The Faculty of Arts and Sciences Grows Stronger with Its Newly Opened Department

Further strengthened by the newly opened Department of Genetics and Bioinformatics, the Faculty will continue to achieve significant success in its field

The Faculty of Arts and Sciences carries out education and research in the fundamental social sciences and natural sciences. Each of its departments runs undergraduate programs in its own field. The Department of Mathematics runs two programs: the Mathematics Program and the Mathematics and Computer Science Program.

The Faculty also houses the General Education Unit, which teaches the general education courses in all undergraduate programs at the university. Each department also offers a double major program in its own field.

COMPUTER EDUCATION AND INSTRUCTIONAL TECHNOLOGY

In the Department, students receive education in three areas: computers, instructional technology and educational sciences.

Through courses such as programming, multimedia development, graphic design and web-based application development, students gain the technical background to develop computer-based applications. Students taking courses such as operating systems, network structures and management, databases and computer hardware can also work as computer programmers or web designers.

Over four years, students gain theoretical knowledge and practical experience in the pedagogical visual design and development of computer-based educational environments, developing applications such as educational animations, educational software, educational websites and course management systems. With the ability to evaluate applications on the market, graduates can work as computer-assisted education specialists or instructional designers at educational institutions, companies developing educational materials and institutions offering distance education.

Taking all the pedagogical formation courses taught in faculty of education departments from their first year at university, students gain the competence to teach individuals of all ages both basic computer literacy and advanced computer applications. Gaining work experience through internships, students graduate with the title "Computer and Instructional Technology Teacher."

Graduates can work in the following areas: computer-assisted application companies, distance education companies,

schools with computer-assisted education units, web-based project development units, web design companies, software development companies, course and training companies, primary schools and private colleges.

DEPARTMENT OF MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTER SCIENCE

In addition to providing a strong mathematical foundation that develops students' ability to think creatively and independently, evaluate and reach conclusions, the Department equips students with information technology, software and finance skills.

At the undergraduate and graduate levels, the Department runs the Mathematics and Computer Science Undergraduate, Mathematics Undergraduate, Applied Mathematics Master's and Actuarial Certificate Programs.

The Actuarial Certificate Program is designed to help students take their first steps into the actuarial profession, which ranks among the top 3 most valued professions in many countries and generally among the top 10, and is linked to the Actuarial Science Master's Program. This certificate program does not add any extra credit load for students.

In the Mathematics and Computer Science program, in addition to compulsory core courses, students can explore current fields in which they may wish to specialize in the future, such as Finance, Mathematical Biology and Machine Learning, through departmental electives, or focus on courses in theoretical mathematics, computer science or software.

DEPARTMENT OF SOCIOLOGY

Sociology is a science that studies the interaction between society and the individual and these processes. The Department of Sociology currently has a Sociology Undergraduate Program leading to a BA degree. The Department of Sociology provides undergraduate education within an approach that combines the social sciences and the humanities. The main aim of the four-year program is to offer students an education in the core areas of sociology that is contemporary, scientific and aligned with global dynamics. The Department of Sociology offers minor programs in "Urban Sociology," "Sociology of Law," and "Gender and Sociology of the Family" to interested students. Another aim of the program is to conduct and support scientific and original research in various fields of sociology. In the Department, where research projects are carried out in certain areas of sociology, priority is given to research projects aimed at finding solutions to social conflicts and problems.

Graduates of the Department of Sociology find a wide range of job opportunities in both the public and private sectors, holding important positions in trade unions, industrial and commercial companies, various organizations, press and media organizations, research companies, schools and higher education institutions.

DEPARTMENT OF PSYCHOLOGY

Psychology is a science that studies human behavior and mental processes. The main aim of the four-year program is to offer students a contemporary and scientific education in the core areas of psychology. Another aim of the program is to conduct and support original research in various fields of psychology. The Department of Psychology offers students compulsory psychology courses aimed at understanding the biological, psychological and social aspects of behavior, as well as elective courses that will help them determine the fields in which they will specialize. The program also includes applied courses covering supporting knowledge such as statistics, research methods and computer use.

After completing the necessary training, psychologists work in clinics, schools, the education sector, business, various private and public institutions and organizations, and in the human resources, personnel, training and public relations units of private companies and organizations, with responsibilities such as personnel selection, placement, evaluation and training, and personnel and public communication. They also work in various areas of the service sector, such as advertising, public relations, sales and marketing, media and market research.

DEPARTMENT OF GENETICS AND BIOINFORMATICS

The science of genetics is developing further every day, with new research areas in addition to deciphering the genetic codes that program the formation of living organisms and using these codes for improvement in many fields such as medicine, biotechnology and agriculture. Following developments in genetics, an unprecedented accumulation of data in the life sciences began with the characterization of the human genome sequence. This field is taught at the undergraduate and graduate levels in many developed countries. For this reason, Bahçeşehir University, one of Türkiye's pioneering educational institutions, has opened the Department of Genetics and Bioinformatics. The new Department will offer compulsory courses such as genetics, computational biology, programming and algorithms, as well as elective courses in specialized areas such as functional and comparative genomics, plant genetics, human genetics and data mining, which will help students determine the fields in which they will specialize.

Within the program, cooperation is carried out with leading universities in many countries around the world in Genetics and Bioinformatics programs. There are currently cooperation agreements with a total of 21 universities, 12 of which are in the USA. Successful students will have the chance to pursue a master's degree at American universities. The agreement with Yale University is expected to lead the way in this regard.

Another option for graduates is an academic career; in this direction, they can easily continue their graduate education at universities both abroad and in Türkiye.