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A diverse array of academic programs, close association with a superb faculty, extensive online and technological resources, opportunities to learn and grow outside of the classroom, and a supportive network of advisers and counselors are the key elements of the academic environment at Bridgewater State University.
A wide variety of service learning, study abroad, cultural and social activities complement the learning process and add rich dimensions to the total academic experience.
The university is committed to fostering student success. Faculty and staff strive to help each student work to achieve her or his full potential. The university’s long tradition of academic excellence is built upon a foundation of challenging studies, an intellectually stimulating atmosphere, and a tradition of community service and partnership.
Rapid advances in technology have created new opportunities for learning and require new skills in the ability to assimilate complex ideas.
The Faculty
Bridgewater State University has an outstanding faculty of women and men who are dedicated to teaching as a career, not just a vocation. Bridgewater State University professors are nationally recognized for their expertise in their fields of study. Ninety-two percent hold terminal degrees in their fields and many faculty members serve as consultants and advisers to corporations, nonprofit organizations, school systems and government agencies. Other faculty provide leadership to professional societies and conduct pioneering research in their respective fields. Students may work closely with faculty through a variety of means including internships, research or the Honors Program.
Clement C. Maxwell Library
The Maxwell Library is a hub of activity conveniently located on West Campus. The library provides a variety of information resources and electronic tools for student and faculty use in a comfortable and inviting environment. Open more than 90 hours each week, the library is staffed by highly qualified professionals and support personnel skilled at satisfying research, reference and general interest requests.
The library’s core collection of print and electronic materials is complemented by a substantial collection of videos, DVDs and CDs. Students and faculty can discover the wealth of books, newspapers, periodicals, sound recordings and movie titles using the library’s online public access catalog, Webster. With approximately 300,000 volumes, more than 31,000 periodical subscriptions and nearly 100 electronic bibliographic and full-text article databases, the library provides students and faculty with access to a breadth of information sources supporting their classroom and research needs. The library is dedicated to providing resources in all subject disciplines taught by the university’s faculty.
Because the library has both hard-wired and wireless networks, students can work anywhere in the building using their notebook computers. They can also use the desktop computers to search the catalog and website, www.bridgew.edu/library. Since most of these computers include a suite of applications such as Microsoft Word and Excel, students can find information resources and complete their course assignments at the same time. The library is a place for learning and a portal to knowledge.
Departmental Resources
The university offers extensive computer facilities for instructional purposes and resources that range from a Zeiss Electron Microscope in the Department of Biological Sciences and an astronomy observatory in the Department of Physics to a writing studio offered by the Department of English.
Facilities for weaving, ceramics, sculpture and painting are available in the Department of Art. Three flight simulators are provided by the Department of Aviation Science at the New Bedford BSU Flight Training Center. These and many other resources support the educational mission of the university and ensure that Bridgewater State University students can learn and apply contemporary knowledge and skills.
Additional resources may be found in each academic department section of this catalog.
Disability Resources
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the ADA Amendments Act (ADAAA) of 2008 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Bridgewater State University is committed to making its facilities, services and programs accessible to all students. The Disability Resources Office offers support and assistance to students with disabilities who are enrolled in the University.
Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to identify with the Disability Resources Office and provide appropriate documentation that is evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Services and academic accommodations may include, but are not limited to, adaptive technology, testing accommodations, alternate format materials, interpreter services, priority registration, peer mentoring and leadership advocacy.
Students must request services in a timely manner each semester by contacting the Disability Resources Office, located in the Academic Achievement Center in the Clement C. Maxwell Library, or call 508.531.2194 or TTY 508.531.6113. Further information about the services, programs and policies of the Disability Resources Office may be found on the Web page at www.bridgew.edu/aac/disability_resources.cfm.
