Bachelor of General Studies in Film and Media Studies

at Shorelight Group - University of Kansas USA

Computer scientists study the very nature of computing and information in order to advance the state of the art. They often specialize in software design and implementation through web development, interface design, mobile computing, and other areas. Computer scientists address fundamental computing problems, such as the efficient and secure collection of information. From medicine and business to video games and films, they are devising new ways to use computers. Integrating the theoretical aspects of computing with real-world applications offers an array of industry and research opportunities for computer scientists. Information technology (IT) professionals have a complex demanding job that requires a solid foundation in applied computing and management skills. In overseeing the IT infrastructure, they must select and integrate the appropriate hardware and software to meet the needs of the organization. They must define the requirements of the system and then design, deploy, integrate, and maintain system throughout its lifecycle. In addition to their vast computing knowledge, IT professionals must be able to communicate the impact of technology decisions to non-technical coworkers along with the latest policies and trends in IT.

The Mathematics Department offers two undergraduate degrees: the B.A. in Mathematics and the B.S. in Mathematics. The B.A. has fewer mathematics course requirements and more general education requirements. The B.S. requires more mathematics courses, an applied mathematics concentration, and fewer general education courses.

Microbiology is the study of bacteria, viruses, fungi, the immune system, and their roles in human health, the environment and beyond. Job prospects for Microbiologists with a bachelor’s or higher degree continue to be strong. The upper-division major courses in immunology, pathogenic microbiology, virology and microbial genetics couple laboratory courses with lecture courses in order to provide students with hands-on practical experience with the material. The B.S. Microbiology major includes all four of the upper-division lecture and laboratory course pairs.

The classroom meets the stage in the University Theatre, a leading arts program serving the KU and Lawrence communities. KU Theatre students, faculty and professional staff work together to create up to eight fully-produced shows each year, from dramas to musicals to opera.  In our fully-equipped facilities students engage in all aspects of production onstage and backstage.  Production continues year round with the summer Kansas Repertory Theatre program.

Highly Qualified Faculty Scholars and Artists

The Theatre faculty are creative artists and researchers working in the areas of theatre technology, performance, design, dramatic literature, dramaturgy, pedagogy, as well as the historical, literary, and cultural study of theatre and performance. Our faculty include award-winning teachers and internationally recognized scholars and artists working in professional theatre and authoring books and articles.

The news and information track prepares students to adapt to an ever-changing media landscape.

Students develop core skills in writing, editing, storytelling, multimedia production, video, design and web, and then move deeper into a specialty area. For instance, students who want to become  web or print reporters will learn to tell stories with words, yes, but also with video, photo, audio, design and interactive media. Students who want to pursue TV news will learn not only broadcast production but gain skills in design, online storytelling, and writing.

The idea is to help students gain both depth and breadth to propel them into careers that will change many times over the coming decades.

Students who graduate from the news and information track often go on to jobs at websites, magazines, TV stations, sports organizations, startups and nonprofits. Career choices are limited only by the students' imaginations, though, as a journalism degree provides skills in research, critical thinking, problem-solving, teamwork, communication and creativity that organizations of all types need.  

If you’ve ever been seen by a doctor, shopped for medicine at a pharmacy or purchased health care insurance, you’ve been influenced by the work of a health information management (HIM) professional. HIM professionals connect the people, processes, technology, data and information security that makes our health care industry work.

Careers in HIM can be found at the intersection of medicine, science, business and information technology. HIM graduates work with cutting-edge technology; manage people, processes and systems; massage big data to find health care solutions; and serve as educators and advocates throughout the industry. Ultimately, they are gatekeepers who keep our medical information safe, complete and accurate.

Biotechnology is the use of biological systems to solve scientific challenges and positively impact our society. Biotech scientists foster creativity and innovation in a variety of fields, using a toolbox of science and technology expertise to put biological molecules such as DNA or proteins to work in useful and groundbreaking ways. This program can also put you on a pre-health or pre-med path.

A biotech scientist’s duties might include:

• Creating vaccines to combat debilitating diseases
• Discover novel antibiotics from biological sources
• Developing assays to diagnose complex clinical diseases
• Developing drought and pesticide resistant crops to aid in food production
• Using forensic science to analyze samples to help solve criminal investigation
• Helping reduce industrial waste by creating cleaner manufacturing processes

Students in Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies develop a broad set of skills to critically analyze social issues from multiple disciplinary perspectives, including anthropology, history, law, literature, political science, psychology, and sociology. They learn to employ different methods and modes of analysis to better identify, critique, and productively understand the status of women in society and how structures of inequality interact with gender and sexuality.

With a major in WGSS, you'll be able to:

• Confront social problems around gender and sexuality
• Collaborate with students and faculty from across the social sciences and humanities
• Build expertise on issues that matter most to you

The Communication Studies undergraduate major equips students with a diversity of skill sets by investigating communication in various cultural contexts, including relational, organizational, intercultural, political, and more.

In an increasingly globalized world, competent communication is crucial for career advancement, interpersonal relationships, and public democratic participation. Here’s what we know: humans rely on communication, and the creation and translation of symbols, language, and messages are integral to daily interactions. In other words, communication connects us.

The major expands on fundamental public speaking principles from the introductory course through emphasizing theories, methods, performances that apply to everyday communication practices.

Civil engineering, the oldest and broadest of the divisions of engineering, implements a range of public and private projects for improving society’s physical infrastructure and the environment. The civil engineer integrates scientific principles with engineering experience to plan, design, and construct networks of highways and railroads, airports, bridges and dams, environmental pollution control systems, industrial structures, water purification and distribution systems, and urban transportation systems that maintain, protect, and enhance the quality of life. Civil engineers are trained to consider the social effects as well as the physical and environmental factors that constrain the planning, design, construction, and operation of their projects. Environmental engineering, a technical specialization with its origins in civil engineering, is a growing discipline dedicated to the protection of the environment.

The undergraduate program gives students the theoretical background, instruction in engineering application of scientific principles, and professional attitude to serve the public. It typically leads to entry-level positions or to graduate work in technical specialties (e.g., environmental, geotechnical, structural, and transportation), business administration, or other professions.