Bachelor of Science in Physics - General

at Northwest Missouri State University USA

Earning a Political Science degree at Northwest prepares students for multiple employment opportunities in public service and private sectors including federal, state and local government, law, criminal justice system, municipal planning, city management, urban affairs, education, non-profit administration, campaigns and elections, public policy analysis and internal development and relations.

The major has three areas of emphasis: the american institutions (formerly criminal justice) emphasis provides an understanding of legislatures, police prosecutors, public offenders and courts and corrections; the public administration emphasis focuses on the decision making process and job opportunities in public organizations and local, state, federal and international agencies; and the global affairs emphasis studies the global trends and events, and enhances intercultural understanding.

A comprehensive degree in Social Studies: History at Northwest prepares students to teach history, geography, economics, political science/government and behavioral science in secondary education (high school). This major must be completed as part of the Bachelor of Science in Education to align with Missouri teacher certification standards. A minor is not required as social studies is considered a comprehensive major. Recent Northwest graduates have obtained teacher positions in Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska and  Missouri, yet the particular certification for each state varies. Students learn the content of history, geography, economics, political science/government and behavioral sciences while also gaining understanding of the techniques of the teaching profession. This includes classroom management, lesson planning, special education, technology for classrooms and other related skills.

Clinical laboratory science is the study of medical samples during the diagnosis and treatment of diseases. Northwest’s unique 3+1 program provides students with pre-requisite courses in general education, math, chemistry and biology for three years; during the program’s fourth year, students attend one of three affiliated hospitals: St. Luke’s Hospital in Kansas City, North Kansas City Hospital or Mercy Medical Center in Des Moines, Iowa, for a year of hands-on clinical training.

While at Northwest, students learn human biology, organic chemistry, analytical chemistry and biochemistry. Human biology courses teach students the methods in which a normal, healthy body functions; organic chemistry and analytical chemistry teaches students how to identify and quantify the substances found in a sample; biochemistry teaches students the fundamental molecules and pathways of the body.

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

Comprehensive communication majors emphasizing in public relations learn methods to understanding targeted audiences, and explaining products, services and missions to a specific audience. Faculty focus on oral, written and verbal communication skills as well as problem-solving skills to effectively meet the needs of management and the targeted audience.

All faculty members teaching public relations classes have professional experience, providing practical knowledge as well as professional contacts in the field.

Agronomy: Horticulture majors at Northwest gain a broad knowledge of agriculture, and are also exposed to many diverse greenhouse and nursery production, fruit and vegetable culture as well as landscape and turf fabrication.

Faculty focus on five core areas: greenhouse management and production; vegetable and fruit production methods; post-harvest technology along with food safety and local production issues; landscape, plants, design and maintenance; and sustainability in today’s horticulture industry.

Wildlife ecology and conservation majors at Northwest study wildlife populations to understand patterns of distribution and abundance, and how these patterns may be used to manage and conserve populations. Faculty focus on ensuring students understand the natural history and ecology of mammals, birds, fish, reptiles and amphibians; gain the ability to conduct scientific experiments and surveys to monitor wildlife populations; learn techniques used to manage and conserve wildlife populations; and balance the needs of populations with people’s needs.

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.

Writing majors at Northwest learn skills and techniques in composing content that inspires, communicates, solves problems and seeks truth. Students in Northwest’s writing majors work across the spectrum of writing studies—from writing professional reports to writing poems. Northwest students are not canalized strictly into writing for news media like in a journalism program, to courses in fiction and poetry like in creative writing programs or to vocationally focused genres like technical writing programs. Rather, we’ve designed a major to help and challenge students to grow into flexible, effective, communicative writers.

When employers make hiring decisions, they seek smart people who write well. Northwest’s writing major is like cross-training for today’s job market. You will receive professional training without an expiration date—a liberal arts degree that prepares you for your first job after college and every job you decide to do after. We think studying writing is excellent preparation for life as an artist, scholar, citizen and professional—all the things that you should be when you finish a rigorous undergraduate education at a supportive university, and all the things you need to succeed in contemporary life.

Students may choose to earn a bachelor's degree in writing with an emphasis in professional writing or creative writing and publishing

Marine biology majors at Northwest study marine organisms and their ecology, habitat and interaction. Faculty focus on ecology, or the study of organisms and their habitats; diversity, in organisms; and adaptations of organisms and diatoms, or the unicellular life of oceans. Students also learn best practices for surveying marine organisms.