Mathematics, Computer Science & Physics
Rockford University to Present InnovateHER STEM Camp for Sixth-Grade Female Students
10/17/2024 11:37 am
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Oct. 17, 2024
WHEN: Friday, Oct. 25, 2024, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
WHERE: Starr Science Center at Rockford University. Rockford University is located at 5050 E. State St. in Rockford, Illinois.
WHAT: Rockford University’s Science, Math, and Nursing College will hold the InnnovateHER STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) camp for sixth-grade female students from two area middle schools: Galapagos Rockford Charter School and the Gifted Academy at Thurgood Marshall Middle School.
Each school will be sending about 40 students and a handful of chaperones to participate in hands-on activity sessions in the areas of Science, Healthcare, Technology, Engineering, and Math.
All sessions will be led by female STEM students and facilitated by female faculty/staff mentors. Each session emphasizes potential career paths in STEM fields that relate to the activity chosen and will consist of groups of about 8 middle school students.
This event is funded by an In Youth We Trust grant through the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois that May 2024 Biochemistry graduate Faith Gomez received before graduating. Melisa Kraus is the student who is taking over in Gomez’s place. Kraus is a Biochemistry and Psychology double major.
WHO: Rockford University faculty and staff involved in the event include Dean of College of Science, Math and Nursing Filiz Dik, Associate Professor Kari Severson, Lab Manager and Administrative Assistant Anya McIntyre, Lecturer Viktoriia Dobriak, Assistant Professor Melissa Korkmaz-Vaisys, Lecturer of Physics Susan Sorensen, Assistant Professor of Biology Emily Webb, and Beth Lipton.
Media interested in attending the event should RSVP to communications@rockford.edu no later than on Thursday, Oct. 24 at 4:30 p.m.
Contact:
Rockford University Marketing & Communications
OR
Kayla Eddy
815.394.5041
Faith Gomez ‘24 Awarded Grant
09/09/2024 4:15 pm
By Sara Myers, Digital Media & Communications Specialist
RU Student Faith Gomez was mentored by Dr. Filiz Dik, Dr. Deepshikha Shukla, and others in the SMN (Science, Math & Nursing) College and was awarded a $2,500 grant to create a STEM camp for middle school girls called “InnovateHer.”
The event will be held tentatively this fall 2024 and include 30 girls from local middle schools.
Gomez is majoring in biochemistry and minoring in gender studies.
“Despite coming in on a grant for women in STEM I didn’t see a lot of outreach specifically for women in STEM even though we’re still underrepresented in the professional space,” Gomez said. “As a historically women’s college, I thought that it might be beneficial both for our history and for outreach purposes to create a more women-centric event, for STEM specifically.”
She had the idea for the camp for a while but it finally came to fruition when she started looking for grants when she was working on her capstone project.
“I want the activities to be focused on what the mentor is doing with their career in STEM,” she said. “For example, there’s a student who wants to get a master’s in forensic chemistry and she got into chemistry programs. I want her to feel like she can do a fingerprinting experiment and she can talk about how she found chemistry as a viable career path and what they have in Rockford.”
Gomez graduated Magna Cum Laude with a B.S. in Biochemistry in May 2024.
—
This article is from the 2023-2024 issue of Catalyst.
Cybersecurity Degree
03/06/2023 8:34 pm
Program Overview
More than ever, businesses and other organizations depend on effectively managing and maintaining information and protecting digital infrastructures. When you major in Computer Science with a concentration in cybersecurity at Rockford University, you’ll learn the skills necessary to keep vital information secure.
With 3.5 million cybersecurity job openings projected worldwide by 2025, cybersecurity professionals are in high demand. Graduating with a degree in computer science with an emphasis in cybersecurity will create significant job opportunities in a variety of industries such as healthcare, technology, financial services, government, manufacturing and more.
At Rockford University, the cybersecurity track offers you the opportunity to learn to build and maintain secure networks while benefiting from a thoughtfully crafted curriculum. With required courses in statistics, criminal justice, and business law and ethics, in addition to core courses in computer science and information technology, you will receive a well-rounded education that will set you up for success in the cybersecurity industry.
