Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts - Interdisciplinary

at INTO Group - Colorado State University USA

Biology is the study of all living things—including microscopic bacteria and viruses, plants, and animals, and their relationship to their environments. Biology majors study the structure and function of cells, organ systems and tissues of animals and plants, ecology (the relationship between living things and their environment), animal behavior, genetics/genomics and evolution. They learn about physiology, behavior, genetics and heredity, aquatic systems, microscopic organisms such as bacteria, and techniques for diverse areas ranging from field research to biotechnology. This major provides a solid foundation of understanding the basic biological sciences. It also offers an opportunity to choose an area of emphasis within life sciences that relates to particular career goals (for example: the ecology of organisms, cell and molecular biology, biomedical professions, aquatic biology, marine biology, plant molecular biology for agricultural biotechnology and bioenergy, evolutionary biology, etc.).

Computer science is about creating innovative solutions to complex, real-world problems. Students in this major study step-by-step computational methods for solving problems by encoding, storing, tracking and transforming information. Computer science is much broader than just programming. It is informed by the theory and architecture of computing devices, and the tools and practices used to design and implement software.

The computer science major at CSU provides students a broad background in the field while simultaneously allowing students to focus on specific areas. In addition to a general computer science degree with the option for a minor in a field of their choice, we offer the following concentrations:

• Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
• Computing Systems
• Human-Centered Computing
• Networks and Security
• Software Engineering

The department offers a wide range of specialized senior-level courses where students can explore in depth different areas of computer science including: big data, computer networks, distributed systems, artificial intelligence, machine learning, computational biology / bioinformatics, human-computer interaction, graphics, database systems, compilers, parallel programming, object oriented design, and advanced topics in algorithms and theory of computer science.

The Business major encourages critical thinking while exploring modern management theories, relevant business practices, and current industry trends. You’ll discover your interests along the way and begin to focus your studies based on your interests and talents. Then you can choose from 10 concentrations to merge your academic focus with your career goals.

Financial Planning - Concentration
Financial planners are responsible for guiding individuals through life’s big financial decisions. This concentration prepares you to enter the financial planning profession as a personal financial planner, investment adviser, or financial product representative. In careers like these, you’ll help people learn to manage their money in order to better support themselves and their families, successfully save for retirement or a college degree, manage estate planning, as well as navigate the complexities of tax and insurance planning.

The financial planning concentration is a CFP® Board Registered Program. Upon graduating from CSU’s College of Business, you will be on track to becoming a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional, prepared to uphold the highest ethical standards and maintain the fiduciary responsibility to put your client's interests above your own.

Sociology is the study of social life. It focuses on the interaction between human groups and societal institutions, from social relationships within family units in preindustrial cultures to those within large, bureaucratic institutions in major industrialized nations. As one of the largest and most diverse departments on campus, we pride ourselves on celebrating our many backgrounds, experiences, and different ways of thinking. What binds us together is the desire to make the world a better place by understanding how society works and helping solve problems.

Sociology majors have many opportunities to pursue broad and diverse ranges of interest. Students gain a sense of social perspective, an understanding of human affairs, an ability to think critically and perform research, and a capacity to write well. The curriculum includes general courses in the arts and humanities and the social sciences along with sociology course work. A generous selection of electives allows students to major or minor in a complementary discipline. A Sociology major also may enroll in one of the interdisciplinary minors, such as Latin American and Caribbean Studies, Religious Studies, or Women’s and Gender Studies.

The Department of English is home to poets and linguists, literacy researchers and teacher educators, novelists and literary scholars, composition specialists and writers of creative nonfiction.

The MA in English with a specialization in Writing, Rhetoric, and Social Change allows you to pursue the study of writing and writing instruction, including the theory and practice of writing and writing instruction; the roles writing plays in public and private contexts; the composing processes used by writers in varying contexts and for particular purposes; the social, cultural, and historical forces shaping writing and writing instruction; and the impact of technology on writing and writing instruction.

Areas of Study

• Writing, Rhetoric, and Social Change

Chemists study the atomic and molecular structure of physical matter and analyze how it changes. More specifically, they investigate how basic atomic and molecular components are combined and can be manipulated to produce useful or improved products. They also develop methods to measure atomic and molecular properties and their interactions, enabling insight into a range of processes from mining to clinical diagnostics. Chemistry majors develop a solid foundation in general chemistry and mathematics followed by course work in organic chemistry, analytical chemistry, physical chemistry, inorganic chemistry, biochemistry, and physics. The curriculum is rounded out by courses in the liberal and communications arts.

Chemistry majors are encouraged to participate in undergraduate research. Ample opportunities exist for undergraduate students to become involved in ground-breaking research in the laboratories of individual faculty members. Students have access to state-of-the-art equipment in faculty laboratories and the Central Instrument Facility including NMR, FTIR, UV/Vis, fluorescence, and mass spectrometers, vacuum lines, x-ray diffractometers and many more. Undergraduate research is strongly encouraged for any student considering a career in chemistry and many students complete supervised research for academic credit.

The Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Music allows students to study music within a larger context of a liberal arts education. In comparison to the curriculum leading to the Bachelor of Music (B.M.), less emphasis is placed on studies specifically in music, with greater flexibility for studies in a field outside of music. In lieu of a larger number of credits in music as required for the B.M, the B.A. student completes a 21-credit option in an area outside of music. In addition, completion of a major paper or capstone recital (half recital) is required during the senior year.

Composition - Concentration
The Composition concentration is a professional undergraduate degree program designed to prepare the student to compose original music for a wide variety of genres, including symphonic works, chamber music, electronic music, and music for media. Course work emphasizes comprehensive musicianship, with particular emphasis on individualized study in music composition.

Water impacts every aspect of life from environmental stability to global political issues. The Watershed Science major is designed to give you a broad, scientific foundation in the study of water, how it moves across the land, and how different human activities affect water. You’ll come out with an array of job possibilities in the public and private sector, as well as skills to help preserve and protect earth’s most-important resource. The program capitalizes on its proximity to the Rocky Mountains, High Plains, and basins of Colorado to give students unique educational opportunities in outdoor laboratories.

Sustainable management of freshwater resources is an increasingly important and complex challenge in Colorado and worldwide, and we need scientists who can address complex water issues. The Watershed Science program focuses on how water moves through the landscape, what factors affect its quality, and how to manage water resources. Students begin their program by building a strong foundation in the physical and natural sciences in preparation for upper-division coursework in land-use hydrology, snow hydrology, water quality, and watershed problem analysis. Students gain hands-on experience with water measurements outside and in the lab, and build technical and writing skills to prepare them for careers in hydrology and water resources.

Bioagricultural Sciences and Pest Management is a unique department among U.S. land grant universities, encompassing the disciplines of entomology, plant pathology, and weed science.

Areas of Study

• Biology and management of invasive species
• Ecology and biodiversity
• Entomology
• Genomics and molecular biology
• Integrated pest management
• Pest Management
• Plant Pathology
• Weed Science

The Department of Anthropology and Geography houses a diverse faculty that includes cultural anthropologists, archaeologists, biological anthropologists, and geographers whose scholarship spans the breadth of human experience.

Areas of Study

• Archaeology
• Biological Anthropology
• Cultural Anthropology
• Humans and the Environment
• International Development
• Professional Methods and Techniques
• The Anthropology of Health and Well-being