Bachelor of Arts in Sociology

at Shorelight Group - University of Illinois at Chicago USA

Civil engineering is a broad-based discipline that encompasses many specialties in the areas of structural engineering and mechanics, environmental engineering, geotechnical engineering, and transportation engineering. Through the careful selection of courses, you can tailor the UIC MS in Civil Engineering program to meet your interests and needs.

Students pursuing the MS in Civil Engineering may choose between two options to complete their degree:

1. A thesis option, which provides the opportunity to gain research experience and is ideal for students who may be considering PhD study in the future. Thesis students often make connections in the field that can lead to career advice, research sponsorship, or other forms of funding.
2. A coursework-only option, intended for students who seek additional knowledge or who hope to obtain a professional license in the civil engineering field. This option is available for part-time as well as full-time students.

The School of Architecture offers a three-year, NAAB-accredited* first professional Master of Architecture (MArch) degree to students with either an undergraduate degree in architectural studies or an undergraduate degree in any other field of study. The studio-centered curriculum is supported by required and elective coursework in architectural technology and theory. The typical three-year course of study proceeds roughly through the following stages:

1. Incorporate the knowledge, techniques, methods and manners of the discipline;
2. Apply disciplinary means to frame and respond to the given problems and requests of external situations;
3. Expand the discipline by conducting advanced design research that identifies and addresses concerns that have yet to be recognized.

The breadth of the energy industry—from creating energy efficient buildings to storage to power production—is covered in the master’s program. Areas of focus include HVAC design, energy efficiency and management of engineering projects.

The Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry is awarded by the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences to students who successfully complete this curriculum. It is a joint program of the Department of Biological Sciences and the Department of Chemistry. It is intended for students planning advanced study in biochemistry or molecular biology, who wish to pursue a medical degree, or who will be seeking employment and careers in biochemistry, molecular biology, biotechnology, or related fields. Students may be advised through the LAS advisors in the Department of Chemistry.

Sociology is the study of social life, including individuals, groups, organizations, institutions, and societies. Sociologists investigate the social causes and consequences of human behavior and interaction, such as inequality, poverty, discrimination, and urbanization. While offering a general sociology curriculum, the program particularly focuses on how social inequalities are structured and legislated, how they are supported by cultural representations and hegemonic ideologies, and how people navigate and push back against them in their everyday lives. The program specializes in the study of race and ethnicity, gender and sexuality, organizations and the economy, global and transnational sociology, political sociology and social movements, and children and youth. Students learn multiple methodological approaches for the study of social life, such as ethnography, in-depth interviews, survey research, focus groups, statistical analysis of secondary data, and the use of comparative historical methods. Sociology majors in the program also explore how to actively use research-based evidence to increase the quality of life for the residents of Chicago, the state, the nation, and the world.

Sociology develops skills in analyzing, synthesizing, generalizing, and communicating information and knowledge. Courses stress both logical and data analysis as well as careful and thoughtful reading, discussion, and writing. Sociology’s subject matter includes relationships among economic, political, cultural, and social factors and explores the impact of such forces on individuals and society. This inclusive framework and general training lies at the heart of a liberal education for lifetime learning.

A major in sociology will prepare students to undertake graduate studies in sociology, and admission to other professional and graduate programs in medicine, health, law, urban planning, social work, education, and business. It is also an excellent preparation for a wide variety of occupations in business and industry, the justice system, community and social services, government, education, social justice, and research.

Political science is the systematic study of politics and its connection to human life as a whole. It focuses on the way people are governed and govern themselves in a wide variety of settings—including the state, the workplace, schools, and the family—and the way in which governance in those settings affects their life chances and shapes their sense of self. Students who elect this major examine, among other things, the relationships between law and political institutions, economic and political power, and culture and political identity. They develop the analytical, interpretive, and critical methods necessary to understand these relationships at local, national, regional, or international levels, and thus, to act as responsible citizens at those levels. They also learn to write well. In short, political science is central to a well-rounded liberal arts education.

Political science also provides excellent preparation for careers in law, government, teaching, journalism, business, and the nonprofit sector.

In addition to the BA with a Major in Political Science program, the department offers two concentrations: the Concentration in Law and Courts and the Concentration in Urban Politics.

The Master in Urban Planning and Policy (MUPP) program at UIC is the only professional planning program in the Chicago metropolitan area that is fully accredited by the Planning Accreditation Board. With a large and diverse faculty and student body, the MUPP program offers a comprehensive range of courses, including many specialized electives and studios. Class sizes are typically small, with multiple sections of required courses offered in both day and evening. Graduates can connect to a large network of alumni, both locally and across the region, country, and world.

Chemical engineering answers the question of what chemistry can do to improve the world around us. Chemical engineers are problem-solvers who take raw materials and turn them into useful materials. Our undergraduate program includes a thorough immersion in the core concepts of chemistry—general, organic, physical, and analytical—followed by a series of upper-level chemical engineering courses that develop your ability to apply these concepts to develop new, innovative solutions to engineering problems.

The coursework in our program culminates in the Senior Design course, in which student teams, working with industry mentors, put their knowledge to work on a real-world issue that matters to them. Recent projects have focused on creating biofuels from wood chips, reducing greenhouse-gas emissions by using chemical solvents to capture carbon dioxide, and meeting an increasing global demand for the chemical propylene. Senior Design projects offer a true opportunity to pick a cause you are passionate about and spend two semesters working on it—and the experience often proves valuable when applying for full-time jobs.

UIC chemical engineering also is home to a concentration in biochemical engineering, which is of particular interest to students who love not only chemistry, but also biology. This concentration helps to position students for jobs or further study at the intersection of bioengineering and chemical engineering.

The Department of Art History introduces students to the study of both the built environment and the various forms of art and design. A major in Art History emphasizes visual as well as verbal and written literacy, which are critically important in a global society. A large selection of courses covers all periods of history and most of the world’s cultures. The study of Art History fosters skills that can serve as a foundation for careers in professions as diverse as law, medicine, and business. Alumni work in a variety of professions, including teaching, publishing, arts administration, museums, galleries, historic preservation, art libraries, journalism, advertising, and art conservation. Graduates from the program may consider a Master of Arts in Art History or Museum and Exhibition Studies at UIC or other prestigious universities.

The Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience is awarded by the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences to students who successfully complete the curriculum. It is a joint program sponsored by the Departments of Biological Sciences and Psychology with the support of Laboratory of Integrative Neuroscience (LIN) faculty from the Departments of Chemistry and Philosophy. Students are advised by the Department of Biological Sciences.