Bachelor of Arts, Major in Digital Humanities

at University of St. Francis USA

Biochemistry is the study of the molecules present and chemical processes that take place in living things. Inside a living cell, an astounding number of very carefully-regulated chemical reactions are occurring all the time. Biochemists are the individuals who work to bridge the gap between pure chemistry and biology.

The biochemistry degree is a common degree obtained by those interested in pre-health professions, especially those studying pre-dental, pre-med, pre-pharmacy and pre-physician assistant programs. It builds on the strong interdisciplinary approach in educating students, a distinctive feature of the Natural and Health Sciences Department at the University of St. Francis. Biochemists plan and conduct complex projects in basic and applied research; they manage laboratory teams and monitor the quality of their work; they research the effects of substances such as drugs, hormones, and nutrients on tissues and biological processes; they prepare technical reports, research papers, and recommendations based on their research findings and they present those findings to scientists, engineers, and other colleagues.

This major offers a comprehensive approach to studio art, photography and graphic design. Students may immerse them­selves in a variety of traditional and contemporary media, taught by practicing artists with local, national and international professional experience. Learning takes place in a state-of-the-art facility that’s unmatched in the region, offering dedicated spaces for a variety of media such as ceramics, digital arts, graphic design, photography, printmaking, studio arts, video editing and woodshop.

Classes are small (usually ranging from 8–15 students), giving each student the opportunity to develop enriching educational relationships with classmates and professors. The Art & Design department emphasizes the importance of blending the faculty’s professional experience with the students’ understanding of contemporary aesthetics and their development of ambitious studio practice.

Art & Design students will:

• Gain an understanding of the visual arts in relation to culture and history
• Be introduced to historical and contemporary artistic and design practices
• Learn in an environment that fosters critical thinking
• Use facilities that are current with industry standards

Concentrations

• Graphic Design
• Photography
• Studio Art

The Adventure-Based Recreation Therapy major at USF seeks to prepare students who are interested in helping others develop into their full potential through the use of outdoor experiences.

Students graduating from this major can find themselves working in a field such as Adventure Therapy or Wilderness Therapy. Adventure Therapy seeks to gives outdoor recreation opportunities to individuals with disabilities. This can include adaptive skiing, adaptive canoeing, adaptive rock climbing, and much more. The goal is to provide unique experiences that help the individuals to develop not only great physical freedom but also make social and mental improvements. Wilderness Therapy differs in its approach to development, focusing on the use of the outdoors to help treat at-risk or substance dependent youth and adults. Careers focus on providing outdoor experiences that develop a great sense of personal understanding in the participants.

This major provides a three-pronged approach. A third of the coursework helps the student to develop a level of comfort and skill building in the outdoors while gaining important leadership experience in a wilderness setting. Aanother third of the coursework trains the student in recreational therapy and, once an internship is completed, allows the student to sit for the Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist exam. The final third of the coursework is rooted in substance abuse counseling, preparing the student to help individuals through any emotional/mental challenges they may face.

The computer science field is one that’s continuously growing and evolving. Technology skills are necessary for operations in just about every professional field: business, education, medicine, law enforcement, communication, science, engineering, manufacturing, service industries, the gaming industry and more. You name it, and computer science is right there– making things work in every imaginable way.

Within the computer science realm, the Information Technology/Network Specialist degree is designed for Joliet Junior College students completing the AAS degree in Computer Information Systems (Network Specialist option). USF’s program focuses on concepts and applications that lead to the B.S. in Information Technology. The program is designed to prepare graduates in the efficient use and integration of new technology within existing company structures. It provides knowledge, skills, and methods necessary for the deployment of emerging technology, installation and maintenance of networks, resource management and system security.

If you want a career in a field that is always new, always challenging and always growing, our Information Technology & Network Specialist degree is for you!

This major offers a comprehensive approach to studio art, photography and graphic design. Students may immerse them­selves in a variety of traditional and contemporary media, taught by practicing artists with local, national and international professional experience. Learning takes place in a state-of-the-art facility that’s unmatched in the region, offering dedicated spaces for a variety of media such as ceramics, digital arts, graphic design, photography, printmaking, studio arts, video editing and woodshop.

Classes are small (usually ranging from 8–15 students), giving each student the opportunity to develop enriching educational relationships with classmates and professors. The Art & Design department emphasizes the importance of blending the faculty’s professional experience with the students’ understanding of contemporary aesthetics and their development of ambitious studio practice.