Skills You’ll Build
- Software design techniques
- Development, testing, and implementation of web-based systems and technologies
- Procedural and object-oriented programming
- Designing and implementing solutions to business systems problems
- Fourth generation programming techniques
- Information assurance/cryptography
- Ethical hacking/penetration testing
- Statistics
- Nature, dynamics, and etiological theories of crime and criminal behavior
- Ethical and legal business decision making
Quick Facts:
- On-campus, undergraduate degree program
- B.A and B.S. tracks available
- 49-50 credit hours required for degree completion
- Minor in another field is recommended but not required
Cybersecurity at a Glance
Median Annual Salary:
(Information Security Analyst)
$102,600
Job Titles:
- Cybersecurity Specialist
- Information Security Analyst
- Cybercrime Analyst
- Digital Forensic Examiner
- Penetration and Vulnerability Tester
- Security Systems Engineer
- Cybersecurity Architect
Career Opportunities:
- Deloitte
- JPMorgan
- Homeland Security
- CIA
- IRS
- Apple
- And more!
Nursing Degree
08/05/2016 4:19 pm
Rockford University Nursing: BSN Degree
Empowering Tomorrow’s Healthcare Leaders
Welcome to the Rockford University Nursing Department, where we are dedicated to preparing professional nurses who make a meaningful impact on individuals, families, groups, and communities with diverse health needs. Rooted in the values of Nobel Peace Prize winner and university alumna Jane Addams, our nursing students are therefore encouraged to think critically, act compassionately, and engage with their wider community through community-based learning projects.
Why Choose A Nursing Degree At Rockford University?
Rockford University’s nursing program may be the perfect fit for you if you possess strong abilities in the sciences and also aspire to create innovative solutions to patients’ and communities’ unique health challenges. With us, you become more than a care provider – you become a patient advocate, an educator, and a change-maker within your community. The bachelor of science in nursing degree (BSN) is a four-year, full-time program. Students complete approximately 2 years of prerequisite and degree requirement courses followed by 2 years in the nursing program if the student stays on track with full-time course completion. Upon program completion, graduates may be eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN exam (Registered Nurse [RN] exam). Requirements for nursing licensure vary by state: Professional Licensure by State. This program is intended for students who do not hold an RN license.
Learn More about Rockford University’s Nursing Program
Find out more about Rockford University’s nursing program during one of our upcoming virtual nursing information sessions! Please check back here for future summer/fall information session dates.
Ready to Make a Difference? Apply Today!
Are you ready to take control of your career and make a real impact in your community? Apply to Rockford University today and embark on your journey towards becoming a nurse. Our Admissions Team is here to assist you:
- Phone: (815) 226-4050
- Email: Admissions@rockford.edu
Deciding to pursue a nursing degree empowers every student to choose their own career path. With a bachelor’s degree in nursing, you are more than a care provider. You are also a patient advocate, an educator, and a difference-maker in your community.
Students who graduate from Rockford University with nursing degrees have the knowledge, preparation, and experience necessary to contribute to their field immediately. We go beyond the basics, providing a broad base of skills that can be practiced at every step of your nursing career.
If you have been admitted to Rockford University and are interested in the nursing program, apply to the nursing program today! * Please confirm you have been admitted to Rockford University before applying to the nursing program. Also, specify the semester of your intended start date for the nursing program. See the Nursing Degree Paths options below for nursing program prerequisite requirements.
Nursing Degree Admission Paths
- Early Action (EA) for High School Seniors:
- Ideal for high-achieving seniors with a cumulative GPA of 3.5 that includes the completion of biology, chemistry, English (4 years), and math (2 semesters, including one semester of algebra).
- Competitive selection with notifications by April 1st, if application is submitted by March 1st.
- Conditional acceptance pending fulfillment of admission criteria and submission of final transcripts by July 1st.
- First-Year Standard RU Students:
- For students already admitted to Rockford University, aspiring to join the nursing program.
- Minimum overall GPA of 2.75 and science prerequisite GPA of 2.5 required for admission.
- TEAS exam proficiency within 3 months of the start date.
- Deadline for priority application consideration: September 1 (for Spring program start) or February 1 (for Fall program start).
- Notification of status by November 1 (for Spring program start) or April 1 (for Fall program start).
- Transfer Students:
- Tailored for students transferring from other institutions.
