Integrated Sciences, School of

Dr. Linda Thomas, Director
Phone: (540) 568-2740
Email: thoma7lm@jmu.edu
Location: ISAT Building, Room 321
Website: https://www.jmu.edu/sis/

Professors
K. Altaii, C. Bachmann, M. Bentley, T. Benzing, A. Biesecker, Z. Bortolot, R. Brent, C. J. Brodrick-Hartman, T. Chen, J. Coffman, S. Frysinger, N. Hendrickson, M. Kimsey, C. Klevickis, R. Kolvoord, H. Kraenzle, D. McGraw, R. McKown, J. Miles, M. Papadakis, R. Raab, E. Salib, J. Spindel, A. Teate, W. Teel, L. Temple, L. Thomas

Associate Professors
M. Benton, S. Conley, A. Goodall, S. El-Tawab, S. Marrin, C. Nash, N. Radziwill, E. Reid, S. Stockwell, J. Tang, T. Walton, H. Way

Assistant Professors
D. Bonsal, J. Ferenbaugh, R. MacDonald, K. Moore, G. Murton, A. Salman, R. Simmons, J. Stotltzfus, Q. Tao, X. Wei, C. Yang, E. York, K.,Yurco, H. Zhang

Instructors
P. Henriksen, P. Rittenhouse

Cross Disciplinary Major and Minor Programs

ISAT participates in several cross disciplinary programs. These include a major in biotechnology and minors in

Geographic Science

Program Coordinator: Dr. Mace Bentley
Phone: (540) 568-6260
Email: bentleml@jmu.edu
Website: http://www.gs.jmu.edu

Mission

The Geographic Science Program empowers, inspires and motivates students to become competent critical thinkers who will prepare for lifelong learning, respond to intellectual challenges with interest, excitement and competence, and see themselves as global citizens actively involved in the world around them. The Geographic Science Program prepares students who are confident in their abilities as geographers. Graduates have the skills to make a professional contribution to the field, and to compete in graduate programs and the job market. They are highly qualified for careers in research and development and are equipped for long-term success as professionals in the field of geography.

Through the study of geography, students will:

Understand and properly use the terminology and concepts that are central to the discipline of geography, and explain how these concepts evolved over time.
Effectively use appropriate geospatial technologies to address questions about human interactions within the built or natural environments.
Be productive participants in research efforts aimed at measuring, describing, analyzing, and explaining the underlying processes giving rise to geographic phenomena.
Work effectively in multidisciplinary teams.
Evaluate human-environment interactions from a holistic point of view that addresses geographic, as well as political, social, economic and ethical factors affecting those interactions.
Demonstrate civic responsibility and appreciation for cultural and physical diversity from local to global scales.

Career Opportunities

The geography major is divided into concentration areas. Each of these offers a unique set of career opportunities.

Co-curricular Activities and Organizations

Geography Club
Gama Theta Upsilon (International Geographical Honor Society)

Integrated Science and Technology

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
Website: http://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
IEEE Computer Society, JMU Student Chapter
Armed Force Communications and Electronics Association (AFCEA), JMU Student Chapter
American Wind Energy Association, JMU Student Chapter
Collaboration for Environment, Health and Safety (CEHS)

Program Accreditation

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

Intelligence Analysis

Director: Stephen Marrin
Phone: (540) 568-2746
Email: marrinsp@jmu.edu
Website: http://www.jmu.edu/ia

Mission Statement

The IA program will equip students to evaluate data from diverse sources and objectively assess the most significant implications for decision-making in a way that goes beyond other existing estimates of the situation and its significance using an integrated skill set in cognitive, computational, contextual and communicative methods, exemplify the character traits that define an effective and ethical analyst and employ the conceptual understanding of the underlying theoretical frameworks necessary to adapt and apply these methods to any type of problem.

The IA program’s core values are versatility, real-world relevance, methodological sophistication, academic rigor, intellectual community, ethical and professional practice, and external engagement

Career Opportunities

IA students can find employment in an array of government agencies (both civilian and military), federal contracting and consulting firms, select U.S. and multinational corporations, and state and local law enforcement.

Admission to Intelligence Analysis

Currently Enrolled Students

Admission to JMU does not guarantee admission to the intelligence analysis major. The IA program will strive to accommodate all interested students who adopt IA upon admission to JMU. The size of the cohort will be limited beyond fall semester of sophomore year.

To be eligible to apply for full admission to the major, students must complete a statistics course (MATH 220 or ISAT 251 ) and complete the following courses with a grade of “C” or better:

Students will be admitted on the competitive basis of their combined performance in the first semester’s three required IA courses.

Transfer Students

Transfer students must also take the three required courses during their fall semester, as these courses are not offered in the spring. It is recommended that transfer students talk with an IA adviser regarding the selection of a minor that can be useful for the major if they begin during spring semester.