Bachelor of Arts in Biology (STEM)

at Grand Valley State University USA

Students explore the ways interconnected physical, institutional, and cultural systems shape our attitudes and behavior toward the environment. The program emphasizes practical approaches to issues through collaborative problem-solving and involvement in research, internships, and community-based projects.

Students pursuing a major in ENS may choose a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) or Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree and complete 35 to 37 credits, plus the B.A. or B.S. program requirements. Students select interdisciplinary coursework from at least one of four focus areas: sustainable food systems, energy, water resources, and culture and the built environment.

The ENS major is designed with the intention for students to easily combine and supplement it with another major, minor, or certificate to further expand knowledge and career options.

Why Study Environmental And Sustainability Studies At Grand Valley?

• Make connections to pursue a career as an environmental and sustainability professional in industry, government, and non-profit organizations.
• Develop skills in communication, advocacy, outreach, education, and research.
• Acquire first-hand experience addressing complex environmental problems through community-based learning, internships, and research projects.
• Engage in campus sustainability activities at Michigan's top-rated green university.
• Gain the broad educational background needed to create positive change as leaders, decision-makers, and citizens.

Grand Valley's French major focuses on all areas of French language and culture, preparing students for many careers. We also offer a specialized major or minor for those seeking to teach French. Most students embark on study-abroad programs in France and beyond, whether at one of our sister schools, on our faculty-led summer program in Bordeaux, or in an approved program of their choice. If you are majoring in another field, our French minor offers an opportunity to broaden your principal field by adding a cultural and linguistic dimension.

Why Study French At Grand Valley?

• France is spoken natively by over 300 million people in 56 countries on five continents, and is the most commonly learned second language in the world. It is also one of the working languages, along with English, of the United Nations and is an official language of many international organizations like NATO, International Red Cross, and more).
• French is a language of the arts and literature; of medical research, technology, and sustainability; of fashion and food; and of social and political institutions that promote multiculturalism, free thought, and the expression of ideas.
• French-language cinema ranks number 2 in the world, with hundreds of French-language films are produced each year in dozens of countries.
• Knowing French enables one to understand and appreciate cultural diversity, which not only enhances one's competitive advantage abroad and helps maintain political and security interests, but also promotes a better understanding of cultural diversity right here in the USA.
• French at GVSU is a dynamic program with an active community of students who get together regularly to take their passion for French beyond the classroom through films, game nights, and other activities.

Students can pursue an emphasis in ceramics, graphic design, illustration, jewelry and metalsmithing, painting, printmaking, sculpture, and visual studies. The program is fully accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design.

A studio art minor is also offered, requiring completion of eight courses.

Why Study The Visual Arts At Grand Valley?

• Incorporate creativity with the consideration of broader ethical, historical, scientific, and cultural ideas, fostering work that contributes to the public dialogue about those ideas.
• Work in small classes that ensure individualized attention from faculty at all levels of the program.
• Complete coursework in state-of-the-art facilities that ensure students acquire the skills essential for their chosen media.
• Benefit from a program that encourages collaboration across emphasis areas to support students' individual interests.
• Acquire the expertise necessary for participation in arts communities and for self-advocacy after graduation.

The Bachelor of Business Administration in human resource management prepares you to be the business, nonprofit, and government organizational specialists who respond to employee concerns, administer labor and employment laws, and design policies enabling organizations to achieve strategic goals.

A Bachelor of Business Administration in Human Resource Management emphasizes the management of relationships between employers and employees. The program uses cutting-edge concepts, case studies, real company projects, experiential projects and internships to prepare students for future leadership roles.

Areas of study include diversity and inclusion, recruiting and selection, training and development, performance management, compensation and benefits, employment law, and labor relations.

Why Study Human Resource Management At Grand Valley?

• The human resources faculty, with distinguished credentials and business expertise, work closely with students to establish career goals and select courses to achieve those goals.
• Current technology is integrated into courses by use of the Internet, e-commerce, and enterprise resource planning.
• Internships and mentorship programs are available, so students can earn money while gaining valuable business experience.
• There are valuable networking opportunities available with major corporations for internships and job placement.
• Take classes in the heart of the thriving business environment in downtown Grand Rapids, MI.

Grand Valley's Biomedical Engineering (B.S.E.) program prepares students for engineering careers and leadership roles. It integrates academic studies with hands-on learning and paid professional experiences in actual engineering companies. Grand Valley also offers a graduate program in engineering for those who want to expand their knowledge and skills.

Why Study Biomedical Engineering At Grand Valley?