- Admission and minimum cumulative GPA: 2.75, science prerequisite GPA: 2.5.
- TEAS exam proficiency within 3 months of the start date.
- Deadline for priority application consideration: September 1 (for Spring program start) or February 1 (for Fall program start).
- Notification of status by November 1 (for spring program start) or April 1 (for fall program start)
To view the complete prerequisite course list and details on admission requirements such as the TEAS exam, please see the Admission and Prerequisite Requirements page.
Additional Information:
- Regardless of the entry path, all nursing program applicants must meet specific grade and conduct stipulations, including background checks and drug testing.
- Maintaining requisite GPAs and ethical standards throughout the program is essential.
Student Involvement
At Rockford University, we believe in providing students a community in which they can learn, grow, and develop.
First and foremost, we encourage all nursing students to join the Nursing Student Organization or NSO during their time at RU. This organization brings together nursing students and others interested in a healthcare-based career to offer support and fellowship. They organize activities, community events, and educational opportunities that bring together a diverse student population.
Beyond the NSO, Rockford University also offers student organizations that encourage campus involvement. These groups turn the campus into a community while allowing for the exchange of ideas and cultures across demographics.
Exploring Nursing Careers and Internships
Expanding Career Horizons in Nursing
In today’s dynamic healthcare landscape, nursing careers offer many exciting opportunities. The aging U.S. population coupled with a shortage of nurses has created a surging demand for skilled professionals in the field. Nursing has evolved beyond traditional roles, propelling nurses to the forefront of healthcare delivery thus opening up expansive career prospects.
With a 4-year nursing degree, you embark on a rewarding career and position yourself for one of the highest starting salaries in any field. Furthermore, as you continue your education, your earning potential can soar, potentially exceeding $100,000 annually.
Diverse Career Paths
A nursing career is both challenging and diverse. Nurses have the flexibility to choose from a wide range of settings, including hospitals, nursing homes, rehabilitation centers, and extended-care facilities. Alternatively, you might collaborate with private practice healthcare providers, contribute to community health agencies, work in federal nursing agencies, enter the corporate world, join educational institutions, or even serve in the military. Over the course of your career, you can explore various client populations and settings as your interests evolve.
Nursing specialties include medical-surgical, cardiac, pediatrics, neonatal, women’s health, critical care, forensic, community, psychiatric nursing and many others. Nurses may also go on for graduate degrees to become nursing practitioners, midwives, nurse educators, and nurse anesthetists, to name a few. Employment opportunities abound in the Rockford area’s local hospital systems, skilled nursing facilities, clinics, school systems, and other community settings.
Entrepreneurial Nursing
Innovative nurses are exploring entrepreneurial avenues by combining their nursing expertise with other specialty skills to establish new businesses. Possibilities range from nursing informatics (melding nursing with technology) and legal nurse consulting (merging nursing with law) to various home healthcare ventures. With creativity and determination, the possibilities in nursing are virtually limitless.
Explore the diverse world of nursing, where opportunities abound and your journey to making a significant impact begins!
About Our Nursing Faculty
The nursing faculty at Rockford University are experienced nurses who possess the skills and dedication to educate future members of the nursing community. These faculty members, though, are not just nurses. They are also authors, researchers, and leaders in their areas of specialty. Their depth of knowledge includes over a century of real-world nursing experiences, and their willingness to impart their learned lessons allows students to begin their career with a head start.
3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400
Atlanta, Georgia 30326
P. (404) 975-5000
All Inquiries: 1-888-473-4858
Professional Licensing: 1-800-560-6420
TTY: 1-866-325-4949
Nursing Department
Starr Science Building
5050 E. State St.
Rockford, IL 61108
815-226-4152Malina Campos, MSN, APRN, FNP-C
Nursing Department, Chair
mcampos@rockford.edu
815-226-4196
Nursing Department Handbook and Policies
Faculty
08/05/2016 4:16 pm
FACULTY
Mathematics, Computer Science and Physics
Starr Science Building
5050 E. State St.
Rockford, IL 61108
815-226-4198
Fax:815-394-5166
Dept. Chair - Mehmet Dik, Ph.D.
