Graduate Advanced Master Accelerator Pathway (1-Term) - Master of Science in Biotechnology (STEM)

at Shorelight Group - American University USA

To study physics is to study the universe and all of its parts. As a fundamental science, a background in physics prepares you for diverse fields like astronomy, medicine, engineering, consulting, science policy, and more. The BS prepares you for graduate school and careers in science and technology. It features three tracks: traditional physics, chemical physics, and computational physics.

If you're seeking a broad, intellectually challenging course of study that will allow you to expand and deepen your understanding of the political, social, cultural, global, and historical dimensions of communication disciplines, the Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies is for you.

The Communication Studies degree is research-focused, and culminates in a capstone research project, mentored by PhD faculty. It offers students in-depth exposure to the development of scholarship and intellectual trends in communication. We empower you with the fundamental concepts that cut across the field, including journalism, public communication, and film. The breadth and rigor of this major will prepare you for graduate studies or a professional career in the field of communication.

Spanish is the second-most popular language in the world, and in an increasingly interconnected global society, the study of languages and culture is of vital importance. With a major in Spanish studies, you’ll develop translingual fluency and social awareness through courses on literature, language, and more. AU Abroad programs will help enhance your language skills and immerse you in culture. 

The Photography BA program is for students interested in all forms of photography, from fine art to photojournalism. Combining the resources and expertise of AU's Department of Art, College of Arts and Sciences, and the School of Communication, the program includes historical, theoretical, and practical approaches to photography.

Students study the evolution of photography, and can gain hands-on experience in darkrooms and digital editing labs. Students who complete the program understand the why and how of photography's adoption by fine artists, commercial studios, and the general public; and photography's changing role in the greater art world. Students relate technical developments in the medium to aesthetic and conceptual developments, citing movements and trends that also coincided with a broader art history. Through a final project and exhibition, students delve into a relevant topic of their choice and analyze it through a specific socio-cultural lens.

The public health bachelor of science degree is an interdisciplinary program that focuses on the scientific dimensions of health. The 58 credit hour BS is the degree of choice for someone who is interested in studying infectious and chronic diseases, environmental health, and epidemiology.

Graduates will be trained to work in public health research, at the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), developing vaccination protocols, or in a similar environment. Graduates will also be well positioned to continue their education in a number of different health areas, such as allied health, public health, or medicine.

The MA in Art History provides advanced historical study in European and American art from the early Renaissance through the present, as well as Asian and other non-Western art, to prepare you for a doctoral program, curatorial position, or one of many other museum-related careers. You will develop an understanding of art historical methods and research practices while building skills in critical thinking, visual analysis, research, and written and verbal communication about art. Our program exposes students to innovative approaches to art history to foster a broad understanding of the discipline and its wide-ranging applications.

The Global and Comparative Governance Thematic Area is designed for students who are interested in how a range of actors—local, national, global—seek to understand and solve the compelling security, development, environmental, and economic problems of our time. This thematic area focuses on the role that states, regional and global institutions (the United Nations, EU, World Bank, etc.), civil society, and the private sector play in addressing regional and global problems. Students also have the option of specializing in a geographical region. Students will take a multidisciplinary approach and will acquire the skills to empirically evaluate phenomena, anticipate emerging trends, and interpret data through an innovative curriculum that emphasizes theory and applied knowledge.

Our MA in international economics prepares you to tackle the most pressing issues facing our global economy. You’ll become an expert in economic research methodology and a power-user of the state-of-the-art stats software commonly used in applied economics research. Our graduates go on to careers in government, financial institutions, multinational corporations, consulting firms, think tanks, multilateral institutions, and NGOs worldwide.

Bauhaus. Expressionism. Nietzsche. Wagner. German culture, literature, language, and history are vast and fascinating. Learn the EU’s most spoken language from outstanding faculty. More than 150 AU German majors have earned Fulbright and other grants to study in Germany and Austria. Take advantage of internships and co-op opportunities at prestigious organizations in DC and Germany, and study abroad in Berlin.

Many of the most profound challenges facing humanity relate to the environment, health, or the intersection of the two. Climate change and species extinction currently undermine the quality of life for many and threaten to compromise the fundamental, organic infrastructure that supports all life on earth. Infectious diseases like HIV and malaria remain a major cause of death in poorer countries, while chronic diseases, once most apparent in richer countries, are becoming increasingly prevalent around the world. Meanwhile, environmental toxins, air and water pollution, and soil degradation compromise the health and well-being of peoples everywhere. Not only do ecological issues have the potential to impact public health, but decisions made by communities and the private and public sectors—from transportation to agriculture—markedly influence ecosystem functions. The Environmental Sustainability and Global Health Thematic Area introduces students to the socio-political dynamics of global health and environmental affairs. Students explore the multiple causes and consequences of environmental harm and ill health and work to understand the mechanisms of governance best able to respond. Cutting across both issues are the fundamental inequalities between people, as well as between countries, that exacerbate the impacts of environmental and health problems and hamper identification and implementation of solutions. Ultimately, students develop the intellectual and applied tools needed to simultaneously work towards a safer, saner planetary condition and healthier populations.