Undergraduate Programs

Undergraduate Programs

The Undergraduate Program at Asian University for Women offers students the opportunity to gain relevant, interdisciplinary knowledge across multiple fields. Benchmarked against the most prestigious liberal arts colleges in the world, the AUW curriculum is designed and delivered by an international faculty who embrace the mission of AUW and contribute a significant effort to individualized student mentorship. Alumnae of the Undergraduate Program are prepared for graduate studies and immediate employment at elite institutions throughout the world.

Curriculum

The Undergraduate Program is grounded in the AUW Core General Education Requirement which is common to all students and is designed to introduce them to advanced study in Social Analysis, Ethical Reasoning, Literature, Civilization Studies and the Arts, Natural Sciences, Computer Science, Mathematics, Writing, and topics specifically focused on Regional Challenges in Asia and Women Shaping Society.

By the end of their first Undergraduate Year, all students begin coursework toward their Bachelor’s degree(s) in one or more major areas of study:

Majors & Minors

BIOINFORMATICS AND BIOTECHNOLOGY

Bioinformatics is the use of computer technologies to collect, manage, and use biological data to improve the quality of life of individuals. Bioinformatics is useful for the fields of agriculture, health, environment, energy, and biotechnology. Here it promotes biomedical research and developments, improves curative and preventive medicines, identifies waste cleaning bacteria, and produces high-yield and low-maintenance crops.

Courses Offered at AUW

Biochemistry • Bioinformatics • Biology • Biostatistics • Calculus • Cell & Molecular Biology • Chemistry • Computer Programming • Database Management • Discrete Mathematics • Ecology • Environmental Health • Environmental Microbiology • Epidemiology • Ethics • Forensic Science • Genetics & Genomics • GIS & Remote Sensing • Human Form & Function • Nutrition • Physics • Probability & Statistics • Protein Structure & Modeling • Research Methodology

Career Opportunities

Bioinformatics professionals have multiple career opportunities in the public and private sectors. Many work for pharmaceutical, biotech, and biomedical companies. They can also work for scientific research institutions, non-governmental and government agencies, hospitals, and schools. Sample careers include Biostatistician, Computational Biologist, Geneticist, Software Developer, and Bioinformatics Professor.

For a detailed overview of the Bioinformatics degree program, please review the Academic Bulletin .

COMPUTER SCIENCE

Computer Science is the study of information and computational systems, including their theoretical and algorithmic foundations, hardware and software, and their uses for information processing.

Courses Offered at AUW

Introduction to Computing and Programming (CS50) • Introduction to Data Science • Linear Algebra • Physics • Discrete Mathematics • Data Structures and Algorithms • Computer Communications Networks • Object Oriented Programming • Database Management Systems and Web Applications • Software Engineering and Mobile Apps Development • Artificial Intelligence • Human-Computer Interaction • Machine Learning and Deep Learning • Data Analysis and Visualization • Cloud Computing • Computer and Network Security • Computer Architecture and Operating Systems • Computer Vision and Robotics

Career Opportunities

Computer science graduates have diverse career opportunities in the public and private sector. Graduates can work within the domains of computer science and information technology. Sample careers include IT Consultant, Information Systems Manager, Database Administrator, Multimedia Programmer, Systems Analyst, Games Developer, Machine Learning Engineer, Software Engineer, Application Developer, Data Analyst, Cyber Security Analyst. Additionally, graduates can pursue more advance training in order to work in academia and research institutions.

For a detailed overview of the Computer Sciences degree program, please review the Academic Bulletin.

 

ECONOMICS

Economics is the study of decision-making and the factors that determine the production, distribution and consumption of goods and services. The field helps individuals understand historical and contemporary trends and make predictions for the future of production and financial markets.

Courses Offered at AUW

Accounting • Banking & Finance • Business Analytics • Calculus • Development Economics • Econometrics • Economics of Inequality • Economics of Money, Banking & Financial Markets • Entrepreneurship • Environmental Economics • Financial Economics • Game Theory • Growth & Development • Health Economics • History of Economic Thought • Industrial Organization • International Trade • Macroeconomics • Microeconomics • Managerial Economics • Monetary Economics • Labor Economics • Political Economy • Probability & Statistics • Public Finance • Research Methods

Career Opportunities

Economists are successful in a wide variety of careers in the public and private sectors. Although various roles in businesses are most common, economists are also successful in law, medicine, government, non-profits, international relations, and academic roles.

For a detailed overview of the Economics degree program, please review the Academic Bulletin.

ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES

Environmental Sciences applies knowledge, tools, and techniques from a range of scientific disciplines in order to deal with environmental challenges, such as issues arising from the impact of human activities on natural systems.

