Bachelor of Arts, Major in Economics (STEM)

at University of Massachusetts Lowell USA

Sociologists study many different subjects: race and ethnicity, social policy, gender and sexuality, family and kinship, the nature of industrial capitalism, the effect of technology on modern society and interpersonal relationships. These are just a few of the many areas sociologists are interested in understanding. What draws these different areas together is the emphasis on understanding social life, both in our own society and cross-culturally.

The sociology major offers students the opportunity to learn about our social world. Courses cover a wide range of fields. As part of their program, students are encouraged to work in the Lowell community. Many students complete corporate or agency internships in which they work within a field setting to gain needed job experience.

Department members value the search for meaningful social change. Students who are interested in working in human services, social work, personnel management, urban planning, elder services, communications, law, education, research, community activism or full-time academic work might consider a major in sociology.   

Policy and Social Problems Concentration
Students may choose a concentration in Policy and Social Problems, which provides a pathway for those who want to focus specifically on applying analytical tools of sociological thinking to social problems and their solutions.

The International Business Concentration provides you with the broad range of skills you will need for an international career in a rapidly evolving global workplace. Concentration coursework will assist you to:

• Develop an awareness of management concepts, systems and practices in different countries and institutional settings.
• Understand cultural dynamics, economics and political constraints as they affect the marketing and sales aspect of international business.
• Assess and evaluate the financial risks associated with multi-national firms, and address global sourcing strategies. This includes; managing supply and demand uncertainties, distribution strategies for global operations, and managing strategic alliances.
• Learn more about the role that information technology and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) plays in managing global supply chains.
• Enhance your understanding of the details and nuances of international trade.

International Business is your choice if you:

• Aspire to study abroad or participate in a significant international experience outside of the classroom such as an international internship.
• Want to tour international campuses and experience what it is like to study at a university in another country.
• Envision yourself to be an active participant in the world economy.

Completion of the chemistry curriculum provides preparation for all areas of the chemical profession, as well as for graduate study in chemistry, dentistry, medicine, patent law, and teaching. Students completing the B.S. requirements graduate with a degree certified as being in a program approved by the Committee on Professional Training of the American Chemical Society.

The major typically includes 56-60 credits in chemistry courses and 26-30 credits in supporting science and mathematics courses. In addition, university/college guidelines for core curriculum/distribution requirements must be fulfilled.

Forensic Science Option
The forensic option combines the application of physical sciences to criminal investigations, offering students the opportunity for close collaboration between the University and the community, by providing needed expertise and resources while obtaining real world experiences. This is the only forensics undergraduate degree program at a public university in Massachusetts and one of only three in New England.

The Bachelor of Music in Composition for New Media balances established coursework in musicianship, performance, and liberal arts with hands-on contemporary training in music and sound composition for all facets of commercial and artistic media. Students in this program compose, mix, design, and arrange music and sound assets for movies, web, television, animation, mobile and educational platforms, games, artistic installations, advertising, industrial media, interactive live performance, Virtual Reality systems and related outlets.

Like all music major programs at UMass Lowell, this program requires:

• An entrance audition on an instrument or voice,
• The submission of a portfolio of scores/recordings/creative work, which consists of three media excerpts around 90 seconds each of original compositions, with supplemental materials, which may include documentation, scores, etc. as needed.

The Master of Science in Environmental Engineering program at UMass Lowell offers an opportunity to pursue a broad range of interests in the fields of environmental and water resources engineering. The course of study is designed to meet an individual student's interests and career goals. Programs consist of civil engineering courses in

• Water and wastewater treatment,
• Environmental chemistry,
• Hydrology,
• Hydraulics,
• Air pollution control,
• Environmental law and policy,
• And may include courses from allied disciplines such as biological and health sciences, environmental studies, chemistry and work environment.

In this concentration, students learn how to write for an audience as a journalist, technical communicator, or a writer in other professional contexts. Students begin by taking Introduction to Professional Writing and continue with coursework that focuses on learning different aspects of professional writing. Journal and Professional Writing courses offer opportunities to learn about digital rhetoric, editing, publishing, grant writing, language and literacy, new media, reflective writing and visual rhetoric, just to name a few. All students in this track complete a portfolio that showcases their work in professional settings. That work often comes as part of an internship. Ultimately, the Journalism and Professional Writing concentration prepares students for writing situations and challenges beyond the classroom.

Students gain education and training in radiation sciences, radiation protection, medical applications of radiation, and dosimetry, which includes laboratory work and clinical internship. The MS program duration is designed to be two years plus one summer semester, although the typical academic plan may be different due to elective courses and the length of thesis research. The duration of the Ph.D. program depends on the student’s academic progress, and it is usually between four and six years. Both the M.S. thesis and Ph.D. dissertation must be based on hypothesis- or development-driven research, and the student is expected to submit the results to a peer-reviewed journal.

The MS Degree in Medical Physics qualifies students for all medical physics specialties and prepares them for residency programs, junior medical physicist positions, and future ABR exams. The clinical component provides the students with training dominantly in radiation therapy, but diagnostic imaging traineeships are also available.

Upon graduation, medical physics students are prepared to receive advanced clinical training through working under the direction of a board-certified medical physicist or entering a medical physics residency program. The students will be prepared for a career as:

• A professional clinical medical physicist.
• A medical physicist in a research laboratory.
• A medical physicist in industry.
• For Ph.D. students, career as a medical physicist in an academic environment.
• For MS students, further research training in a Ph.D. medical physics program.

The Master of Science program in Security Studies prepares students for careers in the rapid expanding field of cyber security, as well as weapons of mass destruction (CBRNE) and how to address threats to our critical infrastructure.

Students pursuing this area of concentration will develop competency and knowledge to manage the increasingly complex security challenges at regional and international airports, commuter and commercial railways, maritime ports, and roadways of the Commonwealth and the broader region. Emphasis is placed on integrating a “big picture” policy perspective with an understanding of sensor technologies, transportation security, systems engineering, human behavior, and intelligence analysis.

The Exercise Science bachelor of science program at UMass Lowell gives students the confidence and skills necessary to educate, transform and inspire people to live healthier lives.

Exercise Science BS degree in the:

• Exercise and Fitness Management Option – Students acquire knowledge in exercise science, public health, nutrition and business to pursue careers in the fitness industry. Students could choose to earn a minor in business to apply toward UMass Lowell’s MBA program.
• Clinical Option – Students gain a strong foundation in the sciences to work in clinical settings and take the certification examinations by the American College of Sports Medicine or the National Strength and Conditioning Association. Students would choose this option if they want to apply to the Doctor of Physical Therapy program.

The BS in EE track provides a thorough grounding in the fundamentals of electrical engineering that would allow a graduate to function effectively in industry or continue on to graduate school. Students seeking admission into the BS Eng in EE program should be familiar with the admission and retention requirements of the College of Engineering – refer to the Office of Admissions.