By: Mario Estiverne
Incoming Adelphi students, as well as those who are undecided, now have the opportunity to explore four new majors: a Bachelor of Arts in Ethics and Public Policy, Bachelor of Science in Statistics, Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science, and Bachelor of Science in Anthropology. All four were introduced in fall 2019, and currently enrollment is open for students to take advantage of them.
“The BA in Ethics and Public Policy provides students with an interdisciplinary course of study that combines the strengths of Adelphi departments of philosophy, political science and economics,” said Shawn Kaplan, PhD, associate professor and philosophy department chair and director of the Ethics and Public Policy program at Adelphi.
Students will also gain a balanced foundation in theories of ethics and justice from philosophy and political theory, policy issues and debates from political science and analytical tools from economics.
The Bachelor of Science in Statistics program is one of a kind on Long Island, according to Josh P. Hiller, PhD, assistant professor of mathematics and computer science. “It is an industry-focused, data-centric, educational program which allows students to study and solve real-world problems from their first day at Adelphi.”
When solving problems and other tasks, most people use clues and other forms of investigation to gain the information they require; using numbers and other forms of data is also another use when solving real world problems. “This major will give students the skills and hands-on training to launch a rewarding career in virtually any industry, from business and finance to government and logistics,” Hiller said.
The Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science lets students dive into ways they can aid our environment. To be more critical, students would be speculating on ways to help reduce the suffering of our dying planet, the rise of sea levels and the strangely warm winter.
As was first reported in AU News, there is a growing need for environmental scientists, specialists and policy makers who can devise solutions to critical environmental issues such as climate change, environmental degradation and sustainability. Adelphi’s new Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science program will give students the knowledge and training to address even the most critical environmental challenges.
One of these students is Chani Lieu, a sophomore who was originally a nursing major, but said she discovered a strong passion for learning about the environment, particularly after she attended the climate change strike in the city last fall.
“This inspired me to change my major to environmental science,” she said. "There is a wide variety of classes I could take such as marine life or sustainability. The faculty and the counselors are always there to help. They gave a lot of opportunities, like a research job and it was given before I officially switched over to the major, so there are always ways to be engaged. I like that in environmental studies, there is an accelerated program. I could get my master’s degree in five years instead of six, and the major is more hands-on. You just need to put yourself out there in order to get the experience.”
Bryan T. Wygal, PhD, director of environmental studies and sciences at Adelphi and associate professor of anthropology, said that with the additional input specifically designed with maximum flexibility, this interdisciplinary degree offers a solid foundation for future policy makers, earth scientists, resource managers and community leaders interested in taking immediate action on issues of global climate change and sustainability.
The Bachelor of Science in Anthropology program will prepare students to tackle the most urgent challenges of the 21st century, from globalization, nationalization, racism, inequality and unequal access to resources. Students will learn how to conduct research in both the laboratory and out in the field, gaining an understanding of scientific methods as well as quantitative and qualitative analysis.
Most people will compare anthropology to paleontology. Paleontology is a study of dinosaur bones or to be exact, life prior to human life. Anthropology is the study of the human and not just human bones but, everything about us.
“The BS in Anthropology degree is truly interdisciplinary, as it incorporates the study of cultures along with the scientific method to address some of humanity’s most pressing problems,” said Hanna Kim, PhD, chair and associate professor of anthropology. “This new degree is specifically designed with flexibility in mind for the student who has many interests and is considering different career paths, including medicine and nursing. Classes from a wide range of natural sciences, including biology, chemistry, environmental science, and math and computer sciences may be applied toward the BS in Anthropology.”
With the four new majors laid out, the decision for what the student will pick is entirely up to them. Each will grant students a new understanding of what they are aiming to learn and what they hope to receive at the end of their learning experience.