Bachelor of Science, Major in Biology

at University of Massachusetts Dartmouth USA

UMass Dartmouth's liberal arts major offers an intellectual challenge, encouraging you to pursue your interests across a variety of academic fields.

You'll develop your creativity, critical thinking skills, and sense of independence while you explore concentrations across the humanities, social sciences, and interdisciplinary programs:

• The humanities: art history, English, foreign languages, history, philosophy
• The social sciences: anthropology, economics, political science, policy studies, sociology, women's and gender studies
• Interdisciplinary programs: sustainability, urban studies, women's and gender studies

Recent studies have shown that a degree in liberal arts provides a strong foundation for professional careers and scholarly work. You'll develop the qualities that future employers prize most: strong communication skills, the ability to assess a situation and develop a course of action, and the confidence to work independently.

As a liberal arts major, you will design your own interdisciplinary path as you choose two concentrations and bring them together to create new ways of seeing, knowing, and expressing your academic and research interests.

Liberal arts majors find careers in business, communications, education, government, human resources, museums, non-profit organizations, public policy, and social work. You'll be prepared for graduate study in the fields you'll explore as you select your liberal arts concentrations.

At UMass Dartmouth, the data science major is an interdisciplinary, integrating mathematics and computer science with disciplines such as business, engineering, healthcare, planning, science, and sociology.

Data scientists manage, mine, and analyze big data across multiple disciplines—and use computational thinking to gain new knowledge and solve real-world problems of high complexity.

As a data science major, you’ll build a strong foundation in information theory and in the methods and tools of mathematics and computer science. You’ll gain skills in complex problem solving, data-driven discovery, decision support, machine learning, predictive and visual analytics, and statistics.

You’ll be prepared for leadership positions in data analytics, discovery informatics, information management, and knowledge engineering. Businesses, government, healthcare, and the natural and social sciences need more data scientists to explore and explain complex information.

The major in communication provides students with 21st century written, oral, and visual communication knowledge and skills grounded in rhetorical theory and critically engaged with diverse social, environmental, and technological perspectives.

Students develop important skills and gain experiences that will support their learning and professionalization during their time at UMass Dartmouth and beyond. Students will apply communication concepts and theories to real-world problems and issues within one or more communication industries.

Upon completing the degree, students will be able to:

• Create written texts using appropriate supporting materials and theories in communication and rhetoric
• Communicate ideas orally within multiple contexts
• Use information design principles to produce texts appropriate for an audience, purpose, and context
• Summarize and apply key concepts in communication and rhetorical theory
• Evaluate the historical and/or cultural contexts of communication practices and describe their ethical, social, or environmental implications
• Evaluate messages from a variety of media and technologies using methodologies in communication and rhetoric

The economics department offers a bachelor of arts degree in economics with a concentration in applied economics. Applied economics uses economic theory and empirical analysis to address real-world problems. You will learn the underpinnings of economic decision-making, identifying and analyzing the costs and benefits of financial and social decisions. You will also be trained in econometrics, statistical methods and software specifically for economic data. With this knowledge and these skills, the concentration in applied economics prepares students for entry-level analytical positions in finance, government, healthcare, consulting, and other fields.

As a student in the applied economics program at UMass Dartmouth, you'll learn how to:

• Collect and analyze micro and macroeconomic data
• Evaluate findings from data analysis
• Formulate recommendations for business decisions and policymakers
• Interpret and forecast market trends
• Research economic issues and evaluate policy solutions

Economists pursue careers in business, economic journalism, finance, government, insurance, management, public policy and real estate. Your studies will also prepare you for graduate study in areas such as business, policy, and law.

The Computer & Information Science Department offers a bachelor's degree in computer science with a concentration in cybersecurity. The cybersecurity concentration within the computer science program prepares students with essential skills and in-depth knowledge for cyber defense and secure software development, as well as advanced techniques such as artificial intelligence and machine learning. With the cybersecurity concentration, students will gain a critical understanding of threats, attacks and vulnerabilities in computer and information systems, and develop the skills needed for cyber defense and operations.

