STEM Viewbook 2020

High Tech in the High Country A Guide to STEM Degrees at Western

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Geology Head out into the Gunnison Valley to apply what you’ve learned in the classroom or sit down at one of 20 workstations in the Scientific Computer Lab and Geology Research Lab. Both boast interactive instruction and the most up-to-date industry software and data sets.

• Environmental Geology • Geoarchaeology • Petroleum Geology • Secondary Licensure

Learn More David Marchetti, Ph.D., Professor of Geology dmarchetti@western.edu | 970.943.2367 western.edu/geology

Petroleum Geology Interested in a career as a geoscientist in the oil and gas industry or working in resource assessment and energy policy? Petroleum Geology students visit nearby oil and gas fields, study stunning geologic formations minutes from campus and work one-on-one with professors on independent research projects.

Learn More Elizabeth Petrie, Ph.D., Moncrief Chair in Petroleum Geology epetrie@western.edu | 970.943.2117 Brad Burton, Ph.D., Rady Chair in Petroleum Geology bburton@western.edu | 970.943.2252 western.edu/petroleum-geology

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Physics Earn credits in labs while working closely with peers and professors. Explore your many options of designing your own independent study or work alongside faculty on research projects. You can even build a Mars Rover-like robot for NASA’s Colorado Space Grant Consortium Robotics Challenge, or study at the Gunnison Valley Observatory and peer through the reflector telescope.

Learn More Suzanne Taylor, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Physics mstaylor@western.edu | 970.943.2155

Emma Brophy

western.edu/physics

Exercise & Sport Science Develop skills that promote healthy lifestyles and enhance human performance while preparing for careers in athletic training, physical education and wellness coaching—all at 7,703 feet above sea level. Graduates pursue careers in teaching, fitness, sport and wellness in addition to professional certifications and graduate degrees in physical therapy, exercise physiology, cardiac rehabilitation and other allied health fields.

• Clinical Exercise Science • Health & Fitness • K-12 Licensure, PE (minor) • Sport & Fitness Management • Sport Psychology (minor)

Learn More Lance Dalleck, Ph.D., Professor of Exercise & Sport Science ldalleck@western.edu | 970.943.3095

Randall Gee

western.edu/ess

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Chemistry Life is essentially a complicated system of interrelated chemical processes. A Chemistry degree is the pathway to an incredible range of careers, from pharmaceuticals to food science. Run labs, attend a variety of professional conferences and conduct grant-funded research in this major. You can even help put on the annual chemical “magic show” for local elementary students.

• Biochemistry

• Secondary Licensure

• General Chemistry

Learn More Anne Ryter, Ph.D., Professor of Chemistry aryter@western.edu | 970.943.7098 western.edu/chemistry

Biochemistry Learn More Chris Lee, Ph.D., Professor of Biochemistry clee@western.edu | 970.943.2256 western.edu/biochem

Biology Conduct grant-funded research, see it published in peerreviewed journals and present your findings at professional conferences. Our Thornton Biology Research Program ensures you’ll gain plenty of time in the lab and the field. Interested in the environmental side of things? Join Tri-Beta and the Wildlife Society for opportunities such as lynx tracking with government agencies.

• Cell & Molecular Biology

• Pre-Nursing

• Environmental Biology • Pre-Physical Therapy & Ecology • Secondary Licensure • General Biology

• Wildlife & Conservation Biology

Learn More Robin A. Bingham, Ph.D., Professor of Biology rbingham@western.edu | 970.943.3355 western.edu/biology 6

Pre-Medicine Advising Program In the last decade, 89% of Western students who applied for a health care-related professional program were accepted.

These high acceptance rates into competitive schools can be credited to the hard work of our students, the support provided by our dedicated faculty and Western’s commitment to success.

We help students maintain an edge by offering early exposure to health care fields, an abundance of research opportunities and a variety of high-quality courses.

Early Acceptance to Medical School

Randall Gee

Western and Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine (RVU) offer an exclusive Early Acceptance Program, granting provisional medical school acceptance for Western students.

That means you get to skip the MCAT and get into medical school early.

How It Works Western conducts a preliminary round of interviews and sends letters of evaluation to RVU for final decisions. Up to five Western students may be accepted a year.

