of work. Some larger companies incorporate the architectural and engineering design functions as part of their role as a design/build firm. Collectively, constructors manufacture our entire built environment—buildings for housing, commerce and industry, highways, railroads, waterways, airports, power plants, energy distribution systems, military bases and space center complexes. Thus, the construction management field is broad, requiring a unique educational background for its professional practitioners.

Although the range of construction activities appears wide and diverse, the general education requirements for construction management are universal regardless of a particular firm’s area of specialization. Since construction is primarily a business enterprise, the graduate must have a sound background in business management and administration as well as an understanding of the fundamentals of architecture and engineering as they relate to project design and the actual construction process in the field. Professional expertise lies in the fields of construction science, methods and management. A working knowledge of structural design, mechanical and electrical systems, methods and materials, soil mechanics and construction equipment is also essential.

What you will learn
Professionals in construction management make up the most diversified industry in the nation. As constructors, these individuals provide leadership for managing, coordinating, and supervising the construction processes during the concept development, design, and construction and facility management stages. Students will spend time at a building site as well as managing the contracts, execution of the building plans, and quality assurance. As part of the college's Durham School of Architectural Engineering and Construction, students will also enjoy innovative research and hands-on opportunities outside the classroom. There is a high demand for UNL graduates in this area.

The global studies major at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln prepares students for a changing and complex world by increasing their knowledge of global issues and developing their skills in critical thinking, communication, and logical analysis. The interdisciplinary program is designed to help students understand the growing connectedness and diversity of interactions at the global level. Global studies provides students with a range of classroom, community, and co-curricular activities both domestically and internationally. It is built on the framework of:

• Being a dynamic and well-integrated interdisciplinary academic program for student learning opportunities and an active partner in the College’s internationalizing the curriculum strategic plan;
• Providing students a variety of well-vetted academic and international/experiential learning opportunities that will enhance their depth of global understanding;
• Collaborating with other internationally-focused programs at UNL to promote interest in and understanding of global events and structures; and
• Developing strong, mutually-beneficial partnerships with relevant community groups and individuals.

The Department of Physics and Astronomy offers programs leading to the bachelor of arts and bachelor of science degrees. Students preparing for either graduate study or a professional career in physics should pursue a bachelor of science degree with a professional option. For students who have special interests, the department offers options in optics and lasers, materials physics, and computational physics.

The courses required for the bachelor of arts degree in physics offer a broader program in science and the liberal arts suitable for a variety of pre-professional curricula and for interdisciplinary studies in areas including biophysics, chemical physics, and geophysics.

The mechanized systems management (MSYM) major prepares students for delivery, management, and technical support of engineered systems for agriculture, food, energy, and water. Students will develop technical, systems analysis, and management skills. This major is ideal for students interested in working with machinery and equipment systems from a practical perspective. The MSYM program includes hands-on coursework in power and machinery systems, processing and handling equipment, and sensors and controls combined with coursework in business, management, agriculture, and natural sciences that prepares students for a wide range of careers in a variety of industries related to agriculture, food, energy, and water. The program offers four options for specialization:

• Production Option
• Business Option
• Technical Option
• Processing Operations Option

Students in the MSYM major benefit from small classes and personalized faculty advising. Students have the opportunity to work part-time in the Nebraska Tractor Test Laboratory and numerous departmental research projects. Students are encouraged to participate in student clubs such as the Mechanized Systems Management Club, the Tractor Restoration Club, and the University of Nebraska–Lincoln Quarter Scale Tractor Team.

The School of Art, Art History and Design offers students the opportunity to investigate visual art through a variety of experiences. The art major enables students to attain proficiency in the practice of art and knowledge of the history of art as part of a general college education. Some may want to devote themselves to a period of intensive studio art education, while others may be interested in pursuing art for the purpose of building cultural awareness and critical thinking skills. Two undergraduate degrees are available to art majors. The student’s career goals will determine the appropriate option.

