Bachelor of Fine Arts in Fibers

at University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee USA

Economics is the study of choice and decision-making in the face of scarce resources, both at the individual and group levels. Economists examine tradeoffs between different actions and behaviors; analyze different scenarios such as a change in prices, cultural values, or law; and seek to explain and predict human behavior.

Students often ask what the difference is between Economics and Finance. The areas are interrelated and inform and influence each other. Professionally, there is also crossover, with economists working in financial markets and financial experts working on economic policy. In broad terms, economics focuses on concepts related to overall markets, government policy, and decision-making influences. Finance tends to focus on individual businesses and individual people, including the study of assets and liabilities, and financial statements and reporting.

At UWM, students of economics have access to faculty members who are internationally recognized experts in their field. Focus areas for students to choose from include economic theory, quantitative methods including econometrics, public policy, law and the economy, labor economics, and international economic relations.

The Department of Art History offers a graduate program leading to a Master of Arts degree. The graduate program prepares students for either a career in the arts or for PhD-level work at other universities. Course offerings cover the full range of western art, including film studies and electronic arts. Non-western courses in Pre-Columbian, Asian, Islamic, and African art are also offered.

The Department of Rehabilitation Sciences and Technology offers a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy that prepares students to become occupational therapists. During the program, students engage in graduate-level instruction embedded in the theory, research, and clinical underpinnings required to become evidence-based occupational therapy practitioners. Students may select a thesis option or project option in pursuing this degree. Students who are interested can choose to combine elective courses from the OT program with other courses on campus to receive the transcript-designated concentration in assistive technology and accessible design and/or ergonomics.

The Bachelor of Science in Data Science (BSDS) program is a special degree program that blends courses from both the College of Letters & Science and the College of Engineering & Applied Science. It is a structured curriculum offering courses from both statistics and computer science, in addition to electives from other departments and colleges.

The job outlook for individuals with data science degrees is extremely favorable. A student with combined skills in statistical analysis and computer programming is likely to be in high demand on the job market.

Our program is highly technical in nature yet still retains elements of a classic liberal arts degree. Students take courses in the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences as part of the general education requirements, in addition to mandatory courses on the ethical implications of data science and on writing and communication. A broad world view of cultures, history, and society leads to better decision-making in scientific careers, and strong communication skills make graduates even more attractive in the job market.

The Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Dance prepares students to teach participatory movement traditions in community settings, and to lead community groups in creating and performing their own dances and movement rituals. Community-based service-learning experiences provide many opportunities to realize these goals. Many Dance BA students pursue a double major at UWM; the service-learning component provides an opportunity to integrate the content of the two areas of study.

The MA in Women’s and Gender Studies is designed for students who intend to pursue additional academic degrees and students who seek graduate credentials to further their career goals. The degree combines advanced Women’s and Gender Studies courses in feminist theory, research methods, global feminisms, and selected topics with graduate-level courses in many disciplines. Over forty faculty members at UWM are Women’s and Gender Studies affiliates and offer graduate courses that are cross-listed with Women’s and Gender Studies.

Students completing an MA in Women’s and Gender Studies will:

• Gain an understanding of Women’s and Gender Studies as an interdisciplinary field of study and research.
• Demonstrate an advanced understanding of feminist theory and research methods.
• Develop critical thinking skills that will enable them to analyze competing perspectives and integrate various bodies of knowledge across academic boundaries, paying particular attention to gender-based assumptions and their consequences on individuals, social and cultural groups, and institutions.
• Demonstrate an awareness of women’s diverse experiences based on factors such as age, race, sexuality, gender identity, class, religion, and ability status.
• Acquire the background necessary for entry into PhD programs in Women’s and Gender Studies. The MA also prepares students for further graduate studies in many fields of the humanities, social sciences or professions, as well as career fields that require an advanced degree.

The Department of Mathematical Sciences offers graduate programs of study in mathematics with specializations in the fields of algebra, analysis, topology, applied mathematics, probability and statistics, actuarial science, industrial mathematics, and atmospheric science.

The programs of study at the master’s level are designed to suit both the student intending to continue toward a PhD as well as the student who wishes to begin a professional career upon completion of the master’s program.

The student may prepare for a career in teaching at the secondary or college level and for a career in research in the academic, industrial, government, or business communities.

Actuarial Science
The program provides a mathematically rigorous education in actuarial science, prepares students for actuarial professional exams, and develops their economics and business reasoning skills. Students obtain thorough knowledge in the fundamentals of actuarial science such as applied probability models, applied statistics, credibility, financial economics, life contingencies, loss models, and risk theory. Emphasis is placed on developing skills that are highly valued by employers and thus are essential for a successful career as actuary. This program is intended for students who will seek employment as an actuary upon completion of the degree.

This undergraduate degree prepares students to teach art both in schools and in the community. Once students are admitted to the Art & Design program, they can apply to the Art Education program through ART ED 227 (see Advance to Major). In addition to satisfying the core curriculum, art education students also must take required art history and critical thinking courses, and three education courses. They are required to take studio courses from both 2D and 3D disciplines, and to focus their choices of studio electives to develop an emphasis in an area. In addition to top-notch studio preparation in a wide range of media, our students focus on urban issues and art education for social justice. Theory is integrated into practical early field and student teaching experiences. Throughout the program, assessment is aligned with the requirements for licensure under “PI-34,” the state law governing certification in Wisconsin.

The Master of Science in Engineering program is a flexible program designed to meet the needs of a wide variety of students. The program can be a stepping-stone on the way to further studies and the pursuit of advanced research, such as can be obtained by pursuing the PhD. Or the program can provide a pathway to professional advancement through greater technical knowledge and intellectual maturity. The student, with the help and approval of a major advisor, can choose from a wide range of courses from throughout the College of Engineering and Applied Science (CEAS), and where appropriate, from other schools and colleges.

The Biomedical Sciences Department offers a program of graduate education providing an advanced level of study for students interested in biology as it relates to human health, medicine, and disease. Major emphasis in the program is placed on developing an understanding of the mechanisms involved in human diseases and providing broad-based training in both basic and applied biomedical sciences. In-depth training is offered in selected areas of emphasis, such as immunology, the pathogenesis of infectious diseases, toxicology, pharmacology, neurodegeneration, and cancer biology. The MS degree has two tracks.

• Thesis Track requirements include a thesis based on hypothesis-driven research conducted by the student to enhance problem-solving abilities and the student’s capacity to function more effectively in the biomedical field.
• The Non-Thesis Track is designed for students who want to gain knowledge in the biomedical sciences by taking courses focused on human health and disease without a research component. This track may be suitable for a variety of students, including those who currently work in a laboratory setting and wish to obtain a higher degree and those requiring a degree beyond the bachelor-s level to teach.