As part of your coursework in any major, you’ll experience a wide range of classes where you’ll use different techniques, study and apply various theories, use different instrumentation, and investigate multiple topics. These course-related experiences can be captured on your resume. For inspiration, here are a few examples, clustered by major (list includes non-Lawrence majors).
Anthropology Majors
- Used variety of survey design methods including _________, __________, _________, and __________
- Coded interview transcripts and field notes
- Led class discussion on use of religion and myth within Ukrainian immigrant communities
- Participated in ____ hours of field observation at after-school program
- Conducted participant observation as part of ethnography project
- Identified artifacts, features and sites from prehistoric through historic eras at ___________
- Maintained thorough, accurate field notes
- Analyzed data sets using SPSS and MS Excel
- Investigated relationship between language and culture in establishment of social status among adolescent Filipino-Canadians
- Identified traumatic, pathological and occupational markers on skeletons using fundamental forensic anthropology methods, including ______________
Art Majors
- Created ___ x ___ painting using _____ techniques
- Worked with various media, including metal, paper, ink, and ceramic
- Familiar with various techniques, including lithography, print making, digital imaging and sculpture
- Studied _____ art with an emphasis on the works of ___________
- Created complex designs
- Worked closely with art director to develop storyboards for _____
- Designed a CD cover from concept for ________
- Coordinated exhibition displays for 70 pieces for _________
- Catalogued and wrote descriptions for 250+ piece collection
- Collaborated with team of 4 students to set up and take down large-scale public display by _________
- “________” on canvas selected for display at ________
- Utilized ______ to create graphics and design layout for _________
Biology Majors
- Designed several experiments, including _______, _______, ________ and _______
- Perform a variety of molecular and cellular biology techniques, including restriction digestion, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), western blot, and immunostaining
- Led class discussion on unique physical and biological properties and dynamics of marine ecosystems
- Analyzed experimental data; maintained detailed lab notebook
- Performed hormonal analyses on variety of species using enzyme immunoassays (EIA’s)
- Studied principles of epidemiology and public health in role of microorganisms in infectious disease prevention and transmission
- Identified artifacts, features and sites from prehistoric through historic eras at ___________
- Utilize online tools to manipulate nucleic acids and proteins
- Report findings in a concise, scientific writing format including proper citations and figures
- Applied basic bioengineering principles to fermentation and downstream bioprocessing
- Used NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry to analyze tissue samples
Biochemistry Majors
- Applied structural and quantitative models of chemical behavior in Principles of Chemistry: Energetics and Dynamics, covering bonding, thermochemistry, equilibrium, and kinetics (CHEM 116).
- Explored fundamental cellular processes such as homeostasis, cell cycle, gene expression, energy transformation, inheritance, and multi-cellular development emphasizing experimental approaches like Microscopy, Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), and Gel Electrophoresis (BIOL 130).
- Mastered fundamental concepts of differential calculus, including limits, derivatives, and their applications in various real-world scenarios (MATH 140).
- Familiar with classical theories of physics, including ones relating to classical mechanics, thermal physics, electricity, and magnetism (PHYS 141 and 151).
- Applied methods of quantification, statistics, and data analysis using classical, separation, electrochemical, and spectrochemical methods of analysis to quantitively describe chemical equilibria in solution (acid-base, complexation, redox, solubility).
- Examined the microbial physiology and the unique characteristics that allow microbes to exploit a vast diversity of environments including the human body (BIOL 226).
- Emphasized primary literature that studies biological evolution, including natural selection, adaptation, the evolution of sex, speciation, extinction, and constraints on evolutionary change.
- Identified and characterized compounds using instrumental analysis such as NMR spectroscopy, IR spectroscopy, and GC-mass spectroscopy (CHEM 250).
- Focused on the synthesis of organic molecules both in building molecules and pulling together disparate concepts to solve problems (CHEM 252).
- Emphasized multidisciplinary aspects of the structures, properties, reactivities, and interrelationships of chemical elements and their compounds.
