Mar 28, 2024  
2017-2018 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2017-2018 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Integrated Science and Technology Minor


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Dr. Jeffrey Tang, Interim Department Head

Phone: (540) 568-2740 Email: tangjd@jmu.edu

Location: ISAT Building, Room 321 Website: http://www.isat.jmu.edu

Professors

K. Altaii, C. Bachmann, M. Bentley, T. Benzing, T. Chen, M. Deaton, S. Frysinger, M. Handley, M. Kimsey, C. Klevickis, R. Kolvoord, H. Kraenzle, D. McGraw, R. McKown, J. Miles, M. Papadakis, E. Pappas, R. Raab, E. Salib, J. Spindel, A. Teate, W. Teel, L. Temple

Associate Professors

M. Benton, A. Biesecker, Z. Bortolot, R. Brent, J. Coffman, A. Goodall, C. J. Hartman, N. Hendrickson, S. Marrin, C. Nash, N. Radziwill, E. Reid, S. Stockwell, J. Tang, T. Walton, H. Way

Assistant Professors

D. Bonsal, S. Conley, S. El-Tawab, J. Ferenbaugh, K. Moore, Q. Tao, L. Ward, X. Wei, E. York

Instructor

P. Henriksen

 

Director: Dr. Amanda Biesecker
Phone: (540) 568-2730           
Email: biesecag@jmu.edu

Coordinator for Students: Mr. Paul W. Henriksen
Phone: (540) 568-2755           
Email: henrikpw@jmu.edu 
Location: ISAT Building, Room 121
Websitehttp://www.isat.jmu.edu

Mission Statement

The Integrated Science and Technology Bachelors Program prepares graduates to excel in a complex, technological world by empowering them to become critical thinkers and lifelong learners able to provide multi-disciplinary solutions to scientific and technological challenges with sensitivity to social, ethical and global considerations.

The foundational concept of the ISAT Program, which distinguishes it from other science and technology based programs, is its integration of multiple disciplines within a student’s four-year course of study. The unique integrative character of the program is carried by the curriculum content, pedagogy, and departmental culture.

Goals

We measure our success by achieving the following 11 goals. ISAT graduates will be able to do the following:

  • Apply and integrate mathematics, physical science, biological science, and technology.
  • Apply sound experimental methodology.
  • Understand the professional requirements for the acquisition and use of information and data.
  • Work effectively in multidisciplinary teams.
  • Solve technological problems and understand their societal implications.
  • Understand and apply the principles of professional ethics.
  • Communicate effectively on social, scientific and technical matters.
  • Analyze science and technology within broader global, political, economic and social contexts.
  • Become autonomous, self-directed learners who recognize the need for lifelong learning.
  • Use the computer as an effective problem-solving tool.
  • Examine a problem and assemble the tools and knowledge needed to solve it.

Career Opportunities

The ISAT major prepares graduates for a wide variety of careers because of the breadth of science, technology, economic, and societal studies coupled with the integrative, problem-solving focus of the program. The program prepares students for a professional career and the majority of students enter the workforce upon graduation. However, a significant number choose to continue their education through a variety of graduate programs.

ISAT graduates have successfully built careers over a wide range of professions. Examples include technical and operational consulting, biotech lab research, network reliability and security improvement, energy and environmental policy development, information management, renewable energy development, manufacturing process development, and environmental management.

Some graduates start their own businesses, some work in small start-ups involved with new technology applications while others work in Fortune 500 companies. Graduates have also chosen to start their careers in other directions including government agencies, Peace Corps and other forms of public service, education, and politics.

Students who choose graduate studies have a wide range of options. ISAT graduates have successfully completed graduate studies in areas such as engineering, business, microbiology, environment, computer science, law, and medicine. The flexibility of the ISAT program allows students to select appropriate elective courses as they prepare for the graduate program of their choice.

Co-curricular Activities and Organizations

  • ISAT Honor Society
  • Environmental Management, JMU Student Chapter of Air and Waste Management Association
  • Association for Facilities Engineering, JMU Student Chapter
  • Virginia Biotechnology Association, JMU Student Chapter
  • Society of Automotive Engineers International, JMU Student Chapter
  • Society of Manufacturing Engineering, JMU Student Chapter
  • IEEE Computer Society, JMU Student Chapter
  • Armed Force Communications and Electronics Association (AFCEA), JMU Student Chapter
  • American Wind Energy Association, JMU Student Chapter

Program Accreditation

The ISAT Bachelor’s degree program is accredited by the Applied Science Accreditation Commission of Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET).

Minor Requirements


The minor in ISAT mirrors the major by having a breadth component and a depth component. The breadth component is satisfied through nine credit hours in Issues in Science and Technology and the Foundations of Instrumentation and Measurement. The depth component is satisfied through focused study in a concentration.

Students should note that many courses have ISAT prerequisites outside the minor (although equivalents to ISAT prerequisite courses will be accepted). In planning a sequence of courses for the minor, students are encouraged to meet with an ISAT adviser to ensure that all needed prerequisites will be taken in due course. In addition, before a student pursuing an ISAT minor can take any ISAT course, a grade equal to or higher than “C-” is required for all ISAT foundation courses that are prerequisites for another required ISAT foundation course.

The minimum requirements for the minor in ISAT are as follows:

Courses


Choose one of the following sequences: 6-8 Credit Hours


One additional Integrated Science and Technology course at the 300 or 400 level: 3 Credit Hours


Total: 18-21 Credit Hours


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