Universities for Political Science or Biology ( science in general)

<p>As soon to be a graduate of class of 2010, what I really would like to major in college is becoming more important. Originally I've only had interest in majoring in a science, though with my local hospital pushing me away from that field and to further my interest I now have interest ( and have long before, just never figured out the major for the type of jobs etc...) in Political Science. I'm also wondering how Michigan State University ( currently top choice, though starting to second question with family issues, local hospital, and only ten minutes from home) and University of Michigan- Ann Arbor ( second) fair in Political Science. What other universities are known for Political Science? Also those in the Big Ten?</p>

<p>Thanks, this is urgent</p>

<p>Oh yeah is political science, public affairs, and social science all the same?</p>

<p>Now I’m getting confused, with all of other similar majors as: Political Science, Public Affairs, International Relations etc… Can anyone also explain all of this? They all almost seem so much similar.</p>

<p>A few that come to mind, minus the ultra selectives:</p>

<p>Cornell University
Duke University
Emory University
Indiana University-Bloomington
Johns Hopkins University*
New York University*
Northwestern University
Ohio State University
Rice University
University of Chicago
University of Colorado-Boulder
University of Florida
University of Illinois-Urbana Champaign
University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill
University of Rochester*
University of Virginia
University of Washington
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Vanderbilt University
Washington University in St. Louis</p>

<p>*Primarily limited to molecular biology</p>

<p>Not to be pedantic but social sciences aren’t really considered science in the colloquial usage. You’d get looks of scorn from people studying in the natural sciences if you tried to lump them together with political science, sociology, etc.</p>

<p>What exactly does “primarily limited to molecular biology” mean IBClass06…</p>

<p>Those biology programs are primarily centered around cell biology, molecular biology, genetics, neuroscience, and developmental biology. </p>

<p>While extremely strong programs, it should be noted that they lack courses and faculty in other aspects of biology (zoology, botany, marine biology, etc.) and hence are not great fits for all biology majors.</p>

<p>Thanks for replies</p>

<p>I’m not trying to combine biology etc… and political science, I’m debating on which I would like to major into. I also was wondering the differences of political science, international relations, public affairds, social science etc… or do political science cover all?</p>

<p>Social science is a broad term that covers all studies concerned with social life of human (individuals and group). Economics, political science, psychology, sociology would all be social sciences. Political science consists of two main parts - theory and analysis. There are many different concentrations you can take within a political science major, such as comparative politics or political theory. International relations programs differs from school to school. Some will call theirs international politics, and will be offered as a political science major. These are usually more focused on the political side. International relations offered as a separate major, often will have more economics mixed in. When you say public affairs, do you mean public policy? Public policy deals with the effort or policies that the government makes in order to address a public issue. These would include policies on health care, education and welfare. Most jobs in public policy are government jobs. Public affairs is more about how an institution presents itself to its desired audience (whether it be customers, government, media etc). People working in public affairs is trying to influence public policy in their favour, and to build relationship/attract whoever the people are that is important to the institution/company’s survival.</p>

<p>U Maryland College Park.</p>

<p>Top Polisci and Bio.</p>

<p>Coolbrezze, I’ve noticed in your other posts and other threads that you seem to have quite an interest in Big 10 schools (understandably ;). So if you want to look in the Big 10 for polisci, and the Big 10 is VERY strong in polisci, I would suggest the following in this order: </p>

<p>UMich
UW-Madison
Northwestern
UMinn
Ohio State
Illinois</p>

<p>All six of these schools have polisci programs ranked in the top 25. You may also want to take into consideration that UW-Madison, UMinn, and Ohio State are all in or very close to their respective state capitols. That may have an impact on your decision if you want to look for an internship or something. </p>

<p>I know nothing about the Biology programs, however.</p>

<p>Florida State has the best political science program in Florida and a very good bio department.
See: <a href=“http://polisci.fsu.edu/[/url]”>http://polisci.fsu.edu/&lt;/a&gt; and [FSU</a> Highlights](<a href=“Rankings | Florida State University”>Rankings | Florida State University)</p>