Chemistry Majors
- Explored chemistry underlying art-related topics such as papermaking, pigments, photography, and metals in combined lecture and laboratory setting (CHEM 108)
- Analyzed fundamental chemistry and physics behind conventional and emerging energy technologies, emphasizing the intersection of technology with economics, policy, and social factors (CHEM 112)
- Demonstrated proficiency in mathematical practices for chemistry, applying numerical calculations, algebraic functions, and data handling in chemical contexts (CHEM 113)
- Acquired foundational knowledge in Principles of Chemistry: Structure and Reactivity, emphasizing chemical species structures, stoichiometry, and laboratory skills (CHEM 115)
- Applied structural and quantitative models of chemical behavior in Principles of Chemistry: Energetics and Dynamics, covering bonding, thermochemistry, equilibrium, and kinetics (CHEM 116)
- Explored Drug Discovery and Molecular Design, gaining insights into relationship between molecular structure and material properties, with hands-on laboratory projects (CHEM 158)
- Formulated quantitative descriptions of chemical equilibria and developing skills in classical, separation, electrochemical, and spectrochemical methods (CHEM 210)
- Applied Statistical Methods in Analytical Chemistry, developing expertise in data analysis, statistics, and Microsoft Excel usage based on real data collected during (CHEM 211)
- Explored Atmospheric & Environmental Chemistry, studying fundamental chemical processes controlling Earth’s atmosphere, ocean, soil, and climate (CHEM 212)
- Delved into Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, examined nanoscale science and technology and exploring their influence in chemistry, biochemistry, and environmental chemistry (CHEM 225)
- Successfully completed Organic Chemistry I, understanding the relationship between structure and function in organic compounds and utilizing instrumental analysis for compound identification (CHEM 250)
- Studied organic reactions, mechanisms, and synthesis with real-world applications from the polymer and pharmaceutical industries (CHEM 252)
- Surveyed structures, properties, and reactivities of chemical elements in Inorganic Chemistry, with emphasis on multidisciplinary aspects and laboratory synthesis projects (CHEM 320)
- Explored molecular level of biological processes in Biochemistry I, covering protein structure, enzyme kinetics, and the chemistry of biological molecules (CHEM 340)
- Investigated theoretical descriptions of chemical systems in Physical Chemistry: Thermodynamics and Kinetics, emphasizing chemical equilibrium, kinetics, and catalysis (CHEM 370)
- Conducted original experimental research in Instrumental Analysis, focusing on spectroscopic, chromatographic, and electrochemical techniques (CHEM 410)
- Presented individual seminar in Senior Seminar, showcasing culmination of knowledge and skills acquired throughout chemistry major (CHEM 680)
Criminal Justice/Law Majors
- Examined the roles of police, prosecution, courts and corrections in administration of justice in United States
- Reviewed security problems affecting commercial businesses, such as burglary, robbery, shoplifting, check fraud, credit card fraud, safe selection, counterfeiting
- Researched sociological aspects of police/community relations, with focus on police relations with minority groups and positive police/citizen partnerships
- Studied fundamentals of criminal investigation, including searching and recording information at crime scene, handling physical evidence, scientific aids in crime detection, a criminal’s modus operandi and criminal informants
- Wrote mock-up law enforcement reports using state standards
- Participated in regular in-class role plays to practice effective conflict resolution communication skills
- Reviewed traffic laws, deposit-bond schedules, traffic stop procedures, citations, tactical awareness, accident investigations and reports, and traffic control
- Learn how to prepare for and testify in court of law
Environmental Studies Majors
- Studied influence corporations and environmental lobbying groups have on development of laws and policies
- As part of 3-person team, conducted extensive study of soil erosion in downtown ____ as a result of ABC Corp.’s 2008 building renovations, resulting in 45-min presentation
- Familiar with ecological modeling, including use of computer simulations, for understanding ecological resource management
- Participated in field research to understand ecological relationships and biodiversity around Mt. _______
- Spent 3 weeks gathering data at ____ Water Treatment Facility as part of feasibility study to determine cost-effectiveness of building new treatment facility in Town of _____
- Lead class discussions on _______
- Examined hydrologic cycle; used analytical procedures to evaluate evapotranspiration, precipitation, infiltration, and streamflow
- Wrote proposal and 10-page report on sustainable specifications for the _____ Building in downtown _____, with LEED Gold rating as goal
- Investigated relationship between geology and health, in particular, reviewed published research on effect of water contamination on children’s IQ in India and Mexico
- Learned fundamental concepts of evolutionary biology, including ________
Economics Majors
- Used economic theories to study the free trade debate, market responses to environmental damage, earnings inequality, and antitrust legislation
- Familiar with statistical methods: sampling distributions, conditional probability, descriptive statistics and graphs, random variables and their distributions, independence, the Central Limit Theorem, parametric and nonparametric tests of hypotheses, and multiple regression
