Bachelor of Science in Biology (STEM)

at EDUCO - University of West Florida USA

The M.S. in Environmental Science provides advanced research and educational opportunities in the earth and environmental sciences. Departmental areas of concentration include coastal science, paleoclimatology, landscape ecology, geographic information science, aquatic biogeochemistry, and soils science. The program includes both thesis and non-thesis tracks. The non-thesis track provides a foundation for employment in the private and public sectors of the environmental fields. In addition, the thesis track prepares students for advanced study leading to the doctoral degree. Contact the department for information regarding the graduate certificate in Geographic Information Systems (GIS).

The Bachelor of General Studies degree program provides interdisciplinary study across academic disciplines and professional fields. It is designed for nontraditional students whose age, residence, academic interests, or career objectives require a more individualized university degree. The Bachelor of General Studies degree program is designed to:

• Meet the University of West Florida’s mission to provide students with access to high-quality, relevant, and affordable undergraduate learning experiences, and therefore better serve the general educational needs of region;
• Provide students an opportunity to earn a bachelor's degree while maintaining family, military, and/or employment obligations;
• Offer a degree option including studies in several disciplinary areas;
• Give students the option to complete courses at the Pensacola campus, Emerald Coast campus, and/or online; and
• Provide students an opportunity to build upon the associate of arts degrees offered by other institutions.

The B.A. in History is designed to provide students with the skills necessary to research and interpret the past. Emphasis is placed upon active participation in the creative process of historical inquiry.

Students planning to go to graduate school are strongly advised to attain proficiency in foreign languages.

Students interested in obtaining certification to teach this subject area in secondary education need to contact an advisor in this department to carefully plan the course work to satisfy degree and some teacher certification requirements. A degree in this major is required for participation in teacher education certification options.

The mission of the Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering is to offer undergraduate and graduate programs of excellence in engineering that serve the needs of the West Florida region, the state, and the nation. The goal of these programs is to prepare students for a successful professional career in their respective chosen discipline of study.

The Computer Engineering program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission (EAC) of ABET.  ABET is the recognized accreditor for college and university programs in applied science, computing, engineering and technology and is among the most respected

The program’s educational objectives are to ensure:

• Graduates of the program will be successful in the professional practice of engineering or related fields and will advance in their chosen careers.
• Graduates of the program will be successful in pursuing advanced degrees in engineering or related fields

The Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (B.S.B.A.) degree with a major in Management Information Systems (M.I.S.) emphasizes information as a resource to be managed, planned, and controlled in much the same way as other organizational resources. This program of study presents the concepts and methods of analyzing, designing, planning, and managing simple or complex information systems within an organization. In addition, M.I.S. emphasizes the managerial aspects of information systems by providing a base of business instruction common to the College of Business programs.

The Exercise Science major is designed for students interested in pursuing a career in the fitness industry, cardiac rehabilitation, clinically-related health fields, and graduate school. The program has specific courses (APK 4125 Exercise Testing and Prescription, APK 4114C Physiological Basis of Strength Development) that prepare students for certifications such as the ACSM Certified Exercise Physiologist (ACSM EP-C) and the National Strength and Conditioning Association Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialists (NSCA CSCS). The course work precedes a capstone course that allows students to receive valuable work experience just prior to graduating. The University of West Florida’s undergraduate degree program in Exercise Science is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) and addresses the Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA) needed to pass the ACSM Exercise Physiologist-Certified exam. The curriculum is endorsed by the NSCA for meeting their recommended educational guidelines.

The B.S. in Mathematics prepares students for graduate study; teaching; service in science, government and industry; and supporting roles in the social, biological, and physical sciences. This program emphasizes mathematics and statistics and provides students with considerable flexibility in choosing electives outside the major. It is recommended that students seek the advice of faculty regarding career opportunities and choice of a suitable minor.

The B.S. specializations in Chemistry and Chemistry/Biochemistry have been approved by the Committee on Professional Training of the American Chemical Society (ACS) and consist of courses designed to offer training in the fundamentals of chemistry. Opportunities exist for the student to take courses to prepare for a wide variety of careers in chemistry and related fields. The B.S. program is recommended for students wishing to enter graduate programs in chemistry or to find employment as professional chemists.

Students interested in obtaining certification to teach this subject area in secondary education need to contact an advisor in this department to carefully plan the course work to satisfy degree and some teacher certification requirements. A degree in this major is required for participation in teacher education certification options.

The Maritime Studies Program is designed to familiarize students with the dynamic cultural and natural resources of the maritime environment. Students gain the necessary knowledge and expertise to enable them to participate and contribute to our growing understanding and management of the maritime environment.

Maritime Studies prepares students for careers in the diverse and exciting maritime world. This degree provides a broad understanding of the diversified field by integrating maritime themes, transferable skills, and a knowledge base to enter a variety of maritime-related careers. The maritime industry is a major global employer with thousands of opportunities in many areas. The marine environment covers 71% of the earth and continued technology advancement has increased pressure on its resources. Understanding and managing maritime resources is becoming increasingly important, requiring a wide range of theoretical knowledge and practical skills that this Maritime Studies degree will provide.

The hallmark of the Maritime Studies Program is its flexibility because it allows students to tailor their degree program to their individual interests. It requires only a few specific core courses to provide an overview of the main areas in Maritime Studies. Students complete their degree programs with elective courses from a wide range of disciplines such as Anthropology/Archaeology, Marine Biology, Environmental Studies, History, Art History, Literature, Law, Political Science, and Leisure Studies.

Academic study is only part of the essential training needed for students of Maritime Studies. They also must have a structured field experience in which methods of sampling, recording, and other practical aspects of professional work in the field environment are learned.

The B.A. in Anthropology provides a broad base of information about human culture and what makes humans unique. Culture is the totality of what humans learn and the basis for how humans define the world. Anthropologists study all kinds of individual cultures, both living and dead and simple and complex, in order to gain an understanding of culture as a human phenomenon. The very nature of anthropology is multicultural and historical. This program is hands-on, and students regularly participate in faculty-directed research projects in the Pensacola area. Senior internships and cooperative programs with private firms and government agencies also provide on-the-job training and can lead to employment. The B.A. in Anthropology is a springboard to a wide range of jobs in the private or government sectors, as well as continuing one’s academic career after graduation.