2022 STEM Viewbook

UNIVERSITY OF OREGON

STEM

UNIVERSITY OF OREGON

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The Phil and Penny Knight Campus for Accelerating Scientific Impact was envisioned to dramatically accelerate the process of turning scientific discoveries into societal benefits.

EXPERIMENT AND EXPLORE The University of Oregon is a launch pad for students interested in the sciences, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), applying fresh and innovative ideas to real-world issues.

At the UO, you’ll meet researchers, teachers, and mentors who share in your thirst for knowledge and discovery. Our degree programs give you a firm foundation and open doors to undergraduate research, funded fellowships, and internships.

As a Duck, you’ll be part of a community of scholars who ask questions— and find answers. Experience the excitement of the sciences at the UO. 2

UO STEM MAJORS

BEYOND MAJORS

Anthropology

We provide advising and preparation for certificate and graduate programs in these areas:

Biochemistry Biology Chemistry Computer Science Data Science Earth Sciences Environmental Science General Science Geography Human Physiology Marine Biology Mathematics

Dentistry

800 INSTRUCTIONAL AND RESEARCH FACULTY MEMBERS IN THE COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES

Forensic Science Medicine Occupational Therapy Physician Assistant Pharmacy Physical Therapy Pre-Engineering Veterinary Medicine

48 COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES DEGREE PROGRAMS

cas.uoregon.edu

Neuroscience Physics Psychology Spatial Data Science and Technology

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UNIVERSITY OF OREGON

“Being part of a lab at the UO exposes undergraduate students to all aspects of research, from the experimental design to technical experience in collecting and analyzing data—some of them even get published.”

—Mike Hahn Director of the Bowerman Sports Science Clinic and Associate Professor, Human Physiology

FROM

DAY ONE Right now, UO undergrads are working on hundreds of research projects, including: • measuring muscle activity to control robotic prosthetic feet • unearthing stone tools in eastern Oregon and analyzing the 7,500-year-old projectile points to chart the movement of ancient peoples • creating algorithms to help researchers at the Large Hadron Collider in Geneva sift through the trillions of “interactions” that happen in a proton collision • exploring the effects of the gut microbiome on cancer and other health risks • retooling software to take advantage of the next wave of high-performance data processing • installing seismographs that monitor the Cascadia subduction zone • mapping the floor of the Aegean Sea to reveal faults and landslides to help predict geological activity

FOUNDATIONS IN

Research 6

UNIVERSITY OF OREGON

Participation in research is a vital part of the undergraduate experience at the UO. Research experiences allow our students to explore and clarify their academic and professional goals while developing critical thinking and important workforce skills.

The Center for Undergraduate Research and Engagement (CURE) further supports the UO’s culture of inquiry, with a focus on faculty-mentored projects.

CURE works closely with the Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program (UROP), helps to infuse research into curricula, and works to showcase undergraduate research across campus and around the state. cure.uoregon.edu | urop.uoregon.edu

What’s next?

If you envision graduate school in your future, four of our science programs—biology, geography, physics, and psychology—are ranked within the top 16 percent in the nation, based on the most recent National Research Council’s Assessment of Research Doctorate Programs.

We also lead the state in chemistry, geology, and math. uoregon.edu/research

25%

80%

OF UO SENIORS HAVE DONE OR ARE CURRENTLY DOING RESEARCH WITH A FACULTY MEMBER

OF UO STUDENTS HAVE DONE A RESEARCH PROJECT OR PAPER AS PART OF THEIR COURSE WORK

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SCIENCE MEETS

SUSTAINABILITY

Oregon Institute of Marine Biology students study sea plants near the OIMB campus in Charleston, OR.

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UNIVERSITY OF OREGON

Do you care about the environment and want to make a difference? We offer a number of programs that build on the UO’s long tradition of research and activism.

Environmental studies Our environmental studies program offers an environmental science degree that emphasizes an interdisciplinary approach. It’s designed for students who want to focus on scientific careers in fields such as pollution abatement, water resources, ecosystem protection, environmental restoration, and environmental management. envs.uoregon.edu

Geography How do physical and national boundaries affect power and inequality? Why is water central to global politics, culture, and economics? Geography isn’t just about knowing your way around a map; it’s about knowing your way around our changing world. We feature faculty members and students researching and teaching about important societal issues such as environmental racism, climate change, water resources, economic development, land use, conflict, migration, spatial data science, cartography, and more. geography.uoregon.edu

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READY FOR IMPACT accelerate.uoregon.edu

The Phil and Penny Knight Campus for Accelerating Scientific Impact, an ambitious vision to shape the scientists, innovators, and entrepreneurs of tomorrow.

The Knight Campus brings new opportunities in bioengineering, neuroengineering, and precision medicine, as well as fasttrack master’s programs centered around well-paid, hands-on experiences that seamlessly translate into careers. Each year, Knight Campus Undergraduate Scholars are immersed in the labs of some of the UO’s finest researchers, priming them for a future defined by scientific impact.

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Mayurika Bhaskar (left) and her mentor Hiro Uehara discuss the steps and procedures for their next round of experiments.

