Bachelor of General Studies in Sociology

at Shorelight Group - University of Kansas USA

The String Area is comprised of nationally and internationally recognized artists. Students study with faculty who are in demand as featured soloists with orchestras and chamber ensembles throughout the United States and the world, and who are equally active as university faculty and master class teachers.

All four faculty members have a wide experience in symphonic and chamber music, as well as an extensive list of solo performances. Orchestras in which they have participated include the Cleveland Orchestra, Utah Symphony, and Montreal Symphony. Their music festival appearances include the Aspen Music Festival, Yellow Barn Music Festival in Vermont, Tanglewood Music Center, Spoleto Festival, and International Musical Arts Institute.

KU string alumni have gone on to important teaching and performance careers and have appeared as soloists with orchestras throughout the region, as well as nationally. They currently serve on faculties at universities such as Penn Sate University, Mercer University (GA), Harrisburg University (PA), and the University of Utah (Logan). They are members of professional orchestras, such as the Buffalo Philharmonic, Utah Symphony, New Zealand Symphony, Stuttgart Chamber Orchestra, and the Kansas City Symphony.

The department offers three different concentration options for undergraduate students at the BA level.  Depending on their interests, students can pursue a concentration in Polish Studies, in Russian language, literature and culture, or in South Slavic (Bosnian-Croatian-Serbian) Studies.

Language Assessment of Slavic Majors - All majors in Slavic languages will complete degree-level assessment in the final semester of their Slavic major at KU (or somewhat earlier if desired) to demonstrate and document their attainment of the SLL learning outcomes for undergraduate students.

The major in French is a program consisting of ten, three-credit courses in which students pursue studies in French beyond the beginning and intermediate levels. In consultation with departmental advisors, students combine their work with other academic disciplines and develop particular strengths and interests in French literature, language, and culture.

A much more specialized degree, there are fewer general education requirements and a much more concentrated specialization in one of two aspects of Geography. There are two B.S. degree options:

Physical Geography Option- Students prepare for a career in environmental assessment and problem solving. Basic requirements include preparation in chemistry, biology, physics and mathematics. Advanced course work includes the study of the processes that affect the physical environment (soils, vegetation, climate and geomorphology), and techniques for performing statistical and computational analysis of these processes (statistics, GIS and remote sensing).

Geographical Information and Analysis Option- Students prepare for a career in the area of geographic information science and problem solving using a variety of spatial analysis techniques. Basic requirements include preparation in mathematics, science and computer science. Advanced course work includes work in cartography, GIS, remote sensing, spatial statistics, spatial analysis and data presentation and visualization. In addition, students are expected to take some coursework in one of the other areas of geography (physical, human, and regional).

A bachelor’s degree in law and society provides undergraduate students with a strong background in how law works in practice in public administration, courts, the non-profit sector, policy, policing, and the justice system. Students learn about legal history and legal policy, how law shapes managerial processes, how it shapes government and the system of justice, and how it affects ordinary people in every walk of life.

Graduates of the program will be ready to work in a variety of settings, including criminal justice organizations, non-profits, policy think tanks, and political institutions. There’s significant demand for this type of degree among the region’s police departments.

The law and society program is designed for students who have earned an associate's degree or equivalent hours and are looking to complete the final two years necessary for a bachelor's degree in law and society.

The Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in Physics is designed to provide a general background within Physics  for individuals with a primary interest in another field (e.g. high school science teaching, journalism, computer programming, etc.) where a broad but not deep understanding of a physical science can be of  benefit, but isn’t critical. Whether the degree ends with the achievement of a BA or BS or serves as a stepping stone to additional study, these programs offer an excellent undergraduate education, training some of the finest problem solvers and analysts of the future! All of our undergraduate BS majors and the majority of BA students are involved in research projects during their years here. Many earn summer scholarship support from the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, through research grants to faculty supervising their projects, or through admission to one of the many summer REU (Research Experiences for Undergraduates) sponsored by the National Science Foundation. KU majors have also competed successfully on a regular basis for summer internships at REU sites around the country.

Communication skills, creativity and critical thinking are among the most in-demand skills for successful employees. KU’s literature, language and writing undergraduate programs develop life-long writing, communication and critical thinking skills that set you up for advanced degrees and professional achievement in a wide range of fields. Here are a few of the ways professionals with a background in literature, language and writing apply their knowledge in the working world:

• Technical writing, such as instructional manuals, project proposals or business correspondence
• Editing print or electronic materials to ensure accuracy, correct spelling and grammar
• Creating, assigning and collaborating on marketing materials and campaigns
• Providing clear, constructive critical feedback on projects and proposals
• Writing compelling speeches or public messaging
• Authoring of books, articles or other media and literature; journalism
• Library science

The bachelor's degree in secondary English teacher education at the University of Kansas prepares pre-service educators to teach adolescents in both middle school and high school classrooms. The program combines literature-based theory and knowledge with culturally diverse readings and discussions. In addition to the course offerings in the School of Education and Human Sciences, courses taught by faculty from the Department of English offer students learning options in rhetoric, linguistics and literature.

The Department of Architecture emphasizes design education through diverse experiences which include learning through making, collaborative research, and community engagement. Our mission is to provide our graduates with an educational foundation for exemplary professional practice and personal career fulfillment; to prepare them to be critical thinkers and problem solvers who will serve, enrich, and sustain their professions and communities.

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