Undergraduate Academic Accelerator Pathway (2-Term) - Bachelor of Science in Political Science

at Shorelight Group - The University of Utah USA

Chemistry is the study of matter, what it is made of, how it changes, and how it can be turned into new substances. Chemistry is central to our search for answers as we explore our world. "What is it?" "How much is there?" "How does this work?" "Why does it do that?" If you’ve ever asked any of these questions, consider studying chemistry to find the solutions. The department offers nine emphasis areas to choose from, and Chemistry is the only department at the U to allow students to declare two emphases.

Available tracks include:

• Atmospheric & Environmental Chemistry
• Biology
• Business
• Chemical Engineering
• Geology
• Material Sciences and Engineering
• Mathematics
• Physics
• Professional Chemistry (the traditional chemistry curriculum)
• Teaching

Do you have a passion for numbers, analysis, and theory? Consider majoring in mathematics. This degree provides students with excellent quantitative and analytical skills, and a math degree is the perfect stepping stone for a countless number of careers. Mathematics, with its origins in algebra and geometry, has continued to grow in numerous directions including probability, statistics, numerical analysis, decision making, cryptography, finance, and more. It is the foundation for much of science, engineering, and computing.

Anthropology is the study of human beings; their cultures, biology, behaviors, and their changes through time (evolution). Because we study all aspects of humans, anthropology is said to be holistic and inter-disciplinary, that is anthropologists work hand-in-hand with other sciences such as biology, physiology, sociology and psychology—just to name a few.

At the University of Utah, the Anthropology Department is divided into four main divisions: Cultural, Biological, Evolutionary Ecology, and Archaeology. Cultural anthropology focuses on human cultures and how they vary through time and space—around the world and back through pre-history. Biological anthropology focuses on ancient and modern human anatomical, physiological, and biological variability. Biological anthropology also concerns itself with non-human primates like chimpanzees and gorillas—by studying them, we hope to learn more about ourselves. Archaeology is the excavation and interpretation of what humans leave behind in order to infer how and why humans have evolved. Evolutionary ecology (sometimes known as behavioral ecology) examines human (and non-human primate) behavior and life-history—why did human beings evolve the way they did?

Ultimately, anthropologists use all four sub-disciplines to describe and explain past and present human diversity. The Department takes a theoretically-driven, empirically-informed perspective focusing on the following specific areas of expertise: archaeology, genetics, behavioral ecology, paleoanthropology, hunter-gatherer behavior, and human and non-human primate behavior.

Finance deals with the concepts of time, money, risk, how they are interrelated, and how money is budgeted and spent. Finance students learn how to assign value to projects, companies and securities. They also study how individuals and businesses can efficiently allocate financial resources, invest, and raise capital. With these skills, Finance majors can determine wise investment strategies, value stock options, and help companies and individuals manage their money. A critical component of a finance students’ education is meaningful, real-world opportunities, balanced by worthwhile classroom experiences. The U’s Finance curriculum covers topics such as business statistics, business calculus, corporate finance, insurance, investments, and real estate. A global perspectives course allows students to apply an international context to the business skills and perspectives they are learning.

In addition to the traditional major, students may pursue an emphasis in Advanced Financial Analysis, an honors-level program that provides students with a deeper foundation in finance and accounting, supplemented by additional technical competence in financial modeling and coding as applied to finance problems. Courses will focus on developing technical skills and applying those skills to solve problems in realistic settings.

Mining provides the raw materials and energy resources needed to sustain modern civilization. Resources such as copper, iron, silver, gold, lithium, lead, nickel, and other minerals are all mined, processed, and then used to create things from computer processors to construction materials. The Mining Engineering program at the University of Utah is ABET accredited and prepares you to pursue a productive, life-long career in this exciting industry. The Mining Engineering curriculum combines basic engineering subjects, topics in geology, and essential courses in mining to prepare graduates to discover, evaluate, and develop mineral deposits. Additional coursework includes mathematics, computer applications, economics, communication skills, and physical sciences. Upon graduation, students will have the ability to design, operate, manage, and reclaim mines and mining facilities in a profitable, safe, and environmentally responsible manner.

