Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies - Social Science

at Study Group - Florida Atlantic University - Boca Raton Campus USA

History majors use the study of the past to make sense of a complicated world; they learn how to think critically, evaluate evidence, and write with clarity and strength. Majors attain skills that prepare them for jobs in a wide variety of fields, as employers look for applicants who have broad interests and backgrounds and analytical and verbal skills-- rather than narrow field specialization.

The study of history is useful in ways that students may not always anticipate, but which employers often understand... There is no single path that carries history undergraduates directly to one chosen career, but many ways in which skills learned in the study of the past can be translated into the enterprises of the present. History always involves asking how we can make sense of complex situations... That kind of awareness of the complexity of events is exactly what decision-making in business, government, law, journalism, and other fields often requires.

The Musical Theatre Concentration is an extension of our BFA Performance Track. Students accepted into this concentration graduate with a BFA in Performance with a Concentration in Musical Theatre. Although it is not a traditional triple threat BFA musical theatre track, students are required to Minor in Dance, and private voice lessons are available on campus and highly encouraged. Focusing on the actor who can sing and move, these students take BFA acting classes with additional classes in Musical Theatre Dance, Musical Theatre Audition, and Musical Theatre Scene Study with accompanying labs in basic music theory, vocal technique, and sight-singing. Students are expected to make continued progress in their development as actors and artists. Retention is earned by the faculty’s evaluation of the student’s work, commitment, progress and personal growth.

The International Business major arms students with the tools to tackle challenges in business while empowering them to contribute and engage in organizations and communities in a global business environment. Program goals are accomplished through an active partnership with the business community while the program continuously enhances the quality and impact of international business education.

The Bachelor of Science with Major in Data Science and Analytics (BSDSA) is a multi-college, interdisciplinary program jointly administered by the Department of Mathematical Sciences in the Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EECS) in the College of Engineering and Computer Science, the Department of Information Technology and Operations Management {ITOM) in the College of Business, the Department of Political Science in the Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters and the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice in the College of Social Work and Criminal Justice.

This program aims to prepare students with the essential skill sets across disciplines needed for data-driven applications in industry, business and government. The Department of Electrical Engineering & Computer Science (EECS) offers a concentration in Data Science and Engineering (DSE).

What is Data Science and Engineering About?
Data science is effective in tackling many real-world problems and is being used to make intelligent and informed decisions in many industries such as medicine and healthcare, finance, retail, transportation, manufacturing, media and entertainment. Data science and engineering involves the design and application of tools and methodologies for uncovering patterns in data and making actionable predictions. This program builds a strong background in computational and mathematical foundation of data science, programming, and data structures and algorithm analysis. Students can choose from a rich selection of courses including machine learning, artificial intelligence, and deep learning. They will be prepared not only to use the tools for data science but also to develop new mechanisms and algorithms. Graduates of the program will be well prepared to enter the high demand workforce under exciting roles such as Data Scientist, Data Science Application Developer, Data Science Programmer, Data Analytics Scientist, Machine Learning Scientist, Market Analyst and others.

Civil engineers design the constructed environment and the infrastructure that supports our society. From highways and buildings to bridges, water resource systems and the environment, the profession of civil engineering is responsible for much of the world in which we live. The variety of challenges facing modern society means that civil engineers can look forward to a highly rewarding, dynamic career.

The Anthropology Department offers an undergraduate program that provides a framework for understanding human cultures and societies through culture, archaeology, adaptation and evolution. The Department prepares students for understanding the past and the present of a rapidly globalizing world by developing knowledge of the national, ethnic and cultural complexities that operate within the contemporary world. Graduates with a major in Anthropology have a knowledge and understanding of the cultures of Western and non-Western peoples, and are qualified to work in local, national, and international agencies, and the corporate world. An undergraduate degree in Anthropology provides the basis for a graduate degree in Anthropology and any of the other social sciences. Students who have graduated with a degree in Anthropology from FAU have also gone on to graduate work in law, medicine, journalism, education and other graduate programs.

Management Information Systems (MIS) is a discipline and a profession that brings information and communication technologies to businesses and society. By applying information and communications technologies and systems, MIS solves real business problems and gives competitive advantage to firms. MIS focuses on the concepts and tools necessary for analyzing, designing, planning, developing, and managing organizational information resources.

MIS emphasizes management and looks at applications and technological products as part of a system. MIS graduates have a systems perspective and business processes in mind. They are service oriented and able to communicate client needs to IT staff. They are educated in people skills, project management, and teamwork experience. Although entry level positions are similar to those earned by computer science graduates, MIS graduates are more likely to move into managerial positions overseeing and directing the design and development of systems solutions for companies.

Cybersecurity Concentration
Cybersecurity involves the practice of protecting a business' devices, systems, networks, and data from attackers with malicious intent. Cybersecurity provides organizations with the digital protection they need to conduct their everyday business with confidence

The Commercial Music program offers a comprehensive undergraduate curriculum to help students develop specific skills for a professional career in the music industry. Hoot/Wisdom Records L.L.C. is Florida Atlantic University’s official record label. Administered by the Commercial Music program, the label provides students with practical experience in the production, marketing, and distribution of sound recordings.

The Commercial Music Composition concentration provides majors with skills and experience in composing, arranging, producing, and recording music for a variety of applications, including film, television, and digital media. 

The Department of Mathematical Sciences offers undergraduate programs leading to the Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree and to the Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree. Either of these two programs, with suitably chosen electives, constitute an excellent background for a wide range of careers, in particular as a systems analyst, mathematics teacher, actuary and statistician.

The Bachelor of Arts with major in Health Science degree is designed for students interested in pursuing careers in healthcare-related professions. This degree provides broad-based interdisciplinary training with a core in the basic sciences and requires a concentration in one of the following areas: Geriatrics (Aging Studies), Women’s Health, Public/Global/Environmental Health, Science and Behavioral and Mental Health.

The program structure enables students to take relevant coursework in various colleges and departments across FAU to broaden their understanding of factors that both positively and negatively impact the healthcare system, patients and practitioners. In addition, through the Health Science course sequence, students learn how professionals from various fields of practice (medicine, pharmacy, social work, nursing, etc.) interact in a collaborative manner. Students also have access to clinical observation opportunities and other extracurricular activities (lab experiences, internships, research).