Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, Specialization in Custom Program

at Roger Williams University - Bristol Campus USA

Biology majors investigate the interconnected processes that shape the living world. Since the life sciences are increasingly interdisciplinary, Biology majors choose a wide range of courses in cell and molecular biology; microbiology and virology; anatomy and physiology; neurobiology and developmental biology; and animal behavior and ecology.

Housed in RWU’s Marine and Natural Sciences Building, the interdisciplinary Environmental Science program integrates biology, chemistry, earth science, and physics into an understanding of the natural world. Through research and an array of electives in fields like earth sciences, resource management and law, you’ll discover how humans affect nature and learn how to protect the environment in your career as a scientist, policymaker or educator.

Research Opportunities

The Environmental Science major at Roger Williams is an interdisciplinary program designed to provide students with an understanding of environmental processes and issues and an awareness of our role as humans within the environment. Undergraduate research is integrated into the Environmental Science curriculum, with opportunities for students to earn academic credit for doing research, to develop proposals and compete for small grants to fund their projects, and to present their findings at regional, national and international conferences.

Security in the 21st century transcends law enforcement and government service to encompass many disciplines -- and many avenues to career success. As a Security Assurance Studies major, you’ll learn how to become a security professional who makes sound decisions in the face of dynamic local, national and global issues. This broad interdisciplinary program allows you to specialize in the area of security that interests you most, whether that’s modern languages or computer science.

At RWU, our Philosophy students learn to think critically and build logical arguments: about our assumptions and values as a society, about the positions of history’s major philosophers and about the nature of knowledge itself. The writing, reading and problem-solving skills you develop through discussions, debates and your senior thesis will lay a foundation for success in fields like law and academia.

Student Learning Outcomes

All Students completing the Philosophy program will demonstrate the following:

• Read with comprehension philosophical texts relevant to the specific courses;
• Define key terms of the philosophical vocabulary relevant to the particular course;
• Analyze texts, draw inferences, and support claims using internal evidence;
• Practice critical reading and thinking;
• Distinguish different areas of philosophy and philosophical methodology;
• Understand some of the diverse assumptions and values that shape our experiences and/or attitudes of the world;
• Write cogent analytical and critical essays tied to textual evidence, explaining a philosopher’s position, presenting the philosopher’s arguments, exposing weaknesses in the arguments; five pages for lower level and intermediate courses; ten pages for advanced courses.
• Use secondary sources appropriately in reinforcing and extending arguments.

At RWU, Web Development majors don’t just design, develop and deploy state-of-the-art websites. They work on multi-disciplinary teams to solve problems for real-world clients. In the Web Development Center, you'll meet your first three clients in your sophomore year. As you begin to work with real clients, you'll quickly discover that web development isn't just about technology. On the Web, "content is king." So we encourage you to reinforce your web development education by picking up a second major or a couple of minors in fields like Marketing, Graphic Design, User Experience (UX), Journalism, Communication, Public Relations, Writing, Visual Arts, Cybersecurity and Business. In four short years, you'll graduate ready to meet the growing demand for web developers.

Learning Outcomes

• You will be able to effectively apply the technologies used to create 80% of professional websites.
• You will be able to work with a client to help clarify the goal and objectives for their digital presence.
• You will be able to create and select content and design-elements that deliver a clear message that reflects the client’s goal.
• You will be able to identify and apply technology that will effectively convey the client’s message on a spectrum of digital devices, while ensuring that it facilitates the client's ability to update the site and keep it “fresh.”
• You will be able to employ and interpret analytics to determine where your audience is engaging, and where they aren’t.
• You will be able to create websites and other digital products in an ethically responsible manner that does not disadvantage those with disabilities, those with older or inexpensive technology, or those with slower networks.
•  You will be able to function effectively as a member or leader of a multidisciplinary team.