The Online World and Technology
Moodle, Blackboard and InfoBear
Many of the courses at Bridgewater State University are enhanced by course websites developed through Moodle and Blackboard learning portals. Using their personal Moodle/Blackboard account, students enroll in their course websites; gain access to course syllabi, materials and other information posted by the professors; engage in online discussions; collaborate with fellow students; view grades on assignments and tests in a course; and, at times, take quizzes or prepare for exams in the online environment.
InfoBear is a Web-based service provided by Bridgewater State University to allow quick and convenient access to each student’s course enrollment, transcripts showing progress toward graduation, course grades and other information. Students also register for courses through InfoBear, which is available through the university website and requires a student identification number and personal identification number.
Distance Education
Bridgewater State University offers several learning options: Web only (100% online); Web-Based with some lecture (80% online/20% face-to-face); Web-Hybrid (50% online/50% face-to-face); and DVD courses which include instruction through several face-to-face classroom meetings. Students are required to have access to the Internet to participate in the Web, Web-Based and Web-Hybrid courses.
Wireless Network
Bridgewater State University has provided wireless network connectivity across the entire campus since fall 2001. Faculty, staff, students and visitors are able to connect to the network from anywhere on campus, including classrooms, labs, offices, lounges, the library and outdoors. This enables users to access the Internet, read email and connect to all of the university’s online resources at any time. Due to wireless access points being placed throughout the university campus, students can walk from one side of the campus to the other while remaining connected to the network.
BSU Faculty-led Study Tours and Summer Programs
Short-term, faculty-led study tours and summer programs to international locations are offered for undergraduate or graduate university credit. Each course is designed by a Bridgewater State University faculty member according to his/her regional and academic expertise, providing an opportunity for students to explore, firsthand, different cultures and regions of the world. These courses, which vary in length from 10 days to six weeks, are offered during winter intersession and summer. Study tour destinations have included Cape Verde, China, Spain, England, France, Japan, Nicaragua and Tanzania. Students from all majors and academic classes are encouraged to participate.The Bridgewater-at-Oxford program offers three weeks of summer study at Oxford University in England with a choice of political science/law, art history, English literature or English history. The BSU Jordan Arabic Language Immersion program offers a six-week intensive Arabic language program at Yarmouk University in Amman, Jordan. Visit www.bridgew.edu/studyabroad/ for more information. The Office of Study Abroad is located in the Minnock Center for International Engagement, Third Floor, Maxwell Library.
Cross Registration Programs
CAPS
College Academic Program Sharing (CAPS) is designed to provide full-time students attending a Massachusetts state college or university the opportunity to study at another state college or university for the purpose of adding a different or specialized dimension to their undergraduate studies. Colleges and universities participating in this program include Fitchburg State University, Framingham State University, Massachusetts College of Art, Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, Massachusetts Maritime Academy, Salem State University, Westfield State University and Worcester State University. BSU students may participate for one or two semesters and complete up to 30 semester hours of credit without going through formal admission or registration procedures. Tuition is covered within the student’s full-time tuition charge at Bridgewater State University. Courses taken under the CAPS program are not included in the student’s GPA. All BSU students who wish to cross-register as part of the CAPS program must apply through the Registrar’s Office, Boyden Hall. Students from another college or university who wish to take courses at BSU through CAPS must work with the Registrar’s Office at their home institution.
SACHEM
Through the Southeastern Association for Cooperation of Higher Education (SACHEM) program, qualified full-time BSU students may cross-register for up to two courses each semester without going through formal registration procedures. Tuition is covered within the student’s full-time tuition charge at Bridgewater State University. Courses taken under the SACHEM program are not included in the student’s GPA. Colleges and universities participating in this program include Bristol Community College, Cape Cod Community College, Dean College, Massachusetts Maritime Academy, Massasoit Community College, Stonehill College, University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth and Wheaton College. All BSU students who wish to cross-register as part of the SACHEM program must apply through the Registrar’s Office, Boyden Hall. Students from another college or university who wish to take courses at BSU through SACHEM must work with the Registrar’s Office at their home institution. |