• Prepare for a career where you can directly impact lives by designing medical devices, modeling physiologic systems, and developing medical instrumentation.
• Work with state-of-the-art motion capture equipment, tools for testing physiologic signals, and advanced prototyping capabilities to design and analyze biomedical systems.
• Complete real-world hands-on projects in small, student-focused courses.
• Partner with industry supporters who sponsor capstone design projects, fund engineering scholarships, and provide career opportunities.
• Join a group of successful graduates who have achieved a nearly 100% placement in industry-based careers or advanced graduate study.

• The Bachelor of Arts degree in music promotes the study of music within the context of a liberal education curriculum.
• The Bachelor of Music is designed for students with exceptional ability and particular interest in performance.
• The Bachelor of Music Education prepares students to teach music and meet certification requirements for Michigan's elementary and secondary schools.
• A minor in music is also available.

Why Study Music At Grand Valley?

• Studying music at GVSU, within the context of a liberal education foundation, prepares students to answer the call of a rewarding career and life.
• As an undergraduate-only program, our students have greater opportunities to learn and perform.
• Small class sizes allow students to engage directly with faculty members who are committed to understanding and encouraging each student's unique talent and needs.
• Professors are performers, international competition winners, conductors, composers, theorists, scholars, and acclaimed teachers.
• Grand Valley is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Music.

The Master of Science in biostatistics is a Professional Science Masters' (PSM) program developed in parallel with the applied statistics, data science and analytics, health informatics and bioinformatics, and cell and molecular biology programs

Why Study Biostatistics At Grand Valley?

• Master's level biostatisticians are in demand, which means higher starting salaries within exciting scientific work environments.
• Partners such as Priority Health and Spectrum Health provide formal support for internships and continuing assistance to GVSU students.
• Graduates enjoy careers with outstanding employers such as Van Andel Institute, Henry Ford Health System, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, and the MD Anderson Cancer Center.
• Classes are held later in the day, making it easier for working professionals to complete their degree.
• Program emphasizes current statistical techniques using prominent statistical software.

The Bachelor of Social Work (B.S.W.) degree prepares students for a variety of conditions that limit people's ability to function. Grand Valley graduates are prepared to help such individuals and groups overcome these limitations.

The B.S.W. requires 120 semester credit hours. The program is built on a liberal arts foundation plus 31 hours of cognate and international courses. The required courses complement 48 credit hours of professional social work courses, which emphasize CSWE core competencies and foundation practice behaviors.

Topics include: social work practice, human behavior in context, values and ethics, social and economic justice, diversity, policy, research, and critical thinking.

Why Study Social Work At Grand Valley?

• The social work program provides a foundation curriculum in a high-quality learning environment that prepares students for success in the community social work concentration.
• Through the combined efforts of the faculty, staff, and the advising center, students are provided with the personal advising and support they need to get their degree, pursue a master's degree, or start their careers.
• Students learn from engaged faculty, many of whom are nationally known for their contributions in diverse areas of the social work profession.
• The School of Social Work hosts several faculty-led International programs. These programs are typically two-week-long programs with many opportunities to be involved in the social work process in a variety of settings.
• Accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.

Majoring in geography provides students with the knowledge and technical skills to find long-term, place-based solutions that are socially, environmentally, and economically sustainable.

Both a Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Arts degrees are offered. In addition to the general geography degree, there are four distinctive areas of emphasis:

• Climate change mitigation, adaptation and resiliency planning
• City and regional planning
• Environment and global development
• Geospatial technology using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and satellite imagery

Why Study Geography At Grand Valley?

• Coursework includes research and community engagement opportunities that provide hands-on, real-world experience and networking connections.
• Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and planning are in the top 10 hot jobs in the country.
• Students acquire skills in research and analysis using the latest technology, leading to exciting, well-paid jobs both foreign and domestic, all while enhancing graduate school admissions.
• Career preparation and skills for academia, business, government and non-profits.
• The 2019 median pay for a geographer with a bachelor's degree was $81,540 per year and $39.20 per hour.

Those who major in statistics get experience and receive training in verbal and written communication skills, which are essential in today's society. Students learn the theory and application of statistical methods and get hands-on experience analyzing real-life data. Numerous minors in statistics, as well as graduate degrees in applied statistics and biostatistics, are also available.

Why Study Statistics At Grand Valley?

• Faculty members who are experts in the field pay close personal attention to students.
• Opportunities exist for students to work collaboratively with faculty members on a variety of research initiatives.
• The coursework ensures widespread application of statistical methods and hands-on experience with analyzing real-life data.
• Students have access to an extensive list of undergraduate courses where they can learn about the branches of statistical methodology.
• The program boasts a nearly 100-percent placement rate into work or graduate school.