Studio Art:
Equips students with a sound foundation for entry into a graduate program or a career as an artist.

History is powerful. History majors are encouraged to visualize, feel, and experience history. You will gain a solid grounding in American, European, and World history while being introduced to past and current historiography and take part in current debates in the discipline. USF’s History program emphasizes skills such as critical thinking, research, information literacy, writing and oral presentation.

Classes are taught in small settings. Students can explore World War II in a global perspective, rather than the traditional European focus, or take a class on “History in Film,” which helps students evaluate and critique the historical narratives found in pop culture. There’s also “Digitizing History,” where students learn about digital preservation and techniques for effective online presentations of history for the public.

USF’s History degree also promotes experiential learning, encouraging students to gain experience outside college classroom at museums and other historical sites. This flexible program gives students a lot of leeway to take courses that suit their interests. Students are exposed to a variety of different ideas and sources, and can focus in depth on issues that most intrigue them.

Concentrations

• European
• Non-Western
• United States
• History/Social Science Secondary Ed. (9-12)

Radiography is an allied health profession that employs X-radiation to produce images of the human body. The B.S. in Radiography at USF is a “2+2 program.” This means participating students will complete two years of liberal and pre-professional science education courses at USF before applying for admission to a professional program at Swedish American Health System in Rockford, Illinois or Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago. (Admission to the professional education component is controlled by the sponsoring hospitals.)

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that the median national annual wage for radiologic technologists, also known as radiographers, was $60,070 in 2017. According to the BLS, there will be a projected 13 percent rise in employment for radiographers by 2026, which is a faster-than-average growth rate compared to all occupations.

At the University of St. Francis, students benefit from small, intimate classes where they can work closely with professors. Most importantly, USF prepares students for successful careers in radiography and the allied health professions.

The Criminal & Social Justice major at the University of St. Francis offers students an exciting alternative to a traditional criminal justice program by offering the opportunity to build a concentration in one of several specializations. The focus of the program goes beyond the criminal justice system and examines historical, social, and legal barriers to creating a more just society. Students are educated about the structure and process of the criminal justice system with a holistic, Catholic social justice perspective.

Writing skills, ethics and integrity, service and social justice are emphasized to prepare students for a profession where these traits and skills are in high demand. The program seeks to provide students with a broad liberal arts foundation challenged by Franciscan values, and engage them in the continuous pursuit of knowledge, faith, wisdom, and justice. Students will explore and understand societal issues that lead to criminal behavior, and will learn theoretical and practical knowledge of the structures, processes, and functions of the criminal justice institutions and their relationship to other social systems.

Industrial-organizational psychology is the scientific study of human behavior in organizations and the workplace. As an I-O Psychology major at USF, you’ll learn about major psychological theories and their application in human resources through hiring, training and talent development, performance appraisal, motivation and work satisfaction. You’ll also learn more about organizational communication, organizational change and development, team building and leadership, culture and diversity, safety in the workplace and more. You’ll conduct field research and assessment, and will grow your skills in literature-based research, problem solving, oral and written communication, teamwork, critical thinking, and independent learning. You’ll also enrich your commitment to values and ethics while doing research and business—guided by the values of respect, integrity, compassion and service.

Graduates will be able to apply their understanding of major psychological theories and principles in their organizations and work life. They will be prepared for entry-level job positions and graduate-level training. According to a survey, jobs in the I-O psychology field are projected to increase by 19 percent before 2024.

On the front page, on the home page, on camera, or behind the microphone… these are just a few of the places you’ll find University of St. Francis Communication & Media Arts (CMMA) majors.

Communication & Media Arts is a broad field that touches on every aspect of human social behavior. Along with traditional communication theory, media writing, and broadcast/print production, you will learn about new and emerging electronic media. Digital media, wikis, video sharing, podcasts, blogs and social media are altering the way we communicate. In CMMA you will explore the fast-changing fields of advertising, public relations, journalism and broadcasting.

Students are encouraged to “jump in with both feet” from the moment they step on campus by:

• Writing articles or taking photos for the USF Encounter student news magazine
• Filling air shifts on USF’s radio station, WCSF 88.7 FM
• Creating graphics for a television or video production
• Producing on-location video news stories
• Designing websites for the community and completing real world projects
• Developing storytelling techniques for social media