Engineering (BS)

Overview

Viterbo’s engineering program was created in response to the need for engineers and at the request of employers. We work with local industry leaders to provide technical curriculum that establishes a solid foundation of engineering skills while developing students’ communication and leadership skills through a liberal arts education and Viterbo University’s core values.

For more information on the engineering program, click here.

Learning Outcomes
  • Problem Solving Skills (ABET 1): An ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics 
  • Designing in Context (ABET 2): An ability to apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors 
  • Communication (ABET 3): An ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences 
  • Ethical Responsibilities (ABET 4): An ability to recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgments, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts 
  • Working within a Team (ABET 5): An ability to function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment. Establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives 
  • Experimental Design and Analysis (ABET 6): An ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions 
  • Continuous Learning Techniques (ABET 7): An ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies 

Sport Science (Minor)

Overview

The sports and leisure industries continue their rapid growth and a strong demand exists for qualified and skilled professionals with a strong background in science, research, exercise science, human performance, and psychology combined with management and ethical leadership skills. The sport science minor at Viterbo University helps students expand their knowledge on the complexities of sport science, and provides students with experience needed to get a foot in the door for graduate school, as well as the industry of sport science itself. The skills learned with this minor work wonders in a multitude of professions, and is an excellent choice for those who are interested. Students majoring in sport management and leadership may not declare a sport science minor.

Policy

Students majoring in sport management and leadership may not declare a sport science minor.

Environmental Science (Minor)

Overview

Humans are inescapably connected to the environment—from food and medicine to the services the environment provides (clean air and water for example). For students concerned about the human impact on the environment and how to improve the world, an environmental science minor is an excellent choice. The environmental science minor at Viterbo University helps connect students to the natural world through a flexible program with a broad-based background in biology, chemistry, environmental science, and sustainability courses. This minor takes an integrated approach to environmental studies with a systems-level view of how organisms interact with the environment, helping graduates in a variety of careers.

Science Education (Minor)

Overview

The science education minor at Viterbo University is geared towards those in the School of Education. There is a high credit requirement for this minor as a result of the minor's purpose of preparing students to become science teachers upon graduation. The relevant academic routes for students pursuing a science minor would fall into the Middle/Secondary Early Adolescence through Adolescence (6–12) program. This program includes: - biology - broad field science - chemistry. What this means, is that a science minor greatly enhances the education and qualification for those who plan on majoring to become biology, science, or chemistry teachers at the 6-12th grade levels. The total credits of the minor are 27-28. Transfer course and waivers and/or substitutions could modify these credit totals.

Neuroscience (BS)

Overview

Neuroscience majors develop the knowledge and skills necessary to systematically evaluate relationships between the brain and human/animal behavior. Students learn and test foundational and contemporary theories through scientific reasoning, laboratory experiences, and independent research. Graduates pursue professional degrees in health-related fields, advanced degrees in neuroscience or related disciplines, and entry-level careers in mental health services or biomedical research.

Policy
  • Students majoring in neuroscience must maintain a biology grade point average (GPA) of 2.25 to continue in and graduate from this program. The neuroscience GPA is based on all grades earned in the required and elective courses taken in neuroscience and required support courses. Any student whose neuroscience GPA falls below 2.25 will be placed on probation for one semester. If the neuroscience GPA is not raised during that semester, the student may not enroll in further neuroscience courses. An earned grade of a D or lower in any neuroscience or support course will not be credited toward the neuroscience major.
  • Directed research must be faculty-approved, but may be conducted at an institution other than Viterbo University with prior approval. Special topics are offered periodically. Credit for these courses may substitute for one or more of the listed courses with faculty approval.
Learning Outcomes
  • Understand and explain fundamental concepts in neuroscience, biology, and psychology.
  •  Read and analyze primary scientific literature in neuroscience, biology, and psychology.
  • Integrate research findings across disciplines and levels of analysis.
  • Develop hypotheses and design experiments.
  • Collect, analyze, and interpret quantitative data.
Addendum
Undergraduate Student Enrollment in Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling

Exceptional undergraduate students seeking a bachelor degree in neuroscience can apply to the Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling (MSMHC) program for provisional admittance. Students must meet the following requirements:
• 2nd semester of junior year
• GPA of 3.25 or higher
• Prerequisites of PSYC 171, 340 and a research methods course

Students would complete all admission requirements for the MSMHC program with the exception of the Miller Analogies Test (MAT) and submission of their final undergraduate transcript; these will be required upon completion of their bachelor degree program. Provisionally admitted students could enroll in a maximum of nine graduate credits (provided availability of seats). Refer to the Undergraduate Student Enrollment in Graduate Course policy in this catalog. Students interested in this opportunity should contact the MSMHC Program Director.
 
