Bachelor of Arts, Major in Philosophy with Concentration in Communications and Critical Thinking

at University of Massachusetts Lowell USA

Mechanical engineers are problem solvers who help industries tackle important challenges such as developing new power and autonomous systems and advanced composite materials, as well as new methods of enhancing productivity and quality in manufacturing.

Students in the UMass Lowell mechanical engineering program learn how to apply fundamental principles with competence and sensitivity to meet the needs of industry and society. Our program emphasizes hands-on experience based in the design-build test methodology, in which students have the opportunity to build and test their theoretical designs. Accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET (https://www.abet.org), the mechanical engineering program features award-winning researchers and dedicated academics committed to providing students with a high-quality, comprehensive education.

Our students follow a rigorous and well-rounded curriculum that provides a solid science and engineering foundation in the fields of mechanics, fluid flow, heat transfer, energy, material science and dynamic systems. In addition, students take relevant courses in the humanities and social sciences.

The UMass Lowell Chemical Engineering program provides the opportunity for graduate students to study the fundamentals and applications of chemical engineering principles at an advanced level.

As a history major at UMass Lowell, you will be trained to think and write critically about history. Department alumni have careers in a wide array of fields including teaching, law, government service, business and research. More than half our graduates go on to graduate school in history, education and other fields.

The Energy Engineering Program at the University of Massachusetts Lowell is, along with the Nuclear Engineering Program, one of two ways to earn a graduate degree in Energy Engineering. The program offers both Master's and Doctoral degrees, as well as a Graduate Certificate, in Energy Engineering. The Energy Engineering Program began over twenty-five years ago with a focus on solar energy, but over time has expanded to encompass several renewable energy technologies, including wind turbines, fuel cells and green combustion.

Renewable energy engineers are leading the way to a cleaner, safer future across the globe. From designing small off-grid, solar-powered agricultural water pumps in Peru to improving the reliability of towering wind turbines off the coast of Rhode Island, our students and graduates are making a positive impact on our society and our environment.

The curriculum provides a sound foundation in math, science, and engineering as well as plastics specific courses. These courses, and the related laboratory experiences, focus on polymer materials, properties, processing and design. All levels of this curriculum foster communication, professionalism, ethics, safety, and environmental sustainability.

The department maintains the highest standard of academic excellence and a supportive environment for students from all backgrounds.

Students follow a sequence of mathematics, science, college writing, and fundamental engineering courses in their freshman and sophomore years. Plastics Engineering courses begin with the freshman-level Introduction to Plastics Engineering. Basic plastics materials, processing and design - with their hands on laboratories - are taught in the sophomore and junior years. The senior year includes advanced courses and a student-selected capstone project. Relevant clusters of humanities and social science courses are included with the context of engineering education to create well-rounded graduates.

This program provides students with knowledge of the key issues, research, and theories in the important and emerging field of Peace and Conflict Studies.

Students are challenged to answer the following key content questions:

• How do factors such as poverty, lack of education and social inequity lead to conflict, both internationally and domestically
• What are the causes and conditions which generate and sustain conflict and violence?
• What are the principles and methods for the resolution of conflict and violence?
• What are the norms, practices and institutions for conflict transformation and building peace?

The Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a Concentration in Accounting is designed to provide students with a general understanding of multiple areas of accounting and the knowledge and skills needed to prepare them for entry-level accounting positions that require only an undergraduate degree, and for graduate business and accounting programs. Accounting courses will help students learn the “language of business" and translate the daily activities of a business into useful financial information to facilitate decision making.

The bachelor's degree program with accounting concentration is based on the UMass Lowell general education courses that consist of 56 credits in areas outside of the Manning School of Business. In addition, the Manning School of Business foundation and core curriculum include 67 hours of courses from all the business disciplines including 24 hours of courses from accounting.

Master of Public Administration (MPA) program, students develop the strong managerial, communication, and analytical skills that public and not-for-profit organizations are seeking. At UMass Lowell, a highly ranked research university, close partnerships with such organizations provide learning experiences that emphasize an ethic of public service, while faculty from several disciplines bring their expertise, and various perspectives, to the program.

Students may attend full- or part-time, and the program offers both on-campus and online courses.

UMass Lowell’s MPA program can help students transition to nonprofit management ranks from the for-profit sector, advance within a nonprofit or public agency or Non-Governmental Organization, or start a new job with the credentials - and depth of knowledge - necessary to advance.

From a competitive perspective, the shift from a manufacturing base to a technology-innovation and knowledge-based economy requires new skills among organizational employees. In conversations with executive staff in major companies in the region we have been told repeatedly that the region's engineers and scientists need to be entrepreneurial. As competition and costs rise, research and development efforts must clearly contribute to business growth and the company bottom line. Thus, companies are looking for technical professionals who can generate new ideas and new businesses.

The MS in Entrepreneurship consists of ten courses (30 credits), including 4 core courses (12 credits), 4 elective courses (12 credits, 6 of which must be in Engineering and/or Science) and a 2 course (6 credit) practicum. Each student will participate in the development and delivery of a team capstone project (through the 2 course practicum) which will be reviewed by an external professional panel. 

Program Outcomes
Using a combination of class work, case work and real-world project activity, students will:

• Understand and leverage the business opportunities accompanying technology innovation within established companies and through the launch of new ventures.
• Develop an understanding of technology innovation and entrepreneurship from both an academic and applied perspective.
• Learn how to appropriately value and finance technology innovations and new ventures.
• Develop the market research and sales skills necessary to position technology innovations to create competitive advantage.
• Develop the management skills required to identify, launch and execute innovative products, services and new ventures.
• Develop an applied understanding of the regulatory and property law issues accompanying the innovation and entrepreneurship processes.
• Develop the project management and interdisciplinary team skills required to manage in an open collaboration environment.

The Master of Science program in Security Studies prepares students for careers in the rapid expanding field of cyber security, as well as weapons of mass destruction (CBRNE) and how to address threats to our critical infrastructure.

Students in this area of concentration will develop a solid understanding of chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosives (CBRNE) security. Courses will exam the technical details of weapons and sensor technologies, nonproliferation regimes, the threat of states or terrorists acquiring and using weapons of mass destruction, and the local, state, federal and global efforts to confront this kind of threat.