Master of Science in Applied Health and Sport Sciences

at Northwest Missouri State University USA

Computer science powers modern society. Whether you make a purchase on Amazon, do a search on Google, send a tweet, or check your email on a smartphone, you are leveraging the power of computer science. There is literally no area of human endeavor in which computer science does not play a major role. Agriculture, banking, healthcare, social media, everywhere you look, computer science is there. It is transformative.

Our program teaches both the theory and practice of computer science, preparing students for a career in computing or a path to graduate school. Students learn the essential theory that underlies the discipline, knowledge that makes them well-rounded and informs them as they develop software. On the practical side, students learn how to discover and document what end-users need; develop algorithms to solve those problems; assess the efficiency of those algorithms; and finally how to implement those algorithms in various programming languages.

Students can get a general degree in computer science, or focus on one of three emphasis areas: Information Security and Assurance, Data Management or Mobile Computing.

The first of its kind in Missouri and the region, Northwest’s Data Science major is an interdisciplinary program with four areas of emphasis: computer science, business, molecular biology and geographic information systems.

The molecular biology emphasis focuses on bioinformatics, the crossroads between lab science and analytics. Today, scientists use a variety of approaches for characterizing cells and their interactions with each other and their environments. These approaches include genomics, the sequencing of whole genomes to determining the potential of a specific gene; transcriptomics, analyzing when and why genes are turned on or off at a given time; metabolmics, determining which metabolites are present or absent in a cell; and proteomics, determining which proteins are present or absent in a cell. Faculty focus on teaching how data are collected, analyzed and interpreted.

The Emergency and Disaster Management major is a multidisciplinary, customizable program that focuses on three core areas: emergency management (preparation, mitigation, response and recovery), humanitarian relief in conjunction with homeland security, and defense. Within these key areas, you become an expert in leadership, followership and working under extreme pressure while developing critical thinking and problem solving skills.

The first of its kind in Missouri and the region, Northwest’s Data Science major is an interdisciplinary program with four areas of emphasis: computer science, business, molecular biology and geographic information systems.

The business emphasis is designed for students interested in analyzing data and projecting the best option for a client. Faculty focus on ensuring students have tools to analyze big data and make proper business decisions.

Agricultural Education majors at Northwest learn about the fundamentals of agriculture in secondary education (middle school and high school). This major must be completed as part of the Bachelor of Science in education to align with Missouri teacher certification standards. A minor is not required as agricultural education is considered a comprehensive major. Recent graduates have obtained teaching positions in Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska and Missouri, yet the particular certification for each state varies.

Students learn skills in the fundamentals of the agricultural education program and adult education while gaining an understanding of techniques within the teaching profession. This includes classroom management, lesson planning, special education and technology for classrooms.

Students in the mathematics major will recognize, represent, and use patterns to creatively address problems in a wide variety of settings. At Northwest, students will see and explore the beauty and utility of mathematics from a diverse faculty of highly qualified and nationally recognized mathematicians.  Upon graduation, students will be able to compete successfully for jobs in business, industry, and government or continue in graduate studies.

Geology majors at Northwest study the solid portion of the Earth. Faculty focus on three core areas: rocks and minerals, the surface process that shapes the Earth, and tectonic forces that have occurred in the scale of geologic time.

By studying rocks and minerals composing the solid Earth, students learn where and how they are used daily. The surface process that shapes the Earth focuses on how rivers and glaciers sculpt the land, ultimately influencing soils, farming and national parks. Through the study of tectonic forces, students learn the history of Earth, its internal processes and gain an understanding of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.

As a cybersecurity major, students learn skills and techniques that will prepare them for success in their careers or graduate studies. Cybersecurity is the protection of infrastructure, systems, devices, networks, information, and applications from attacks, damage, loss, or unauthorized access through appropriate technologies, practices, and techniques. The program will focus on general computer science skills, and the necessary skills to create, develop, and deploy secure computer-based systems.

A major in Business Management at Northwest teaches students methods for managing and leading professional employees, motivating people on the job, producing quality products, scheduling maximum efficiency, and managing financial entanglements among companies. Students develop skills and knowledge in critical thinking, analyzing and effective communication techniques in a career. Hands-on approaches are utilized in preparation for a career in business while working in teams, learning negotiation skills, conflict resolution, operations of running a business, and presentation skills in upper level courses.

A major in International Business prepares students for a profession involving international politics, economics, knowledge about information processing and computer systems, and analytical and critical thinking skills. At Northwest, this interdisciplinary program provides knowledge of successfully operating a business in the global marketplace.

International business is more globalized than ever, and is the future of business. The information students learn affects nearly every business in the country. Students receive one-on-one advising from professors who specialize in the major, have doctorates in international business, travelled to most of the locations visited, and have personal experience and contacts internationally. Additionally, Northwest links to national and international area computer networks, offering students an unparalleled chance to explore the international arena.