An economy is a social system where people produce and distribute goods and services. Economists study these systems, focusing on issues related to decision-making in governments, social and economic institutions, firms and industries. Our world is shaped in a fundamental way by economic forces. High unemployment, financial uncertainty, and growing public debt present great challenges for all of us. Concerns about energy sources, and about the environmental impact of economic activity will also be with us for decades to come. Studying economics will allow you to understand these challenges more deeply and will give you tools to help solve these problems. The Economics major is an excellent preparation for a wide range of jobs and graduate and professional studies. Students in the program gain critical thinking and quantitative analysis skills, and these abilities can be used to solve economic and other real-world problems. Beyond the core sequence in micro- and macroeconomics and quantitative and statistical methods, students can choose elective courses focused on money and banking, environmental economics, economic development in poor countries, labor economics, health economics, econometrics, and many other topics.

Geography is a unique field that bridges the physical and social sciences: geographers study not just natural Earth systems but also human societies, examining the interaction between the two. Geographers work with powerful technologies such as geographic information systems (GIS), digital Earth imagery (remote sensing), and spatial modeling. Geography also has a long-standing field tradition, often involving travel to spectacular locations. The University of Utah’s Geography program will provide you with a collaborative, integrated approach to understanding complex geographical challenges, such as climate change, globalization, sustainability, urbanization, and living with hazards. The program curriculum includes courses in environments, human geography, geographical analysis, cartography, and GIS; students then choose courses from the broader areas of physical and human geography, as well as electives from allied fields (such as atmospheric sciences or geology). Geography has a “No Student Left Inside” Initiative that encourages field work and labs in their courses to get technical, real world experiences. If you want to focus your studies on a particular area,

Metallurgical engineering involves the study, innovation, design, implementation, and improvement of processes that transform mineral resources and metals into useful products that improve the quality of our lives. This includes processing materials, like metals and alloys, to extract, refine and recycle metals. Without metallurgical engineering, we would not have the components we need to build buildings, aircraft, trains, ships, or even mountain bikes. Accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, the Metallurgical Engineering curriculum consists of coursework across the three main areas of metallurgy: mineral processing, chemical metallurgy, and physical metallurgy. Additional classes cover topics like metallurgical thermodynamics, fluid flow, kinetics, and heat and mass transport, as well as the general sciences (chemistry, engineering, physics, and math). Because society is so dependent on metals, metallurgical engineering has become an increasingly important area of study: continued economic and technical progress will depend on further advances in metal and mineral technology. This program additionally offers students the option to complete one of 6 emphases, allowing them to tailor their program to best fit their strengths and interests.

The rapidly growing economy in Utah and many parts of the country requires construction of new roads, houses, and commercial buildings, and construction engineers are needed to build them. The University of Utah’s Construction Engineering program will prepare you to enter this exciting field: you will learn scientific, mathematical, engineering, and management principles so that you can plan, design, and build commercial and residential buildings. As a construction engineering student, you will take courses in both civil engineering fundamentals—such as structural principles, site analysis, foundations, computer-assisted design, evaluation and testing, and materials—and instruction in construction courses, such as those related to contracting, project management, graphic communications, and laws and regulations. If you want to solve problems of infrastructure, use creative design in a practical setting, and improve the lives of others, consider majoring in construction engineering.

Recreational therapy (RT) is a form of therapy that uses physical recreation and activities to help people with illnesses or disabling conditions achieve mental and physical health. This therapy might include dancing, playing a sport, hiking, cooking, or even playing a video game. If you like being active and want to help others at the same time, consider majoring in Recreational Therapy. This program will give you the counseling techniques and knowledge you need to help rehabilitate individuals and educate them on the support systems and skills needed to maintain their health and happiness. The RT curriculum covers topics in recreational therapy foundations and treatment methods: through a combination of coursework, community programs, and treatment services, students learn how to conduct treatment planning and provide therapy. The culminating experience of the program is a recreational therapy internship through a local agency, preparing you for work in a professional environment. Students of this program graduate well-prepared to apply for licensure to practice as therapists or to find jobs in allied fields.