College of Science, Engineering, and Mathematics

Mission and Vision Statements

Mission:

The Mission of The College of Science, Engineering, and Mathematics (CSEM) is to provide professional and pre-professional training to undergraduate students in the natural and computational sciences which facilitate entry into the job market or graduate and professional schools. The CSEM endeavors to provide its undergraduate students with research opportunities in modern fields and opportunities to use their skills in service to the community.

Vision:

It has been well documented that there is an extreme need for individuals trained for science-related careers both nationally and internationally. In the United States alone, shortages in health-care providers, researchers, and technologists can impact the quality of life for generations to come. Also, environmental issues threaten our natural resources and the survival of human, plant, and animal populations.

The College of Science, Engineering, and Mathematics will address these concerns by offering programs and courses of study which prepare students to meet the challenges of today and tomorrow. Our students will be provided with extensive knowledge of their respective fields and additional experiences which will help them apply that knowledge to real-world problems.

Program Overview

The College of Science, Engineering, and Mathematics (CSEM) offers majors which provide training to undergraduate students in the natural sciences, computer science, computer engineering and mathematics, which facilitate entrance into careers in private industry, government, or graduate and professional schools. The CSEM endeavors to provide its undergraduate students with research opportunities in modern fields as well as opportunities to use their skills in service to the community.

The CSEM also provides service and support courses for the fulfillment of the science and mathematics requirements of the General Education Program.

Admission Requirements

Completion of requirements for General Education as identified in the undergraduate catalog. A cumulative grade point average of 2.0.

Program Description

The requirements and objectives, which are discussed in this section, apply to the CSEM as a whole. Departmental requirements are given with the major area offerings.

In addition to the General Education requirements, the following courses or their equivalents are required of all science and mathematics majors (specific exceptions are listed under each major):

• BI 141 - Principles of Biology I (For Science Majors) and Lab 4 hours
• BI 142 - Principles of Biology II (For Science Majors) and Lab 4 hours
• CH 141 - General Chemistry I and Lab 4 hours
• CH 142 - General Chemistry II and Lab 4 hours
• MAT 135 - Pre-Calculus 3 hours
• MAT 136 - Analytical Trigonometry 3 hours
• MAT 241 - Calculus I with Analytic Geometry and Lab 4 hours
• MAT 242 - Calculus II with Analytic Geometry and Lab 4 hours
• PH 251 - College Physics I and Lab 4 hours
• PH 252 - College Physics II and Lab 4 hours

Science and mathematics majors may substitute MAT 241 and MAT 242 for MAT 135 and MAT 136, provided they score within the range required on the mathematics placement examination. All CSEM majors must elect either French or German (Spanish, by special permission) to satisfy the foreign language requirement. BI 142 or CH 142 may be waived for math majors.

For course credit in a student’s major/minor area, the student must earn at least a “C” grade in all required CSEM courses.

No student is permitted to continue as a CSEM major with a cumulative grade point average below 2.0 for all courses taken in the School of Science, Engineering, and Mathematics. A student must earn a grade of “C” or better in all courses in their major/minor discipline (i.e., all biology courses for biology majors, all math courses for math majors) and any course considered a pre-requisite for another course (i.e., CH 141 before taking CH 142. If a grade of “C” or better is not attained after two attempts, the student can be dropped from the major. No student is permitted to continue as a CSEM major with a cumulative grade point average below 2.0 for all courses taken in the College of Science, Engineering, and Mathematics.

Before graduation, each student must pass an exit examination covering the major subject areas of their major and complete a senior level research paper.

Education Outcomes

Program Objectives:

1. To provide specialized training for students in the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields.
2. To produce graduates who are prepared for entrance into graduate and professional schools or STEM-related careers.
3. To produce graduates with the ability to impart discipline-specific knowledge.
4. To produce graduates with the ability to utilize current technology to address STEM-related issues.
5. To produce graduates with experience in STEM research.

Student Learning Outcomes:

1. Students will demonstrate critical thinking skills when addressing STEM-related problems.
2. Students will apply STEM knowledge, skills and methods to address real world problems.
3. Students will demonstrate knowledge of complex systems in their respective areas of study.
4. Students will engage in STEM projects that represent a value-centered, ethical approach to issues that impact diverse global cultures.

Graduation Requirements

The requirements and objectives, which are discussed in this section, apply to the College of Science, Engineering, and Mathematics as a whole. Departmental requirements are given with the major area offerings.  Note: All students are encouraged to earn a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or higher for all courses required to complete their program. However, for course credit toward graduation in a major area, students must earn at least a “C” grade. Before graduation, each student must pass an exit examination covering the major subject areas of their major and complete a senior level research paper. A minor shall consist of at least 18 Semester Hours, and the grade “C” (2.0) or better for all classes taken toward the minor must be earned. A student must complete a minimum of six credits of coursework exclusive to the minor.