Minor

July 28, 2015 by

Majors, Minors & Areas of Study

A beautiful language of millions

Major in Spanish at the University of Mary Washington, and the beautiful language of the Spanish-speaking world opens up to you. Explore the literatures and cultures of Spain and Latin America and take advantage of summer study in Bilbao, Spain. Combine your language and liberal arts knowledge in service learning or internships, or minor in business Spanish to prepare for a career without borders.

Degree Awarded

Students majoring in Spanish who complete all requirements earn the degree of Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in modern foreign languages.

Career Opportunities

Graduates in Spanish have pursued careers in interpreting, translating, research, social services, education, government agencies, the tourism industry, the Peace Corps, and international business. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that the demand for interpreters and translators will increase by more than 46 percent between 2012 and 2022, making this field one of the fastest-growing occupations.

See Career Paths

Internships

For-credit internships may be available to junior and senior Spanish majors. UMW Spanish majors have found internships in Washington, D.C., and with local agencies including Rappahannock Adult Education Programs, the Virginia Department of Health, Hugh Mercer Elementary School, Rappahannock Council Against Sexual Assault, Bragg Hill Family Life Center, Moss Free Clinic, and Rappahannock Legal Services. You may also complete an internship, volunteer, or participate in service learning in Spain or Latin America.

Students who have at least a 3.5 grade-point average in the Spanish major and a 3.0 GPA overall by the beginning of senior year can apply to complete and defend a research-based thesis for departmental honors. An undergraduate research grant, awarded through the Office of Academic Affairs, may be available for travel and other thesis-related expenses.

Major Requirements

The Spanish major requires 13 courses totaling 39 credits in language, literature, linguistics, and culture courses, plus a required experiential component.

Minor Requirements

A minor in Spanish requires 24 to 27 credits of Spanish classes.

A minor in business Spanish requires a total of 27 credits.

Eligible students can apply for scholarships to defray costs of faculty-led travel programs. Multiple awards are made each semester. A complete list of scholarship opportunities available at UMW can be found with the Office of Financial Aid.

July 28, 2015 by

Majors, Minors & Areas of Study

Open the doors to exploration.

From investigating the molecular genetics of microbes to observing the wildlife of the Galapagos Islands, the biology major at Mary Washington can meet you where your passions lie and pave the way to an exciting career. Our research-intensive program will prepare you to think like a scientist and creatively tackle tomorrow’s challenges in the life sciences.

Biology Degree Requirements

The biology major requires 40 credits, including five required courses, a required senior seminar, one course designated research-intensive, and one additional upper-level course with a laboratory component.

The minor in biology requires 22 credits in core and elective biology courses. You’ll take at least three 300- to 400-level biology courses, two with a laboratory component.

Get ready to dig in. The basics of the scientific method. A basis of molecular biology and ecology. Conservation biology and animal behavior. You’ll have the opportunity to learn it all in a close-knit class setting.

You’ll get hands-on learning with in-depth labs. Certified tissue culture hoods, thermal cyclers, spectrophotometers, and electron microscopes – our labs are full of top-notch tech in spaces designed to facilitate collaboration. Lab classes are capped at 24 students, so you’ll have plenty of room to go deeper into the topic at hand.

Our faculty are experts in their fields and engaged teachers in the classroom. They’re leading research on and off campus. Questions, interests, support – they’re here to guide you every step of the way.

Examine microbes. Recreate an ecosystem. Study the human genome. Our biology faculty offer research opportunities that allow you to further explore the subjects that interest you and get your feet wet in the field. This practical experience is another way to build your working knowledge, and you may even have the chance to publish and present your work as an undergraduate student.

What courses will I take?

You’ll choose from a wide variety of biology courses, including botany, chordate anatomy, plant ecology, animal ecology, entomology, histology, nutrition and metabolism, microbiology, vertebrate zoology, virology, and more.

See Course Offerings

How can I learn outside of class?

The Department of Biology prepares students for internships in the fields of research, medicine, zoology, botany, ecology, and beyond. Conduct independent research under faculty mentorship during the academic year and the Summer Science Institute. Present research at national and regional conferences. Combine that with exciting opportunities in museums in nearby Richmond, Virginia and Washington, D.C., and it’s easy to see why a future with a biology degree is boundless.

Find Internships

What can I do with a biology degree?

Biology graduates go on to work in research, health care, environmental conservation, biotechnology, forensic science, government and policy, science publishing, education, an other related fields. They’re working at places like National Institutes of Health, Quest Diagnostics, Pender Veterinary Centre, and other top employers. Many grads go on to pursue advanced degrees, opening the door to even more possibilities.

See Career Paths

July 28, 2015 by

Majors, Minors & Areas of Study

Music is essential to the human experience.

At the University of Mary Washington we believe that a vibrant musical community should be at the heart of a dynamic liberal arts institution. Major in music and you’ll engage your mind, body and senses – but the benefits don’t stop with you. You’ll share the gift of music whether through composition, education or performance. Go beyond core courses to discover what moves you most, then pursue it with passion. All the while you’ll gain the critical thinking and communications skills to prepare you for graduate study or a career in music right out of college.

Degree Awarded

Students majoring in music who complete all requirements earn the degree of Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in music.

Areas of Study

Music majors get a broad background through courses in a performance area, music theory, and music history. All music graduates earn a bachelor’s degree in music, and some choose to add education courses for teacher certification. To specialize, students need to plan and schedule courses carefully to include elective courses, independent study, and internships.

Career Opportunities

UMW music majors leave prepared for graduate study, performance, composition, research, production, sound engineering, and more. Graduates who include music education often teach in public schools.

See Career Paths

Internships

Music majors have the opportunity to complete internships under faculty supervision in music performance and music education.

Learn more about how to earn honors in music at the Honors Program page of the undergraduate catalog.

Students seeking a degree in music must complete courses in music theory, music history, and music performance. Placement in individual lessons and ensembles is based on audition, which all music majors must complete. Majors pursuing teaching certification must register with the College of Education and take music education classes.

The Department of Music offers many scholarships. In addition, the UMW Philharmonic has one of the largest and most progressive scholarship programs in the nation, and it offers generous scholarships to student members.