Multiple Departments, One Minor
Departments join together to form new minors on campus
Issue date: 10/28/09 Section: News
By Ashley Bowles
Rotunda Reporter
All over campus, department walls are being torn down. New and existing interdisciplinary minors are offered by a variety of different departments.
For those students who are interested in the environment, the Environmental Studies minor is offered for only 24 credit hours. The classes come from all walks of science including biology, geology, hydrology and atmospheric sciences. This minor is a product of the Biology Department, but it requires classes in chemistry, economics, and earth science. Department Head of Biological and Environmental Sciences Dr. Joseph Garci said the program is at least 11 years old, but underwent significant change eight years ago. "Biology, chemistry, physics, anthropology and journalism are some of the majors that choose the environmental studies minor program," said Garcia. He also mentioned that the minor was a good choice for those who want to enhance "their major field of study with a better understanding of their environment."
The Homeland Security Program is an 18-credit minor with a variety of classes involving multiple departments. The required classes range from geography, political science, communications, computer information management systems (CIMS), economics, psychology, and sociology. Classes for the minor began in 2006 in the Cook-Cole College of Arts and Sciences but moved to the Department of Sociology, Anthropology, and Criminal Justice Studies in 2008 where Director of Criminal Justice and Homeland Security Programs Dr. John Barbrey became the new director. With growing interest in homeland security throughout the nation, Barbrey said, "It has been suggested that our minor could be expanded into an independent, four-year bachelor program, or a certificate program. To do so would require a considerable investment… which current budget realities do not currently allow." Students majoring in history, criminal justice, sociology, and political science would find this minor beneficial, as would students majoring in Modern Languages or one of the sciences.
Rotunda Reporter
All over campus, department walls are being torn down. New and existing interdisciplinary minors are offered by a variety of different departments.
For those students who are interested in the environment, the Environmental Studies minor is offered for only 24 credit hours. The classes come from all walks of science including biology, geology, hydrology and atmospheric sciences. This minor is a product of the Biology Department, but it requires classes in chemistry, economics, and earth science. Department Head of Biological and Environmental Sciences Dr. Joseph Garci said the program is at least 11 years old, but underwent significant change eight years ago. "Biology, chemistry, physics, anthropology and journalism are some of the majors that choose the environmental studies minor program," said Garcia. He also mentioned that the minor was a good choice for those who want to enhance "their major field of study with a better understanding of their environment."
The Homeland Security Program is an 18-credit minor with a variety of classes involving multiple departments. The required classes range from geography, political science, communications, computer information management systems (CIMS), economics, psychology, and sociology. Classes for the minor began in 2006 in the Cook-Cole College of Arts and Sciences but moved to the Department of Sociology, Anthropology, and Criminal Justice Studies in 2008 where Director of Criminal Justice and Homeland Security Programs Dr. John Barbrey became the new director. With growing interest in homeland security throughout the nation, Barbrey said, "It has been suggested that our minor could be expanded into an independent, four-year bachelor program, or a certificate program. To do so would require a considerable investment… which current budget realities do not currently allow." Students majoring in history, criminal justice, sociology, and political science would find this minor beneficial, as would students majoring in Modern Languages or one of the sciences.
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