- Collected and analyzed data using ______ techniques
- Designed research project on ________ culminating in ___ page paper and ___ minute presentation
- Monitored fluctuations of the ________ to study impact on stock prices
- Collaborated with _____ students to lead class discussions on _______
- Used MS Excel and Minitab to _____________
- Explored the relationship between China’s ________ and Japan’s ____________
- Applied calculus models and concepts such as partial derivatives, exponential and logarithmic functions, and differential equations to ___________________
- Utilized various primary and secondary sources
- Maintained general ledger and reconciled discrepancies, wrote budget proposals, maintained budget and gave annual report as Treasurer of __________
English Majors
- Compared and contrasted _________ with _________ resulting in 8-page paper and 10 minute class presentation
- Conducted extensive literature review of academic essays about William Blake
- Utilized Lexis-Nexus, EBSCO Host, Jstor and other electronic databases
- Wrote extensively on topic of female concepts of power in 18th century France
- Conducted close readings of texts
- Examined “war writings” of 19th century Russia
- Explored impact of poverty on expressions of faith in poetry of 17th century Europe; contrasted findings with translations of 17th century Chinese poetry
- Led class discussion on the use of irony in Kurt Vonnegut’s Galapagos
- Organized meeting times among 4 fellow students for group project
Finance Majors
- Analyzed company’s financial needs and developed short and long term plans with 4 group members for case study
- Explored conceptual relationship between expected return and relevant risk of individual assets and portfolios of assets
- Familiar with basic time value methodology to general valuation and integrated cash flow applications
- Developed and analyzed clients’ financial statements (balance sheet, profit and loss) for various case studies; presented analysis and approach to class
- Assessed clients’ financial goals and utilized portfolio allocation models to create (mock) investment portfolios
- Monitored fluctuations of the ________ to study impact on stock pricing
- Used MS Excel and Minitab to _____________
- Developed business plan which was selected by local non-profit organization out of 17 submissions, as part of Innovations class
- Performed statistical analysis of financial data of 20 HMOs in order to __________
- Examined economic stability of four Southeast Asian countries and posited two approaches for investors interested in this geographic area
- Familiar with how to calculate a bond’s periodic interest payment and market value when market rates are different than coupon rate
- Explain capital budgeting, identify the costs and returns of capital budgeting projects, to fellow students as Classroom Assistant/Finance Tutor
Government or Political Science Majors
- Analyzed and compiled reports on the proposed European Union Constitution and various political speeches to better understand _____________
- Analyzed United Nations voting records to explore the alliances between countries
- Acquired knowledge of the lobbying process as part of ____________
- Researched and wrote a policy paper on Reforming International Institutions
- Explored the impact of the ________ Act by ____________
- Collaborated with 3 students to lead class discussions on _______
- Compared and contrasted the political systems of _________ in order to _____________
- Explored the impact of the _________ elections on ________ resulting in a ______-page paper and 20 minute class presentation
- Familiar with several electronic reference databases such as, _______________
- Utilized various primary and secondary sources
- Examined processes for developing scientific surveys and polls, including limitations, voter participation, political decision-making
- Prepared and delivered speech as representative of _____ for Model UN
History Majors
- Compared and contrasted French and Russian industrial revolutions, resulting in 12-page paper and 20 min. presentation
- Studied warfare in classical antiquity from Homeric Greece to Roman Empire
- Examined role of women in building communities in Greek, Hellenistic and Roman societies
- Delivered “London’s Fall From Grace” poster presentation at 200_ NCUR (National Conferences on Undergraduate Research)
- Participated in 4-student group presentation; taught full class session, including assignment of worksheets
- Used various electronic databases to research primary and secondary sources
- Encouraged by History department chair to become history tutor
- Asked by theatre department to consult on period play
- Tutored undergraduates and high school students on variety of history topics; helped students prepare for mid-term and final exams
Marketing Majors
- Developed mock marketing plan for startup business, including internal/external situation analysis, internal marketing quality audit, target market identification, strategic and tactical goal setting, marketing mix development; feedback and evaluation system
- Led lively class discussion on “Customer Service and Handling Dissatisfaction”
- Designed sample marketing communications plan, including: advertising, personal selling, sales promotion, direct and web-based communications, and public relations
- Delivered 10-minute marketing pitch to class, successfully advocating for _____
- Studied Internet marketing, including SEM, direct marketing, online advertising, customer relations management, ____, ____, and ____
- Analyzed marketing data using SPSS
- Familiar with univariate and multivariate data analysis techniques
