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Majors, Minors & Areas of Study

Biomedical Sciences

Your future in medicine starts here.

Major in biomedical sciences at UMW, and explore core concepts in biology including organism function, cell biology, genetics and physiology. Gain the research experience needed to contribute to advances in human or animal healthcare. Prepare yourself for medical, dental or veterinary school; for careers in physical therapy or pharmacy; for discipline-specific graduate study in the health sciences; or for a meaningful career you can begin right away.

Degree Awarded

Students majoring in Biomedical Sciences who complete all requirements earn the degree of Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Biology.

Career Opportunities

The Biomedical Sciences major provides students with the knowledge and the skills to be successful candidates for graduate study in a broad range of health-related fields including medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, physician assistant, physical therapy, or any of the many health sciences careers.

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Internships

UMW biomedical sciences majors may qualify for paid internships through the Commonwealth STEM Industry Internship Program. The Department of Biological Sciences helps students learn about and apply for internships in the fields of medicine and research. Students also may find internships with health care professionals in the Fredericksburg area or in nearby Richmond, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. Many students work and volunteer at nearby Mary Washington Hospital and Moss Free Clinic.

To receive honors in biomedical sciences, you must have a 3.0 grade-point average overall and 3.25 in the major. You’ll complete a research project, write an honors thesis, and deliver an oral presentation to department faculty.

The biomedical sciences major requires 40 credits, including five required courses, four health-related sciences courses, one societal-perspectives-on-health course, and a required senior seminar.

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Majors, Minors & Areas of Study

Applied Physics

Fix it with physics.

Understanding the fundamental laws of the physical universe can open the door to breakthrough ideas and technologies that make the world better. Study applied physics at the University of Mary Washington and you’ll gain the general and specialized knowledge, quantitative skills and research experience to advance such fields as medicine, mechanics, transportation and communication. You’ll work with the latest high-tech equipment and prepare yourself for higher study or an in-demand career that matters.

Degree Awarded

Students majoring in Applied Physics who complete all requirements earn the degree of Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Physics.

Areas of Study

The applied physics major includes several core physics courses, such as university physics, modern physics, mathematical methods of physics, and several other. It also has a core requirement of three mathematics courses, including calculus I and II, and required courses in data science and computer science.

Career Opportunities

Applied physics majors are well-prepared for many different technical jobs such as design and analysis of optical, electronic, and acoustic systems; telecommunications; advanced programming for engineering modeling; and many more.

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Internships

The applied physics major requires students to participate in either independent study or an internship. For-credit and paid internships are available close to campus and in nearby Washington, D.C., and Richmond, Virginia. They provide opportunities for students to gain applied work experience and learn about potential employers. Internship sponsors such as NASA and the Naval Surface Warfare Center work with the department to establish individual objectives. Individual study with UMW professors is another avenue though which students conduct intensive study and develop advanced technical skills.

Applied physics majors may earn departmental honors through a full-year research project conducted during the senior year. Your academic advisor can explain the detailed requirements and guide you through this process.

The applied physics major requires between 37 to 41 credits from courses in physics, data science, computer science, math, and a capstone physics course.

Applied physics majors may be eligible for one of several scholarships for physics majors. Visit the Office of Financial Aid’s Scholarship Opportunities page to learn more about available scholarships at UMW.

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Majors, Minors & Areas of Study

Conservation Biology

Species are in trouble. Can you help?

Biological diversity is under stress, but committed, passionate scientists work every day to protect threatened species, restore native habitats, and manage fisheries and wildlife. Major in conservation biology at the University of Mary Washington, and you’ll approach problems across disciplines, with courses in biology, conservation, geography and GIS. An emphasis on research and experiential learning prepares you to make a difference right away.

Degree Awarded

Students majoring in conservation biology who complete all requirements earn the degree of Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Biology.

Areas of Study

This major combines the strengths of biology, environmental science, and geography to prepare students for careers in conservation biology. Majors must complete core courses in ecology, biodiversity, genetics, research design, and biostatistics. They take one course in GIS and a non-science course addressing the ethical and political aspects of conservation.

Career Opportunities

The conservation biology track is designed for students interested in public or private-sector careers in fields such as endangered species protection and recovery, habitat conservation, conservation biology education, and fisheries and wildlife management. Additionally, it prepares students for graduate study in conservation biology, especially where graduate degrees are required for particular careers. Job opportunities are available with state and federal wildlife management agencies, local and international nongovernmental conservation organizations, and zoos and other captive breeding facilities for critically endangered species.

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Internships

UMW anticipates a rich variety of internships for the new conservation biology major at such organizations as the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, and at Fredericksburg-area nonprofits such as Friends of the Rappahannock and the Chesapeake Bay Foundation.

