Explore Academics@Bluffton session descriptions
Below are the student choice session descriptions for the Explore Academics @ Bluffton visit day on Dec. 3, 2012.
9 a.m. sessions
Class: General Inorganic Chemistry
This is the first course in the year-long “freshman chemistry” sequence for science
majors and students pursuing medicine and other health-related fields. Topics include
chemical formulas and equations, stoichiometry, energy, atomic structure, periodicity,
bonding and properties of solids, liquids, gases and solutions.
Class: Organic Chemistry 1
This class covers the reactions of organic chemicals. This is a precursor class to
biochemistry and pharmaceutical chemistry.
Class: Genetics
This class covers the molecular basis of genetics and the statistics of genetics.
Let's Talk Math
Meet math faculty and students and take an in-depth look at the department and mathematical
career options. Parents should plan to attend this session.
Let’s Talk Social Work
Meet faculty and students involved in the social work department and take an in-depth
look at the major and social work careers.
Let’s Talk Psychology
Meet faculty and students in the psychology department and take an in-depth look at
the major and careers in psychology.
Let’s Talk Criminal Justice
Meet faculty and students involved in the criminal justice department and take an
in-depth look at the major and careers in the criminal justice field.
Let’s Talk Public Health
Meet faculty and students involved in the public health department and take an in-depth
look at the major and careers in the public health field.
Campus Tour
A one-hour student-guided campus tour.
10 a.m. sessions
Class: Social Welfare Policy and Analysis
The focus of this course is on evaluation and critical analysis of social welfare
policies, programs and services. Students are introduced to a framework for analyzing
social needs and social problems and methods of service delivery.
Class: Introduction to Psychology
This class session will focus on therapy, including practical applications of ideas from within the field of psychology and how we can use them to help clients.
Class: Medical Nutrition Therapy
Join senior dietetics majors where they are learning about medical conditions and ways to treat them with an individually tailored nutrition care plan and diet.
Spotlight on the Mathematical Sciences: Problem solving and professor-student research
See highlights from recent Bluffton math seminars, explore mathematical problem-solving, independent studies and research projects at Bluffton. Geared for a general audience. Parents are welcome to attend this session.
Let’s Talk Science This session is for students and parents to meet our science professors and learn about our Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Pre-Medicine and Pre-Engineering programs. We will discuss the merits of the programs and also discuss career possibilities, med-school acceptance rates, etc.
Campus Tour
A one-hour student-guided campus tour.
11 a.m. sessions
Class: Introduction to Social Work
This course introduces social work as a professional endeavor and the service programs and policies of formally organized agencies and institutions in which social workers work. Students are challenged to examine their own value commitment to working with people and striving for social reform, whether as a social work professional or public citizen.
Class: General Statistics
This course covers the study of applied statistics for economics, business and social, behavioral or natural sciences.
Class: Food Science
This course focuses on the applied science devoted to the study of food. Students study the nature of foods and how the physical sciences are used for food processing and improvement of foods for the consuming public.
Class: Operations Research
Recommended for students interested in mathematics, you will learn to apply matrices and Markov chains to “MiniMono” – a miniature version of Monopoly.
Class: Computer Programming
Learn how to “think like a computer” and to translate human problem-solving approaches into a computer program.
Class: Physical Chemistry/Modern Physics
During this class session we will discuss experiments with radioactivity.
Campus Tour
A one-hour student-guided campus tour.
2 p.m. sessions
Let's Talk Dietetics
Learn more from faculty and students involved in the dietetics department and take an in-depth look at the major and careers in the dietetics field.
Math Discussion
Follow-up with faculty and students for a time of refreshments, informal discussions and questions.
Science Research Discussion
This session will describe the research collaborations between students and professors and will focus on an ongoing project to measure radon gas in homes in the Bluffton area.
Social & Behavioral Science Faculty Research
Faculty from the social and behavioral science division will provide brief presentations of current research interests
Campus Tour
A one-hour student-guided tour campus tour.
3 p.m. sessions
Class: Introduction to Politics
This course covers the scope and methods of the study of political science and examines the basic concepts and theories in the discipline. The course is intended to help develop the critical ability to analyze and evaluate political issues and questions.
Social & Behavioral Science Student Discussion
Students from the social and behavioral science division will discuss campus, classes, internships and programs.
Natural Science Discussion
Join us for an informal discussion and refreshments with biology, chemistry, physics, pre-medicine and pre-engineering faculty.
Career Services
Join Kathy Dickson, Career Development Center director, for an introduction to services offered through the center. You will learn how this office works with students and alumni to prepare for their careers. This session will last approximately 30 minutes.
Campus Tour
A one-hour student-guided campus tour.
3:30 p.m. session
Teacher Education and Licensure
Thinking about teaching high school in your area of academic interest? Faculty from
Bluffton's education department will present information for students interested in
pursuing a teaching career. Learn more about our nationally-accredited teacher education
program. This session will last approximately 30 minutes.