Bachelor of Science in Physics - Biophysics Emphasis (STEM)

at MSM Group - University of Missouri-St. Louis USA

The Department of Biology offers two ways of achieving the Master of Science degree. The first is a non-thesis option suitable for those who may already have extensive research experience, for educators who seek to upgrade their academic skills but do not require research experience, or for those who need to broaden their biological background. The second is a traditional apprenticeship in research leading to a written thesis. All students admitted to the graduate program are considered to be in the non-thesis program unless they have been accepted into an individual faculty lab. Starting with a common core, both the non-thesis or thesis option may be developed into a final degree program in either of two broad areas in biology: 1) Cell and Molecular Biology or 2) Ecology, Evolution, and Systematics.

The Master of Science (M.S.) in Cybersecurity is an interdisciplinary program jointly provided by the departments of Information Systems and Technology (College of Business Administration) and Computer Science (College of Arts and Sciences).

The Computer Science emphasis builds on the foundation of an undergraduate cybersecurity or computer science degree and expects students to have prior background in foundational computer science areas or complete some foundational courses upon entry. This emphasis is designed to be focused on technical aspects of cybersecurity and provides greater depth than that afforded at an undergraduate level.

The Master of Accounting (MAcc) degree program is intended for students preparing to enter the accounting profession as well as for those seeking to advance their existing accounting careers. It is designed to accommodate both undergraduate accounting majors and students with other undergraduate backgrounds. The MAcc degree will satisfy the minimum education requirements to be eligible to take the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) examination in Missouri.

The flexibility of this program enables busy adults to earn their graduate degree while balancing work, family and academic responsibilities. With many of our students working full time, all graduate classes are available in the evening.

UMSL MAcc graduates annually pass the four CPA exam parts at rates far above national averages and at rates competitive with the best programs in the state.

The BS in Sport Management is an interdisciplinary, professional degree program that prepares students for a wide array of sport-related careers. The curriculum provides a balance between the educational-community athletics and the business aspects of sport and includes required courses in management and organizational behavior, marketing, sports psychology, sport management and administration, legal and ethical issues in sports, and educational and community athletics in addition to an internship. Degree plans can be customized via choices of electives, internships and complementary minors (e.g., athletic coaching, communication, exercise science, media studies, marketing, business and finance).

The Bachelor of Fine Arts in Art with an emphasis in Graphic Design offers students the opportunity to explore essential cultural and professional systems through creative visual practice. Students in the Graphic Design program enjoy the benefits of close relationships with the St. Louis visual arts professional community.

Our professors maintain a rigorous program that prepares students for immediate employment as professionals in the creative industry. Students receive professional practice development with a new attention paid to entrepreneurial skills.

The BS in Secondary Education, with an emphasis in Mathematics, prepares students to teach in secondary school settings, grades 9-12. This program requires the selection and completion of required coursework in Mathematics and includes field and practicum experiences in high school settings, culminating in Missouri teacher certification.

This program coordinates with the Department of Mathematics. Much of the discipline-specific coursework parallels the BA or BS degrees in Mathematics; however, the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) requires specific coursework for teacher certification.

The master’s degree in Elementary Education is an accredited program appropriate for elementary teachers, specialists, department chairpersons, and those who work in informal learning or international educational settings. Candidates choose electives that will support their personal growth and development as an educational leader to impact the communities with which they work.

Diverse candidates will engage in a learner-centered environment committed to the success of historically marginalized and diverse students, research, and community engagement. Within diverse education settings, candidates will: advance pedagogical knowledge, recognize inequalities in educational opportunity, design differentiated assessments to inform practice, critically examine professional practice, and demonstrate commitment to ethical professional practice.  

It is important that both candidates and advisors plan ahead to ensure courses are taken when they are offered in the schedule. Programs must be planned with an academic advisor and meet the approval of the faculty advisor, adhering to the College of Education and UMSL Graduate School policies.

Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the program, graduates will be able to:

• Continually and systematically reflect on professional growth to enhance student learning.
• Integrate technology to create meaningful student learning within the context of a global digital society.
• Apply advanced content and pedagogical knowledge to create authentic and deep learning experiences.
• Extend learning science principles to design, implement, and evaluate curriculum based on learning standards.
• Create and foster effective working relationships with students, school colleagues, families, and community members to enhance student learning and well-being.
• Design and establish a safe, inclusive, and respectful learning environment that nurtures the intellectual, social, and personal development of all students.
• Utilize equitable frameworks and inclusive practices to expertly create a variety of instructional and assessment opportunities adapted to diverse learners to encourage all students’ critical thinking, problem solving, and performance skills.

The BS in Cybersecurity with an emphasis in Information Systems and Technology is a 123-credit- hour program that requires 33-credit hours of core and 75-credit hours of emphasis specific coursework. The IST emphasis provides both technical and business skills. It focuses on applied aspects of cybersecurity and is suitable for students interested in pursuing cybersecurity management and analyst roles in industry and government.

The core coursework includes introduction to computing, programming and data structures, object-oriented programming, computer organization and architecture, Linux environment and programming, introduction to information security or cyber threats and defense, secure software development, information security risk management and business continuity, computer forensics, and introduction to cryptography for computer security.

The BA in English is designed for students with an interest in developing critical thinking and clear communication skills. Employers in many fields actively seek out and welcome English graduates because of the diversity and proficiency of their skills. Additionally, undergraduate English majors tend to score better on standardized tests like the LSAT, GMAT and GRE than many of their classmates.

Upon completion of the program, graduates will be strong writers, composing ideas with clarity, using effective writing processes and participating in conversations via reading, writing, speaking, listening and critical thinking; astute analysts and content creators, able to engage with a wide variety of texts and situations; and culturally and historically aware citizens and professionals.

The BS in Biochemistry and Biotechnology allows students to develop the skills necessary to enter the biotechnology and life sciences workforce or to pursue further studies at the professional or graduate level. Students receive solid foundations in both chemistry and biology, as well as the opportunity to specialize within the rapidly growing fields of biochemistry and biotechnology.

The Biology Department ranks in the top 20 percent of the nation’s research institutions, based on scholarly productivity and federal research grant funding. Both biology and chemistry students have the opportunity to engage in hands-on research projects under the guidance of faculty.