Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry (STEM)

at Grand Valley State University USA

Students are prepared for engineering careers and leadership roles by way of B.S.E. and M.S.E. degree programs that integrate academic studies with hands-on learning and paid professional co-op experiences in engineering companies.

• Biomedical engineering
• Computer engineering
• Electrical engineering
• Interdisciplinary engineering
• Mechanical engineering
• Product design and manufacturing engineering

Why Study Engineering At Grand Valley?

• Extensive hands-on and project-based learning in small, student-focused classes.
• Three semesters of paid cooperative-education work experience prior to graduation in recognized domestic and international engineering companies.
• Strong support from industrial partners who fund many engineering scholarships for graduate and undergraduate students, as well as sponsor Capstone design projects.
• Nearly 100-percent placement rate into work or graduate school for our graduates.
• Program accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, abet.org

Choose from the Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree after completing 42 major-specific credits. The curriculum allows students to determine their own course of study, balancing creative and professional writing interests. Students also complete an internship to enhance their writing skills.

For students who wish to add to their current major and enhance their writing, the department offers the option to minor in writing.

Why Study Writing At Grand Valley?

• The writing major involves liberal arts training in which students become critical readers, careful thinkers, and skilled writers.
• The department offers one of the few independent undergraduate writing majors in the country.
• Students who want to focus on professional or technical writing can do so in a program that exposes them to the latest technologies for print and web environments.
• The department offers students a variety of extracurricular writing activities including a student-run literary journal, a visiting writing series, a student reading series, an organization for professional writers, a student-produced department newsletter, and opportunities for travel to writing conferences.
• Students may choose to complete a Distinction in Writing, a program that encourages them to pursue excellence beyond the classroom.

This versatile program allows students to achieve individual goals while serving diverse interests. Students have the opportunity to pursue graduate programs in broad areas such as population genetics, organismal biology, aquatic and terrestrial ecology, and natural resource management. Optional emphases are offered in natural resources and aquatic sciences.

Internships offer hands-on learning while project and thesis opportunities strengthen critical thinking and presentatio skills.

Why Study Biology At Grand Valley?

• Programs can be tailored for professionals to make them more competitive for job placement or advancement.
• Research opportunities are offered to all graduate students; some will collaborate with faculty on ongoing research and others will find or create research opportunities independently.
• Individualized, planned programs of study established by the students and their advisors ensure a unique learning experience designed to meet individual goals.
• The aquatic sciences emphasis provides the opportunity to conduct research at the Annis Water Resources Institute in Muskegon.
• Available to full- or part-time students. Many classes are offered at times that accommodate the schedules of working professionals. A majority of students receive competitive graduate assistantships that provide a stipend and full tuition waiver, as well as some teaching experience.

Political Science is the study of politics in its many forms, including law-making and criminal justice, war and international conflicts, protest movements and revolutions, campaigns and elections, political ideas and ideologies, and human rights. Our courses provide the tools to understand these phenomena, and they also develop skills in research, analysis, writing, critical thinking, and speaking.

Students can choose a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree. A minor and a teachable minor are also available.

Why Study Political Science At Grand Valley?

• Small class sizes ensure students get personal attention from expert, student-focused professors who are passionate about political science.
• Students can study and intern for a semester or summer in Washington, DC, through our partnership with The Washington Center. Local internships are also available.
• Students gain research, writing, speaking, critical thinking, and data analysis skills valued by graduate programs and employers.
• Studying political science helps prepare students for success in a range of career fields, including nonprofit organizations, international affairs, law, business, education, advocacy groups, and in local, state, and national government.
• We have a strong network of GVSU political science alumni across the country and around the world who are eager to help new graduates find opportunities.

The CSAT major combines with one of two majors in the College of Education; it leads to certification in elementary education with one of the following specialized endorsement areas: special education, Spanish (paired with the Spanish elementary education minor), English as a Second Language (ESL) (with the Applied Linguistics-ESL minor), or early childhood (with the Early Childhood Education minor). A Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) or Bachelor of Science (B.S.) may be earned. For certification, the student must:

• Complete both the CSAT major, the education major, and the complementary minor (if required) with a GPA of 2.7 or better
• Have an overall GPA of 2.7 or better
• Pass the MTTC Elementary Education and endorsement-area tests

Why Study Csat At Grand Valley?

• Courses are designed specifically for the major and are taught using best practices identified in research literature.
• The strong pedagogical skills CSAT students develop are valuable in settings outside the school system, where an understanding of effective teaching and learning is important.
• Two of the endorsement areas within the special education major could lead to a master's degree.
• Students have many extracurricular opportunities, such as professional organizations (Student Council for Exceptional Children), service learning in area schools, and becoming active members of the community.
• Elementary education teachers with a Spanish endorsement or an ESL endorsement are in-demand locally and across the country.

A Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) and Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in sociology are offered. The B.A. requires third-semester proficiency in a foreign language, while the B.S. requires intermediate-level statistics. A minor is also available.

A sociology degree serves as a strong base for several graduate programs, including occupational therapy and social work.

Why Study Sociology At Grand Valley?

• The Sociology Department is a community of critical scholars who analyze the context of social interaction and the construction of difference in society.
• Our Social Science Data Center offers intern and research assistant experience in active field research. Students work closely with faculty in all stages of project development, conduct, analysis, and publishing. Projects include life course, environmental issues, and social attitudes. Partners include environmental organizations, community groups, and the city of Muskegon.
• Our Internship program offers up to nine course credit hours for work experience. Students develop an analytical protocol in consultation with the Internship Director, and turn in written analysis of their observations and insight.
• The Sociology Club meets regularly throughout the academic year, engaging in fundraising; social, career, and graduate school planning activities; and providing a forum for discussing topics relevant to the discipline.
• The Colloquium Speakers Series brings experts and community activists on campus to talk about important and controversial issues. Students and the GVSU community join the discourse throughout the year to discuss racism, sexism, LGBTQ+ rights, the environment, and ways to a better future.

Most courses are offered in the evenings, making it ideal for working professionals and those who are considering the pursuit of a Ph.D. Students can complete the program in the standard two years. Visit gvsu.edu/grad/english for admission requirements.

Why Study English At Grand Valley?

The M.A. program at Grand Valley State University has many advantages:

• Award-winning teachers committed to academic rigor.
• Courses are taught by professors who are active scholars with strong publication records.
• Small classes (with a limit of 15 students) ensure intensive student-faculty collaboration.
• Evening courses on the Allendale and Grand Rapids campuses accommodate part-time students.
• Flexible programming makes it easy for students to pursue their own interests.

You may choose one of three program areas:

The general program teaches critical thinking and analytical skills for business decision-making.
"Honors" if you achieve a minimum 3.2 G.P.A. both overall and in your economics courses. This designation provides you the opportunity to engage in high profile projects and policy courses.
Real estate emphasis focuses on residential and commercial real estate issues.
There is secondary admission to this program.

Why Study Business Economics At Grand Valley?

• Faculty members with distinguished credentials and business expertise work closely with students to form career goals and select courses to achieve those goals.
• The program stresses well-developed analytical, written, and verbal communications skills valued by employers.
• Internships available in all business areas allow students to earn money while getting valuable business experience.
• Networking opportunities include Omicron Delta Epsilon (the economics honor society), economics club, real estate groups, professional development series, and more.
• Campus is located in the heart of an exciting business environment in downtown Grand Rapids, MI.

Health Communication is one of four undergraduate majors offered by Grand Valley's School of Communications. Students take courses in the health communication core and biomedical sciences. The curriculum features a variety of topics and an experiential approach to learning.

Why Study Health Communication At Grand Valley?

• The program emphasizes a broad understanding of the field combined with a solid knowledge of specific technical skills.
• Students learn critical thinking and creative problem-solving skills with an emphasis on learning-by-doing.
• Students frequently participate in creative performances, exhibitions, and publications related to their chosen major field of study.
• State-of-the-art facilities support current and emergent technologies and enhance student competence.
• Internships are available in a variety of professional work settings.

Students explore the ways interconnected physical, institutional, and cultural systems shape our attitudes and behavior toward the environment. The program emphasizes practical approaches to issues through collaborative problem-solving and involvement in research, internships, and community-based projects.

Students pursuing a major in ENS may choose a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) or Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree and complete 35 to 37 credits, plus the B.A. or B.S. program requirements. Students select interdisciplinary coursework from at least one of four focus areas: sustainable food systems, energy, water resources, and culture and the built environment.

The ENS major is designed with the intention for students to easily combine and supplement it with another major, minor, or certificate to further expand knowledge and career options.

Why Study Environmental And Sustainability Studies At Grand Valley?

• Make connections to pursue a career as an environmental and sustainability professional in industry, government, and non-profit organizations.
• Develop skills in communication, advocacy, outreach, education, and research.
• Acquire first-hand experience addressing complex environmental problems through community-based learning, internships, and research projects.
• Engage in campus sustainability activities at Michigan's top-rated green university.
• Gain the broad educational background needed to create positive change as leaders, decision-makers, and citizens.