Bachelor of Arts in English with Emphasis in Comprehensive

at Northern Arizona University - Flagstaff Campus USA

A Bachelor of Science in History provides students with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to succeed in civic life, in graduate study, and in a variety of careers.  Our program emphasizes the complex tensions and synergies between human agency and larger historical forces in order to inform honest debate on past and current events as members of engaged, critical, and dynamic communities.  Historical perspective is an essential component of responsible and informed citizenship and provides significant advantages to students in a multicultural world and workplace. Our graduates attain the writing skills, research methods, and critical and analytical thinking necessary not only for history professions, but for a wide variety of career paths, such as management, law, and education in both academic and public settings.
 
Our curriculum trains students to find, evaluate, and employ primary and secondary sources as evidence to frame and answer questions through analysis, interpretation, and critical engagement. Students therefore learn to reach sound judgments and construct persuasive arguments through research rather than by relying on hearsay or presumptions. Students further develop appreciation for the diversity of the human experience and consciousness of how local and global histories inform one another in both past and present, and how historical research can transform those relations. In addition, students gain expertise in another discipline to complement the practice of historical inquiry with an interdisciplinary approach.

This degree provides interactive performance training in either voice or instrument. These emphases are backed by a rich variety of coursework in theory, ear training, music history, and musical genres. The emphasis in Voice requires a demonstration of proficiency in French, German, or Italian.

The purpose of the Bachelor of Music Performance degree program is to prepare students as performers in a variety of settings, along with developing skills as teaching artists and musician-entrepreneurs.  Students are also prepared for further study at the graduate and/or professional level.

Musicology Emphasis

Students develop skills in the area of musicology and/or ethnomusicology that prepare them for further study at the doctoral level.

• Demonstrate advanced historical knowledge of music from the Western tradition as well as music from around the world.
• Demonstrate advanced analytical skills in interpreting music within historical and cultural contexts.
• Participate in the intellectual discourse on music, drawing from their historical, practical, and theoretical knowledge.
• Develop appropriate research questions and arguments and integrate musicological/ethnomusicological methods for the purposes of answering the developed questions and supporting the developed arguments.
• Demonstrate understanding and breadth of critical approaches to music in preparation for researching and writing a master’s level thesis.
• Produce a master’s thesis displaying research of a caliber that could be presented at a regional music conference. This thesis will:
• Present an original, sustained, and coherent argument.
• Involve detailed musical analysis of the work of a particular composer or a specific repertoire of musical works.
• Summarize, respond to, and/or build upon the prior secondary analytical literature on that composer or repertoire.
• Employ a methodology that is more detailed, specific, and/or advanced than the approaches taught at the level of the basic undergraduate music history course sequence.

The interdisciplinary Bachelor of Science in Informatics integrates cutting-edge tools and skills from data analytics, data science, computing, statistical analysis, and modeling with fundamental knowledge from emphasis areas in biology, health, ecology, environmental science, and/ or astronomy. Gain the skills you need to thrive in today’s information-centric professional workplace and follow your passion for the environment, biology, or astronomy (and related fields).

Informatics is data science (a combination of programming with statistics) plus a scientific discipline (environmental science, biology, or astronomy).

 A student graduating with a degree in informatics will be prepared for a range of data science jobs or scientific jobs that require great numeracy.  

All students will take classes in informatics, computer science and statistics.  All students will also participate in the four-class research intensive series teaching research methods.  Ecoinformatics students will also take core classes in environmental science.  Bioinformatics students will also take core classes in biology.  Astroinformatics students will also take core classes in astronomy.

Statistics forms the backbone of a multitude of research endeavors and is essential in the design of experiments and analysis of experimental data—in disciplines old, new, and cutting edge. This non-thesis advanced degree concludes with a comprehensive exam conducted by the student's advisory committee.

