James Madison University
AC-3: Undergraduate Program

Mission Statement: Through an engineering curriculum grounded in effective instructional practices, we nurture an engaged educational community of conscientious and adaptable learners who develop solutions for the betterment of society. Objectives: The JMU Engineering program provides an eight-semester project-driven platform for students to contribute engineering work for sustainable societies. We seek engineers who are eager to: -understand the needs of people and communities, effectively communicate with project partners, and provide leadership for diverse teams, 
 -make beneficial solutions for society and the planet using innovation, design thinking, engineering analyses, and an understanding of complexities involved in real projects. 
 -function effectively in the work environment with integrity and professionalism, and 
 demonstrate a commitment to professional development through self-motivated learning, career advancement, or advanced studies. 
 The Bachelor of Science in Engineering is a single cross disciplinary engineering degree that integrates many traditional engineering disciplines with course work in business, project management, engineering, design and liberal arts. The foci of the program are sustainability, engineering design and project delivery. Engineering for a sustainable world is, in short, a body of knowledge and set of holistic analytical design skills that contribute to the development of products, processes, services and infrastructure that simultaneously protect the environment, conserve resources and meet human needs at an acceptable financial cost. By reframing traditional engineering practice, sustainability provides a way of moving toward the development of sustainable societies, where human quality of life is advanced with a minimum impact on finite resources and the environment. Traditional approaches to engineering, such as mechanical, electrical or chemical are not offered in this program. Rather, this modern, project-based, engineering curriculum spans many areas of engineering to create adaptable engineers with practical know-how. The curriculum is ABET accredited and prepares students for the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) pre-licensure examination. Graduates will be prepared to succeed in the engineering workforce or in advanced engineering degree programs by accumulating a professional portfolio of engineering project experiences throughout the curriculum.

The environmental studies minor provides a cross disciplinary education engaging socio-cultural, scientific and technical issues raised by the oft-conflicting needs and desires of globally interacting societies. Designed to complement any major, the goals of the environmental studies minor include: To help undergraduates develop an awareness of the cultural, political and scientific aspects of the world’s environmental problems. To better prepare students for further study at the graduate or professional school level and careers in the expanding field of environmental professions.

The environmental conservation, sustainability and development (ECSD) concentration focuses on the geographical contexts within which people and places interact. Required and elective course work allows students to explore spatial and temporal patterning between human communities and the natural environment at multiple scales. The curriculum addresses global issues such as global climate change and globalization; environment and human interactions including political, economic, physical and ethical factors; human and ecological aspects of sustainable development; natural resource management including energy, forests, wildlife and biodiversity; cultural ecology; regional geography and population issues.

The Environment Sector of the BS Integrated Science and Technology (BSISAT) Program prepares students to apply an integrated understanding of environmental science and technology to practical, real-world problems. Graduates comprehend the technical and social aspects of environmental issues, take a systems approach to the analysis of particular environmental management problems, and select and apply the appropriate information, procedures, and tools for each environmental challenge they encounter. The Environment teaching team includes many faculty members from the ISAT Department representing diverse backgrounds and research interests.

The following concentrations are also available -Biology: Concentration in Ecology and Environmental Biology http://catalog.jmu.edu/preview_program.php?catoid=3&poid=647&hl=ecology&returnto=search -Economics: Concentration in Environmental and Natural Resource Economics http://catalog.jmu.edu/preview_program.php?catoid=3&poid=686&hl=natural+resource+economics&returnto=search -Geology: Environmental and Engineering Geology Concentration http://catalog.jmu.edu/preview_program.php?catoid=3&poid=851&hl=environmental+geology&returnto=search The following minors are also available: A. Environmental Science- This minor is a cross disciplinary program that any student may elect. Students pursuing programs ranging from the physical, natural or social sciences to education, journalism or business could benefit from this broadly-based curriculum. The program draws from courses that focus on the application of scientific concepts and principles to the understanding of environmental problems and their solutions. The minor draws upon the expertise of faculty in the areas of biology, chemistry, geography, physics, and integrated science and technology. The environmental science minor: Provides a scientific background to those students interested in environmental law, environmental economics and environmental sustainability. Broadens the student's understanding of how sciences are linked to environmental questions. Complements any major by focusing on courses related to environmental issues. Website URL: http://catalog.jmu.edu/preview_program.php?catoid=3&poid=564&hl=environmental+science+minor&returnto=search B. Environmental Management- The cross disciplinary environmental management minor prepares students to apply the principles of environmental science and engineering to contemporary environmental problems in natural resource, industrial and public policy contexts. The minor is particularly suitable for students interested in professional careers in industrial environmental management, natural resources management, and environmental policy and planning. The environmental management minor strives to develop graduates who can apply science and technology to a broad range of practical environmental problems in professional settings. Students are expected to be literate and competent in the sciences and mathematics underlying environmental problem solving. Website URL: http://catalog.jmu.edu/preview_program.php?catoid=3&poid=561&hl=environmental+management&returnto=search C. Environmental Information Systems- The cross disciplinary minor in environmental information systems is designed for undergraduates interested in using computer and information management technology to solve environmental problems and improve environmental stewardship. Some examples of environmental information systems are database systems to track and report hazardous materials in factories, decision support systems to facilitate risk analysis and management, GIS-based natural resource inventory systems and automated business management systems to support and document environmental compliance. Website URL: http://catalog.jmu.edu/preview_program.php?catoid=3&poid=560&hl=environmental+information+systems&returnto=search D. See Innovation A for information about the Environmental Humanities Minor. And there is a B.S. - Integrated Science and Technology, sector concentration in Energy. The Energy Team supports a curriculum designed to provide our students with a broad set of skills and knowledge pertaining to energy and the role of energy in society. Student learning encompasses the scientific, technical, environmental, policy, and business aspects of energy production, distribution, and consumption. Our focus is on the development of analytical skills, problem-solving abilities, and sound judgment. Many opportunities exist for hands-on energy project experiences within study abroad programs and faculty research on energy management, energy efficiency and conservation, wind power, solar photovoltaic systems, and biofuels.

Descriptions and URLs from JMU 2017-18 Undergraduate Catalog Responsible party for major: Dr. Robert Kolvoord, Dean, College of Integrated Science and Engineering Responsible party for concentrations: Dr. Jeffrey Tang, Associate Dean, College of Integrated Science and Engineering Responsible party for minors: Dr. A.J. Morey, Associate Vice Provost, Cross Disciplinary Studies and Diversity Engagement