School of Integrated Sciences

Stephanie Stockwell, Interim Co-Director
Phone: (540) 568-8980
Email: stockswb@jmu.edu

Henry Way, Interim Co-Director
Phone: (540) 568-2740
Email: wayha@jmu.edu

Location: EnGeo 2122
Website: https://www.jmu.edu/sis/

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

Associate Professors
S. Conley, O. Danzell, R. MacDonald, S. Marrin, K. Moore, T. Odomosu, S. Stockwell, T. Walton, X. Wei, E. York, H. Zhang

Assistant Professors
P. Baxter, D. Bonsal, T. Gerken, G. Murton, J. Robinson, R. Simmons, J. Stoltzfus, X. Tang, K. Yurco, R. Zaini

Visiting Assistant Professor
K. Metta

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

Geography

Director: Zachary Bortolot
Phone: (540) 568-6260
Email: bortolzj@jmu.edu
Website: www.jmu.edu/gs

Adviser: Kimberly Robinson
Phone: (540) 568-6199
Email: robinsks@jmu.edu
Location: EnGeo 2108

Mission

The Geography 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 geography 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

American Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing
Geography Club
Gama Theta Upsilon (International Geographical Honor Society)

Integrated Science and Technology

Director: Amanda Sanson
Phone: (540) 568-2730
Email: sansonag@jmu.edu

Coordinator for Students: Paul W. Henriksen
Phone: (540) 568-2755
Email: henrikpw@jmu.edu
Location: King 321
Website: http://www.isat.jmu.edu

Mission Statement

The Integrated Science and Technology Bachelors Program prepares graduates to excel in a complex technological world. Our curriculum empowers students to provide globally responsible multi-disciplinary solutions to important problems with sensitivity to social and ethical complexities.

The foundational concepts of the ISAT program, which distinguishes it from other science- and technology-based programs, is its integration of multiple disciplines by focusing on problem-solving and systems thinking. 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 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 program prepares students for an agile professional career. ISAT graduates are technological problem solvers, clear and confident communicators, and experienced collaborators. This combination of hard and soft skills provides a framework for success in a wide variety of rapidly changing fields. Examples include careers in data science and machine learning, renewable energy, remote sensing, technical and operational consulting, research and development, regulation and policy, advanced manufacturing, and environmental management.

The majority of ISAT students are employed in the public or private sectors following graduation. Some graduates pursue advanced degrees in areas such as nanotechnology, materials science, system dynamics, engineering, business, sustainability, computer science and public policy.

The flexibility of the ISAT program allows students to select courses that inspire and strategically prepare them for the careers or graduate programs of their choice.

Co-curricular Activities and Organizations

ISAT Honor Society (IHS)
Environmental Management, JMU Student Chapter of Air and Waste Management Association
Association for Facilities Engineering, JMU Student Chapter
Virginia Biotechnology Association (VaBio), 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

Adviser: Kimberly Robinson
Phone: (540) 568-6199
Email: robinsks@jmu.edu
Location: EnGeo 2108

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 could 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 fall semester sophomore year’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.