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STEM

STEM

Science, Technology, Engineering and Math at Western

Whether you’re a future doctor, engineer or ecologist, Western’s STEM programs will provide you with the skills and resources you need to succeed in any career. Our hands-on programs conducted in our backyard laboratory in the Rocky Mountains will provide you with unique educational opportunities and set you up for a fulfilling, lucrative career in dozens of professional fields.

Overview

Small class sizes to help you learn; big opportunities to help you grow.

Though Western prides itself on providing over 100 years of liberal arts education, we bring the same curiosity and creativity to our STEM fields. Our students are innovative problem-solvers who don’t just want to memorize facts; they want to put their knowledge to test in the field and contribute meaningful work that has long-lasting impact both during and beyond their undergraduate years. With a 16:1 student to faculty ratio, our small class sizes provide a safe space to ask individual questions, learn from mistakes, and get one-on-one guidance from faculty mentors for career and graduate school preparation.

No matter the area of study, our programs foster an eagerness to learn and help our students develop their inherent academic strengths to become well-rounded, analytical and resourceful scientists.

Practical learning

Many of Western’s STEM programs have a strong focus on lab work so students can turn theoretical knowledge into hands-on understanding.

A cutting-edge partnership

Founded through a generous $80 million donation from Western alumnus Paul M. Rady, the Paul M. Rady School of Computer Science & Engineering offers two programs made possible through a collaborative effort with the University of Colorado Boulder. Students in the partnership programs spend their first two years as Western students and then transition into CU Boulder’s College of Engineering & Applied Science where they will earn their degree, all while remaining on Western’s campus. Students in these programs enjoy small class sizes, one-on-one attention from faculty and access to state-of-the-art lab equipment in the newly constructed, 75,000 square foot Rady Building. Eligible students can apply for a full-tuition scholarship for their first two years in the partnership program to offset costs lessen student debt upon graduation.

Access to industry technology

Opened in 2021, Western’s Paul M. Rady School of Computer Science & Engineering provides lab spaces with the most up-to-date software and engineering equipment.

Areas of Study

actuarial science

Actuarial Science

Emphasis

Actuarial Science
Anthropology degree program, table with bones displayed

Anthropology

Major | Minor

Anthropology
Teacher writing on whiteboard for students in class

Applied Physics/Pre-Engineering

Major

Applied Physics/Pre-Engineering
Girl student examining her work in the lab

Biochemistry

Emphasis

Biochemistry
STEM

Biology

Major | Minor | Secondary Licensure

Biology
A student looks through a microscope during a Biology lab.

Cell & Molecular Biology

Emphasis

Cell & Molecular Biology
Chemistry

Chemistry

Major | Minor | Secondary Licensure

Chemistry
Clinical Exercise Science

Clinical Exercise Science

Emphasis

Clinical Exercise Science
Computer science

Computer Science

Major | Minor

Computer Science
Computer science

Computer Science – University of Colorado Partnership

Major

Computer Science – University of Colorado Partnership
Girl sitting on ground typing on laptop

Data Analytics

Minor

Data Analytics
Environmental Biology Ecology

Environmental Biology & Ecology

Emphasis

Environmental Biology & Ecology
Geology

Environmental Geology

Emphasis

Environmental Geology
Environmental Science

Environmental Science

Minor

Environmental Science
Exercise sport science

Exercise & Sport Science

Major | Minor | K-12 Licensure

Exercise & Sport Science
STEM

Fisheries & Aquatic Ecology

Emphasis

Fisheries & Aquatic Ecology
NEW
Geoarchaeology

Geoarchaeology

Emphasis

Geoarchaeology
Geology

Geology

Major | Minor | Secondary Licensure

Geology
STEM

Health & Fitness

Emphasis

Health & Fitness
Information Security

Information Security

Emphasis

Information Security
STEM

M.S. in Ecology 3+2

Accelerated Degree Programs

M.S. in Ecology 3+2
STEM

M.S. in Exercise & Sport Science: High Altitude Exercise Physiology (HAEP) 3+2

Accelerated Degree Programs

M.S. in Exercise & Sport Science: High Altitude Exercise Physiology (HAEP) 3+2
Mathematics

Mathematics

Major | Minor | Secondary Licensure

Mathematics
Woman wearing glasses writing math equations on glass

Mechanical Engineering – University of Colorado Partnership

Major

Mechanical Engineering – University of Colorado Partnership
A student harvests vegetables from the Chipeta Garden.

Nutrition Science

Major | Minor

Nutrition Science
Petroleum Geology

Petroleum Geology

Emphasis

Petroleum Geology
Physics

Physics

Minor

Physics
Pre-nursing

Pre-Health Advising

Advising Program

Pre-Health Advising
Pre-Nursing

Pre-Nursing

Emphasis

Pre-Nursing
Pre-Physical Therapy

Pre-Physical Therapy

Emphasis

Pre-Physical Therapy
A group of students at the psychology club table pose for a photo together.

Psychology

Major | Minor

Psychology
STEM

Scientific Computing

Emphasis

Scientific Computing
A student codes on his laptop to program a robotic arm next to him.

Software Engineering

Emphasis

Software Engineering
Web design

Web Design & Development – Computer Science

Minor

Web Design & Development – Computer Science
STEM

Wildlife & Conservation Biology

Emphasis

Wildlife & Conservation Biology

Scholarships

Eligibility

GPA Award amount per year (In-State) Award amount per year (Out-of-State)
3.50-3.749 $3,500 $9,000
3.75-3.999 $5,000 $10,500
4.0 $6,500 $12,000
  • Accepted to Western by January 31, 2023
  • Declared major in the Computer Science or Mechanical Engineering partnership programs by March 31, 2023
  • Eligible for MATH 151-Calculus 1 (via ACT math score of 27 or above, SAT math score of 630 or above, ALEKS test score of 76 or above, or applicable AP/IB/Concurrent Enrollment credit) by July 1, 2023

Renewal Criteria

  • Remain in the partnership program
  • Maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better
  • Earn grades of “B-” or higher in a two-course, college-level sequence in calculus (MATH 151, MATH 251, MATH 252)
  • Earn grades of “B-” or higher in one college-level physical science course (PHYS 200, PHYS 201, CHEM 111+112, CHEM 121)

Description

The Rady Merit Scholarship can be awarded for a maximum of 6 semesters, while the student is considered a full-time Western student (enrolled in 12 credits or more) and Western is processing the student’s financial aid. The number of scholarships awarded is based on fund availability.

Get In Touch

Flynn Guerrieri, our Regional Director of STEM Recruitment and Promotions, is happy to answer any questions you have about our STEM offerings, scholarship opportunities, ways to visit campus, how to set up a one-on-one meeting with faculty and more! Email fguerrieri@western.edu or click the link below to set up a virtual counselor meeting.

Schedule a virtual meeting

Take the Next Step

Apply to
Western

Apply to
Western

We understand that applying to a university can be daunting, which is why we make our admission process as simple and straightforward as possible. Learn more about applying to your program of choice at Western.

Visit
Western

Visit
Western

The best way to find out what makes Western such a special place is to experience it for yourself. Our student-led tours give you an insider’s perspective on everything from academics to student life.

Alumni
Community

Alumni
Community

We keep the Mountaineer spirit going strong within our alumni community. Whether getting together with friends at an annual event, making a donation or mentoring a student, graduates continue to play an important role in the Western community.

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Information

Request
Information

Want to discover more about Western? Request information today to get in touch with the admissions team.