STEM Viewbook 2021

HIGH-TECH N I H E T HI G Y R T N O U C

A Guide to STEM Degrees at Western

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Discover Western Western Colorado University delivers career preparation, engineering, computer and other sciences as well as a liberal arts curriculum to 3,200 intellectually adventurous students in the heart of the Rocky Mountains.

Our university’s small size, unique setting and low cost ensure students receive personalized attention, gain hands-on experience and graduate without taking on excessive debt.

Gunnison, Colorado Western is nestled in gorgeous Gunnison, the “Base Camp of the Rocky Mountains.” Known for its friendly, small-town atmosphere, Gunnison’s population strikes a unique balance between intellect and adventure, as there is no shortage of Ph.D.s, public land and bright young minds in the area.

Fort Collins Boulder

Grand Junction

Montrose

Greeley Denver

Colorado Springs

Gunnison

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STEM at Western Though Western’s academic roots are in the arts and humanities, we bring the same curiosity and problem-solving orientation to our technical fields as well.

Employers tell us they’re looking for engineers, computer scientists and technology professionals who can do more than execute and program; they’re looking for thinkers and leaders who analyze critically, write well and have both the hard and soft skills needed to succeed in fast-changing industries.

Western’s diverse curriculum prepares you to do just that.

average student class size

100%

of students considered for merit aid

80%

of students receive aid

50+

student-run organizations Explore them all at western.edu/clubs

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Find Your Fit Undergraduate Programs Choose from 10 STEM majors, minors and programs.

Pg. 4 Pg. 4 Pg. 5 Pg. 5 Pg. 6 Pg. 6 Pg. 7 Pg. 9

Applied Physics/Pre-Engineering (Emphasis & Minor) Geology (Emphasis & Minor) Physics (Minor) Exercise & Sport Science (Emphasis & Minor) Chemistry (Emphasis & Minor) Biology (Emphasis & Minor) Pre-Medicine (Advising Program) Computer Science – CU Boulder Partnership Program (Emphasis) Pg. 9 Mechanical Engineering – CU Boulder Partnership Program (Emphasis) Pg. 10 Computer Science (Emphasis & Minor) Pg. 10 Math (Emphasis & Minor) Pg. 12 Accelerated Degree Programs

Pg. 13 M.S. in Ecology Pg. 13 Master in Environmental Management Pg. 13 M.S. in Exercise & Sport Science, High Altitude Exercise Physiology

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Graduate Degrees

Applied Physics/ Pre-Engineering Through the applied physics major, you’ll learn about the nature of the universe from energy and matter to motion and space. Students do hands-on work in cutting-edge laboratory settings to understand the relevance of these laws and theories in a practical sense and consider how to implement them into your future projects as an engineer.

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

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 • General Geology • Geoarchaeology • Petroleum Geology • Secondary Licensure

Learn More David Marchetti, Ph.D., Professor of Geology dmarchetti@western.edu | 970.943.2367 western.edu/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 John Mason, Ph.D., Professor of Physics jmason@western.edu | 970.943.2142

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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) • Pre-Physical Therapy • Sport & Fitness Management • Sport Psychology (Minor)

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

Greg Smith

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

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

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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

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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

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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 Our 75,000-square-foot building offers versatile teaching and lab space - 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 uses 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.

This allows them to earn a degree from CU Boulder’s College of Engineering & Applied Science 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 16 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 Flynn Guerrieri, Regional Director of STEM Recruitment fguerrieri@western.edu | 970.975.3048 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

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• 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.

• Information Security • Scientific Computing • 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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Estimated Cost of Attendance 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)

$4,790

$4,790

Required Fees

$3,847

$3,847

Optional Fees

$250

$250

Indirect Costs**

$4,450

$4,450

Years 1 and 2 Total

$50,706

$74,274

CU Boulder (Year 3, 4)

In-State

Out-of-State

$14,344*

$39,638

$160

$160

Western Mandatory Fees

$3,847

$3,847

Off-Campus Living Estimate

$11,850

$11,850

Indirect Costs**

$4,450

$4,450

Years 3 and 4 Total

$69,302

$119,890

CU Boulder Tuition

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CU Boulder Mandatory Fees

*Reflects that the College Opportunity Fund (COF) stipend has been applied. Register for COF at cof.college-assist.org. Visit western.edu/finaid for more information. Total In-State tuition without COF is $9,636. **Includes estimated books, supplies, transportation and miscellaneous expenses

Estimated Four-Year Total for In-State Students: $118,704.80 Estimated Four-Year Total for Out-of-State Students: $192,860.80

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 2021-22, 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.

WUE CP

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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/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/mem3plus2

Learn More Brianna Gilbreath, Program Facilitator bgilbreath@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/haep

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 Jonathan Coop, Ph.D., Professor of Environment & Sustainability (jcoop@western.edu | 970.943.2565

Katie Lyons

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 Melanie Armstrong, Ph.D., Interim Dean Clark Family School of Environment & Sustainability marmstrong@western.edu | 970.943.2233 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 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 WESTERN.EDU

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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.

2021-22 Preview Days Sat., Sept. 18, 2021

Fri., Oct. 29, 2021

Fri., March 4, 2022

Sat., March 26, 2022

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 western.edu/admissions-aid admissions@western.edu | 970.943.2119 Flynn Guerrieri, Regional Director of STEM Recruitment and Promotions fguerrieri@western.edu | 970.975.3048

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