The bachelor of arts degree (BA) is a liberal arts degree with about forty-five percent of the coursework in the School of Art, Art History and Design, providing the flexibility to study various academic disciplines outside of art. The bachelor of fine arts degree (BFA) is a professional degree, the usual preparation for professional careers or graduate study in studio art, and includes about seventy percent of the coursework from the School of Art, Art History and Design. Increased studio art requirements in the BFA allow for specialization within a chosen area or a customized studio experience.

The Department of Modern Languages and Literatures offers courses in Arabic, German, Japanese, the Romance Language group (French, Spanish), and the Slavic group (Czech, Russian). Whenever possible, the courses are conducted in the language that is studied. The aim of instruction is reading, writing, aural and oral proficiency, and an understanding of the life, literature, and culture of the country. Lectures and films in the language studied are offered during the school year for the benefit of the students in the department. Language laboratories supplement class work.

The Department of Modern Languages and Literatures offers courses in Arabic, German, Japanese, the Romance Language group (French, Spanish), and the Slavic group (Czech, Russian). Whenever possible, the courses are conducted in the language that is studied. The aim of instruction is reading, writing, aural and oral proficiency, and an understanding of the life, literature, and culture of the country. Lectures and films in the language studied are offered during the school year for the benefit of the students in the department. Language laboratories supplement class work.

The department participates in the following interdisciplinary study programs: Institute for Ethnic Studies, Global Studies, Jewish Studies, Latin American Studies, Medieval and Renaissance Studies, and Women’s and Gender Studies.

The Department of Modern Languages and Literatures offers courses in Arabic, German, Japanese, the Romance Language group (French, Spanish), and the Slavic group (Czech, Russian). Whenever possible, the courses are conducted in the language that is studied. The aim of instruction is reading, writing, aural and oral proficiency, and an understanding of the life, literature, and culture of the country. Lectures and films in the language studied are offered during the school year for the benefit of the students in the department. Language laboratories supplement class work.

We aim to develop both the mindset and skillset that will make our graduates outstanding global citizens who are effective in one of six functional areas, namely: business administration (i.e., general international business), economics, finance, management, marketing, and supply chain management and analytics. Our international business (IB) major is designed to give students a combination of skills in a functional area (i.e., a specialization) and global business.  Therefore, international business graduates pursue careers in one of the six areas they choose to specialize in.

To succeed in international business, one must thrive in unfamiliar and dynamic conditions. Cultural and language barriers, socioeconomic diversity, geopolitical tensions, and unstable legal regimes are some of the constant challenges we prepare our students to face. These conditions are present in domestic and international markets.

Excelling within such conditions requires a high level of understanding, patience, judgment and other social skills.  International Business students are well-grounded and confident even when they face being wrong in order to get it right. Their quest for understanding breeds good judgment and intuition to lead through empathy.

We push students to become aware of cognitive biases that permeate all human interaction and impede understanding and decision making. We give them tools to control their own biases using mindfulness practice. We also nurture skills for framing discussions to avoid biases in others. We study techniques developed in international diplomacy for negotiation in the international context. The ethical dilemmas common to international business and how they appear in everyday dealings are examined.

Our rigorous coursework draws on practical academic disciplines that prepare students to perform different business functions. In addition, we constantly strive to develop students’ skills and feed their intellectual curiosity. We require students to advance their foreign language skills, not simply for practical reasons but to develop empathy and neuroplasticity; and we require an international internship or practicum to develop character and experience. Finally, students immerse within the global context to challenge and develop their skills through our global immersion programs where they work on multidisciplinary projects in established markets (e.g., parts of Europe) as well as in frontier markets, including Africa, Asia, and South America.

What you will learn
The international business major combines the solid base of a bachelor of arts in business administration with advanced language study, international experience and academic studies in international business. Students in international business study the business practices of other nations and learn how international trade laws affect the world economy. They also learn about the culture and management methods that differ around the globe.

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.