Our BA in political science with a concentration in pre-law prepares you for law school by providing a solid foundation for future study in fields including commercial, criminal, environmental, family, labor, and tax law.

Your courses will focus on the U.S. legal system, law and courts in relationship to other aspects of the U.S. political system, international law and courts, and the international political system. A background in law prepares you not only for a practice of law, but also for rewarding careers in advocacy, business, and education.

Studying law will develop your analytical, logical, and creative thinking skills. You'll be prepared to think critically and act effectively as an engaged citizen.

We want to ensure that you acquire proficiency in writing, communication, advocacy, and comparative analyis: all vital skills in today's workplace, which is why we require students to complete an internship.

The School for Marine Sciences & Technology’s (SMAST) MS in Marine Science and Technology program emphasizes societal need-driven research and learning in an interdisciplinary environment. The MS program focuses on observations, modeling, experimentation, and theory in the areas of ocean sciences, ocean technology, and marine policy.

Students work independently as well as collaboratively with our renowned faculty and some of the most highly regarded oceanographic institutions and may pursue a range of leading-edge research projects in areas that include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Biochemical cycling
• Coastal Ecosystem Dynamics and Restoration
• Computational Modeling
• Fisheries Science
• Marine Renewable Energy
• Ocean Physics

Highlights

• Options for thesis or non-thesis program of study
• Thesis option requires a minimum of 30 credit hours and the non-thesis option requires 33 credit hours
• Full-time MS students normally complete their degree requirements in four semesters

English is an exciting discipline that challenges you to explore both literature and writing. Pursue your interest in literature by choosing the literature and criticism option. You'll learn how to:

• Read and think critically
• Engage with literature—and the world—thoughtfully and analytically
• Identify and analyze formal literary genres and schools of literary criticism
• Communicate effectively through literary analysis, persuasive argument, critical exposition, and presentation

Our award-winning faculty members specialize in a wide and diverse range of fields such as creative nonfiction, drama, fiction, poetry, world and British literature, and many more.

The skills you'll develop as an English major are essential in today's competitive job market and can lead to rewarding careers in communications, editing, freelance writing, grants writing, journalism, public relations, publishing, teaching, technical writing, screenwriting, and many other fields. You'll also be prepared for graduate study across many disciplines, such as creative and professional writing, education, law, and library/information science.

Innovation, invention, and independence are the cornerstones of CVPA's Sculpture program. As you pursue your BFA in Art + Design: Sculpture, you'll be inspired to cultivate your visual voice.

The BFA is a professional degree with concentrated areas of specialization, so you will take more art courses than you would in a BA program. At UMass Dartmouth, you also have the advantages of a university education where you can diversify your studies and expand your career opportunities.

You will be exposed to the many possibilities of contemporary sculpture as you explore both theory and practice. You'll learn to think critically as you develop a practical skill set directed by your interests and goals.

Sculpture students gain experience in a broad spectrum of 3D art-making approaches and genres through focused, disciplined studio practice.

Individualized instruction at every level will guide you through the almost limitless possibilities with materials, processes, and emerging genres available to three-dimensional artists today. Our goal is to create well-prepared, broadly informed artists who can fluently express their ideas three-dimensionally.

You'll participate in numerous exhibitions of your work, culminating with the capstone BFA Exhibition in a professional museum or gallery setting.

The sculpture program prepares you for a career as a professional artist with opportunities in areas such as 3D design, fabrication, film and video industries, galleries, museums, theaters, and education, as well as for graduate study.

Philosophy will appeal to your sense of curiosity about the world, as you explore topics such as justice, knowledge, reality, and truth: the ideas that have shaped our world over time.

Yet the study of philosophy also prepares you for many challenges, as you analyze and evaluate the ideas of others, and clarify and defend your own ideas.

You will develop problem solving abilities, communication skills, persuasive powers, and writing skills—skills needed to develop a rewarding career and a meaningful life.

With its emphasis on logic, analysis, and clarity of thought, philosophy is an excellent preparation for professional fields such as artificial intelligence, business, communications, government, information sciences, law, medicine, public relations, and writing—as well as graduate study in philosophy, theology, and many other disciplines.