Bachelor of Science in Environmental Sciences with Emphasis in Environmental Communication

at Northern Arizona University - Flagstaff Campus USA

Computing has become integral to the infrastructure of modern society.  From banking and health to education and business, our world runs on algorithms and computing machines.  Software and hardware are ubiquitous in every aspect of modern life.  This infrastructure is powerful, complex—and highly vulnerable. Small design flaws or less than vigilant safety guards can lead to attacks and exploits that can cost businesses hundreds of billions of dollars and valuable consumer trust, and loss of infrastructure critical to modern civilization.  At the same time there is a shortage of workers with the skills needed to secure these systems.

Biology is the study of life and living organisms—their structure & organization, development, evolution, distribution and interactions.  The major offers a modern, balanced, and comprehensive treatment of biology, emphasizing critical analysis of information and integration among its sub-disciplines.  At NAU, all students take foundations courses that address fundamental biological concepts: cellular & molecular processes, genetics & inheritance, and ecological and evolutionary theory.  Then, students complete the major by selecting the courses in biology that best serve their individual interests.  Upper-division biology courses hone into areas of physiology, evolution, ecological systems, genetics or cell theory.  Our graduates attain the high-level scientific inquiry skills and have practiced the research methods needed to compete in graduate and professional schools and to succeed in the workplace.

The Environmental Science program at NAU constructs an interdisciplinary base of knowledge and skills to explore and develop real-world solutions to environmental problems.

Our program provides a firm grounding in the natural and social sciences to ensure all students understand how chemical, physical and biological processes maintain life, and the complex relationships among humans and the environment. Students work together and individually in the classroom, field and laboratory to practice applying the scientific method to address environmental problems and explore creative solutions that apply cutting-edge technologies.

The broad range of emphases available within our program allows students to delve deeper into a specific knowledge base, then work individually and often together in Environmental Science courses to solve problems by applying the perspectives and knowledge they developed in their emphasis with students from other emphasis areas. To culminate the learning in the program, students develop an individually designed research project or internship addressing an environmental issue of importance to them, which in turn, is expected to further prepare students for a range of professional or graduate opportunities.

Environmental Administration and Policy Emphasis

Explore the basic principles of the organization and management of public organizations, policy-making, theories and practices of human resource management, environmental movements, and political ecology, and through collaborations with those of other disciplines and viewpoints, apply this information to generate sustainable solutions to environmental problems.

Society’s demand for essentials such as clean air, food and water, sustainable land use and consumer products pose large-scale, practical problems.  Environmental engineers use engineering, biological and chemical principles to design and operate pollution control and impact mitigation systems.  Environmental engineering is a newer engineering discipline, growing out of civil and chemical engineering.  This exciting engineering field requires a solid understanding of core concepts including mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology, statics, thermodynamics, surveying, and fluid hydraulics.  These courses serve as a basis for advanced content in:

• Air quality, emissions and pollution control (sampling, modeling and the design of devices to remove particulate and gaseous pollutants)
• Water and wastewater quality and treatment (sampling, modeling and the design of biological/chemical/physical treatment methods for large and small communities)
• Hazardous and solid waste engineering (site assessment, risk assessment, remediation methods, landfill design)
• Environmental health (toxicology, industrial hygiene, ecological impacts)

In addition to this content, our environmental engineering curriculum will provide you with a solid foundation in design, project management and preparation for professional licensure.

The Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology provides students with opportunities for focused study in this quintessential behavioral science and builds critical thinking skills necessary for evaluating scientific research within this discipline. The ability to engage in critical analyses of psychological ideas and scientific evidence constitutes a valuable personal asset, and is a key to success in many professions. Careers that are available for students with a bachelor's degree in psychology are varied, and include human resource professional, case manager, early childhood behavioral specialist, occupational therapy assistant, administrative assistant, science technician, and many others. Students successfully completing this degree should be prepared to enter the workforce after graduation, and those that engage in undergraduate research should also be competitive for graduate studies in applied mental health professions such as clinical mental health counseling or social work, and in other related graduate programs.
 
