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Biology |
Chemistry |
General Science |
Information Science |
Information Science/Mathematics |
Mathematics |
Physics
Biology is a science that considers the processes of life at the molecular, cellular, organismal, populational and
evolutionary levels. Students of biology will learn fundamental concepts within each of these areas. Once the
foundation of biological concepts has been achieved, students will select courses from three key areas of biology.
Science involves the search for understanding by proposing hypotheses and testing them to determine if they are
valid. In classes starting in the freshman year through the senior year, students will be asked to conduct research
projects based upon a hypothesis testing method.
As seniors, students will consider the role of science in society as well as the limits of science in a capstone
seminar.
Major Requirements >>
Chemistry is the science that strives to understand the properties of materials and the transformations they undergo.
Called the “Central Science,” chemistry plays a key role in many different fields: agriculture, food, medicine,
geology, energy production, metallurgy, polymers and plastics, to name a few. The chemistry program at Buena Vista
University offers courses in the traditional areas: inorganic, organic, analytical, physical and biochemistry, and
some in newer fields, such as environmental and materials. Chemistry graduates have entered several of the above
fields, more recently in areas such as medicine, pharmaceuticals, research, forensic science, teaching, chemical
engineering and industry, often after pursuing graduate education.
Major Requirements >>
General science is selected by students planning to enter a wide variety of vocations. A number of pre-professional
students will major in general science prior to entering schools of medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, medical
technology, physical therapy, etc. The major is also designed for students interested in teaching science in the
public schools by encouraging a broad acquaintance with biology, chemistry, general physical science, physics and
mathematics.
Major Requirements >>
Information Science includes or encompasses the areas described as Computer Systems, Computer Science, Management
Information Systems and Computer Data Processing. It is an exciting, dynamic field that pervades our entire world
of work. The Information Science program has two distinct areas of emphasis which will lead to a bachelor’s degree
in Information Science/ Computer Science or Information Science/ Mathematics.
Computer Sciences study focuses on problem solving and encompasses programming, systems design, and computer
architecture as well as applied projects. The primary objectives of the curriculum are to ensure that every
graduate is thoroughly familiar with the fundamental principles of modern computer science and computing systems
in general; understands how these principles relate to software, hardware and systems design; and is familiar with
at least one significant area of applications of computers. Other major objectives include: providing graduates
with the ability to comprehend a variety of problem-solving algorithms; familiarity with several programming
languages for implementing these algorithms; understanding of hardware and/or software systems; the ability to
make informed choices of software and hardware for a variety of problems; and an understanding of the role that
human factors play in implementing computer-based systems.
Major Requirements >>
Information Science/Mathematics prepares students for careers in research or those requiring problem solving with
computers, with an emphasis on higher-level mathematics. Graduates of this program will be mathematically oriented
computer scientists who have specialized in the mathematical aspects and foundations of computer science, or in the
computer applications of mathematics.
Major Requirements >>
Mathematics is the discipline that analyzes the quantitative behavior of naturally occurring as well as
human-designed systems. Through mathematical analysis we gain a more complete understanding of such diverse areas as
motion of objects within systems from planetary to subatomic levels, growth and decline of populations from human to
cellular levels, the flow and growth of money within financial systems, the secure dissemination and retrieval of
information in communications systems, and many other such applications. With a firm grounding in mathematics, we are
better prepared to more thoroughly understand the nature of the world and society in which we live and work, and to
predict the future behavior of the systems with which we interact on a daily basis.
Through the study of mathematics at Buena Vista University, students learn the broad array of concepts and techniques
required for studying the quantitative behavior of the varied systems of the world in which we live. A major in
mathematics can lead to careers in areas such as actuarial science, statistical analysis, computer science, financial
analysis, cryptography, a cognate field such as physics or engineering, and teaching.
Major Requirements >>
Physics is the discipline that studies the natural behavior of the physical universe. It considers phenomena as large
as clusters of galaxies to smaller than a proton. Some examples of the branches of physics are: Astronomy,
Astrophysics, Optics, Solid State, Nanotechnology, Computational, Nuclear, Medical Physics and Biophysics. Graduates
of this program can work in engineering, computer science, and other technical fields. Graduates also go onto
graduate programs in any branch of physics, engineering or computer science. Also, graduates enter professional fields
such as medicine or law where problem-solving skills are essential.
Major Requirements >>
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