Starting the Fall 2024 semester, majors in actuarial and data science, climate studies, forensic science, and sustainability, as well as a master’s in chemistry, will be offered to incoming and current students at SUNY Brockport.
Actuarial & Data Science Major
The actuarial and data science major utilizes mathematics, statistics, and technology to understand, process, and visualize data. From insurance companies to tech giants, every industry relies on actuaries and data scientists to make informed data-based decisions that ultimately decide their trajectory.
Evolving from a track in the mathematics major, the program fully embraces a curriculum that teaches students to analyze data that affect businesses and transform communities. The program is tailored for students interested in a career as an actuary or in data science, a field that is expected to grow by 30% over the next 10 years.
Chemistry (MS)
Students can now continue studying chemistry at SUNY Brockport after earning their undergraduate degree. The program focuses on the chemical sciences – analytical, biochemistry, inorganic, organic, and physical studies. Students will gain hands-on learning with the instrumentation required for modern research in chemical applications.
Whether students are currently working or studying full-time, the master’s program offers two plans of study:
- A thesis-based program that incorporates original experimental research. This program is best suited for students interested in working for the government or private laboratories.
- A non-thesis-based program with a more flexible course of study. The program is ideal for full-time employed students and professionals who teach adolescence education. It requires independent literature-based research experience.
Climate Studies Major
Students earning a bachelor’s degree in climate studies will be at the forefront of a field trying to understand the intricacies of global climate change and what we can do to make a difference. With a recent study from Cambridge revealing that 39% of 13 to 19 year olds believe that climate change is the “single biggest issue facing the world today,” incoming prospective students are interested in solving the problems caused by climate change so we can have a brighter future.
Understanding the issues caused by climate change is only the first step. Knowing how to implement global fixes for those issues is another. The climate studies major combines the natural sciences and social sciences, focusing not only on understanding our planet’s climate, but how that information affects policy making.
Forensic Science Major
The forensic science major was created in response to Brockport’s student population and societies’ continued interest in forensic science and investigations. This interdisciplinary major consists of courses from six different departments: anthropology, biology, chemistry, criminal justice, math, and physics.
As emphasis on scientific data and evidence in investigations continues to grow, evidence processing “backlogs” are increasing throughout the country, and the need for graduates with a background in forensic science is growing. The program prepares students to join the field immediately after graduation or pursue a master’s degree through a rigorous curriculum that emphasizes laboratory experience and knowledge in our justice system.
Sustainability Major
The sustainability major examines the multitude of systems that impact sustainability, including the environment, economics, and politics. Higher-level courses focus on how to take those concepts and apply them to designing and planning solutions to systemic issues that plague our planet.
This interdisciplinary program consists of courses from six different departments: anthropology, business administration, earth sciences, environmental science, history, and sociology. From government policy makers to corporations seeking sustainable alternatives, the importance of making changes now to create a better future is at the forefront of decision making.
Accelerated Education Degrees
Accelerated programs are designed for current undergraduate majors with intent to matriculate into a master’s program. Students can earn graduate credits during their last two undergraduate semesters.
The new accelerated education programs ease the transition for students majoring in a field of science and plan to pursue a career in teaching. Four new accelerated programs are now available for current SUNY Brockport students:
•BS in Biology – MSEd in Biology Education Inclusive Generalist (5-12)
•BS in Chemistry – MSEd in Chemistry Education Inclusive Generalist (5-12)
•BS in Earth Science – MSEd in Earth Science Education Inclusive Generalist (5-12)
•BS in Physics – MSEd in Physics Education Inclusive Generalist
Provided information and photo
