Bachelor of Science in Preservation Studies

at Roger Williams University - Bristol Campus USA

The Bachelor of Science in chemistry with an environmental concentration prepares students for positions in industry and governmental agencies. Employment opportunities include: state health departments, municipal sewage treatment plants, environmental protection agencies, Army Corps of Engineers, industrial consulting firms, and chemical industries.

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.

In Legal Studies, you’ll develop the critical and analytical thinking, writing and reasoning skills necessary to examine all perspectives on issues. Our students study topics like ethics, conflict resolution and social justice to understand the profound effect of the law on people’s everyday experiences. Combined with a required second major and advising from attorney faculty members, you’ll be prepared for law school or a legal career such as a mediator, court reporter or claims examiner.

At RWU, our Philosophy students learn to think critically and build logical arguments: about our assumptions and values as a society, about the positions of history’s major philosophers and about the nature of knowledge itself. The writing, reading and problem-solving skills you develop through discussions, debates and your senior thesis will lay a foundation for success in fields like law and academia.

Student Learning Outcomes

All Students completing the Philosophy program will demonstrate the following:

• Read with comprehension philosophical texts relevant to the specific courses;
• Define key terms of the philosophical vocabulary relevant to the particular course;
• Analyze texts, draw inferences, and support claims using internal evidence;
• Practice critical reading and thinking;
• Distinguish different areas of philosophy and philosophical methodology;
• Understand some of the diverse assumptions and values that shape our experiences and/or attitudes of the world;
• Write cogent analytical and critical essays tied to textual evidence, explaining a philosopher’s position, presenting the philosopher’s arguments, exposing weaknesses in the arguments; five pages for lower level and intermediate courses; ten pages for advanced courses.
• Use secondary sources appropriately in reinforcing and extending arguments.

Computer Science is about more than performing calculations and learning specific programming languages. It’s about precision, problem solving and creating technology services and solutions that will work in an increasingly complex future. With coursework that combines solid theory, real-world practice and specialization options, RWU students are ready for high-demand career fields from app developers to large scale software system designers.

The Bachelor of Arts in Computer Science prepares students for professional employment in the fields of computer science and computer programming fields. Students receive a thorough grounding in modern practices and methodologies needed to solve complex problems with computers. Experience is gained using procedural, functional, logic, and object-oriented programming languages to solve problems of increasing complexity.

RWU’s unique and intimate Music program layers the exploration of world cultures on top of a solid foundation in theory, history and composition. All Music students take private lessons, perform with an ensemble and specialize in either technology or culture. With opportunities to take additional coursework in professional fields like business, communication or computer science, you’ll be prepared for a wide range of music careers.

The Music major at Roger Williams University offers a solid foundation in music theory and the principle musical styles in western culture, as well as an introduction to the music of various world cultures. Students study the elements of music and explore their application in various compositional formats. They have the opportunity to study the evolution of popular music as well as the classical forms that have characterized and helped define western culture. A unique aspect of RWU’s Music major that reflects the mission of the University is the exploration of world cultures through music. These courses will focus not only on the music of various world cultures, but also on the ways in which music is a reflection of these cultures.

The Music Major offers two tracks for students to choose from. The “Music & Culture” track highlights performance and world culture through music, and the “Music & Technology” track explores 21st century developments in music, as influenced by new electronic and computer technologies.

When you study Economics, you’ll learn the essential economic theories, systems and models that build critical and analytical thinking skills you can apply to any field -- including business, government, law, healthcare and social and community service. At RWU, you can pursue either a B.A. (liberal arts track) or a B.S. (business track), which both offer opportunities for student-faculty research and publishing that can pave the way to graduate studies.

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.

Political Science examines the institutions that govern our societies and the policy decisions that affect every part of our lives. At RWU, you’ll sharpen your thinking, writing and debate skills in classes such as American politics, international relations, comparative politics, political theory and public administration. Combined with real-world internship experience -- locally and in Washington, D.C. -- you’ll be prepared for a career in law, business, public policy or education.

A degree in Graphic Design Communication from RWU blends solid communication theory with technical training in graphic arts skills, taught in the campus’ most sophisticated computer labs. Through courses in typography, art direction and brand identity combined with real-world internship experience, you’ll learn the best professional practices to prepare you for a career in the in-demand graphic design field.