Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies (STEM)

at EDUCO - University of Nebraska - Lincoln USA

The Department of English seeks to help students develop their critical reading, writing, and thinking skills. In addition, we hope to foster imaginative reasoning, which we define as the ability to use the imagination to think hypothetically about the world in all its diversity—the past, present, and future, the local and the global. Such an ability, learned through the study of diverse literature and film, the critical analysis of language, and the generation of creative work, enables students to thoughtfully engage with social, cultural, and political phenomena. It allows students to re-envision what is possible and to dream audacious solutions to seemingly insoluble problems. Imaginative reasoning, both as a value and as a skill, connects us to one another and leads us to look beyond boundaries, including the boundary of our own selves and our most immediate communities.

The courses we offer, our teaching methods, and our departmental culture further several core goals: the pursuit of social justice, the celebration of diversity, the creation of a broad array of communities based on empathetic understanding, the fostering of a sense of belonging in all of our students, and the development of a desire for civic engagement and responsibility.

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 graphic design major prepares students to integrate creativity with visual communication to create a wide variety of print and digital products. The School of Art, Art History and Design offers two undergraduate degrees for this major. Both include a solid base of knowledge in the principles and history of art and design. The bachelor of arts (BA) degree, with nearly fifty percent of its courses in the major, requires students to complement this foundation with another area of study. The bachelor of fine arts (BFA) degree expands on the basic coursework by providing additional experience in graphic design and related studio art areas. This intensive degree holds seventy percent of its courses in the major and is intended for those who want to work in a design career or pursue graduate study in graphic design.

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.

Applied climate professionals are active in assessing climate risk, informing decision makers, working with policy makers, and providing climate information to private and public sectors. The applied climate science (ACS) major will provide a foundation for understanding the climate system and its components, as well as interactions of the climate system components with, and impacts on, the environment and human activities. Upon the completion of the major, graduates will be prepared to address applied climate science issues such as climate change and climate variability.

The goal of the major is to provide a higher level of understanding in climatology in order to understand complex climate-based problems and their interrelationships with natural resources and ecosystem management issues that are pervasive today and will become even more important in the future. Issues such as natural hazard management, climate change, climate variability, changing frequency and severity of extreme climate events, environmental degradation, deforestation, and increased demand for water and other natural resources are at the root of this increased demand for applied climate professionals.

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.

A major in meteorology-climatology opens the door to your future career in the exciting and ever-changing world of weather and climate. This major is comprehensive, but flexible so that you can pursue you own interests within the broad field of atmospheric sciences, while meeting the federal government requirements for employment as a meteorologist.

You will build a solid foundation in meteorology-climatology with core courses that combine basic atmospheric science with training in mathematics, computer science and physics. You will apply this knowledge as you learn analytical problem-solving and forecasting techniques, methods for atmospheric measurements and how the atmosphere interacts with other components of the earth system.

The merchandising option is planned for those students interested in the buying and selling of textile and apparel products at the manufacturing and retail levels, as well as product development, promotion, and visual merchandising. The program emphasizes textiles and product development and provides an understanding of fashion theory, as well as basic skills and techniques in the apparel and textiles industry and distribution of textiles and apparel in the global society.

A political science major combines the analytical and communication skills of a liberal arts degree with an in-depth understanding of governments and political processes. Your political science major prepares you for virtually any career path—from government to law, journalism to business. Courses in political science examine government and politics in the United States and around the world.

The Department of Biochemistry offers studies leading to bachelor of science (BS) in biochemistry. There are two options available for the undergraduate program: Standard Biochemistry Option, which is the traditional biochemistry major, and the Computational and Systems Biochemistry Option, which integrates concepts and skills from the core biochemistry requirements with additional study in mathematics, statistics, and computer science. The training offered through both options is suitable for a professional career in biochemistry, which may lead to employment in various industries involved in the manufacture or processing of chemicals, foods, feeds, and pharmaceuticals or federal agencies such as the Food and Drug Administration, U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Public Health Service, and Environmental Protection Agency. Both options are suitable as preparation for graduate studies leading to academic careers in biochemistry and professional careers in medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, and health-related fields. The Computational and Systems Biochemistry Option aims at preparing students to address questions using quantitative and multidisciplinary approaches in fields such as health, agriculture, and biotechnology. The Department is accredited by the American Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB), meaning seniors who sit for the ASBMB certification exam are recognized as earning a certified degree if they receive a qualifying score.

What you will learn
Biochemistry is the study of chemical reactions within a living cell. We study the molecules that make up life. Our students take a variety of biology, chemistry, physics, and math courses in addition to very specific biochemistry classes. Students can do actual research in faculty labs or pursue internships at local biomedical companies.