- Designed market research project: formulated a research problem, designed questionnaire, selected a sample frame; collected, entered and analyze respondent data; wrote a comprehensive research report in collaboration with 3 students
- Examined issues around global marketing, with close emphasis on role of cultural diversity
- Member of team that won 1st place in 2008 AAF-NSAC District Competition
Mathematics Majors
- Thorough knowledge of statistical modeling, techniques and practices
- Formulated and analyzed mathematical models for a variety of real-world phenomenon, including ________
- Analyzed, constructed, and verified ___________ algorithms
- Formulated and assessed logical expressions and functions
- Graphed quadratic, rational, radical, and absolute value functions, linear equations and inequalities
- Determined convergence and divergence of sequences and infinite series using comparison tests, geometric series, ratio test, harmonics, integral test, root test and alternating series
- Used MATLAB to ____________
- Wrote SQL queries using SQL Server and Oracle
- Manipulated large data sets for analytical studies
- Regularly assisted professor in explaining complex mathematical concepts in easily-to-understand terms
- Analyzed data for trends and supported findings through thorough documentation
- Presented statistical results and technical findings to class of 25 students as part of 30 min. presentation
Physics Majors
- Familiar with classical theories of physics, including ones relating to classical mechanics, thermal physics, electricity and magnetism
- Designed research project on ________ culminating in ___ page paper and ___ minute presentation
- Solved 3-D calculus-based problems using Kaleidagraph
- Collaborated with _____ students to solve ______ theorems
- Familiar with using linear programming for qualitative analysis of data; optimization in multiple variables
- Wrote detailed lab notes, including all methods and procedures
- Conducted weekly laboratory exercises on laser physics and optics
- Explored relationship between physics and music, including vibrations, waves, interference, resonance, physics of musical instruments and impact of electronics
- Senior research seminar: built a model and developed an hypotheses – __________ – based on the theory that ____________; conducted significant literature review
- Familiar with computer-based approaches to graphical visualization, solution of ordinary differential equations, and evaluation of integrals
- Examined fundamental properties of crystalline solids from experimental perspective
- Analyzed, constructed and tested circuits used in present-day research with strict adherence to standard laboratory practice
Public Relations Majors
- Studied various theories of communications, including ____, ____, ____ and ____.
- Examined issues of age, ethnicity, and gender in relation to communication.
- Wrote simulated memo to parents of first year students informing them about recent changes to residence policies; letter subsequently adopted by Residence Life.
- Interviewed attorney, J. Smith, regarding issues slander, invasion of privacy and libel; gave 15 min. class presentation summarizing interview.
- Developed communication portfolio for St. Mary’s Hospital in collaboration with three other students.
- Studied crisis communication; presented comparison of Mattel vs. Fisher-Price management of toy recalls
- Wrote several university press releases, including news of $2.5 million gift
- Gave numerous mock news conferences, including announcement of tainted beef recall.
- Developed 20-page, corporate communications package for mock Google buyout of Facebook and gave 30 min. class presentation as part of 3-person final project.
Psychology Majors
- Read extensively about various child development theories, including those of Piaget, Mahler, Bowlby and Bandura.
- Familiar with research design, reseach methodologies, and statistical analysis.
- Conducted semester-long study examining response times to visual stimuli with and without auditory distractions, resulting in 25-page paper and 30 min. presentation.
- Examined theory that employment duration among immigrant populations is longer than that of domestic populations.
- Used various electronic databases, including PsychInfo, PsychARTICLES, and ProQuest.
- Lead numerous class discussion on wide range of topics, such as anxiety’s effect on studying, post traumatic stress from 9/11, and therapeutic uses of music and song.
- As part of 5-student group, observed learning strategies of 3-5 year old children at local daycare center.
- Utilized SPSS to analyze research findings.
Sociology
- Familiar with various theoretical perspectives, including systems theory, exchange theory, ____, _____ and ______
- Led several class discussions on topics such as Feminist Response to Racism, Modernizing the Catholic Church, and Sociology of the Internet
- Examined cultural influences on consumer behavior with specific emphasis on Japanese-American culture; wrote 15-page paper summarizing findings
- As part of 4-person group, gave 45-minute presentation on Homelessness in Chicago, theorizing that __________
- Familiar with models of research design, data collection techniques and data analysis
- Compared media coverage of two celebrities and two political figures to examine role of media and popular culture on daily life
- Conducted interviews of 30 professional women (employed full time)and 32 college women (employed no more than 20 hours/week) as part of field project that explored perceptions of high-end consumer items
- Designed social network website, using Ning, to research “group think” within virtual communities; site later adopted by instructor to conduct future research