This fall, the 香蕉視頻_91香蕉_蜜桃傳媒a introduced four new minors open to students of any major: environmental criminology and criminal analysis, psychology, Black studies and data science. The psychology minor returns after a several-year hiatus, while the others debut as brand-new offerings.

The environmental criminology and criminal analysis minor provides students with interdisciplinary tools for analyzing and preventing crime, while equipping them with skills valued within and beyond criminology.

“What makes it (environmental criminology and criminal analysis) exciting is that it’s cross-disciplinary. It brings in urban planning, architecture and even mathematics,” said Tim Hart, associate professor of criminology and criminal justice. “Environmental criminology pays less attention to who commits a crime and more to the exact place and moment it happens — and what can be done to prevent it.”

A highlight of the program is Criminology 207, where students learn to analyze crime patterns using mapping software. Hart recalled a former student who applied the skill outside of criminology, landing a job in insurance, where she maps intersections at high risk for collisions.

UTampa has reinstated its psychology minor, returning stronger than before with new professors and expanded course options.

“Psychology is a strong supplement to many majors,” said Kimberly Cummings, chair and associate professor of psychology. “It provides a foundation for understanding why people think and act the way they do, which is valuable in any career or personal setting.”

With courses ranging from developmental psychology to industrial and health psychology, students can shape the minor to fit their interests and career goals.

Another addition to the UTampa catalog this year is the Black studies minor, which builds on UTampa’s existing courses in Black history, art and literature. 

Brenton Boyd, director of the program and professor of English and writing, noted the richness of Black art and culture in Tampa and how many UTampa faculty are deeply connected to it, often teaching related courses.

The minor complements multiple disciplines. Students in the College of Social Sciences, Mathematics and Education often find natural connections to the program, but Boyd expressed that those pursuing business also benefit by pairing their skills with a deeper understanding of culture and community.

Boyd emphasized that Black studies fosters academic and personal growth, from critical thinking to empathy and resilience. 

“At its core it’s about learning to think well and become thought leaders of tomorrow,” they said, “encouraging students to step into new perspectives and challenge themselves.”

Data science also joins the list of new minors, providing students with the skills necessary to analyze, interpret and apply artificial intelligence and machine learning tools to data in their chosen fields. 

“No matter the discipline — business, healthcare, biology, environmental science, psychology, sport management or political science — students are working with data and need the tools to analyze it, complementing their primary field,” said Binod Rimal, director of the program and assistant professor of data science.

The program uses a multidisciplinary approach, blending statistics, programming in Python and R, and hands-on experience with artificial intelligence and machine learning. The minor offers courses that build versatile skills, preparing students for a wide range of careers, from nursing to sports analytics.

Rimal hopes students leave the program with more than technical skills: “We want students to graduate with curiosesity, confidence and the ability to collaborate across disciplines.”

Students interested in adding a minor should contact their academic adviser.