Once accepted, students are assigned an RVU student mentor and visit campus, sitting in on classes and taking a study skills assessment. Students also have the option of participating in RVU medical service trips and other community service opportunities.

Learn more at western.edu/rvu.

Learn More Emily McMahill, Pharm.D., Ferchau Lecturer in Biology emcmahill@western.edu | 970.943.2311

Randall Gee

western.edu/medicine

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Paul M. Rady School of Computer Science & Engineering The Paul M. Rady School of Computer Science & Engineering houses Western’s Mathematics and Computer Science programs, as well as Computer Science and Mechanical Engineering programs offered in partnership with the University of Colorado Boulder.

Established in 2018 with a generous $80 million gift from CEO of Antero Resources Paul Rady ’78, the school aims to provide the ever-growing technology industry with wellrounded professionals.

High-Tech Gateway Slated to open this year, the 75,000-square-foot building will offer versatile teaching and lab spaces—including advanced instrumentation rooms, two large theater-style classrooms, and indoor and outdoor spaces designed to promote collaboration. Built to the LEED architectural standard, the building will use both passive solar and geothermal energy for heating and cooling.

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Partnership Programs Earn a Prestigious CU Boulder Degree Earn a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science or Mechanical Engineering from CU Boulder’s College of Engineering & Applied Science—all on Western’s campus.

Students in these partnership programs complete their first two years as Western students and the balance of their education as CU Boulder students, all while remaining on the Western campus in Gunnison.

Mesa Properties

This allows them to earn a degree from CU Boulder’s College of Engineering & Applied Science—ranked No. 17 among undergraduate public engineering schools—while saving money and avoiding large lecture courses.

This pathway is perfect for students who prefer studying in smaller settings—Western’s average class size is just 17 students. It’s also a great fit for students looking for easy access to the outdoors to ski, mountain bike, climb, kayak, fish, backpack and more.

Students in the program benefit from a special academic advisor, housing and access to CU Boulder’s career services platform in addition to Western’s.

Learn More Hannah Montoya, STEM Recruiter hmontoya@western.edu | 970.975.1476 western.edu/mechanicalengineering western.edu/computersciencepartnership

Rady Merit Scholarship This is a two-year, full-tuition Western scholarship; it is not stackable with Western’s merit scholarship or tuition discount programs. Students are eligible if they: • Declare a major in the Computer Science or Mechanical Engineering partnership programs • Have a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher

Katy Mooney

• Are eligible for Math 151 - Calculus 1 (via placement tests, credit transfer or a Math ACT/SAT score of 27/630)

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Computer Science With data pouring in from social media, cellphones, smart speakers and the explosion of “internet of things” devices, there has never been a better time to be a computer scientist.

Each track within the Computer Science program is built on a core of programming in current languages while focusing on skills such as database management, GUI design, web development and software engineering.

• Data Science • Information Security • Software Engineering • Web Design & Development (minor)

Learn More Daniel L. Schuster, Ph.D., Professor of Computer Science, Mathematics dschuster@western.edu | 970.943.2999 western.edu/computerscience

Mathematics In a world saturated with big data, the ability to create meaning out of this information is increasingly relevant and desired in business, finance, engineering, medicine and the sciences. A major or minor in mathematics complements any degree that uses the scientific process.

• Standard Major • Actuarial Science • Secondary Licensure • Data Analytics (minor)

Learn More Jeremy Muskat, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Mathematics jmuskat@western.edu | 970.943.3150 western.edu/math

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Cost of Attendance First two years at Western costs; second two years at CU Boulder costs.

Western (Year 1, 2)

In-State

Out-of-State

Tuition

$6,816*

$18,600

Double Room

$5,200

$5,200

Board (15-Meal/ Week Plan)

$4,674

$4,674

Required Fees

$3,829.70

$3,829.70

Optional Fees

$250

$250

Indirect Costs**

$4,405

$4,405

$25,174.70

$36,958.70

CU Boulder (Year 3, 4)

In-State

Out-of-State

CU Boulder Tuition

$14,184*

$39,638

$1,738

$1,738

$250

$250

Off-Campus Living Estimate

$11,439

$11,439

Indirect Costs**

$3,756

$3,756

Cost Per Year

$28,531

$53,985

Total Annual Cost

CU Boulder Mandatory Fees

Carley Clegg

Western Optional Fees

*Reflects that the College Opportunity Fund (COF) stipend has been applied. Register for COP at cof.college-assist.org. Visit western.edu/finaid for more information. **Includes estimated books, supplies, transportation and miscellaneous expenses

Estimated Four-Year Total for In-State Students: $107,411.40 Estimated Four-Year Total for Out-of-State Students: $181,887.40

Discount Programs Under the Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) and Central Plains (CP) programs, students from certain states pay just 150% of Western’s total in-state tuition. For 2020-21, the discount is valued at $4,146.

