Bachelor of Arts in Water Resources (STEM)

at State University of New York College at Brockport USA

The Major in Biology Adolescence Education includes 36 credits of pedagogy courses and 57-58 credits to complete the Biology Content Core. As for other undergraduate programs, students in the program will have to complete 23-25 credits of General Education courses.

The Biology Teacher Education program leads to initial single certification in Adolescence Biology Grades 5-12.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the program, students will be able to:

• Demonstrate a basic understanding of life processes at the biochemical, molecular, cellular, and organismal levels.
• Demonstrate an understanding of developmental and physiological processes.
• Understand the learning needs of all students, and utilize their professional knowledge and skills, including the implementation of assessments and technology, to create effective learning experiences.
• Continuously evaluate the impact of their work with students, reflecting on their success as teachers and addressing their needs for continuing professional improvement.
• Practice professional ethics, including dedication, respect, intellectual integrity, positive outlook, self-awareness, and professionalism.
• Produce evidence that they engage students in meaningful activity that promotes the development of critical thinking, problem-solving, and performance skills

The study of History promotes the knowledge, breadth of perspective, intellectual growth, and skills essential to achieving career success, leading a purposeful life, and exercising responsible citizenship. History majors develop strong critical thinking, research, communication and problem-solving skills that prepare them to succeed in a wide range of rewarding careers, including law, teaching, business, entrepreneurship, public administration, journalism, information technology/library science, publishing, urban and regional planning, social work, and government.

The Department of History offers students a comprehensive range of courses that covers the world across all time periods and features a diverse array of topics. In addition, it offers professional development courses that help students reflect on how the study of history can help serve their personal and professional goals after graduation. The History major is flexible, allowing students to select classes that match their interests, and at 36 credits enables students to complete other majors or minors that complement the History degree. This flexibility also allows majors the opportunity to broaden their horizons through study abroad and to explore future career paths through internships coordinated through the Department of History.

Students who want to teach history at the middle or high school level should enroll in the Social Studies Inclusive Education (SSI) major, which leads to certification as both a Social Studies and Special Education teacher, or the Social Studies Education (SSE) major, which leads to certification solely as a Social Studies teacher. 

Student Learning Outcomes:

Upon completion of the program, students will be able to:

• Articulate a thesis in response to a historical problem
• Advance in logical sequence principal arguments in defense of a historical thesis.
• Provide relevant evidence in defense of a historical thesis.
• Evaluate the significance of a historical thesis by relating it to a broader field of historical knowledge.
• Express themselves clearly in writing that forwards a historical analysis.
• Use disciplinary standards (Chicago Style) of documentation when referencing historical sources.

The study of philosophy is excellent preparation for a career in any field that requires clear, analytical thinking, writing, and speaking, including law, government, teaching and education, the ministry, business and management, publishing, and many other fields. Philosophy is traditionally considered the premier major for those planning to apply to law school. Philosophy majors score on average significantly higher on the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT) than do the majors in any of the humanities or social sciences, including political science, history, and English; and philosophy majors on average are accepted to law school at higher rates than are students majoring in many other popular pre-law fields. Philosophy is also an excellent double major.

The Department of Philosophy sponsors the College's chapter of Phi Sigma Tau, the International Honors Philosophy Society, which recognizes student academic excellence. The Department also operates the Center for Philosophic Exchange, which sponsors free public guest lectures on campus by distinguished philosophers and publishes the on-line journal, Philosophic Exchange.

Student Learning Outcomes:

Upon completion of the program, students will be able to:

• Present a philosophical problem, by (1) concisely and precisely stating a philosophical problem to be resolved by an argument or essay, (2) explaining why the problem is significant, (3) explaining the scope of the problem, (4) defining any terms necessary for understanding the problem.
• Explicate the meaning of a philosophical theory by (1) correctly deducing the logical implications of that theory, (2) describing those implications in terms of specific examples, (3) recognizing when another statement or theory contradicts the relevant theory explicitly, (4) recognizing when another statement or theory contradicts the relevant theory implicitly.
• Demonstrate understanding of evidence by (1) correctly stating what counts as relevant evidence for a philosophical position, (2) correctly stating what counts as relevant evidence against the argument for a philosophical position and recognizing that evidence as such, (3) explaining why any cited evidence is relevant or irrelevant to a philosophical position, (4) distinguishing evidentiary claims about a philosophical position from rhetorically persuasive but specious claims about a philosophical position.
• Demonstrate knowledge of logic, by (1) recognizing arguments, (2) constructing good arguments, (3) evaluating arguments, (4) avoiding fallacies (e.g. begging the question).
• Demonstrate knowledge of dialectical method in philosophy, by (1) formulating possible objections to the thesis of an essay, (2) formulating possible objections to the argument for the essay's thesis, (3) responding to possible objections to the essay's thesis by showing that they are mistaken, (4) responding to possible objections to the argument for the essay's thesis by showing that they are mistaken.