MDik@rockford.edu
Resources
08/05/2016 4:14 pm
RESOURCES
Mathematics
Useful Links
- American Mathematical Society
- Claremont McKenna – Careers in Mathematics
- DW Simpson – Actuary Jobs
- Furman – Mathematics Links
- Mathematical Association of America
- Mathematical Association of America -Career FAQs
- MathDL
- Mathematical Association of America – Illinois
- Mathematics Awareness Month
- Sloan Career Cornerstone Center – Mathematics
Fun Links
Physics
American Institute of Physics – www.aip.org
American Physical Society – www.aps.org
European Physical Society – www.eps.org
Institute of Physics – www.ioppublishing.com
Sigma Xi – www.sigmaxi.org
Mathematics, Computer Science, and Physics
Starr Science Building
5050 E. State St.
Rockford, IL 61108
815-226-4135
Fax: 815-394-5166
Dept. Chair - Mehmet Dik, Ph.D.
MDik@rockford.edu
Secondary Teacher Certification
08/05/2016 4:14 pm
SECONDARY TEACHER CERTIFICATION
Students (math majors) interested in becoming certified to teach mathematics at the secondary level must complete all the mathematics general track requirements (MATH 314 and MATH 350 strongly recommended), a minor in secondary education, and additional general education requirements for Illinois State Certification.
- Learn more about the Rockford University Education Department
Mathematics, Computer Science, and Physics
Starr Science Building
5050 E. State St.
Rockford, IL 61108
815-226-4135
Fax: 815-394-5166
Dept. Chair - Mehmet Dik, Ph.D.
MDik@rockford.edu
Math Lab
08/05/2016 4:13 pm
MATH LAB
Got a Math Problem? There is free help at the Math Lab, Starr 302A!
Math Lab is open (closed during breaks such as holidays, Fall and Spring breaks etc.) from the second week of classes through the last day of classes.
Math Lab Assistantships
Students who have successfully completed the calculus sequence are eligible to work in the Math Lab. Eligible students can apply for a math lab assistant position on the first or second day of classes at the beginning of the Fall and Spring semesters. There are only 12 paid hours each week available. Please contact Dr. Mehmet Dik, MDik@rockford.edu, for an application.
Even though there are only 12 paid hours each week, some students work voluntarily as part of their community service projects.
“The Math Lab exists as refuge and haven for those who ‘get it’ and salvation for those who don’t.” –Bern Sundstedt ’77
Mathematics, Computer Science, and Physics
Starr Science Building
5050 E. State St.
Rockford, IL 61108
815-226-4135
Fax: 815-394-5166
Dept. Chair - Mehmet Dik, Ph.D.
MDik@rockford.edu
Faculty
08/05/2016 4:13 pm
FACULTY
Mathematics, Computer Science, and Physics
Starr Science Building
5050 E. State St.
Rockford, IL 61108
815-226-4135
Fax: 815-394-5166
Dept. Chair - Mehmet Dik, Ph.D.
MDik@rockford.edu
Scholarships and Awards
08/05/2016 4:11 pm
SCHOLARSHIPS AND AWARDS
Mathematics
Calculus Achievement Award
The Calculus Achievement Award is given to the student achieving the highest GPA in the three-semester university calculus sequence taken at RU.
Aline Bartholomew Conklin Award in Mathematics
This award is given in memory of Aline who was a 1920 alumnae of Rockford University, who went on to become president of the Alumni Association and a member of our Board of Trustees. It is given to the sophomore/junior declared math major showing the greatest promise of success in career in the mathematical sciences.
Senior Prize in Mathematics
The Senior Prize in Mathematics is given to the most outstanding Senior Mathematics Major in Math 495 Senior Seminar. It is based on academic performance and GPA.
For more information on scholarships relevant to this department, please visit the Academic Catalog.
Physics
Sigma Xi Award
As an international scientific research society, Sigma Xi promotes advancement in science and honors scientific achievement.
This award goes to a junior student majoring in science or mathematics who has achieved excellence in course work, research and citizenship.
For more information on scholarships relevant to this department, please visit the Academic Catalog.
Mathematics, Computer Science, and Physics
Starr Science Building
5050 E. State St.
Rockford, IL 61108
815-226-4135
Fax: 815-394-5166
Dept. Chair - Mehmet Dik, Ph.D.
MDik@rockford.edu
