MAP

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Department descriptions

Accounting MAP

Accounting is the primary "language" of business and accountants assist businesses in determining, analyzing and communicating their financial results to interested parties. The Accounting program in the School of Business introduces students to all the functional areas of accounting including financial accounting, managerial accounting, auditing, taxation and accounting information systems. Students develop an essential competency in each of these areas and complement this knowledge with study in relevant areas of business and economics. The Accounting program also places a particular emphasis on ensuring that graduates have a clear understanding of the ethical values critical to the accounting profession, as well as an awareness of the social obligations that accompany a career in accountancy.

 Department Website

Actuaries are the leading professionals in finding ways to manage risk. It takes a combination of strong analytical skills, business knowledge and understanding of human behavior to design and manage programs that control risk.  Department Website

African/Afro-American Studies MAP

The objective of the department is to provide a multi- and interdisciplinary education in African/African-American studies and related fields. Students are expected to possess the knowledge and skills necessary to understand the social, political, economic, psychological, and historical consequences of institutional arrangements as they affect the life experiences of African/African-American people. Department Website

Anthropology MAP

Anthropology is the study of humankind, of ancient and modern people and their ways of living. From its first establishment as a professional discipline, anthropology has been defined in terms of its holistic, cross-cultural, and evolutionary approaches. By systematically analyzing differences and similarities among human groups over time and space, anthropologists achieve the fullest possible understanding of human nature, human diversity, and the forces that govern change in cultural and biological characteristics.  Department Website

Art MAP

The foundation of the Studio Art major is a core curriculum in drawing, two- and three-dimensional design, and art history; areas of concentration are painting and drawing, sculpture, printmaking, and photography. The faculty are dedicated to creating visual literacy in their students, cultivating students’ working comprehension of visual principles, and inspiring and nurturing developing artists. Department Website

Art History MAP

Art History offers a range of courses drawn from offerings in art history with the art department, and from other departments and programs in the College of Arts and Sciences, including Classics, History, and East Asian studies. The Art History Program seeks to introduce students to a wide range of historical periods and cultures, and to develop students’ skills for critically evaluating works of art within their historical and cultural contexts. Department Website

The Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences and the Atmospheric Sciences Research Center (ASRC) provide the University with the state's largest program in atmospheric science and meteorology. The undergraduate program provides a broad background in three fundamental areas of atmospheric science: synoptic (observations and weather forecasting), dynamic (theory and computer modeling), and physical (lightning, acid rain, cloud physics, atmospheric chemistry).  Department Website

Biochemistry & Molecular Biology MAP

The Biochemistry and Molecular Biology program is designed for students interested in these rapidly developing fields of science. Students with training in these fields can pursue careers as researchers in academic or industrial settings or they can pursue further study in graduate or professional schools.

 Department Website

Biology BA MAP

Biology BS MAP

The Biology B.S. provides a strong background for further study either in graduate school or medicine and prepare the student for secondary school teaching and a variety of careers in biology at the technical level. Graduates often find technical-level positions with pharmaceutical companies or as research assistants in grant-related positions. Those who go on to graduate or professional school have a wide array of career opportunities in research, health fields, and business.

The Biology B.A. is designed with the aims of the liberal or fine arts students in mind and as such is not intended for the professional biologist or teacher. Department Website

Business Administration MAP

Business Administration students focus their studies in one of the major function areas of business, including information technology, management, marketing, or finance or a combination of two of these areas. Department Website

1) Chemistry BS MAP

a) Chemistry Emphasis

b) Forensics Emphasis

c) Chemical Biology Emphasis

d) Comprehensive Forensic Emphasis

2) Chemistry BA MAP

The Chemistry major provides students with a broad, fundamental knowledge of modern theoretical and experimental chemistry enabling graduates to embark immediately on professional careers in chemistry or to continue study at an advanced level toward higher degrees. Department Website

Chinese Studies MAP

Chinese studies includes Mandarin language courses and courses in English on aspects of Chinese civilization, including History, Literature, Religion, Geography, and Political Science.

 Department Website

Communication involves study in each of three particular social contexts: first, communication on an individual level, involving interpersonal or intercultural relations; second, communication at the societal level involving large scale audiences, especially in regard to political action and democratic processes; and third, communication in organizations-whether business, governmental, or grass roots organizations--that affects either the organization's internal processes or external relations.