The MA in English, Creative Writing and Literature tracks, introduces graduate students to advanced study in the art of language. Courses provide an opportunity for deep and sustained analysis of a variety of literary texts, emphasizing advanced critical and theoretical approaches. The program encourages students to work closely with faculty mentors and culminates in a substantial (and potentially publishable) independent project focusing on an area of the student’s interest and emerging expertise. Graduate students additionally have the opportunity to meet with nationally and internationally recognized authors through Brockport's visiting writers series, The Writers Forum.

For accepted students exhibiting superior promise, the department has a limited number of assistantships available that provide a stipend and a tuition scholarship for up to nine graduate credits per semester. They are awarded on a competitive basis with an April 15 application deadline. Further information on assistantships may be obtained from The Center for Graduate Studies.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the program, all students will be able to:

• Construct an advanced scholarly argument about a subject situated within at least one period of English Literature
• Construct an advanced scholarly argument about a subject situated within at least one period of American literature
• Construct an advanced scholarly argument about a subject situated within at least one area of World literature

Literature Track students will be able to:

• Participate in the literary-critical conversation
• Practice standards and techniques of advanced academic research and writing
• Discuss and respond appropriately to questions about their advanced project argument.

Creative Writing Track students will be able to:

• Employ professional standards in constructive critical commentary on peer writing and in revising their own work in required workshop courses
• Practice forms and techniques in the genres of poetry and prose.
• Articulate the place of their own work in contemporary literary practices

The Department of Kinesiology, Sport Studies and Physical Education offers a 45 credit sport management major to prepare students for careers in profit and non-profit sport, recreation and fitness organizations. Sport Management at SUNY Brockport is one of the oldest undergraduate programs in the world, having been initiated in 1975. The curriculum provides a thorough foundation of sport management and studies theory, coupled with an extensive array of domestic and international, real-world experiences through various field experiences (practica), research and problem solving opportunities, as well as a full semester long off-campus internship.

As a sport management major, you'll apply classroom learning to three on- or off-campus mini-internships and one full semester off-campus internship that can be completed locally, nationally, or internationally. To complement the sport management major, you'll choose a minor or second program of study one from the following, or spend a semester studying abroad.

• Business
• Marketing
• Finance
• Communications
• Journalism, Broadcasting, and Public Relations
• Recreation and Leisure
• Coaching
• Kinesiology

What You’ll Learn

You'll develop a comprehensive set of skills to help you in the sport management field, including marketing, fundraising, finance, facilities, and research.

You'll also learn about the societal, ethical, and philosophical perspectives related to sport organizations and employee and athlete behavior within sport organizations.

Physics is the study of the physical properties of the universe and of the fundamental properties and interactions of matter and energy. Physics has applications in every field of pure and applied science, such as engineering, optics, materials science, space science, and medicine.

The major in Physics Adolescence Education is intended for students who want to become certified to teach high school Physics. It includes 57 credits in the Physics Content Core and 36 credits of Pedagogy Content offered by the Department of Education and Human Development (EHD). Because of the large number of required credits in this major, students should plan their time at Brockport carefully and consult with advisors in both Physics and EHD.

The Physics Adolescence Education major leads to initial certification (see 'Certification' below) under the 'Adolescence Physics Education' category as outlined by the New York State Education Department (NYSED):

• Adolescence Physics, 7-12
• Adolescence Physics, 5-6 Extension

What You’ll Learn

Physics pursues answers to how the Universe works on scales both large and small. High school teachers get to share these answers with their students and spark their curiosity about the natural world.

Your Physics Teacher Education degree will provide you with the content and skills necessary to become an outstanding educator in Physics and prepare you to teach in today's diverse classrooms. You will leave with an initial single certification in teaching Physics.

The bachelor of arts or bachelor of science in liberal studies degrees provide a wide range of educational options leading to an individualized educational program. The required seminar courses are offered online and through independent study while the electives may be completed online, hybrid or in a traditional classroom. The program focuses on social sciences, natural sciences, humanities/fine arts, and an individualized area of research.

