Bachelor of Arts, Major in Music Education

at University of Massachusetts Dartmouth USA

UMass Dartmouth's liberal arts major offers an intellectual challenge, encouraging you to pursue your interests across a variety of academic fields.

You'll develop your creativity, critical thinking skills, and sense of independence while you explore concentrations across the humanities, social sciences, and interdisciplinary programs:

• The humanities: art history, English, foreign languages, history, philosophy
• The social sciences: anthropology, economics, political science, policy studies, sociology, women's and gender studies
• Interdisciplinary programs: sustainability, urban studies, women's and gender studies

Recent studies have shown that a degree in liberal arts provides a strong foundation for professional careers and scholarly work. You'll develop the qualities that future employers prize most: strong communication skills, the ability to assess a situation and develop a course of action, and the confidence to work independently.

As a liberal arts major, you will design your own interdisciplinary path as you choose two concentrations and bring them together to create new ways of seeing, knowing, and expressing your academic and research interests.

Liberal arts majors find careers in business, communications, education, government, human resources, museums, non-profit organizations, public policy, and social work. You'll be prepared for graduate study in the fields you'll explore as you select your liberal arts concentrations.

The master's degree program in data science prepares you for leadership positions in data analytics, information management, and knowledge engineering. It is jointly offered by the departments of Computer Science in Engineering and Mathematics in Arts & Sciences.

With a master's degree in data science, you will:

• Develop skills in computer programming, statistics, data mining, machine learning, data analysis, and visualization
• Be prepared to solve challenging problems involving large, diverse data sets from different application domains

You will explore the rapidly emerging fields of data analytics and discovery informatics—which integrates mathematics and computer science for the quantification and manipulation of information from a cognate area of application (such as science, engineering, business, sociology, healthcare, planning).

The program emphasizes:

• Strong foundations in information theory, mathematics, and computer science
• Current methodologies and tools to enable data-driven discovery, problem solving, and decision-making

The Physics department offers a bachelor's of science degree in physics with a concentration in astronomy and astrophysics.

Explore your interests in the universe, and uncover the mysteries of nature. Probe the far reaches of space and the depths of the ocean, and meet our planet's environmental challenges. You'll learn the observational and analytical methods astronomers use to study the cosmos, as well as the physics behind celestial phenomena.

The powerful array of technical skills you'll acquire as a physics major will prepare you for a career in many areas of theoretical and applied science. You'll be ready to assume leadership roles in industry, business, and government or explore the fields of materials science, biophysics, geophysics, oceanography, and medical physics.

As a physicist, you can investigate the structure of the atom, design and program computers, solve environmental problems, and develop new manufacturing materials. Physicists lead some of the world's major technology companies and research institutes, paving the way for technological innovations such as lasers, solar cells, electric cars, medical diagnostics, and computers.

French is a language rich in literary and cultural traditions. An official language in 29 countries, for all United Nations agencies, and for the European Union, French remains one of the top three most useful languages for business.

As a French major at UMass Dartmouth, you'll study the culture, language, and literature of the French-speaking world. You'll develop proficiency in speaking, listening, reading, writing, and cross-cultural communication as you explore topics in areas such as linguistics, civilization, film, cultural diversity, equality, political rights, social justice, and the entertainment industry.

A degree in French will prepare you for careers, including digital media, entertainment, business, law, justice, communications, education, hospitality, travel, government service, international development and aid, journalism, publishing, linguistics, social services, translation and interpreting. We also offer teacher preparation for students who are interested in teaching French at the middle or high school level. Learn more about teacher preparation.

Students are strongly encouraged to consider combining the French major with another minor, double majoring, combining a French minor with another major, or choosing the French concentration as part of the Liberal Arts major.

The Mechanical Engineering department offers a bachelor of science degree in mechanical engineering with a concentration in manufacturing: the transformation of raw materials into useful products through the use of the most effective methods.

Manufacturing engineers determine the equipment, tools, and processes required to convert the design of a product into reality. They apply analytical skills to discover the optimal combination of machinery, materials, and methods needed to keep production costs and time low.

Mechanical engineers design and develop anything that can be thought of as a machine, as well as the tools and processes necessary to make man-made products. Encompassing a wide range of fields, the discipline includes the study of energy transformations, manufacturing, mechanical systems, and material science.

