Bachelor of Arts in Economics

at MSM Group - University of Missouri-St. Louis USA

The BS in Data Science and Analysis is an interdisciplinary program that is designed for students who want to develop statistical and data science skills. While data science is at the core of this program, students will also select a specialization from one of the following emphasis areas: biology, computer science, economics, mathematics, social science or supply chain analytics.

Students will learn the latest techniques including Python, R, Big Data and Data Mining. This degree will require between 36- and 51-credit hours to complete, depending on the emphasis area selected.

The BS in Biochemistry and Biotechnology allows students to develop the skills necessary to enter the biotechnology and life sciences workforce or to pursue further studies at the professional or graduate level. Students receive solid foundations in both chemistry and biology, as well as the opportunity to specialize within the rapidly growing fields of biochemistry and biotechnology.

The Biology Department ranks in the top 20 percent of the nation’s research institutions, based on scholarly productivity and federal research grant funding. Both biology and chemistry students have the opportunity to engage in hands-on research projects under the guidance of faculty.

The BA in Communication can be tailored to meet your personal, professional or academic goals. You can pursue a general communication degree or specialize in one of four emphasis areas: interpersonal communication; mass communication; strategic communication or visual communication. Students have the opportunity to earn additional credentials through undergraduate certificates in Health Communication, Media Production and Public Relations.

Throughout this program, students will explore how messages are constructed, delivered and perceived by audiences. Whether the intent is to inform, influence or entertain, students will use research and theory to improve message effectiveness and achieve desired outcomes.

The BS in Elementary Education, with an emphasis in TESOL, increases competency and confidence in integrating the four language skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing into academic teaching for English language learners. TESOL courses cover general linguistics, second/foreign language acquisition principles, cross-cultural communication theories and practices, assessments with coping strategies and developing and implementing instructional materials with reflection. The instructional design for each TESOL course includes exploring students’ backgrounds and determining desired results using assessment strategies, enacting with or presenting the interactive activities with explicit language targets and expanding inquiry with guided reflection.

The BS in Cybersecurity with an emphasis in Information Systems and Technology is a 123-credit- hour program that requires 33-credit hours of core and 75-credit hours of emphasis specific coursework. The IST emphasis provides both technical and business skills. It focuses on applied aspects of cybersecurity and is suitable for students interested in pursuing cybersecurity management and analyst roles in industry and government.

The core coursework includes introduction to computing, programming and data structures, object-oriented programming, computer organization and architecture, Linux environment and programming, introduction to information security or cyber threats and defense, secure software development, information security risk management and business continuity, computer forensics, and introduction to cryptography for computer security.

Cybersecurity is currently one of the most critical issues facing individuals, organizations, governments and society. Media reports are replete with breaches of information security and the adverse consequences for all stakeholders involved. At the same time, industry and government reports indicate a continued severe shortage of skilled cybersecurity talent across both public and private sectors.

UMSL offers dynamic, industry-driven cybersecurity curricula at the master’s level. The Master of Science (MS) in Cybersecurity is an interdisciplinary program jointly provided by the departments of Information Systems and Technology (College of Business Administration) and Computer Science (College of Arts and Sciences). It is designed to equip students with a vital combination of business and technical knowledge, and it produces professionals who can protect information resources and manage people while making cybersecurity a priority in each technology initiative.

The BS in Secondary Education, with an emphasis in Social Studies, prepares students to teach in secondary school settings, grades 9-12. This program requires the selection and completion of required coursework in Social Studies and includes field and practicum experiences in high school settings, culminating in Missouri teacher certification.

Much of the discipline-specific coursework parallels the BA degree in History or the BA or BS degrees in Economics; however, the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) requires specific coursework for teacher certification.

Students pursuing the M.A. degree in mathematics may choose the traditional track of M.A. in either pure or applied mathematics or the track in data science. The traditional track is well suited for students preparing to teach at the high school or junior college level. Those who concentrate on applied courses in the traditional track build a foundation for the application of mathematics in industry and the continuation of their education in the Ph.D. program in mathematical and computational sciences. The M.A. with data science emphasis is well suited for students preparing to work in industry as data scientists. Our graduates with data science emphasis will acquire a solid foundation in statistics and computational skills with emphasis on applications to data science.

The Bachelor’s degrees in Biology are available as both a BA and a BS, with both designed to prepare students for basic technical positions and graduate or professional studies in the life sciences. Both have the same core courses and general education requirements, but the BA has more emphasis on associated humanities areas, while the BS requires additional in-depth study, laboratory experience, communication skills and background in associated science areas.

The Department of Biology offers three ways of achieving the Master of Science degree. The first is a 30 credit hour non-thesis option suitable for those who may already have extensive research experience, for educators who seek to upgrade their academic skills but do not require research experience, or for those who need to broaden their biological background. The second is a 32 credit hour Professional Science track that includes a strong business component for students who are interested in learning more about the business aspects of companies. This track may not be appropriate for students who are interested in pursuing a PhD or working primarily as laboratory scientists. The third is a 30 credit hour traditional apprenticeship in research leading to a written thesis. All students admitted to the graduate program are considered to be in the non-thesis program unless they have been accepted into an individual faculty lab. Starting with a common core, both the thesis and non-thesis option may be developed into a final degree program in either of two broad areas in biology:

• Cell and Molecular Biology or
• Ecology, Evolution, and Systematics.

Non-thesis students may also elect to take courses in both areas. Only the non-thesis option is available in the Professional Science emphasis.