Dec 07, 2024  
2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog

Integrated Science and Technology, B.S.


Program Description


The Bachelor of Science degree in Integrated Science and Technology produces graduates broadly acquainted with basic science, technology and social science. All students pursue a common program through their sophomore year that provides a foundation of science and its technological applications. Studies are integrated to include mathematics, statistics, physics, chemistry, biology, computation, environmental science, modern production, energy, and the role of science and technology in society. During their junior and senior years, students pursue advanced studies in critical sectors of industry and government, including applied biotechnology, energy, environment and sustainability, industrial and manufacturing systems, and applied computing. Each student selects a concentration in these areas and pursues additional study that culminates in a capstone project. Students rely heavily upon systems thinking, analytical methods, and computation as problem-solving tools throughout the curriculum, work in teams extensively, and engage in laboratory experiences.

Minimum Grades


A minimum grade of “C-” is required for ISAT 151 ISAT 152  and ISAT 251 .

Degree and Major Requirements


Degree Requirements Credit Hours
General Education  1  41
Major requirements (listed below) 2 66-67
Concentration requirements (listed below) 12
University electives
Total
0-1
120

Footnotes


1 The General Education  program contains a set of requirements each student must fulfill. Some requirements may be fulfilled by courses within the major.
2 ISAT major requirements include the quantitative and scientific literacy requirements of the B.S. degree.

Major Requirements


First Year Student and Sophomore Courses


Issues in Science and Technology: 14 Credit Hours


This sequence of four courses (ISAT 112 ISAT 113 /ISAT 113L ISAT 211 , and ISAT 212 ) engages students in the practice of science, both to motivate and to provide understanding of science and technology in the context of important current social issues. Current areas from which issues are selected are living systems, the environment, modern production and energy.

Analytical Methods: 17 Credit Hours


This sequence of five courses (ISAT 151 ISAT 152 ISAT 251 ISAT 252 , and ISAT 300 ) provides students with basic methods and tools for understanding and analyzing problems in science and technology. Subjects are taught in an integrated manner with applications as the unifying factor. Topics include calculus, elements of the physical sciences, statistics, project management, the computer, knowledge-based systems, and instrumentation and measurement. ISAT 300  is usually taken in the third year.

Social Context of Technology and Science: 6 Credit Hours


This two-course sequence introduces the student to the broader issues encountered in science and technology problem-solving, particularly social, ethical, economic and legal issues.

Junior and Senior Courses


Holistic Problem Solving: 10 Credit Hours


This four-course sequence introduces the students to holistic problem solving and has them study a complex problem in an area of technology.

Strategic Sectors in Science and Technology: 13-14 Credit Hours


Students complete instruction in strategic sectors during their junior year. Students must choose two of the sectors and complete the full sector sequence for each of the two. The strategic sectors, developed from lists of national critical technologies, represent areas of current strategic importance in the world economy.

The current areas for the sectors are:

  • Applied Biotechnology
  • Applied Computing
  • Energy
  • Environment and Sustainability
  • Industrial and Manufacturing systems

These are the same topic areas as for the concentrations in ISAT. Sector level classes are 300 level and concentration classes are 400 level.

Senior Capstone Project: 6 Credit Hours


Students take the last senior project class and the rest of their four concentration classes.

Concentration Requirements: 12 Credit Hours


Students may focus their program of study by taking four additional courses in a particular area of concentration. This area should align with one of the strategic sectors completed in the junior year. The current ISAT concentrations are:

  • Applied Biotechnology
  • Applied Computing
  • Energy
  • Environment and Sustainability
  • Industrial and Manufacturing Systems
  • Public Interest Technology and Science (co-concentration)
  • Tailored concentration*
     

*Students also have the option to tailor their area of concentration with the help of their advisor and the approval of the ISAT program director.

Concentrations


The courses listed below may be taken to fulfill concentration requirements. If you wish to substitute other courses, you must obtain concentration advisor approval. Four courses (twelve credit hours) are required in addition to your senior project for a single concentration.
 

Energy Concentration


Required Energy Concentration Courses: 6 Credit Hours


Energy Concentration Electives: 6 Credit Hours

Public Interest Technology and Science Co-concentration


Students who select this concentration must also choose an additional concentration. Choose 12 credit hours from the following course options:

Tailored Concentration


Students have the option to tailor their area of concentration with the help of their advisor and the approval of the ISAT program director.

Footnote


1 EIS minors only

Recommended Schedule for Majors


First Year


Second Year


Third Year


Fall Semester


Total: 14-17 Credit Hours

Spring Semester


Total: 13-17 Credit Hours

Fourth Year


Fall Semester


Students take the third senior project class and on the average two concentration classes.

Total: 15 Credit Hours

Spring Semester


Students take the last senior project class and the rest of their four concentration classes.

Total: 15 Credit Hours

Program Total: 120 Credit Hours


Integrated Science and Technology Major with Pre-health Preparation


Students majoring in ISAT desiring to prepare for higher education in health careers (dentistry, optometry, medicine, pharmacy, physical therapy, veterinary) may waive some required ISAT courses if they take equivalent courses required by the pre-health programs.

These equivalencies are not generally granted outside of a pre-health preparation program. Students who begin a preparation but do not finish it may be able to have some of the courses waived. Contact Paul Henriksen, Coordinator for Students, for more information.

Required Courses for Pre-Health

ISAT Courses Waived

BIO 140 /BIO 140L , BIO 240 /BIO 240L 

ISAT 113 /ISAT 113L 

CHEM 131 CHEM 132  

ISAT 112  

PHYS (140 150 ) or (240 250 )

ISAT 152 ISAT 212  

MATH 205 235  or 231  and 232  

ISAT 151  

MATH 220  

ISAT 251