Global Gateway Program - International Year (1-Term) - Bachelor of Science in Astronomy

at Study Group - Baylor University USA

The Medical Humanities program (designated as a pre-major) at Baylor is a unique major, and there are only a few of its kind across the country.  It is designed to provide a holistic education for students interested in working in the medical or healthcare field. The Medical Humanities program studies how humanities, social science and the arts relate to medical education and practice. Coursework is from a variety of departments including science, history, religion, philosophy, psychology and sociology.  Available courses include:

• History of Medicine
• Behavioral Medicine
• Bioethics
• Spirituality and Healthcare
• Economics of Health & Medical Care

A major in Medical Humanities helps undergraduate students enter the field of healthcare in several different capacities.  It is a popular major for students in the premedicine, pre-dental and pre-law tracks as well as students pursuing nursing, social work and health education or healthcare administration. Graduates have worked in public health, hospitals, clinics, pharmacies and counseling centers.

The Business Fellows program provides a unique opportunity to blend a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) with other areas of study. The flexibility of the degree plan gives students the opportunity to pick up another major within the business school, a minor or major in a different school of study, or study abroad. Course available include:

• Business Law
• Law and Economics
• Introduction to Finance
• Managerial Accounting
• Management Information Systems

Business Fellows students build their own major, and along with it, their own career path. Each student is assigned a faculty adviser who helps the student map out their post-graduation goals and plans, whether it's a specific career or graduate school.

The University Scholars major is a program within the Honors College. It is the most selective Baylor academic program and requires a separate application. The UNSC major fosters a love of inter-transdisciplinary discourse in the Liberal Arts and Sciences that affirms the student's unlimited potential in the rich academic and co-curricular offerings of Baylor University.

As their intellectual passion and vocation become apparent, students work with mentors in their disciplines of interest to craft an individualized educational journey made up of two or more concentrations. The degree plan includes a required reading list that needs to be completed by the students' junior year with the students' chosen major. The reading list consists of works of literature, politics, theology, and philosophy. These topics are discussed in small, seminar-style classes. Students must complete an exit interview in the spring of their junior year based on the required readings. As part of the program, students must also complete a senior thesis.

Astronomy is the study of the universe and all the bodies within it. It examines origins of the universe, stars and planets as well as how they move and evolve in space. Since scientists are rarely able to physically examine many objects in space, astronomy is mostly an observational science. Math, physics, chemistry and geology contribute to astronomy and help inform our understanding of the universe. Astronomy also relies on a variety of instruments, tools, and computer software for analysis and gathering data. Available courses include:

• Mathematical and Computational Physics
• Intermediate Classical Mechanics
• Observational Astronomy
• Introduction to Stellar Structure and Evolution
• Introduction to Modern Cosmology

The International Year program is designed especially for international students. It is the first year of study at Baylor University, where students study a combination of English language courses and credit-bearing academic courses. So they can earn credits towards their degree from the beginning.

Astrophysics
Astrophysics is the branch of Astronomy that deals with the physics of space. It includes the physical properties of space objects (like planets, starts, galaxies and comets) as well as their interactions. Astrophysics includes many other disciplines from physics, such as electromagnetism, relativity, mechanics, and atomic and molecular physics. The Astrophysics major is offered as either a Bachelor of Science (BS) or a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree. Available courses include:

• Foundations of Astronomy
• Intermediate Classical Mechanics
• Intermediate Electricity and Magnetism
• Introduction to Modern Cosmology

 The BA in Astrophysics provides a traditional liberal arts education with a solid set of core courses in astrophysics.

The Department of Journalism, Public Relations and New Media educates students in writing, editing, photography and public relations for written and graphic communication. There are three sequences (tracks) available. Each sequence maintains the same required Journalism Core and highlights different areas within the field of journalism.

The News-Editorial sequence focuses on developing reporting, writing and editing skills. The Public Relations sequence emphasizes the importance of branding and public image. The New Media sequence includes both advertising skills (copywriting, research design and media planning) and photojournalism that focuses more on the visual components of journalism. Available courses include:

• History of American Journalism
• Gender, Race and Media
• Advertising Management
• Writing for Media Markets
• Reporting and Writing for Media

The Supply Chain Management major (designated as a pre-major) prepares students to manage activities involved in the creation of goods and services. Students develop the ability to apply problem-solving tools related to productivity improvement, quality control, production scheduling, and materials management.  They are also able to present an integrated top-management view of the entire operations function. Courses help students prepare for professional certifications in Supply Management (CPSM) and Project Management (PMP).  Available courses include:

• Global Supply Chain Management
• Management Consulting
• Procurement and Materials Management
• Distribution Management
• Project Management

There is a wide choice of career options for graduates.The Supply Chain Management major will open the door to numerous career opportunities in procurement, materials management, purchasing, vendor management, customer relationship management, integrated supply liaison, quality assurance, project management, traffic management, logistics, systems analysis, scheduling, consulting and training.

The Apparel Merchandising program focuses on developing professional skills, such as communication, analytical thinking, teamwork and ethical behavior. These skills help sustain graduates as they apply management and marketing theory and business principles to the global fashion industry. Courses include:

• Retail Buying
• Fashion Illustration
• Visual Merchandising and Promotion
• Fashion Forecasting
• Digital Retailing

The Music Education Certification program is a joint program of the School of Music and the School of Education. A music student who meets requirements for a teacher's certificate must also meet the requirements for a Bachelor of Music Education degree.

The competitive program includes field experiences and on-campus instruction in music and pedagogy. Graduates of the music education program find successful careers in schools throughout the nation.  

Students can choose three tracks of Music Education:

• Vocal/Keyboard (Choral)
• String (Instrumental)
• Wind/Percussion (Instrumental)

All students desiring to pursue a Bachelor of Music, Bachelor of Education or Bachelor of Arts in Music degree must audition before members of the appropriate applied music faculty for acceptance into the appropriate music degree program.

Student teaching is a component of the Bachelor of Music Education degree and students graduating from the Choral Music program have found teaching careers in public and private schools in Texas and throughout the country.

All majors in the School of Music require ensemble participation. Visit the Ensembles page for more information on the variety of ensemble opportunities available. Every year, the School of Music presents over 300 concerts and recitals.

The Economics major is offered in three different degree programs, as a Bachelor of Business Administration (designated as a pre-major), a Bachelor of Arts (BA), or a Bachelor of Science (BS). Each degree program is a slightly different variation of the core curriculum based on the degree requirement differences between the College of Arts and Sciences and the Business School. Available courses include:

• Business Cycle and Forecasting
• Labor Economics
• Economics of Poverty and Discrimination
• Law and Economics
• International Economics

Choosing an Economics major in the Business School (BBA) provides the opportunity to take classes targeted toward four different career positions: consultant, public agency analyst, international economist or corporate business economist. Other possibilities for students graduating with an Economics degree include taking a position as a product risk analyst or risk and control advisor. A Bachelor of Arts in Economics is ideal for students wishing to attend graduate or law school while the Bachelor of Science in Economics is ideal for those wishing to work in the medical or scientific field.