Students from neighboring states who demonstrate financial need are considered for an extra $1,000 per-year-grant, assessed annually. Students eligible for the WUE program at Western only pay 150% of CU Boulder’s total in-state tuition once they transfer, a benefit available only through this partnership.

Neighboring States

Randall Gee

WUE

WUE

CP

Neighboring States

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Accelerated Degree Programs Accelerate your education, accelerate your career. Western offers a multitude of accelerated degrees, allowing you to earn your bachelor’s and master’s degrees in just five years—saving you time and money. Pursuing this path gets you out into the workforce and gives you a head start on career success.

Each accelerated “3+2” program functions a bit differently, but in general, you spend the first three years taking undergraduate courses and the last two taking graduate courses. After the fourth year, you earn your bachelor’s. After the fifth year, you earn your master’s.

3+2 Ecology • B.S. in Biology or B.A. in Environment & Sustainability • M.S. in Ecology western.edu/academics/undergraduate/ecology3plus2

3+2 MEM • B.S. in Biology or B.A. in Business Administration, Environment & Sustainability, History, Politics & Government, Psychology, Recreation & Outdoor Education or Sociology • Master in Environmental Management western.edu/academics/undergraduate/mem3plus2

Learn More Mandy Casteel-Denney, Office Facilitator mem@western.edu | 970.943.2248

3+2 HAEP • B.S in Biology or Exercise & Sport Science • M.S. in Exercise & Sport Science, High Altitude Exercise Physiology western.edu/academics/undergraduate/haep3plus2

Learn More Terri Stinson, Administrative Assistant tstinson@western.edu | 970.943.3450

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Graduate Programs Master of Science in Ecology The M.S. in Ecology provides contemporary scientific training to address pressing questions in the ecology, conservation and management of the Earth’s biota, landscapes and ecosystems.

• Ecology and Conservation • Fisheries & Wildlife Management

Learn More Jennie Demarco, Ph.D., Lecturer in Environment & Sustainability jdemarco@western.edu | 970.943.2013

Emma Brophy

western.edu/ecology

Master in Environmental Management (MEM) Western’s MEM program, on a campus surrounded by a living laboratory in the heart of the Rockies, offers interdisciplinary training for building environmental and community resilience.

• Global Sustainability • Integrative & Public Land Management • Sustainable & Resilient Communities

Learn More John Hausdoerffer, Ph.D., Dean, School of Environment & Sustainability jhausdoerffer@western.edu | 970.943.3450 western.edu/mem

Master of Science in Exercise & Sport Science, High Altitude Exercise Physiology (HAEP) The HAEP program aims to examine how the human body functions physiologically, both acutely and chronically, in extreme environments, including Western’s High Altitude Performance Laboratory.

Learn More Carley Clegg

Terri Stinson, Administrative Assistant tstinson@western.edu | 970.943.3450 western.edu/haep

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Visit & Apply Visit Campus Attend a Preview Day to get a taste of the Mountaineer life!

You’ll connect with current students, meet with professors, explore campus and more. We even offer free lodging, while supplies last.

Find the details at western.edu/preview.

2020-21 Preview Days Fri., Oct. 9, 2020

Sat., Nov. 14, 2020

Fri., March 5, 2021

Sat., March 27, 2021

Look for information on Transfer Day and Women at Western Weekend at western.edu/visit.

Can’t Make a Preview Day? Visit us for a campus tour and the opportunity to meet with a professor. Tours run Monday-Friday at 10:30 a.m. and by appointment on Saturdays. You can also take a virtual tour of campus at western.edu/visit.

Ready to Apply?

Visit western.edu/apply to get started.

Campus Visits western.edu/visit | visit@western.edu | 970.943.7083 Admissions go.western.edu | admissions@western.edu | 970.943.2119

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Delaney Adrian

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2020-21