With a degree in mechanical engineering, you'll have the ability to work in a diverse range of careers including scientific research, product manufacturing, product design, power generation, military analysis, and operations of complex systems such as nuclear reactors. Mechanical engineers are also increasingly finding opportunities in medical research fields and in biofuel applications.

The MFA degree is the credential that signifies the artist's capacity to work independently in a discriminating, distinctive, and professional manner.

The goal is to find the interdependence of idea to medium. This may be initiated through the pure language of traditional print processes, or this may be accomplished through a blend that complements the traditional multiple with other possibilities such as: mixed media, photo mechanical, alternative processes or digital fabrication.

Student and advisor meet weekly for one-on-one critique and additional faculty input is planned at mid- and end-of-semester reviews.

In addition to the studio experience, the students take courses in art history and critical theory, and a broad complement of University offerings that support the fostering of intellectual pursuit and individual aesthetic maturation.

The Ceramics program offers the opportunity for concentrated studio work involving both technical and conceptual challenges. Through questioning and experimentation, students work to consolidate materials and processes while developing strong conceptual and expressive ideas.

Graduate students are encouraged to pursue individual areas of interest which may include fabrication of functional or sculptural forms. Your work in the studio is complemented by courses in clay and glaze formulation, kiln construction, and ceramic history and aesthetics.

You will work closely with a faculty advisor to ensure guided exploration to develop maturity. Individual meetings take place on a weekly basis and critiques occur each month. Studies culminate with both a visual and written thesis.

UMass Dartmouth's Chemistry department offers a bachelor's degree in chemistry with an option in biochemistry.

Transform the ordinary into the amazing. When you study biochemistry, you study matter and its transformation.

Biochemists conduct research and experiments to discover new concepts about the universe. They try to solve society's problems, whether by developing a cure for cancer, monitoring the earth's ozone layer, creating new materials to heat our homes, or pursuing countless other challenges.

The knowledge you'll gain through the study of chemistry at UMass Dartmouth will open the door to many different career opportunities within the five divisions of chemistry: analytical, biological, inorganic, organic, or physical. You'll be prepared for biochemistry careers in education, forensics, government, law, industry, medicine, or research.

Portuguese is the official language of more than 200 million people in eight countries on four continents. After English and Spanish, it is the third most widely spoken European language, and the sixth most spoken language in the world.

Situated in the heart of the region that boasts the largest concentration of Brazilian, Cape Verdean, and Portuguese immigrants in the U.S., UMass Dartmouth provides a unique environment to learn Portuguese in a richly varied immersion setting. As a Portuguese major, you’ll study and explore the language, literatures, and cultures of the Portuguese-speaking world.

A degree in Portuguese offers access to careers in education, foreign service, immigration, international business, international relations, journalism, linguistics, politics, print and visual media, social and non-profit/non-governmental organizations, translation, and other fields.

Mechanical engineers work on the design, analysis, production, and operation of mechanical and thermal systems, including tools, engines, and machines.

You will be prepared to work in a diverse range of careers including aerospace, manufacturing, robotics, biomedical, product design, energy, sustainable development, scientific research, defense, and the military.

Growing opportunities are available for mechanical engineers in cutting-edge medical research, new energy resources, novel material design, and robotics applications. Encompassing a wide range of fields, mechanical engineering includes the study of energy transformations, manufacturing, mechanical systems, material science, and systems control.

The Mechanical Engineering program provides students with both a diverse, broad-based degree that is grounded in fundamental principles of science and engineering and the opportunity to specialize in a field of interest (such as energy, manufacturing, robotics, materials science, mechanical systems).

The program is characterized by hands-on design projects and the use of computer work stations to address complex problems and enable the design and manufacture of components and systems.  The program culminates in a senior project, solving a real-life engineering problem with realistic constraints of time as well as economic, aesthetic, safety, social and environmental considerations. The students defend their work in an oral presentation before their class, faculty, guests and an invited panel of judges from local industries.

The first two years of the program include basic courses in mathematics, chemistry and physics, together with introductory courses in applied science such as mechanics, materials, and electrical science. Specialization occurs during the last two years with courses available in the areas of thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, manufacturing processes and systems, control systems, materials behavior, energy, and mechanical design.