Student Learning Outcomes

• Graduates will demonstrate breadth and depth of knowledge of statistics at the graduate level.
  • Graduates will understand a wide range of statistical theory, especially Probability, Mathematical Statistics, and Linear Models, which are central to advanced studies in statistics. This foundation provides the primary mathematical framework for understanding and applying advanced statistical methods.
  • Graduates will understand and be able to apply advanced statistical models and inference methods and how they relate to the core statistical theory.
  • Graduates will demonstrate mastery by successfully completing a comprehensive oral exam covering an approved set of three courses encompassing topics in both theoretical and applied statistics. This exam is administered by a committee of the faculty with expertise in these courses from the Department of Mathematics & Statistics.
• Graduates will demonstrate statistical reasoning skills at the graduate level.
  • Graduates will be able to select data collection methodologies based on relevant scientific questions and practicality constraints.
  • Graduates will be able to choose and implement analysis methods based on the constraints of a study design and the scientific questions of interest.
  • Graduates will be able to assess statistical significance of aspects of a proposed model and interpret  the results in the situational context.
  • Graduates will have the theoretical and applied knowledge to understand and critique new statistical methodology and its relevance to a particular study or scientific problem.
  • Graduates will possess the creativity and intuition to apply known statistical methodology in new situations.
• Graduates will communicate statistics effectively in preparation for careers in industry, with government agencies, or in education.
  • By both written and oral means, graduates will be able to explain statistical methodology, assumptions, and results.
  • Graduates will be proficient in the use of numerical, graphical, and narrative methods for conveying statistical information.
  • By tailoring the level of complexity and detail to the audience, graduates will be able to communicate effectively with statisticians, non--statistician researchers, and the community at large.

Chemistry is a diverse discipline that encompasses living processes, inorganic interactions, and analytical methods. Chemistry deals with the basic laws of the physical world and the composition and properties of matter. Students trained in chemistry enter careers in academia, research, pharmacy, forensics, medicine, the environment, space exploration, and national defense. Students can select an emphasis that best prepares them for their chosen career path.

The breadth of the field of chemistry requires a wide range of knowledge and skills. The goal of the NAU chemistry degree program is to ensure that our graduates:

• Are well versed in the fundamental principles of chemistry: the atomic theory of matter, the quantum nature of the atom, and the principle laws of thermodynamics;
• Are knowledgeable about frequently encountered elements, compounds, and reactions;
• Understand biosynthetic pathways and modes of action of biomolecules;
• Understand factors controlling the mechanisms of chemical reactions;
• Are knowledgeable about synthesis strategies and can successfully conduct synthetic sequences in the laboratory;
• Understand the principles of chemical analysis and are proficient at using modern instrumentation to carry out analysis;
• Are adept at solving problems independently and contributing to a team effort;
• Able to communicate their scientific results orally and in writing.

The Bachelor of Arts in Modern Languages provides students with a socio-cultural and historical background as well as linguistic abilities to engage with French, German, Japanese, and Spanish speaking populations from around the world in a variety of social and cultural contexts. Through linguistic, literary and cultural approaches to the study of the French, German, Japanese, and Spanish language, our students develop speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills that allow them to understand and interact effectively with diverse cultures. Throughout this process the students develop cognitive skills in critical thinking and analysis and recognize the importance of being able to function in a global society. With their linguistic abilities in French, German, Japanese, and Spanish, they are better able to compete for career opportunities in the domestic and global job markets and are prepared to become productive, responsible members of the local, national and international communities in which they live and work.