Student Learning Outcomes:

Student learning outcomes (SLOs) for Liberal Studies students must be understood in the context of a multidisciplinary program with no prescribed core of specific courses (although there is a core of prescribed disciplinary categories), considerable variation in courses making up each Liberal Studies candidate's plan of study (POS), and each student's differing personal and professional goals. Nevertheless, a number of SLOs are expected for all Liberal Studies candidates. These include:

• Contributors to Knowledge – Examine the unique perspective of the arts and humanities, natural sciences, and social sciences as contributors to knowledge.
• Multidisciplinary Nature of Knowledge – Analyze the multidisciplinary nature of knowledge, and assess the value of a multidisciplinary approach to scholarship.
• Self and Nature within Contemporary Society – Provide examples of the way in which insights and methodologies from the arts and humanities, the social sciences and the natural sciences contribute to an understanding of one's self and nature within contemporary society.
• Knowledge Skills and Application – Assess interrelationships between areas of knowledge and skill within the Plan of Study, illustrate how these areas provide an integrated holistic overview.
• Critical Reasoning – Use critical reasoning skills to evaluate and synthesize knowledge from different disciplinary perspectives.
• Effective Communication – Employ effective communication skills through coherent and well-organized written and verbal presentations.

An in-depth understanding of mathematics is of great importance to many careers in our technologically complex society. Moreover, the study of mathematics promotes analytical and critical thinking skills, and therefore is a valuable part of any program of study. The major in mathematics is designed to provide the knowledge and skills necessary to pursue graduate study or to support career goals in a range of professions. Recent graduates who have majored in mathematics have found rewarding careers in business, teaching, computing, government, law, engineering, actuarial science and medicine. A study of mathematics is a natural complement to the study of physics, chemistry, biochemistry, biology, earth science, business, economics, computer science, philosophy, and the social sciences. Mathematics is also a fitting major for pre-law and pre-med students.

To complete a major in mathematics, students take 10 required courses that provide a thorough foundation in several central areas of mathematics, a computer science course that emphasizes the design of algorithms, and a minimum of three advanced courses chosen to give special depth in at least one area.

More details concerning the mathematics major, including sample programs of study and information on advisement for majors, student awards, computing facilities, library holdings, and the Mathematics Club, can be found in the department website.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the program, students will be able to:

• Discuss and utilize mathematics as an intellectual discipline, including its problems, algorithms, and applications.
• Carry out the creative and explorative processes of mathematics, including conjecture, generalization, and the construction of mathematically rigorous proofs.
• Use mathematics to model and analyze real world problems, and utilize technology as appropriate to help solve mathematical problems and judge the reasonableness of results.
• Communicate mathematics effectively.
• Actively engage with mathematics beyond the classroom.

From asylum-seekers at our nation’s borders to concerns about police-community relations, and fears over active shooters, our local communities and nation rely upon law enforcement and human rights professionals to deal with society’s complex problems, many originating systematically from macro process of globalization and economic restructuring.

Our Community Justice majors will be instructed in cultural competency, anthropological research methodologies (including forensics), the principles of the criminal justice system and the complexities of ethics and justice.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ predictions, by 2026, one can expect the addition of new jobs in the following occupations: 800 new jobs for emergency management directors, 8,200 for police, fire and ambulance dispatchers, 53,400 for police and detectives, and 65,000 for lawyers. Certain occupations relevant to this new major are forecasted to experience faster than average growth (7%), such as the following: Arbitrators and Mediators at 10%, private detectives and investigators at 11%, and community and service managers at 18%.

Student Learning Outcomes:

Upon completion of this major, students should be able to do the following:

• To articulate the discursive and theoretical complexities concerning what is community and what is justice and how these two concepts intersect.
• To demonstrate cultural competency and knowledge of human biodiversity through time and across cultures.
• To develop effective arguments using sound cross-cultural critical thinking when evaluating issues related to social control, crime prevention, community development, punishment, adjudication and human rights.
• To collect, analyze and present data (in oral and written language), in accordance with related ethical standards.

The Kinesiology major (56 credits) is an undergraduate option that permits the student to individualize a course of study from several academic offerings in the Department of Kinesiology, Sport Studies and Physical Education. The Kinesiology major is intended for the student who desires greater flexibility in choosing courses related to the study of human movement and physical activity, but is not interested in a specific professional major. The program of study chosen can prepare the student for graduate work in a specific discipline or degree program in human movement science (e .g. sport philosophy, history of sport, biomechanics, sport psychology, motor behavior, or other related areas) or allied health fields (e.g. physical therapy, occupational therapy, physician assistant, athletic training), or pursue careers in fitness or sport development. Students majoring in Kinesiology are required to complete a 43-credit academic core and a 9-credit elective pool in consultation with a major advisor.

Student Learning Outcomes:

Upon completion of the program, students will be able to:

• Students will be able to explain physiological, kinesiological, and biomechanical principles related to physical activity.
• Students will be able to evaluate the socio-cultural and historical context of physical activity.
• Students will be able to explain psychological and motor behavior principles related to physical activity.
• Students will be able to explain physical activity's importance for health, wellness, and quality of life.
• Students will be able to analyze philosophic issues and arguments related to physical activity.
• Students will be able to exhibit the skills required for proficient performance in physical activity.