Courses Offered at AUW

Biology • Calculus • Chemistry • Climate Change • Ecology • Energy & Environment • Environmental Chemistry & Toxicology • Environmental Health • Environmental Hydraulics • Environmental Microbiology • Ethics • Geology • Hydrology / Water Management • Natural Disasters • Oceanic & Atmospheric Science • Probability & Statistics • Research Methodology • Waste Management

Career Opportunities

Environmental Scientists pursue diverse career paths in the public and private sectors. Some work for government and non-governmental agencies that address natural resources management, pollution, urban planning, agriculture, and industrial regulation. Others work for private companies, research institutions, and schools. Sample careers include Health Safety & Environment Policy Officer, Environmental Engineer, and Environmental Health Executive.

For a detailed overview of the Environmental Sciences degree program, please review the Academic Bulletin.

POLITICS, PHILOSOPHY & ECONOMICS

Philosophy, Politics & Economics (PPE) is an interdisciplinary program that combines study from three disciplines. The study of philosophy equips students with the ability to reason rigorously and logically, and facilitates ethical reflection. The study of politics familiarizes students with the institutions that govern society and help solve collective action problems. The study of economics prepares students to contextualize political decisions and outcomes as they are often influenced by economic events and trends.

Courses Offered at AUW

Asian History, Languages & Religions • Cities & Development • Civil Wars • Climate Change Leadership • Comparative Politics • Conflict Management & Post-War Development • Democratic Theory • Diplomacy & Statecraft • Distributive Justice • Gender Studies: History & Theories • Globalization & Development • Global Mental Health • Global Ethics & Human Rights • Growth & Development • Health Care Ethics & Policy • International Leadership • International Relations • Leadership, Politics & Psychology • Macroeconomics • Microeconomics • Multilateral Diplomacy • Philosophy • Political Economy • Political Identities of Asia • Political Psychology • Political Science • Political Violence • Probability & Statistics • Research Methods • Social Entrepreneurship • Theories & Practices of Development

Career Opportunities

PPE graduates are prepared for a great variety of careers in multiple fields. Possible career paths in the private and public sectors include management, consulting, business administration, law, journalism, finance, public policy, health care, and philanthropy.

For a detailed overview of the PPE degree program, please review the Academic Bulletin.

PUBLIC HEALTH

Public Health is the science of protecting and improving the health of families and communities through promotion of healthy lifestyles, research for disease and injury prevention, and detection and control of infectious diseases.

Courses Offered at AUW

Anatomy & Physiology • Anthropology • Bioinformatics • Biology • Calculus • Chemistry • Economics • Environmental Health • Environmental Microbiology •  Epidemiology • Ethics • Genes & Genomes • Geology • Global Health Challenges • Global Health Research • Global Mental Health • Health Policy & Management • Human Form & Function • Infection & Immunity • Infectious & Tropical Diseases Epidemiology • Maternal, Child Health & Nutrition • Sociology • Political Science • Psychology • Probability & Statistics

Career Opportunities

Public Health is a diverse and growing field. Public Health professionals work in schools, hospitals, government and non-governmental agencies, and research institutions. Samples careers include Health Inspector, Health Services Manager, Healthcare Manager, Disease Occurrence and Prevention Analyst, Social Worker, and Health Educator.

For a detailed overview of the Public Health degree program, please review the Academic Bulletin.

MINORS
  • Biological Science
  • Computer Science
  • Development Studies
  • Economics
  • Environmental Science
  • Finance
  • Gender Studies
  • Mathematics
  • Public Health

Student & Alumnae Stories

Shagufa Habibi | Afghanistan | Class of 2019

“Before coming to AUW, I didn’t know anything about women’s leadership potential. Now I have self-confidence. I can communicate with friends from different cultures. I have hopes for my future and the future of my country.”

At first Shagufa found Access Academy to be difficult. She felt behind other students because her secondary school did not provide high-quality English-language training, and her secondary school teachers taught rote memorization instead of critical thought. Her education was also frequently hindered by eruptions of conflict in Afghanistan.

Fortunately, Shagufa has never been one to back down from a challenge. She redoubled her efforts to do well at AUW. She actively participated in her classes, and met with her classmates and professors outside of class hours. Her English communication and study skills improved. She developed an academic and professional interest in Development Studies and the question of how to resolve the conflicts in Afghanistan. She began to ask analytical questions and develop potential solutions. She successfully entered the AUW undergraduate program, and is on her way to earning a Bachelor’s degree.

Listen to Shagufa’s full story here.