Japanese IGP Emphasis

• Create with language to express meanings orally on concrete topics relating to work, school, home, and leisure activities using all major time frames (present, past, and future). They can interact with native speakers unaccustomed to dealing with non-natives, and handle complicated or unexpected communicative tasks. (Speaking skills)
• Identify and use main ideas and details from connected aural discourse involving description and narration in different timeframes or aspects, and about a variety of topics beyond immediacy of the situation for communicative purposes. (Listening skills)
• Identify and use main ideas and details from authentic, connected, longer, written texts involving description and narration in different formats about a variety of topics for communicative purposes. (Reading skills)
• Create with language to express meanings in written form about familiar topics using the major timeframes with some control of aspect. (Writing skills)
• Think critically and analytically in response to socio-cultural, historical, and linguistic issues and/or classic and contemporary literary texts related to the culture of the target language. (Critical thinking and analytical skills)
• Understand the cultural, political and artistic diversity of perspectives, practices and products of the target language populations including how racial and ethnic diversity relates to those perspectives, practices and products. (Globalization - Diversity)
• Recognize, investigate, and produce written and oral discourse in the target language communicating findings about historical and contemporary issues important to life in countries of the target language.
• Explore how historical, political, religious and economic forces have shaped the current world system with its power inequalities and efforts to address them with a focus on the culture of the target language. (Globalization – Global Engagement)
• Analyze the structure and use of the language at the sound, word, and sentence level.
• Summarize different linguistic features observed in different dialects in terms of historical change, geographical location and social variables.
• Explore and analyze the role of human interactions with the environment and its relation to the root causes of many global problems focusing on those occurring in the culture of the target language. (Globalization - Environmental Sustainability)

The Master of Arts program in the Department of Psychological sciences provides graduate students with advanced disciplinary training which equips students for entry into doctoral training programs, employment in a burgeoning behavioral health field, and positions that require sophisticated training in methodological procedures and quantitative reasoning.  From completion of core courses, all program students demonstrate proficient competencies in methodological design and intermediate-level statistical application; these skills are subsequently woven into 1) students' faculty-supervised research (including research dedicated to the completion of a thesis as well as additional non-thesis research), 2) opportunities for supervised applied experiences, such as program evaluation, field work/internship placements through local behavioral and mental health organizations, and 3) professional development experiences, such as teaching or statistical consultation, that benefit students in both employment and doctoral training programs. 

The Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Visual Commuication is designed to produce graduates who are skilled in using art, design and technology to creatively communicate ideas and transform messages into visual communication. Through the rigorous coursework, students will develop skills in using aesthetic and conceptual judgment, color, type, symbols, digital images, multi-media, interactivity, motion graphics, photography, and project management to produce messages that clearly inform, effectively communicate brand experience, and persuade viewers.

Motion Design Emphasis

• Knowledge and skills in the use of basic principles, concepts, tools, techniques, procedures, and technologies sufficient to produce motion graphics from concept to a finished product that communicates ideas and/or stories to a viewer or to an audience. This includes, but is not limited to, the ability to use the competencies listed in items below in professional contexts as appropriate to the needs of specific projects.
• Knowledge of the principles of motion design, including its visual, spatial, sound, motion, and temporal elements and features, and how these elements are combined in the development of motion graphics.
• Functional understanding of and ability to use narrative, non-narrative, and other information/language structures (linear, non-linear, thematic, cinematic, interactive, etc.) to organize content in time-based media.
• Ability to use concepts and processes for the development, coordination, and completion of motion graphics (examples include, but are not limited, to concept, visual, and character development; the use of scenarios and personas; and storyboarding, flowcharting, and layout).
• Functional understanding and ability to use the characteristics and capabilities of various animation methods and technologies in creative and project development contexts (examples include, but are not limited to, stop motion, 2D Digital, 3D Digital, etc.).

The Master of Science in Biology prepares students for research-focused professions in the biological sciences, emphasizing the development of a students’ ability to develop experimental approaches that accurately capture information to solve questions and problems in their biological field of study.  Our faculty members conduct research in the many fields of biology, from the level of single molecules to whole ecosystems. From the first day of entry into our program, students work closely with their faculty mentor, selecting a course of study suited to their future goals and professional interests.  The program enables graduates to contribute to the forefront of knowledge in the scientific community, share their knowledge through teaching, or apply it in public service or industry.  
 
Students pursuing the emphasis in Ecology, Evolution & Conservation Biology will integrate theoretical and empirical concepts in ecology and evolutionary biology to understand ecological patterns and the mediating processes that drive populations, communities and ecosystems.  Students will become familiar with ecological sampling techniques and statistical methodologies necessary to characterize populations, communities and ecosystems over broad geographic regions, and will apply current approaches for identifying and mitigating the effects of invasive species and anthropogenic impacts on threatened and endangered species within the natural ecosystems they inhabit.