Resources

Most departments in the college provide students with specialized learning resources, such as computer labs and libraries. Many of these provide students with the opportunity to take advantage of individualized help. Facilities are free and staffed by faculty, or graduate or upper-level students. Here are just a few examples.

Beadle Center for Genetics and Biomaterials Research

Houses classrooms and labs, including core service laboratories, the microbiology section of the School of Biological Sciences, and a greenhouse complex.

PrairieFire Supercomputer

A LINUX cluster ranked as one of the most powerful computers in the world. PrairieFire is available to undergraduates who wish to experiment with it. Housed in the Computer Science & Engineering Department.

Mary Riepma Ross Media Arts Center

Used by the Film Studies program, the center features state-of-the-art technology, including capability to show decades-old black-and-white film to new digital cinema. The center has two screens with theater seating, a research library, classrooms, and a film storage archive with about 700 features and shorts on 16mm and 35mm film.

Cedar Point Biological Station

Gives students access to a wide variety of water and land environments, such as forests, meadows, and prairies, and four major grassland types. Near Lake McConaughy in western Nebraska.

Laase Communication Laboratory

A state-of-the-art media research center in Burnett Hall used for a variety of projects. In addition, students use the lab to learn about verbal and nonverbal communication theory as well as to research, practice, and develop their skills in communication.

Writing Center

Helps students enrolled in any University course with their writing needs. Sponsored by the English Department.

Learning Communities

A number of learning communities have been created on campus to provide students with small groups of like-minded peers with whom they can interact academically and socially. Students in these groups ease their adjustment to the university environment by taking common courses, sharing residence hall facilities and participating in special events. The College of Arts and Sciences features several such learning communities.

The ALPHA Program

A nonresidential liberal arts community for first-year students. Participants take two small courses together. In addition, members of Alpha take part together in various on-campus events and community activities related to their class.

Jeffrey S. Raikes School of Computer Science and Management

Prestigious program that brings together computer science and information technology with business. Previously called the J.D. Edwards Honors Program.

Honors Curriculum

For students who wish to pursue an enriched program, the College of Arts and Sciences offers a lower-division Honors curriculum featuring about 40 courses, recitations, and labs each academic year. These classes are small, allowing for in-depth discussion and faculty-student interaction, and provide a strong research and writing component.  Contact the Honors Program at 402 472-5425 for information.

Humanities in Medicine Program

For pre-medicine students interested in the humanities, this explores how the human and artistic dimensions of medicine complement the scientific. The courses explore topics related to medicine, ethics, and society. Students attend special events and lectures and they complete a professional shadowing or volunteer experience every year. Contact the Arts and Sciences Advising Center at 402 472-4190 for information.