Students studying a shallow stream in a wooded area.
Student helping to plant trees in the Galápagos.
Student wearing gloves holding an owl as it is being fed through a syringe from another person.

Conservation biology majors are eligible to pursue the University Honors Program and the Biology Honors Program.

The conservation biology major requires 40 credits, including core foundational courses in conservation biology, biodiversity, ecology, genetics, research design, and geographic information science. Students may then choose from courses such as animal ecology, plant biology, vertebrate and invertebrate zoology, entomology, tropical ecology, biology of fishes, ornithology, conservation policy, and environmental ethics.

Conservation biology majors will be encouraged to apply for such scholarships as the Thyra Vedel Valade Conservation Leadership Scholarship.

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Majors, Minors & Areas of Study

International Business

The world is your business.

Where a wide-open worldview and keen business skills intersect, you’ll find the international business major at the University of Mary Washington. Combine a comprehensive business education with your interests in geography, culture and language – and maybe a semester of study abroad – to launch a career without borders.

Degree Awarded

Students majoring in international business who complete all requirements earn the degree of Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in business administration with a major in international business.

Areas of Study

As an international business student, you will graduate with a solid business education, but you also must be able to understand the importance and influence of culture on how people make decisions. The international business major is one of four majors offered within the UMW College of Business that lead to the Bachelor of Science degree in business administration. All business majors are multidisciplinary degrees that require students to master concepts from across the business disciplines, which include accounting, business administration, business law, decision sciences, finance, management, and management and information systems.

Career Opportunities

A major in international business will help prepare you for jobs with multinational firms, domestic firms that import or export goods and services, public institutions such as the federal government and its myriad agencies, international charitable agencies, and environmental organizations. By carefully selecting course electives and experiences, you may find international careers in a host of fields, including traditional business paths (accounting, finance, logistics, management, MIS, marketing, and purchasing) or unique professions determined by your personal desires.

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Internships

At UMW, you’ll find internship opportunities close to campus and in nearby Washington, D.C., and Richmond, Virginia. Intern positions include real estate, social media, advertising, marketing research and brand development, Chamber of Commerce communications, financial planning, and automotive business operations.

To be eligible for honors in international, you must have a 3.25 grade-point average in upper-division business administration courses and a 3.0 GPA overall. You’ll do a research project, write a thesis, and defend it before a faculty honors committee.

All business majors share a common core of 30 hours of business classes from accounting, business administration, business law, decision sciences, finance, management, management and information systems, and marketing. International business majors take an additional 18 credits in upper-level international business electives.

International business includes a semester abroad in marketing or business administration. International business majors also may benefit from upper-level classes in geography, economics, history, and political science.

Many scholarships are available for business majors.

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Majors, Minors & Areas of Study

Cybersecurity

Cybercriminals are smart. You’re smarter.

For every advance in technology there’s a cybercriminal trying to manipulate it. Major in cybersecurity at the University of Mary Washington and you’ll harness the knowledge and skills to face down those shadowy threats, whether you’re defending government systems from intrusion, managing corporate network security, or analyzing and blocking malware. Here you’ll learn to shield the systems of today and develop the analytical skills to outfox malicious actors of the future.

Degree Awarded

Students majoring in cybersecurity who complete all requirements earn the degree of Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Computer Science.

Areas of Study

The bachelor’s degree program in cybersecurity offers an array of courses, including computer security, system administration, ethics, software security, penetration testing, networking, and more.

Career Opportunities

You can position yourself for a particular area of the cybersecurity job market, from managerial to software development. The major and minor include in-depth and hands-on exposure to several key areas of information/cybersecurity such as system/OS security, penetration testing, and software security, so you will obtain hands-on practical experience in these areas.

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Internships

Internships allow qualified students to earn academic credit, gain real-world experience, and boost their resumes by working at technical firms, government offices, or security firms. At UMW, you’ll find internship opportunities convenient to campus and in nearby Washington, D.C., and Richmond, Virginia. Our partnership with the Commonwealth Cyber Initiative provides students with access to exclusive internships and CCI’s Clearance Preparedness Program.

To earn honors in cybersecurity, students who meet GPA and course prerequisites may pursue individual study under the direction of an affiliated faculty member.

Major Requirements

UMW’s major in cybersecurity requires 44 credits, including a core program of cybersecurity coursework and courses in computer coding, cryptography, networks, and business law.

Minor Requirements

The cybersecurity minor requires 17 credits that include classes from computer science and the College of Business. You will take such courses as programming and problem solving, software development, ethics, network principles and applications, computer and information security, ethical hacking.

Cybersecurity majors can apply for several scholarships and awards.