RWU’s interdisciplinary program combines courses in policing, corrections and procedure with studies in the social sciences to introduce you to the theory and practice of criminal law and the moral complexity of the criminal justice system. Along with internships and the guidance of our faculty of experienced practitioners, you’ll be prepared for careers such as law enforcement, counseling and probation or to advance into graduate study or law school.

Cultural Studies peers beneath the surface of the pop culture you consume, the music you listen to, the clothes you buy, the?? foods you eat, the places you visit, the speeches you hear, the things you read, and the art you see. We invite you to examine the impact of identity on American culture. Through lenses of race, gender, sexuality, ethnicity, region, class, immigration, nationality, age, dis/ability, and religion, we study the ways that positionality affect the lived experiences of people. You will have the opportunity to craft your own interdisciplinary program of study that concentrates on aspects of American culture and society that will best prepare you for life after college.

Critical thinking, openness to new worldviews and an appreciation for diversity -- these are the values that a degree in Psychology provides. At RWU, you’ll learn how to apply these skills to research that helps solve problems in our community and society. Our Psychology students are prepared for graduate school as well as a wide range of careers, including human resources, management, marketing and education.

Students in the Psychology program will learn the methods and skills that enable them to evaluate published research and think critically about their own ideas and those of others. They are prepared to apply these methods to the problems of community and of the larger society. They are capable of tolerance for the views of others and able to appreciate the value of diversity.

With skilled mental health professionals in increasing demand as practitioners, the Psychology program at RWU prepares students to pursue graduate study in Psychology and other fields, or to enter any number of careers where these skillsets are applicable, including human resources, management, marketing, education and the mental health professions.

Our student learning outcomes center on encouraging the development in our students of a deep and broad knowledge base in the discipline of Psychology. We also provide a foundation to develop skills needed to design and evaluate research, we foster critical thinking in our students, enhance students' appreciation of diversity, promote students' awareness of ethical issues in Psychology, and prepare them for success in a wide range of careers, including graduate study.

The accredited Construction Management program at RWU prepares future leaders of residential, commercial and heavy-civil projects. Through classes, labs and hands-on projects in engineering, business, math, science, law and liberal arts, you’ll learn how to manage construction projects from start to finish -- including scheduling, budgeting, choosing materials and safely supervising people. That’s why construction employers regularly report that our graduates exceed expectations for performance.

Construction managers are the leaders of the design-build process, and work for owners, builders, designers, subcontractors and a multitude of government and technical agencies. They control the “means and methods” of construction, develop the budgets and manage the project schedules. On-time, on-budget completion is a typical CM responsibility which has become increasingly difficult given today’s technically and organizationally complex projects. Owners, designers and construction managers must all work collaboratively to create integrated best value solutions that meet a client’s needs.

To work as a construction manager, graduates need technical, managerial, research and problem solving skills. Our program provides this education with a balanced curriculum which includes engineering, construction, business, mathematics, science and liberal arts courses. Employer surveys regularly report our graduates meeting or exceeding all performance expectations and regularly outperforming graduates from many of our peer institutions.

RWU’s unique and intimate Music program layers the exploration of world cultures on top of a solid foundation in theory, history and composition. All Music students take private lessons, perform with an ensemble and specialize in either technology or culture. With opportunities to take additional coursework in professional fields like business, communication or computer science, you’ll be prepared for a wide range of music careers.

The Music major at Roger Williams University offers a solid foundation in music theory and the principle musical styles in western culture, as well as an introduction to the music of various world cultures. Students study the elements of music and explore their application in various compositional formats. They have the opportunity to study the evolution of popular music as well as the classical forms that have characterized and helped define western culture. A unique aspect of RWU’s Music major that reflects the mission of the University is the exploration of world cultures through music. These courses will focus not only on the music of various world cultures, but also on the ways in which music is a reflection of these cultures.

The Music Major offers two tracks for students to choose from. The “Music & Culture” track highlights performance and world culture through music, and the “Music & Technology” track explores 21st century developments in music, as influenced by new electronic and computer technologies.