 Department Website

4) Alternate Computer Science BS MAP

The Computer Science majors combine advanced topics in computing practice with introductory material on the mathematical foundations of computer science including abstract models of computers and languages and the fundamental limits of computing. Department Website

*Note: Students without programming experience are advised to consider the Alternate Computer Science MAPs for the BA or BS programs.

1) Computer Science & Applied Mathematics MAP

2) Alternate MAP

Computer Science and Applied Mathematics is an integrated program providing a strong background in the theory and practice of computer science combined with those courses in mathematics which are most likely to be needed for advanced work in computer science, either in graduate study or industrial research and development. Department Website

*Note: Students without programming experience are advised to consider the Alternate Computer Science Applied Math MAP.

Criminal Justice MAP

Well-founded judgments and prudent policy choices about crime and justice require an understanding of crime, criminal behavior, criminal justice processes, and the law. The study of Criminal Justice at the University at Albany is concerned with these phenomena.  Department Website

East Asian Studies MAP

East Asian Studies offers courses in the languages and cultures of the three major civilizations of East Asia: China, Japan and Korea. Website

Economics BS MAP

Economics studies how consumers, businesses, and government make decisions about the use of scarce resources.  The field is analytical rather than descriptive, and it appeals to students who like to think in rigorous and logical ways.  It provides a good background for many careers, as well as for graduate study in business, law, and other fields.  The B.S. degree is designed for students seeking a more challenging program.  Department Website

English MAP

The major in English prepares students for any field of work that requires a broad liberal education with special strength in language, critical analysis and research. English graduates find careers in theatre and film, government, counseling, broadcasting, public policy and administration, banking, retailing and manufacturing as well as writing, editing, publishing, teaching, advertising and public relations. The English major is also excellent preparation for advanced study in such professional graduate programs as law, medicine, librarianship, social welfare, theology, and education. Department Website

Environmental Science: Those most interested in land surface or hydrological processes would opt for the Geology concentration, while those seeking careers in land use planning and geographic information systems might opt for the Geography concentration.  Students more interested in air pollution and climate would select the Atmospheric Science track, while those keen on aspects of biological processes and ecology would select the Biology concentration. Department Website

Geography MAP

Geography studies the characteristics of space, location and place in the broader context of how people interact with both physical and human environments. Geography can be classified as both a natural science and a social science as it examines people and their environment and serves as a bridge between the physical and cultural worlds.. Geographic information systems (GIS), computer mapping, remote sensing, and related technologies are central to the discipline of geography and are indispensable in many areas of professional planning practice. Department Website

History MAP

History provides students with a thorough grounding in the past, seen from both social scientific and humanistic perspectives, and in the nature of history and historical analysis. Concentrations include US, European and World history.

 Department Website

Human Biology MAP - Pre-Health Track

The Human Biology program is an interdepartmental (Anthropology and Biology) combined major/minor designed for students interested in a liberal arts education with particular focus on the human organism. It provides a strong background in human evolution, structure, function and behavior. This program is especially suitable for those seeking careers (e.g. medicine, forensics, public health, administration, business, journalism) that deal directly or indirectly with human health and welfare. Department Website

Information Science MAP

Information Science is concerned with five curricular strands: characteristics and properties of information; the flow of information from its origination to utilization; personal, economic, political and social value of information; the cognitive, intellectual and technological structures that govern information transfer; the public and private organizational environments where information exchange has taken place.

Department Website

Japanese Studies MAP

Japanese studies includes Japanese language courses and courses in English on aspects of Japanese civilization, including History, Literature, Religion, and Economics.

 Department Website

Journalism MAP

Department Website

Latin American Studies MAP

Latin and Caribbean Studies requires interdisciplinary course work with Latin American content and competence in Spanish, Portuguese or French.

 Department Website

Linguistics MAP

The Linguistics major is designed to provide students with a basic understanding of the nature of human language and the principles and methods of contemporary linguistic theories. The major offers a liberal education that combines the approaches of the humanities, the social sciences and the sciences.

 Department Website

Mathematics BA MAP

Mathematics BS MAP

Math provides a broad offering of courses from which each student can make a selection designed to satisfy any of a large variety of objectives. In addition to including the standard courses in pure and applied mathematics, course offerings are unusually strong in statistics and actuarial mathematics.

