Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies (STEM)

at EDUCO - University of Nebraska - Lincoln USA

Philosophy is the critical study of the fundamental concepts and assumptions involved in all central areas of human experience, including religion, morality, science, and art. The department offers an introduction to philosophy course designed for the general student, as well as introductory courses in logic and current issues.

The basic philosophy curriculum includes courses in the history of philosophy covering the period which begins with the development of rational inquiry by the philosophers of ancient Greece and which concludes with the construction of the modern philosophical systems of the Enlightenment as well as courses in each of the major fields of philosophical study: ethics, which is concerned with the basis of morality; metaphysics, which explores different views about what fundamentally exists; epistemology, which examines the nature and limits of human knowledge; and logic, which studies general methods of reasoned argument and analysis.

A number of courses reflect the role of philosophy in investigating the fundamental concepts and assumptions of other disciplines, including courses in medical ethics, the philosophy of law, the philosophy of science, and the philosophy of mathematics.

Other courses focus on the role of philosophy in the critical analysis of basic evaluative conceptions and assumptions. Courses in political philosophy critically examine the evaluative concepts and assumptions involved in our beliefs about government, individual liberty, and social and economic justice. Courses in the philosophy of religion do the same for beliefs about the nature and existence of God and about the relations between faith and knowledge.

The department also offers courses in aesthetics, the philosophical study of art, music, and literature understood as fundamental forms of human culture and significant expressions of the human spirit.

The interdisciplinary character of philosophy, together with its focus on evaluative issues and its unique emphasis on general methods of reasoned argument and analysis, leads to an unusually broad and intellectually sound major for students preparing themselves for such professions as law, medicine, social work, government service, and the ministry. The philosophy major is indispensable for those who wish to prepare for a career as a philosopher within a college or university setting.

Architects are creative problem solvers. The primary responsibility of the architectural profession is the design of meaningful, productive environments for human occupation and use. Architects, therefore, must be able to understand the needs and desires of the people who will inhabit and use their creations and effectively synthesize the complex structural, mechanical, constructional components, and cultural references that influence the design of a building. As designers, they must possess creative and aesthetic skills as well as technical knowledge, collaborative ability, and problem-solving agility.

The architecture program seeks to increase students’ desire to learn and to develop a capacity for design-thinking and sound, critical judgment while simultaneously developing their creative potential. Specifically, the curriculum provides the background and means for the student to:

• Analyze and understand society’s needs and desires.
• Translate these needs and desires into a physical form and spatial organization.
• Contribute creatively to the building construction industry.
• Search out new problems and contribute to environmental knowledge through design-research.
• Initiate and review developments in technology and society.
• Participate in the community that makes decisions affecting the physical environment.

What you will learn
Architecture students develop the foundation skills and abilities to create complex built environments. In addition, they confront technical problems, address human needs, and resolve esthetic concerns. Confronting these issues requires a vision for the future that includes zero energy building technologies and more integrated design and building delivery models. Within these emerging realities students will increasingly be required to be creative and adaptable to changes in building culture and the leadership role an architect plays in a community's development. To prepare students for this challenge, Nebraska's architecture program provides a broad understanding of the arts and humanities as well as the specifics of technology.

The environmental studies major is designed for students who want to make a difference and contribute to solving environmental challenges on a local to global scale. Solutions to challenges such as climate change, pollution, and resource conservation require individuals who have a broad-based knowledge in the natural and social sciences, as well as strength in a specific discipline. The environmental studies major will provide the knowledge and skills needed for students to work across disciplines and to be competitive in the job market. The environmental studies program uses a holistic approach and a framework of sustainability. This framework recognizes the necessity of meeting current resource needs without compromising the environment or the ability of future generations to meet their needs.

The Department of Modern Languages and Literatures offers courses in Arabic, German, Japanese, the Romance Language group (French, Spanish), and the Slavic group (Czech, Russian). Whenever possible, the courses are conducted in the language that is studied. The aim of instruction is reading, writing, aural and oral proficiency, and an understanding of the life, literature, and culture of the country. Lectures and films in the language studied are offered during the school year for the benefit of the students in the department. Language laboratories supplement class work.

