College of Science, Engineering and Mathematics

The College of Science, Engineering and Mathematics (SSEM) offers majors which provide training to undergraduate students in the natural sciences, computer science/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.

Objectives:

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

Program Student Learning Outcomes (PSLO):

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

Pre-requisite courses required for admission into professional schools in the following areas:

Chiropractic
Dentistry
Engineering
Medicine
Optometry
Pharmacy
Veterinary Medicine

Admission Requirements

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

General Requirements

The requirements and objectives, which are discussed in this section, apply to the school 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  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 science and mathematics 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.

No student is permitted to continue as a SSEM 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. Before graduation, each student must pass an exit examination covering the major subject areas of their major and complete a senior level research paper.