Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences with Concentration in Molecular, Cellular, and Organismal Biology

at Shorelight Group - University of Illinois at Chicago USA

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.

In addition to a sequence of basic French language courses, the Department of French and Francophone Studies offers a Major in French and Francophone Studies, a Major in the Teaching of French, and a Minor in French and Francophone Studies. All intermediate and advanced courses help students achieve two interlocking goals. First, all courses foster proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing French, as well as understanding how the language is woven into diverse cultural contexts in Francophone countries throughout the world. Second, all courses help students develop a historical sense of French-speaking cultures, as well as the critical and interpretive skills that come from analytical reading, active discussion, and persuasive writing.

A major or a minor in French and Francophone Studies gives students a strong, globally oriented foundation for careers in many fields, such as education, international commerce, law, government, and journalism.

Chemistry is a central science that provides much of the fundamental understanding needed to deal with society’s needs. Students with a degree in chemistry find they are prepared for jobs in the chemical, health, and pharmaceutical industries and in many other settings, including teaching, environmental settings, energy research, biomedical labs, forensics, and occupational and public health.

The Bachelor of Arts with a Major in Chemistry requires fewer chemistry courses and permits a larger number of electives outside of chemistry. It provides a program with many of the courses required for admission to medical schools and dental schools. The degree also provides a useful background for those who wish to pursue careers in business (management, marketing, sales).

Engineering is an application of scientific principles to solve real-world problems. Engineering physicists are engaged more deeply on the scientific end than most.

With UIC’s engineering physics major, you will develop a command of physics that will make you especially competitive in roles that require an understanding of science and theory, such as research and development positions.

Engineering physics majors take nine physics courses. After completing General Physics I (which focuses on mechanics) and General Physics II (which is about electricity and magnetism), EP majors delve the scientific method, quantum theory, waves, thermal physics, quantum and theoretical mechanics, experimental physics, and other topics.

The Information and Decision Sciences program at UIC Business is grounded in a research-based curriculum and corporate-sponsored project courses that give students the proven experience firms are looking for. IDS majors explore the potential of new technology to alter business operations, analysis and strategy. Students leave our program ready to meet the growing demand for business technologists.

IDS students are in top demand because of the skills they learn here at UIC Business. Bridging the gap between technology and business, IDS prepares students to analyze, design and implement information technology systems.

Students gain conceptual knowledge in how information is used effectively throughout all areas in the business cycle. They also gain practical experience in more technological based courses such as Business Database Technology, Advanced Spreadsheet Analysis, Business Data Mining and Business Systems Analysis and Design. IDS students are given the tools to become proficient professionals, capable of putting their technical, analytic and critical thinking skills to use in a real-world setting.

At UIC Business, we help students find their dream careers. Some students may choose a “specialization” for their studies that lead to certain career paths in IDS. These include Management Information Systems; Business Analytics; and Operations and Supply Chain Management.

The Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts and Sciences, Major in Integrated Health Studies is a collaborative program of the College of Applied Health Sciences and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. The program will be jointly supported by the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Departments of Biological Sciences and Psychology and administered by the Department of Biological Sciences.

The Major in Integrated Health Studies provides students the opportunity to explore the complexity of human health, from the level of the gene to society, by providing a diverse, interdisciplinary curriculum that includes core content spanning the life sciences, natural sciences, social sciences, and the humanities. As a more holistic perspective of health has evolved, the training of health professionals has evolved as well. Students will graduate with a broad understanding of human structure and function in health and disease across the lifespan; a broad understanding of how human health and disease are impacted by culture, the environment, society, and personal behavior; and an appreciation for health issues that are unique to the urban environment and to the global society. Upon completion of the bachelor’s degree, graduates will be competitive for admission into professional and graduate health-related programs or entry into health-related careers.

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.

Students majoring in finance will have access to faculty that brings both extensive real-world experience and an active research agenda on a variety of subjects into the classroom. They acquire both theoretical knowledge and practical skills in an atmosphere of intellectual stimulation and active learning.

Our curriculum is built to help students focus on their dream careers within finance. The rich list of elective courses introduces students to various fields including corporate financial analysis, business valuation, investments and portfolio management, banking, international finance, trading, and risk management. Through close ties with finance professionals, we supplement the course materials with guest speakers from across the financial sectors. Our research faculty provides students with innovative educational programs that help students apply new insights to critical business problems.

The Department of Communication offers work leading to degrees at the master’s and doctoral levels and participates in the interdepartmental concentrations in Black Studies, Gender and Women’s Studies, Latin American and Latino Studies, and Survey Research Methodology.

The department goal is to produce scholars and researchers who will be critical consumers and producers of research about communication, whether in academic or applied settings, and who will contribute to the growth of knowledge in those settings.

At the master’s level, study and research are available in two general areas, media studies and cultural diversity. Because the areas intertwine, program emphasis is on breadth and integration. Inquiry in media studies ranges, for example, from journalism ethics to electronic media and computer-mediated communication. Cultural inquiry includes language and symbolic representation, critical theory, social inequality and racism, and cross-cultural differences.

At the doctoral level, the program focuses on communication and technology. Students develop thorough understanding of the field, expertise in its theories, skills needed to conduct effective research, and experience teaching in a university setting. They also acquire a specialty from among those recognized in scholarly societies and reflected in current research emphases among department faculty.

A signature feature of department programs is their flexibility. Students pursue individual and professional aims with guidance from an advisor, designing a course of study to reach their own educational goals. Because the department strongly encourages interdisciplinary work, students may study with scholars in allied disciplines.