Bachelor of Science in Data Science - Computer Science

at Northwest Missouri State University USA

The first of its kind in Missouri and the region, Northwest’s Data Science major is an interdisciplinary program with four areas of emphasis: computer science, business, molecular biology and geographic information systems.

The molecular biology emphasis focuses on bioinformatics, the crossroads between lab science and analytics. Today, scientists use a variety of approaches for characterizing cells and their interactions with each other and their environments. These approaches include genomics, the sequencing of whole genomes to determining the potential of a specific gene; transcriptomics, analyzing when and why genes are turned on or off at a given time; metabolmics, determining which metabolites are present or absent in a cell; and proteomics, determining which proteins are present or absent in a cell. Faculty focus on teaching how data are collected, analyzed and interpreted.

Radiologic science is the study of obtaining and interpreting medical images for medical diagnosis, assessment and treatment of disease. At Northwest, faculty focus on teaching students basic principles of anatomy, the positioning and function of bones and muscles and their relationships within the human body; physiology, the study of interrelationship between organs and organ systems; basic pharmacology and clinical and patient techniques.

With radiologic technologist positions requiring a degree, Northwest offers a unique two-year program that provides students with the foundation knowledge in requirements for the admission to radiologic schools. Students then attend a radiology school for an additional two years to complete a bachelor’s degree.

Geography is a holistic discipline that studies the relationship between humans, the unique cultures of construct and the environments in which they live. This major prepares students for a wide range of careers in varied areas of geography and culture. This major offers three different areas of focus:

• Culture and Society
• Environmental Geography
• Geographic Information Science

Each emphasis allows students to specialize in one of these fields and tailor classes within that emphasis to fit their interest beyond the core courses within the program.

As a student majoring in geography at Northwest, you learn the importance and impacts of space, the uniqueness of places and regions, and how humans and environment interact.

The major focuses on culture and regional geography with a wide range of tropical and regional courses available. Students will develop physical geography expertise in areas like geomorphology, atmospheric processes and sustainability. The major also teaches skills in analyzing, planning and critical thinking to prepare you for success in your career.

Physics is the study of basic principles that govern the universe such as the underlying laws of matter, space, time, etc. Physics majors at Northwest get hands-on learning opportunities while using experimental equipment using the gamma ray spectroscopes to study nuclear physics and electrical circuits to study and understand the components and how they work.

Physics emphasis areas include:

• Biological Science
• Computer Science
• General
• Geological Science

The first of its kind in Missouri and the region, Northwest’s Data Science major is an interdisciplinary program with four areas of emphasis: computer science, business, molecular biology and geographic information systems.

The geographic information systems (GIS) emphasis focuses on visualizing data through digital and physical maps, analyzing data for locational patterns and trends as well as presenting data in map-based and graphical formats to inform locational decisions in business, government, and the non-profit sector.

Art majors with an emphasis in drawing focus on observational skills. Students are trained to find their own voice and visual language and focus on shifts from observational skills to the conceptual aspect of making art. Faculty ensure students have skills in manipulating various drawing media with graphite, charcoal, ink, water color and mixed media (dry and wet products); acquiring a sense of proportion, rhythm, balance and weight to learn the methods of analyzing shapes and proportions of perspective drawing; and creating the three-dimensional illusions on a two-dimensional surface.

Students in the mathematics major will recognize, represent, and use patterns to creatively address problems in a wide variety of settings. At Northwest, students will see and explore the beauty and utility of mathematics from a diverse faculty of highly qualified and nationally recognized mathematicians.  Upon graduation, students will be able to compete successfully for jobs in business, industry, and government or continue in graduate studies.

As a cybersecurity major, students learn skills and techniques that will prepare them for success in their careers or graduate studies. Cybersecurity is the protection of infrastructure, systems, devices, networks, information, and applications from attacks, damage, loss, or unauthorized access through appropriate technologies, practices, and techniques. The program will focus on general computer science skills, and the necessary skills to create, develop, and deploy secure computer-based systems.

The Applied Health Science major at Northwest prepares students for careers in the health, fitness, and wellness industry and for graduate studies in areas such as athletic training, occupational therapy, and physical therapy. Students graduating from the program are prepared to develop and deliver comprehensive health and wellness programs that enhance physical, cognitive, and psychosocial well-being of individuals and the community as a whole.

Courses in the Applied Health Science program include content such as human anatomy, the positioning and function of bones, and muscles, and their relationships within the human body; human physiology, the study of the interrelationship between organs and organ systems; exercise science, how the body reacts and performs with physical activity; promoting health, teaching health-related and disease prevention concepts to the general public.

Spanish majors study the experience of language, life and culture through the lens of the Spanish language. Faculty focus on literary research and cultural studies ensuring students are proficient in speaking and writing in Spanish. Students gain specialty knowledge in film studies, language education and teaching, pluralism and multiculturalism, international relations and politics and language policy.