The department participates in the following interdisciplinary study programs: Institute for Ethnic Studies, Global Studies, Jewish Studies, Latin American Studies, Medieval and Renaissance Studies, and Women’s and Gender Studies.

The undergraduate degree program in psychology is designed to provide you with educational and research experiences that can prepare you for graduate or professional school in academic psychology, medicine, dentistry, nursing, public health, and law—to name a few. The bachelors degree program in psychology can also prepare you for diverse careers in applied fields such as counseling, business, and health and human services. If you plan to major in psychology, we recommend that you meet with our advisors as early as possible to plan a program of study consistent with your interests and goals.

A national leader in collegiate athletics, the University of Nebraska–Lincoln attracts many students who have a strong interest in sports. The sports media and communication major provides students a unique opportunity to fulfill their aspirations of pursuing a career in sports without being a competitive athlete. Students start by creating a strong foundation of sports knowledge and skills from a variety of perspectives, including journalism, broadcasting, advertising, public relations, and marketing. Students then have the ability to add depth in their upper-level electives.

The college has offered sports courses for decades, including courses in sports broadcasting, sports writing, and sports media relations and promotion, and it has produced highly successful alumni working in sports for major media organizations across the United States. Faculty have built relationships with sports media organizations that provide special learning opportunities for students, such as ESPN, FOX Sports University, BigTen Network, Special Olympics, as well as local stations and agencies.

The sports media and communication major offers a plethora of employment opportunities for students, including jobs in sports journalism, sports announcing, sports information, sports marketing, sports event planning, sports community relations, graphic and Web design in sports, multimedia storytelling in sports, and sports media entrepreneurship.

Athletic training is the art and science of treating athletic injuries. The Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE) develops and maintains guidelines for colleges and universities to provide an education for athletic training and verifies that those standards have been met. The University of Nebraska–Lincoln athletic training program is currently granted accreditation status by the CAATE. The underlying philosophy of this program is the same as with all other components of the University of Nebraska athletic medicine program.

The athletic training education program is dedicated to providing students with educational programming that is recognized as excellent. It is dedicated to providing students with opportunities to have clinical experiences with teams noted for excellence, in facilities noted for excellence. It is also expected that students will display excellence in academic and clinical settings and will adhere to the highest standards as put forth in the National Athletic Trainers Association Code of Professional Ethics. The University of Nebraska–Lincoln athletic training education program is dedicated to the continual assessment of our program and our students in order to maintain our standards.

The athletic training education program is housed in the Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences. Completion of the entire program constitutes a major field of study. Students completing the course of study are eligible to sit for the National Athletic Trainers Association Board of Certification Examination.

An actuary is a mathematically-oriented business person who will most likely be a manager or supervisor at some point in their career. A major in actuarial science is an excellent educational background for prospective actuaries.

The actuarial science program is designed to prepare students for the current industry demands. Because the demands change on a regular basis, oftentimes the number of hours, the sequencing of courses, and the specific requirements change for this major. Students should continue to consult with the department for the appropriate selection and listing of course requirements.

All actuarial science students are encouraged to visit the actuarial science program’s website and an actuarial science program faculty advisor for more information about the program, including the Actuarial Science Club, sequencing of courses, scholarship opportunities, and the requirements for achieving professional actuarial designations.

University of Nebraska–Lincoln students pursuing the bachelor of science degree in Grassland Systems will benefit from an interdisciplinary, holistic approach to the study of grasslands, rangelands, and prairies.  Approximately 60% of Nebraska’s landmass is grassland which offers exceptional experiential learning opportunities.  Students first develop a strong base with core courses in grassland systems, mathematics and statistics, communications, and natural sciences before advanced study in one of two options: grassland ecology and management (GECM) or grazing livestock systems (GLS).

An important facet of environmental science is restoration activities that initiate or accelerate the recovery of an ecosystem that has been degraded, damaged, or contaminated from human activity or natural agents. Restoration begins with a thorough understanding of the soil-water environment. Students interested in environmental science must declare an option and can choose between:

• Soil Science Option
• Lake and Stream Restoration Option