29 BSc Degree Programs in Harrisonburg USA

Biology is the interdisciplinary study of life in the world around us. As a biologist, you can explore botany, evolution, genetics, medicine, and a plethora of other topics. The JMU biology program is designed to engage undergraduates in hands-on research projects. Our students have access to state-of-the-art labs and instrumentation in microscopy, genome sequencing, animal research, microbiology, and more. Our faculty work hard to mentor our students and prepare them for their future. At JMU, our biology majors are more than just students—they are scientists.

Biotechnology is the use of biological components and/or processes to tackle human problems. Most often, biotechnological solutions come in the form of products or tools. The Biotechnology Degree Program at JMU leverages the strengths of three founding departments—Biology, Chemistry, and Biochemistry—and Integrated Science and Technology. It also incorporates two colleges—Science and Mathematics and Integrated Science and Engineering—to provide a unique program with both scientific and technical depth and cross-disciplinary breadth. Students undertake a rigorous curriculum, rich with three critically important areas: hands-on laboratory experiences; critical analyses of both the how and the why of biotechnological solutions; and the development of transferable skills to keep up in a rapidly changing field.

Opportunities for skilled quantitative finance professionals are seeing explosive growth with the rapid increase in sophisticated quantitative and computational techniques employed by financial firms.

As a JMU computer science major, you’ll understand and analyze problems across a wide range of applications. You'll develop solutions that can be computationally implemented, strive for the best solutions, and use resources effectively. You'll be part of a collaborative and inclusive community in which you are set up for success in your studies, your career, and your life. The major puts students in the middle of the exploding information revolution where they study technological advances such as object-oriented software, communication networks, multimedia systems, information security and artificial intelligence. Students will learn about computing technologies used by today’s professionals and how to use these technologies to solve real-world problems. Students will learn to analyze problems, design solutions, implement solutions using multiple computing technologies, test and install those solutions, and communicate those solutions to others in written and verbal presentations.

Chemistry is a diverse field that involves the study of the properties, composition, and structure of substances. At JMU, the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry is large enough to offer modern laboratories and advanced instrumentation, and small enough for students to gain hands-on experience with this research-grade equipment and to pursue individualized programs of study. Our faculty members specialize in all major areas of chemistry, including organic/inorganic chemistry, environmental chemistry, computational chemistry, and a variety of other subdisciplines.

There's more to JMU Communication Studies than meets the eye. We are a community engaged in teaching, researching, and practicing communication as central to cultivating ethical, productive, and meaningful lives and relationships. The JMU School of Communication Studies, one of the largest departments on campus with close to 800 majors and minors, features six unique thematic concentrations and a generalist option for students who want to take a wider range of classes. We also offer many engaged learning opportunities, ranging from service learning to undergraduate research, internships, and several exciting study abroad options.

The program will prepare graduates to work collaboratively and interprofessionally. In the James Madison University Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD), students use creativity in learning from classroom experiences, case studies, computer applications, and problem-solving and decision-making projects. Students will gain research experience in their senior year. Students also obtain real-life experiences by completing a hospital-based practicum covering all aspects of dietetics practice.

Faculty and students in our department examine human movement from a physiological, biomechanical, developmental and psychosocial perspective. Undergraduates receive a B.S. in Kinesiology, with coursework focusing on either Exercise Science (ES) or Physical & Health Education Teacher Education (PHETE). The ES concentration prepares students for careers in area such as strength and conditioning, personal training, corporate wellness, and cardiac rehabilitation. Many of our Exercise Science graduates choose to continue their education in order to pursue various health-related professional programs such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, physician assistant and medicine.

Health Sciences is a launching point to a wide variety of professionally rewarding careers that make a real difference to your community. The Health Sciences major is designed for students interested in understanding the causes of disease, strategies for promoting wellness and behavior change, and the scientific basis and methodologies for analysis of health concerns for both individuals and populations. The major combines a broad foundation of health-related course work that allows the graduate to work in many health-related entry-level positions. Further, with a tailored choice of preparatory courses and the addition of a Pre-Professional Health Minor the graduate is suitable for entry into professional programs in dentistry, medicine, occupational therapy, optometry, pharmacy, physical therapy, physician assistant, public health and veterinary medicine.

The program will prepare students for graduate studies in speech-language pathology and audiology. There is a nationwide shortage of speech-language pathologists and audiologists so they are in strong demand for jobs. The undergraduate major can be pursued as a Bachelor of Science (B.S.).

Madison Engineering provides you with an engineering education built on math and science foundations. Rich in sustainable design, systems thinking and project management, Madison Engineering offers opportunities for customized in-depth learning through a variety of electives and engineering projects. Created in 2008 for 21st-century engineering needs, we offer a world-class undergraduate engineering experience based on a philosophy of learning by doing. Our project-based curriculum is designed to provide a modern way to specialize. Our required two-year-long capstone project experience, in particular, provides a platform for customized learning in a focused area of interest - creating better learning experiences, more substantial references, and a portfolio of engineering work. After eight semesters of authentic project work, you will graduate project-ready, and be prepared for the flexibility and resilience needed in our rapidly changing work world.

Effective hospitality managers create memorable events and environments that exceed guest expectations. Whether you work at a resort, restaurant, or on a cruise ship, you’ll need a wide range of management, communication, and leadership skills to capture the hearts of your patrons. As a JMU hospitality management major, you will develop leadership skills through sound theoretical course work, innovative learning activities and mentoring opportunities. All of your major requirements are met through small classes, team learning experiences, and meaningful personal contacts with faculty and industry professionals. With an emphasis on applied practical knowledge, your required internship will augment your classroom learning as you work alongside dynamic industry professionals in premier hospitality organizations. Along the way, your required classes will also earn you a useful general business minor.

Statistics is the science of analyzing numerical data and has applications in a variety of fields. At JMU, you will get the best of both worlds: in-depth faculty-student collaborative experiences usually only found in smaller liberal arts institutions, along with the breadth and diversity of offerings of a large institution. Our faculty is committed to incorporating student projects into their research and guiding undergraduates through the processes of proposing and carrying out professional-level research projects in statistics. In addition, our conferences, clubs, and outreach programs designed specifically for undergraduates make our majors true members of our community.

Anthropology is the documenting of the diverse ways humans live. At JMU, anthropology majors review many different factors to uncover the answers to these deep questions. The examination of artifacts, beliefs, and values helps anthropologists to obtain specific clues about human life. In order to gather information about beliefs and values, anthropologists often work directly with the people who they are studying. This fascinating, hands-on field offers a lifetime of learning experiences and remarkably flexible career options.

General Psychology is the major to consider if studying the area of science that explores how people and animals think, feel and act is of interest. General Psychology majors complete coursework that explores behavior, emotions, cognitive processes, and the factors that influence them from a variety of perspectives. Psychologists study behavior at both a cellular (e.g. examining the role of the brain and the nervous system) and at a more global level (e.g. examining the influences of culture). As general psychology majors, students will enhance their problem-solving, critical thinking, writing, and oral expression skills as they learn to use the tools available to behavioral scientists. Students choose to major in general psychology for many reasons. General Psychology can be students' primary area of interest within a liberal arts education that will lead to many professional opportunities that require a bachelor's degree, or it can be a pre-professional program leading to advanced study in graduate school. Popular types of graduate programs pursued by graduates of our program have been counseling, school psychology, education, clinical psychology, psychological science, social work, forensic psychology/criminal justice, industrial/organizational psychology, behavior analysis, law school and college administration.