  

Applied Mathematics and Analytics (BS)

Overview

Applied mathematics and analytics majors create solutions to complex real-world problems through a mathematical approach. Students build a theoretical foundation of mathematics, apply programming strategies to analyze and visualize data, and create predictive models to aid in decision-making through course-embedded projects. These course-embedded projects hone critical thinking skills, and provide students with invaluable teamwork, communication, and networking opportunities that employers seek.

Learning Outcomes
  • Our majors will demonstrate an ability to write mathematical proofs.
  • Our majors will demonstrate the ability to write procedural code and solve problems in a mathematical context.
  • Our majors will use the language of mathematics accurately and appropriately in oral presentation and written form.
  • Our majors will apply mathematical principles to solve problems.
  • Our majors will demonstrate the ability to work in groups towards producing creative projects.
     

Biology (Minor)

Overview

The total credits of the minor requirements are 15–16. Transfer course, waivers and/or substitutions, and prerequisite courses could modify these credit totals. 
 
Policy

Biology minors must maintain a biology grade point average (GPA) of 2.00 in biology courses.

Biochemistry (BS)

Overview

Viterbo's biochemistry program prepares students for healthcare and STEM-related careers by integrating foundational and humanistic knowledge with collaborative skills. This blended approach is critical as the problems in our world continue to increase in complexity and diversity. This integration is achieved through a curriculum that invites students to use knowledge in applied settings such as course-embedded research, service-learning, and community building both on and off-campus. Students will participate in an annual biochemistry symposium and related seminar course that showcase the complexity of science-related issues within our world.

Policy

Because a biochemistry major program intrinsically contains significant work in both biology and chemistry, declared minors in biology and chemistry will not be granted.

Learning Outcomes
  • Problem Solving: Apply theory, laws, and experimental information to solve biochemical problems
  • Communication: Demonstrate effective written and oral scientific communication including situations requiring collaborative teamwork
  • Techniques: Demonstrate a basic understanding of the laboratory techniques used in biochemistry and related areas           
  • Data Analysis: Correctly analyze and interpret scientific data based on sound scientific reasoning      
  • Literature: Ability to understand and appreciate the primary literature in biochemistry and be able to extract the salient features and advances from journal articles
Addendum

Those students interested in graduate work in biochemistry should follow the recommendations of the American Chemical Society which requires specifically MATH 220, 221, and 320; PHYS 260 and 261.

Biology (BS)

Overview

Viterbo’s biology program provides students with a breadth of knowledge within the biological sciences, including cellular and molecular biology, anatomy and physiology, ecology, behavior, and evolution; as well as the opportunity to gain a greater depth of knowledge in specialized areas of interest. The biology program at Viterbo offers a student-centered learning environment including hands-on experiences, career exploration, research, and internships within the curriculum.

Policy
  • Students majoring in biology must maintain a biology grade point average (GPA) of 2.25 to continue in and graduate from this program. The biology GPA is based on all grades earned in the required and elective courses taken in biology and required support courses. Any student whose biology GPA falls below 2.25 will be placed on probation for one semester. If the biology GPA is not raised during that semester, the student may not enroll in further biology courses. An earned grade of a D or lower in any biology or support course will not be credited toward the biology major.
  • Directed research must be faculty-approved, but may be conducted at an institution other than Viterbo University with prior approval. Special topics are offered periodically. Credit for these courses may substitute for one or more of the listed courses with faculty approval.
Learning Outcomes
  • Understand importance of interrelationships and unifying themes of major biological concepts
  • Understand the elements of the scientific method, design and implement experiments independently, and analyze and present data to the faculty and peers in a competent and professional manner
  • Students should be familiar with the principles, operation, and problems of common laboratory procedures and instrumentation
  • Students should understand the complexity of ethical issues surrounding science
Addendum

Viterbo University Degree in Three Program for Biology Majors

This accelerated degree program provides an opportunity for outstanding, highly motivated students to complete their bachelor’s degree in three years rather than the traditional four. This program is available to students who wish to major in biology.

Mathematics (Minor)

Overview

Minors at Viterbo University generally require between 15–25 credits upon completion. Transfer course and waivers and/or substitutions could modify these credit totals.

Policy

A minimum of eight credits must be unique to the minor and must not be part of the student's major, prerequisites or support courses for the major, nor part of another minor. A student may be required to take MATH 112 or 113 as preparation for 220, depending on their initial placement.

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