 Department Website

Medieval & Renaissance Studies MAP

Medieval and Renaissance Studies gives students a broad, multidisciplinary training in the history and culture of Europe from late antiquity to the early modern period. Both as a major and a minor, the program offers a wide range of courses and a guide for anyone with a special interest in the Middle Ages and the Renaissance.

 Department Website

Music MAP

Music provides students with the fundamental knowledge and technical capabilities necessary for the pursuit of graduate studies or professional activities. Concentrations include Chorale Conducting, Electronic Music and Media, Performance, and Composition.

 Department Website

Philosophy MAP

Philosophy offers a general major that provides students with a background in the history of philosophy (e.g. Plato, Aristotle, Descartes, Hume), as well as in values and logic related courses.

 Department Website

1) Physics MAP

2) Physics 3+2 Engineering

Physics provides students a solid foundation in both classical and modern physics. Students are prepared either to undertake graduate study in physics, to apply physics principles and techniques successfully for advanced work in other disciplines, to enter industry usefully, or to teach in the secondary schools. Along with courses in classical mechanics, electromagnetic theory, atomic and nuclear physics, and thermal physics, students learn modern experimental techniques, principles of quantum mechanics, and applications. Elective courses in other sciences and independent study and research with faculty members in the active research fields of the department are encouraged as part of the practical emphasis.

 Department Website

Political Science MAP

Political science is concerned with the activity and organization of society for the realization of public goals and values. The study of political science is designed to prepare the student for responsible and effective citizenship, political participation, and advanced academic or professional studies. The student of political science may gain an understanding and appreciation of political values, institutions and processes operating in American, foreign, and international systems. Department Website

Please note that Pre-Health is a track, not a major; Pre-Health students can pursue the major/minor of their choosing, but need to follow this track for their first 4 semesters.  Pre-Health website
 

Psychology MAP

Psychology provides students with a broad, general background in scientific psychology. The curriculum emphasizes scientific and statistical reasoning skills that will help students in a variety of applied and basic research settings. Department Website

Public Policy MAP

Public administration and public policy are concerned with the formulation and implementation of governmental policies and programs. The approach of the department is interdisciplinary, drawing on various social and behavioral sciences. The courses focus on such topics as the role of bureaucracy in society, management of finances in the public sector, organizational theory and development, the political and legal environment of administration, and public policy research and analysis Department Website

Puerto Rican Studies MAP

Puerto Rican Studies provides an integrated, broadly based knowledge of the islands of the Caribbean, the rest of Latin America, and the United States. Courses deal with aspects of the life of Puerto Ricans: cultural, social, political, and economic processes; language; literature and the arts; and education. In addition, the program provides the opportunity for comparative study of other Latino groups in the United States. Department Website

Religious Studies MAP

Religious Studies is the study of the religions of humankind. Religion, one of the most basic of human concerns, has occupied a leading place in the thought and activities of all peoples from the earliest civilizations (as shown by archaeology), through early literate societies, (as seen in their religious texts), to the present, where religious beliefs and their consequences continue to shape the daily news. Department Website

Social Welfare MAP

Social Welfare prepares students for beginning social work, a career devoted to helping people function their best at home and in the community, through direct service or therapy to people, or by working for change to improve social conditions.

 Department Website

Sociology MAP

Sociology is the study of the individuals, groups and institutions and their relations that make up human society.

Department Website

Spanish MAP

Spanish develops students who become highly proficient in speaking, understanding, reading and writing Spanish, as well as who develop a thorough knowledge of and an appreciation for the literature and civilization. Proficiency in language skills is regarded not only as an end in itself but also as a means of studying a foreign culture.

Urban Studies and Planning MAP

Urban Studies and Planning is designed for students interested in a liberal arts education focusing on urban and suburban environments, and on urban, community and neighborhood development. The program of study mixes conventional classes with fieldwork and computer-based learning, and it requires considerable awareness of international, multicultural and policy issues.

 Department Website

Women's Studies MAP

Women's Studies encourages students to reexamine their own lives and the world around them in relation to gender, race, class, and sexuality. The curriculum reflects new subjects, theories, and methodologies based on a cross-cultural, multidisciplinary approach to the study of women.

 Department Website