Bachelor of Science in Applied Science (STEM)

at EDUCO - University of Nebraska - Lincoln USA

Philosophy is the critical study of the fundamental concepts and assumptions involved in all central areas of human experience, including religion, morality, science, and art. The department offers an introduction to philosophy course designed for the general student, as well as introductory courses in logic and current issues.

The basic philosophy curriculum includes courses in the history of philosophy covering the period which begins with the development of rational inquiry by the philosophers of ancient Greece and which concludes with the construction of the modern philosophical systems of the Enlightenment as well as courses in each of the major fields of philosophical study: ethics, which is concerned with the basis of morality; metaphysics, which explores different views about what fundamentally exists; epistemology, which examines the nature and limits of human knowledge; and logic, which studies general methods of reasoned argument and analysis.

A number of courses reflect the role of philosophy in investigating the fundamental concepts and assumptions of other disciplines, including courses in medical ethics, the philosophy of law, the philosophy of science, and the philosophy of mathematics.

Other courses focus on the role of philosophy in the critical analysis of basic evaluative conceptions and assumptions. Courses in political philosophy critically examine the evaluative concepts and assumptions involved in our beliefs about government, individual liberty, and social and economic justice. Courses in the philosophy of religion do the same for beliefs about the nature and existence of God and about the relations between faith and knowledge.

The department also offers courses in aesthetics, the philosophical study of art, music, and literature understood as fundamental forms of human culture and significant expressions of the human spirit.

The interdisciplinary character of philosophy, together with its focus on evaluative issues and its unique emphasis on general methods of reasoned argument and analysis, leads to an unusually broad and intellectually sound major for students preparing themselves for such professions as law, medicine, social work, government service, and the ministry. The philosophy major is indispensable for those who wish to prepare for a career as a philosopher within a college or university setting.

The textile science option emphasizes textiles and biofibers, textile production, and issues concerning the global textile industry. Professional support in related sciences and business is required. The program is planned for students interested in sales, research, or management in the textile industry. It is also recommended for students who plan to go on to graduate school in either textiles or related sciences. Students are eligible to receive a minor in chemistry from the College of Arts and Sciences.

Food science and technology students find career opportunities with food processing firms, government agencies, and educational institutions. Types of positions available to food science and technology graduates include new product development, quality assurance, food plant management, food research, food marketing and sales, and education.

The curriculum includes a balance of courses in food science, biological sciences, physical sciences, mathematics, social sciences, and humanities. Food science courses include food engineering, food analysis, food chemistry, food microbiology, nutrition, quality assurance, and commodity processing courses. Students are encouraged to participate in an internship program that provides summer employment in the food industry.

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.

Latino and Latin American studies includes a major and minor in Latin American studies and a minor in U.S. Latina/Latino studies.

The major and minor in Latin American studies are designed to provide a sound basis for undergraduate students who intend to seek employment with governmental agencies and private enterprises with operations in Latin America, as well as those who decide to undertake graduate study in some academic discipline with emphasis in this area. The U.S. Latina/Latino studies minor focuses on people of Latin American origin or descent living in the U.S.

Many students who major in Latin American studies carry a double major with Spanish, history, political science, economics, global studies, or international business or have chosen to minor in one of those fields.

The University of Nebraska–Lincoln and the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) are cooperating with the Latin American studies major. UNO students may complete their course requirements by attending classes at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. Nebraska students may take courses offered at UNO to meet some requirements for a major in Latin American studies. Please note that University residency requirements still apply. Students should check with their advisor for information on UNO equivalent courses or other courses that may apply to the Latin American studies major.

The advertising and public relations major prepares students for careers in a wide variety of communication-related areas. Recent graduates have accepted positions in more than 20 states and several other countries in diverse careers such as retail and corporate advertising and marketing, media sales, brand management, media planning, account management, research, public relations, media relations, special event planning, mobile and digital communications, creative concepting, sports media relations, digital insights and analytics, copywriting, and layout and design.

The advertising and public relations faculty members believe that a successful career must be built upon a solid foundation, an education that combines theory and practice. To achieve that end, the major offers courses in copywriting, layout, media planning, graphics, campaign development, research, management, coding, and strategic communications. The curriculum is designed to emphasize strategy, planning, and implementation in creative problem-solving.

Much emphasis is placed on individual relationships between faculty and students, an interaction vital to a student’s creative development. An advisor also helps each student tailor an academic plan to meet his or her interests and needs.

In advertising and public relations classes, students often work with actual clients who present real-life problems. This experience gives students a professional perspective on problem solving in many sectors including nonprofit, retail, small business, and community organizations as well as large corporations. Students are encouraged to augment their academic experience with internships.

Mechanical engineering is a broad field of study that significantly impacts many technologies, including those that expand our energy resources and improve medical care. Mechanical engineers are concerned with all forms of energy conversion and transmission; the flow of fluids and heat; the development, design, manufacturing, and operation of machinery and equipment; material structure and properties; solid and applied mechanics; and transportation processes. The course of study is designed to give the student fundamental preparation to enter the fields of research, design, operation, production, sales, or management.

The mechanical engineering curriculum is structured so that students are well prepared in the fundamental areas of solid mechanics, thermal-fluid sciences, systems and design engineering, and materials engineering. Students can develop an emphasis area of study by concentrating elective courses in specific interdisciplinary areas such as aerospace engineering, automotive engineering, robotics, biomedical engineering, computational methods, manufacturing, nanotechnology and others, depending upon the technical courses available and the interest of the student. Additionally, broader general education requirements are covered through the Achievement-Centered Education (ACE) program (ace.unl.edu); the mechanical engineering curriculum requirements cover ACE areas [1-4,8,10], and students may work with their academic advisor to select courses covering areas [5-7,9].

Mission Statement
The mission of the Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering at the University of Nebraska is to impact society locally and globally through our educational programs, research, and service, developing knowledge and sharing our expertise in the best traditions of land-grant universities. We strive for excellence in teaching and learning at both the undergraduate and graduate levels; seek to develop novel educational opportunities; grow our public and private support for research and education; and expand our scholarship, outreach, and service.

What you will learn
Mechanical engineers are considered the "general practitioners" of engineering because they solve a diverse range of problems. At UNL, students will choose among three major areas: thermal-fluid science engineering, systems and design engineering, and materials science engineering. Students will be able to practice what they learn in the classroom by joining clubs like the HUSKER racing team that designs and competes in contests like the national Baja race or NASA's Microgravity University (where UNL teams are chosen to help with NASA research in a zero gravity environment). Students also have numerous interactions with local industry for senior design projects. Companies provide projects for students, providing them real-life engineering problems and access to potential employers.

Human Development and Family Science provides a comprehensive program grounded in family science theory, research, and professional practice and application for individuals to work with children and families. This career path provides students with knowledge and intervention skills that will assist them in helping to prevent and remedy interpersonal problems experienced by individuals in their family relationships, building on the family’s strengths. In addition, Family Science will prepare students for graduate school (e.g. family science, family therapy, social work, counseling psychology, and law), or for employment in human services agencies or programs.

A political science major combines the analytical and communication skills of a liberal arts degree with an in-depth understanding of governments and political processes. Your political science major prepares you for virtually any career path—from government to law, journalism to business. Courses in political science examine government and politics in the United States and around the world.

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.