Bachelor of Arts in Performing Arts

at Roger Williams University - Bristol Campus USA

As one of the oldest programs of its kind in America, Historic Preservation at RWU couples multidisciplinary coursework in subjects like history, architecture, law and economics with rigorous field-based professional workshops and internships. Because preservation is as much about people and place as it is about history, you’ll study historic buildings, landscapes and communities both here in New England and abroad in Florence, Italy.

Biology majors investigate the interconnected processes that shape the living world. Since the life sciences are increasingly interdisciplinary, Biology majors choose a wide range of courses in cell and molecular biology; microbiology and virology; anatomy and physiology; neurobiology and developmental biology; and animal behavior and ecology.

The accredited Construction Management program at RWU prepares future leaders of residential, commercial and heavy-civil projects. Through classes, labs and hands-on projects in engineering, business, math, science, law and liberal arts, you’ll learn how to manage construction projects from start to finish -- including scheduling, budgeting, choosing materials and safely supervising people. That’s why construction employers regularly report that our graduates exceed expectations for performance.

Construction managers are the leaders of the design-build process, and work for owners, builders, designers, subcontractors and a multitude of government and technical agencies. They control the “means and methods” of construction, develop the budgets and manage the project schedules. On-time, on-budget completion is a typical CM responsibility which has become increasingly difficult given today’s technically and organizationally complex projects. Owners, designers and construction managers must all work collaboratively to create integrated best value solutions that meet a client’s needs.

To work as a construction manager, graduates need technical, managerial, research and problem solving skills. Our program provides this education with a balanced curriculum which includes engineering, construction, business, mathematics, science and liberal arts courses. Employer surveys regularly report our graduates meeting or exceeding all performance expectations and regularly outperforming graduates from many of our peer institutions.

Aquarium and Aquaculture Science are rapidly growing areas within the field of marine biology. There is need for people trained in raising and caring for aquatic animals and the RWU AQS program, one of the first in the nation, effectively fills that void.

Aquaculture of marine and fresh water fish and invertebrates, already important as a food supply, is projected to increase in the future becoming one of the main sources of food for the world.  Aquarium science is a multi-billion dollar, world-wide business that encompasses trade and display of ornamental animals. Diseases of aquatic animals is a limitation in maintaining animals in both aquariums and aquaculture. The AQS degree offers both didactic and experiential, hands-on learning and will prepare the student for entry into this diverse and growing field.

The Intelligent and Autonomous Systems Specialization is only for students majoring in Computer Science (BS). This specialization is well suited to those Computer Science majors who want to focus on the increased role computer systems have in making decisions and behaving autonomously.

Critical thinking, openness to new worldviews and an appreciation for diversity -- these are the values that a degree in Psychology provides. At RWU, you’ll learn how to apply these skills to research that helps solve problems in our community and society. Our Psychology students are prepared for graduate school as well as a wide range of careers, including human resources, management, marketing and education.

Students in the Psychology program will learn the methods and skills that enable them to evaluate published research and think critically about their own ideas and those of others. They are prepared to apply these methods to the problems of community and of the larger society. They are capable of tolerance for the views of others and able to appreciate the value of diversity.

With skilled mental health professionals in increasing demand as practitioners, the Psychology program at RWU prepares students to pursue graduate study in Psychology and other fields, or to enter any number of careers where these skillsets are applicable, including human resources, management, marketing, education and the mental health professions.

Our student learning outcomes center on encouraging the development in our students of a deep and broad knowledge base in the discipline of Psychology. We also provide a foundation to develop skills needed to design and evaluate research, we foster critical thinking in our students, enhance students' appreciation of diversity, promote students' awareness of ethical issues in Psychology, and prepare them for success in a wide range of careers, including graduate study.

Dive headfirst into the study of oceanography, marine ecology, fisheries biology and more with a degree in Marine Biology. Situated on Mount Hope Bay in RWU’s state-of-the-art Marine and Natural Sciences Building -- home to an aquatic animal diagnostic lab and the state’s only shellfish hatchery -- the Marine Biology program teaches students to discover the aquatic world through lectures, labs, fieldwork and independent research in preparation for careers as scientists and educators.

Research Opportunities

Marine Biology majors explore the unique challenges faced by organisms living in the marine environment and the methods by which they meet these challenges. Students begin the programs by obtaining a broad understanding of oceanographic principles, and through subsequent lectures, laboratories and field work, build on this knowledge for a more complete appreciation of the aquatic world. Undergraduate research is integrated into the Marine Biology curriculum, with opportunities for students to earn academic credit for doing research, to develop proposals and compete for small grants to fund their projects, and to present their findings at regional, national and international conferences.

Students in our digital-first Journalism program become more than just great writers. Through rigorous coursework and real-world experience at internships, you’ll learn how to gather news, report current events in an ethical manner on digital, print and electronic platforms.

Student Learning Outcomes

Journalism has traditionally been a professional program that trains students in the professional standards required of a journalist at an entry-level position in the news media industries. Our program thus prepares students who, upon graduation, will be able to demonstrate:

• Strong news judgment and ethical news gathering and reporting.
• Knowledge of news media industries.
• An understanding of news media history and journalistic practices.
• The ability to report and write according to the standards of the news profession.
• The ability to record and edit audio-video content for online publication.
• The ability to report on digital media platforms.
• An understanding of media theory.
• Innovative thinking in the application of critical and analytical skills in news production.

A degree in Public Relations gives you the strategic communication skills to create, promote and maintain the reputation of brands, people and organizations. You’ll build your portfolio with real clients, network with professionals through RWU’s chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) and complete an internship to gain real-world experience in corporate, nonprofit and agency public relations.

Student Learning Outcomes

• Design and perform research to aid in addressing an organization’s communication need.
• Demonstrate ability to identify communication problems and issues/opportunities and implement strategic plans to manage
• Evaluate situations and determine appropriate professional ethical principles, communication law and work ethics.
• Apply various communication theories and communication models used in PR efforts.
• Understand business literacy and the role of PR to meet business goals and advocate for the expansion of the discipline in business ventures.

Our unique Anthropology + Sociology program combines the ideas and methods of these two social sciences into an integrated study of social change, diversity and cultural awareness, both locally and globally. You’ll build strong hands-on research skills to prepare you for a career in community and social service or an advanced degree in law, education, social work or public policy.