Master of Science in Biology (STEM)

at EDUCO - University of West Florida USA

UWF's Interdisciplinary Humanities programs promote excellence in education, personal growth, civic awareness and unique learning experiences by offering cutting-edge curricula relevant to the needs of employers. Designed for students desiring exposure to issues that transcend a single discipline, interdisciplinary studies offer students the opportunity to raise questions, create new knowledge, and solve problems in ways that are not possible in a singular disciplinary context. In the Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies specialization, students critically and creatively explore the significance of gender in all areas of life, examining the social formation of human identities, practices, and institutions. This specialization requires the completion of an approved minor or double major and participation in the university’s annual Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Conference. The combination of this interdisciplinary specialization with a related minor or double major prepares students for a wide array of careers in community relations, law, criminal justice, politics, business, communications, counseling, social work, and teaching and provides students with an enhanced understanding of how gender operates in these professional environments. The Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies program also offers a host of co-curricular events and activities that help students to cultivate their professional skills and put theory into practice. Beyond the annual Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Conference, the students host art exhibitions, poetry open mic nights and community reading groups and publish a national feminist student journal.

The Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (B.S.B.A.) degree with a major in General Business prepares students for the world of business, which increasingly demands that business graduates have cross functional abilities. The General Business major builds abilities across multiple business disciplines, including Management, Marketing, and Finance/Economics, thus providing broad abilities in the context of managing modern businesses. The orientation of the major is towards effective management of resources, adoption of market orientation, and understanding of financial and/or economic implications of management decisions.

The BS in Information Technology provides a firm foundation of coursework, including programming principles, database concepts, end-user support, security, networks and operating systems.  The program emphasizes applied skills, including internship, co-op, research, and capstone experiences that will prepare graduates to enter the Information Technology workforce.

Information Technology Program Educational Objectives

Graduates of the UWF B.S. in Information Technology degree program will be known for their accomplishments in the early stages of their careers and they should:

• Develop information technology solutions to important problems either individually or through interdisciplinary teams within a global and societal context.
• Professionally and ethically, engage in technical or business activity through information technology abilities, communication skills, and knowledge.
• Engage in continuing professional growth through post-graduate education, continuing education, or professional activity.

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 M.S. in Mathematical Sciences offers students who hold a bachelor’s in mathematics, statistics, or related fields an opportunity to broaden their knowledge in several fields of mathematics, statistics, and their applications. The M.S. program is designed for students seeking careers in science, business, industry, or government; for students who want to teach in high schools or at the community college level; or for students who plan to pursue doctoral studies. The M.S. program offered by the Department of Mathematics and Statistics permits students considerable flexibility in choosing courses. For example, students who are seeking careers in financial/investment industries, banks, insurance companies, or government may choose more statistics courses that emphasize the use, adoption, and development of statistical methods and state-of-the-art computer technology in the analysis of data from problems in all fields of study.

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. All programs shall be revised continuously to improve quality and respond to current workforce needs.

The Electrical 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 accreditation organizations in the United States.

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.

Electrical Engineering is science-oriented and primarily concerned with all phases and development of the transmission and utilization of electric energy and intelligence. Because of the extremely rapid growth and changes relating to the application of electrical engineering principles, the curriculum is designed to concentrate on a solid core of foundation courses. Twelve hours of electives are included to permit a student to delve deeply into selected subject matter.

The B.S. in Cybersecurity prepares graduates to be leaders in the protection of data assets and analysis of potential threats to system and networks. The curriculum focuses on the techniques, policies, operational procedures, and technologies that secure and defend the availability, integrity, authentication, confidentiality, and non-repudiation of information and information systems, in local as well as more broadly based domains. The major helps prepare students for careers as information systems security professionals, senior system managers, and system administrators responsible for information systems and the security of those systems.

The Legal Studies Program provides students with a broad understanding of basic principles of law and the role and function of the legal system.  While no specific major is prescribed for admission to law school, many pre-law students elect to major in Legal Studies.  The Legal Studies Program, in addition to preparing students for law-related careers, provides a foundation for law school or other graduate education. All of the full-time Legal Studies faculty are attorneys who are graduates of ABA-Approved law schools and are available for law school advising.  Legal Studies students are encouraged to work closely with Legal Studies Advisors in planning their programs. Satisfactory completion of program requirements leads to the degree of Bachelor of Arts with a major in Legal Studies.

The B.S.B.A. in Business Economics is for students interested in economics as it applies to business and government organizations. The program provides students with a comprehensive view of the area of economics in business, allowing them to apply a set of analytical tools to understand the interrelations between the economy and the business environment under different market conditions.

Economics majors develop technical and analytical skills needed for policy oriented decisions in local and global markets, often based on analysis of fundamental resource allocations issues. Economists work in a broad range of areas that include in-depth inquiries, including the following: business strategy (Should we expand into a new market?); societal policies (What is the best way to fight environmental pollution?); and global issues (What rules should govern trade among nations?). Further inquires are conducted into how trade is affected by the elimination of tariffs and quotas. Students in the B.S.B.A. in Economics actively participate in small projects, such as data analysis and forecasting, intended to provide them with hands-on experience in managerial decision making. Specific topics include healthcare, crime, finance, production, international trade, labor, taxation, politics, the environment, pricing strategies, regulation and deregulation, data analysis and forecasting, and many others.

Many Economics graduates choose to attend graduate school, thereby enhancing their career opportunities. A major in Economics provides outstanding preparation for the M.B.A. degree, and an Economics degree is regarded as an excellent background to study Law or to pursue a Master’s in Economics.

Economics students may choose from the following specializations: Comprehensive Economics and Global Economics.

The Department of Computer Science offers several graduate programs that provide instruction on a variety of modern topics in data analytics, software engineering, parallel and distributed computing, and cybersecurity giving graduates the edge to be highly competitive in today's IT job market.

With one of the most affordable tuition plans in Florida and state-of-the-art facilities, our Computer Science Master's program offers cutting-edge curricula and learning environments, with professionally-oriented, hands-on study material.

The department annually awards several scholarships, fellowships, and out-of-state tuition waivers to new and returning students. The department also has limited opportunities for teaching/research assistantships for new and returning students. Please see the departmental website for additional information.