Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and Public Policy

at Shorelight Group - University of Massachusetts - Boston USA

Engineering physics is a branch of applied science that emphasizes both engineering and physics. It is a challenging general alternative to the traditionally more specialized undergraduate engineering curricula, offering flexible options for professional growth. The engineering physics curriculum is designed to provide a firm foundation of basic scientific principles, as well as the theoretical knowledge and skills required for specific engineering applications. The curriculum is equally suitable for students intending to pursue careers in industrial research and development, and for those preparing for graduate studies in a variety of scientific and technical areas.

The basic engineering physics curriculum consists of the first two years of a standard engineering program, followed by upper-division courses equivalent to those required for a bachelor of science degree in physics. Students select a concentration of technical electives in one of a number of currently marketable areas: applied physics, properties of materials, computer science, or digital electronics. Students receive realistic, practical, problem-oriented training in an advanced projects laboratory and seminar, designed with the cooperation of representatives from some of Massachusetts' outstanding high-tech industrial firms.

The MS in accounting at UMass Boston is designed to prepare students for rewarding careers in the rapidly growing and changing field of accounting. Upon completion of the MSA, students will qualify for the Uniform Certified Public Accounting (CPA) Exam. The curriculum has been designed by the College of Management Accounting and Finance (AF) faculty in consultation with the AF Department’s Advisory Board.

The Computer Science Department offers a BA degree in Computer Science. It provides a similar education in the theory and practice of computer science with more of an emphasis on outside humanities. Either degree can be used as a basis for many jobs in industry or for graduate work in computer science and other fields. 

UMass Boston's computer science master's program thoroughly prepares students for a professional career in software development. This established and innovative program stresses the integration of theoretical knowledge with practical applications. Our Computer Science MS graduates are in high demand with major tech sector employers and startups.

In keeping with the mission of UMass Boston, the faculty and staff of the Biology Department are committed to providing the highest quality experiences for students. We offer a vibrant curriculum and extensive opportunities for mentoring and hands-on research experiences as a means of developing a deeper understanding of biology at the levels of molecules, cells, organisms, and the ecosystem. We stress the development of critical thinking and problem-solving skills both in the classroom and by undergraduate students conducting original research in faculty laboratories.

As part of the Performing Arts Department, the Music Program welcomes students from our international campus community and provides a comprehensive education in preparation for careers in music and teaching. A dynamic faculty fosters an environment of academic and musical excellence within a liberal arts curriculum, and provides students with the tools to develop an understanding of a wide variety of musical genres, practices, and pedagogies.

• Music plays an integral role in the human experience.
• The historical, global, and creative contexts that inform music are presented with significant exposure to music education, music theory, musicology, and ethnomusicology.
• Core components of a comprehensive education in music include creating, listening to, responding to, and performing music of Western and non-Western musical traditions.
• Contextualizes the intersection of and interrelationship between music and other expressive arts especially theatre and dance.
• Faculty mentoring is vital to a successful undergraduate experience in music and serves as a foundation to support student’s career trajectories.

A degree in physics will prepare you for demanding scientific research in any of the following areas of inquiry: non-linear optics and photonics, which can relate to laser eye protection; biomedical imaging; quantum dynamics; semiconductors; and even biological applications such as the acoustics of whale sonar.

Extremely broad, and relevant to almost everything in our daily life, electrical engineering ranges from fancy toys to highly sophisticated electronics like computers, audio equipment, and video components. A BS degree in electrical engineering prepares students for work in such diverse fields as telecommunications, microelectronics, power electronics, and RF electronics, working for such companies as Raytheon, BAE Systems, Draper Laboratory, and a host of small to medium-sized local and national start-up companies.

The UMass Boston Art & Art History Department offers a general major in art leading to a BA. The faculty of the Art & Art History Department includes both scholars and professional artists, and the curriculum aims to combine their differing approaches to visual experience. The creative/studio curriculum provides a sound basis in creative process, in visual thinking, and in certain technical skills. Courses in art history explore the aesthetic attributes of art objects contextualized in history, culture, and religion. Students may elect to focus their studies in art history, or in-studio, or they may choose to balance the two.

The Art & Art History Department offers courses from the 100-level to the 400-level. One hundred level courses are introductory courses that provide a broad overview of the topic. Two hundred level courses narrow the focus to a specific medium in studio art or topic in art history, but remain introductory and without prerequisites. Three hundred and four hundred level courses are advanced courses requiring previous work in the topic or medium. A major in Art takes students from introductory work to the advanced levels as they gain experience and knowledge. All majors take a capstone course in the last year of their coursework. Many courses in studio art and art history satisfy General Education requirements. Additionally, the Art & Art History Department offers opportunities for internships and fieldwork, independent study when primary coursework in regular departmental course offerings are exhausted, and a two-semester course sequence for writing an honors thesis.

The Information Technology major offered through UMass Boston's College of Management is designed to offer pathways to highly-demanded careers in IT for both high school graduates and students of Massachusetts community colleges. Our small classes ensure personalized attention from IT faculty while our ties to the Greater Boston business and technical communities add an extra dimension of learning to our program of business information technology education. The IT major offers an “applications-path” format for students which includes a core of technical knowledge (nine courses), an area of specialization or track within IT (four or five courses, depending on track selection), three professional electives in an application or domain area (preferably outside of IT but within business), and two wrap-up courses (project management and IT capstone), in addition to general education requirements.

The IT major is project-based.  Every exercise assigned throughout the BSIT is designed to be of the kind that a student might encounter in his or her work: collaboration, competence, and outcomes assessment are the hallmark characteristics of the program.  Students will learn how to use IT to solve real-world problems within the context of a field in which they wish to work. Graduates will be familiar with, and be able to apply, the following core information technologies to solve business problems:

• Programming
• Networking
• Databases
• Web technologies

Business Intelligence (BI) is the technology that companies such as Amazon.com and Google use to take advantage of the enormous amount of data they collect and analyze. It is the technology with which Amazon.com knows what book to recommend you every time you login, Google knows how to rank the pages you are searching for, and banks decide whether to approve loan applications almost instantly.