MAYURIKA BHASKAR BIOCHEMISTRY AND DATA SCIENCE MAJOR Mayurika became a Knight Campus Undergraduate Scholar in her first year at the UO. Under the mentorship of senior research associate Hiro Uehara in the Ambati Lab, Mayurika is researching Fuchs’ dystrophy, a genetic eye disease that can cause vision loss. Together Mayurika and Hiro are creating new methods to examine corneal layers with the use of focused ion-beam and scanning electron microscopy. After graduation, Mayurika plans to attend medical school, with the ultimate goal of having her own lab at a research institution.

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THE GREAT BEYOND At the UO, we’ve learned that some of the greatest discoveries can happen when we’re outside of our comfort zone.

PINE MOUNTAIN OBSERVATORY Located at an elevation of 6,300 feet in central Oregon, Pine Mountain Observatory is operated by the UO Department of Physics. The facility is home to four telescopes, including a small-but-mighty 14-inch Robbins telescope that is outfitted with

It could be in the mountains of Oregon or on the coast of

a sophisticated camera, filters, and tracking

Panama. When you’re in a different environment, you gain

system. While this telescope can be operated

a fresh perspective. That’s why we’ll encourage you to

remotely from the UO campus, astrophysics

take advantage of off-campus research opportunities.

students venture across the state to scan the skies from the observatory, one of only a few in the US still operated by a university.

pmo.uoregon.edu

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EVERY YEAR, 2,000 PEOPLE VISIT THE PINE MOUNTAIN OBSERVATORY

OREGON INSTITUTE OF MARINE BIOLOGY The UO is one of only a handful of schools on the West Coast that offers a bachelor’s degree in marine biology. You’ll take your basic course requirements

UO MARINE BIOLOGY RESEARCH BEGAN ON THE OREGON COAST IN

1924

in Eugene, then spend at least three terms at the Oregon Institute of Marine Biology (OIMB) in Charleston, Oregon. Applied study is the norm, from the beach and tide pools to the deep ocean.

The OIMB includes residence halls, a dining hall, seawater tanks, and seven saltwater research labs where undergraduates work side-by-side with faculty. Our rigorous program is the perfect place to get your hands dirty and your feet wet.

oimb.uoregon.edu UNIVERSITY OF OREGON

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The Svalbard Global Seed Vault holds the world’s largest collection of crop diversity, built to withstand the challenges of man-made or natural disasters.

STUDY-ABROAD EXAMPLES Rainforest science in Australia Physics or chemistry in eastern Germany Archaeology in Curaçao Neotropical ecology in Ecuador Biodiversity in Madagascar Geoscience in the Himalayas Coral reef ecology in Bonaire

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UNIVERSITY OF OREGON

Global

geo.uoregon.edu

DISCOVERIES

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Information technology in Ho Chi Minh City, public health in Ecuador, Arctic scientific studies in Svalbard—no matter your interests, Global Education Oregon (GEO) has a program to fit.

STUDY-ABROAD PROGRAMS IN

GEO offers more than 300 programs in 70 countries spanning from more

MORE THAN

90+

traditional classroom experiences to research, internships, and service

COUNTRIES

reach. Explore the wide range of options and search by cost, location, length,

learning. And with numerous scholarships available, the world is within subjects, and program types on the GEO website.

UNIVERSITY OF OREGON

We invite you to explore our campus—in person or virtually—to learn about our advanced facilities and meet the brilliant people who make the UO one of the top research universities in the nation.

From in-person tours to one-on-one video calls with current students, there are dozens of ways to get to know the UO. Mix and match digital and on-campus options to create your own visit experience that fits your interests and schedule. visit.uoregon.edu virtual.uoregon.edu

EXPLORE STEM Our STEM-focused tour is the perfect launch point for exploring the sciences at the UO. In addition to the campus sights and landmarks, you’ll visit state-of-the-art labs in the Lokey Science Complex, as well as the award-winning Allan Price Science Commons and Research Library in this 30-minute tour.

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FIND OUT

FOR YOURSELF

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NEXT STEPS Apply for financial aid and scholarships More than 60 percent of our undergraduates receive some form of scholarships or financial aid. In addition to general university scholarships, the UO Scholarships for Oregon Scientists program provides awards to incoming students majoring in chemistry, biochemistry, or physics. The College of Arts and Sciences also offers many major-specific scholarships. financialaid.uoregon.edu cas.uoregon.edu/cas-scholarships sciencescholars.uoregon.edu

Apply for admission Apply now to become a part of the next class of Ducks.

• November 1: Early action deadline fall application

$22.1M UO SCHOLARSHIPS TO STEM STUDENTS IN 2019-20

• December 15: Early action applicant notification • January 15: Regular deadline for fall application • May 1: National Decision Day

The Lewis Integrative Science Building brings researchers together from across the disciplines to tackle society’s biggest problems.

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Ready to join us?

An equal-opportunity, affirmativeaction institution committed to cultural diversity and compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. This publication will be made available in accessible formats upon request. ©2021 University of Oregon SSEM0921 7206

admissions.uoregon.edu UNIVERSITY OF OREGON

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Office of Admissions 1217 University of Oregon Eugene OR 97403-1217

STEM VIEWBOOK 2022 Thanks to a natural filtration system of lava rock, the water at the aptly named Tamolitch Blue Pool is a vibrant, crystalclear blue. 67 miles from campus.

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