This degree enables students to develop an understanding of and knowledge about human behavior from several perspectives in psychological science, the ability to apply and synthesize that knowledge within specific psychological domains (e.g., developmental, social, personality, cognitive, behavioral neuroscience, clinical), and research method skills in order to become a critical evaluator of scientific knowledge of human behavior. In addition students will have the opportunity to develop transferable skills (e.g., read with comprehension and identify major points, write in a particular style, work as a productive member of a team) that will provide further preparation for workforce entry or continued education at the graduate level. Both Psychology and Psychological Science majors complete a core sequence of courses including introductory psychology, a set of lower division breadth courses, introduction to statistics, research methods in psychology, a set of upper division depth courses, and a capstone course. However, Psychology majors are not required to complete additional training in research, as are Psychological Science majors. Instead, Psychology majors have the flexibility to complete a minor, certificate, or foreign language so that they may personally tailor their degree to fit their future educational and career goals.

The purpose of the Northern Arizona University Bachelor of Business Administration Program is to provide excellent business management and related higher education using the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award standards for education as applied through the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) accreditation. We seek to be a premier provider of Baldrige-Quality business management and related higher education with an emphasis on value and accessibility. We focus on core business competencies within a global context.

Students will be able to demonstrate the ability to:

• Think creatively, analyze and synthesize data from multiple perspectives
• Analyze and use financial information
• Solve problems using decision-making tools and theories,
• Engage others through effective interpersonal skills
• Communicate effectively in oral and written formats,
• Work well in team settings
• Design and implement effective strategies for the global marketplace, and
• Discern the underpinning ethical issues in local and global business decision-making, including those involving social responsibility, environmental sustainability, and profitability.

The global context for the core competencies will be addressed in all relevant classes across the curriculum. We provide online and hybrid classes for learning through the application of technology, as well as opportunities to study as part-time students. We provide opportunities for students to apply leadership skills through Phi Beta Lamda, as well as competitive challenges involving other business programs in Arizona and nationally. We collaborate with other universities globally and within the region to provide direct international experience. We facilitate regional business development through our innovative incubator program.

This degree in Applied Indigenous Studies explores issues of concern to indigenous peoples both in the Americas and around the globe. The curriculum grounds students in tribal histories and cultures, governmental policies, sustainable economic development, indigenous entrepreneurship, and contemporary conditions on native lands and reservations.

The Applied Indigenous Studies department also offers four minors to expand students understanding of Indigenous issues: Applied Indigenous Studies, Native American Studies, Indigenous Health Studies and Tribal Public Administration.

The Master of Public Health prepares students for public health professions emphasizing the planning, implementation, and evaluation of health programs and policies. We aim to prepare public health professionals to address the health needs of diverse and underserved communities in northern Arizona and beyond. Students gain knowledge and skills in biostatistics, epidemiology, public health research, program planning and evaluation, health policy and management, and environmental health. We support student development through offering high quality instruction, which includes opportunities for professional growth and community engagement in public health and nutrition.

The Nutrition concentration emphasizes public health nutrition, culinary arts, foodservice management, and clinical nutrition. The Nutrition concentration is designed for students who are interested in careers as Registered Dietitian Nutritionists. With the training, research, and internship experiences offered, graduates are well prepared to address the health needs within their communities.

The Personalized Learning Bachelor’s degree in Management is built around workplace competencies and prepares students to pursue management careers in a broad spectrum of opportunities in corporate, non-profit, public service or military settings. The curriculum is designed in consultation with business leaders and competencies identified by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs and the Society for Human Resource Management to ensure students a comprehensive and relevant educational experience.

 Healthcare Emphasis

• Review the state of US healthcare organizations
• Analyze healthcare operations, obligations and delivery
• Research legal and policy issues that govern the healthcare organization and workforce
• Evaluate quality management and risk management in healthcare
• Examine statistical methods used to inform management decisions
• Integrate and apply learning through a Capstone project

The knowledge gained during this program, will prepare you for tackling real world engineering challenges, providing solutions to complex engineering problems, and creating products that will benefit the society. The Mechanical Engineering Master of Science will help you enter a satisfying, productive and exciting profession, or continue on to a doctoral degree.

The program will help you understand the application of your profession to a wide range of mechanical engineering problems. Faculty are engaged in research and its creative application to relevant problems, and you will have the opportunity to work closely with them.
 
Students wanting to earn their bachelor’s and master’s degrees simultaneously may qualify for our Accelerated Program which allows students to count six units toward both degrees, shortening the time to graduation.