Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies

at Arkansas State University USA

The B.A. in English is the quintessential Liberal Arts Degree. English B.A. graduates are likely to be seen anywhere -- sitting in a law school class; reading in a coffee shop on the campus where they teach English; working in a government office; working as a technical writer trying to rephrase something from computer-speak to ordinary English ; or preparing for the ministry in a seminary. If you love literature or if feel a need to be writing, you have found the right degree.

For information about the B.A. in English, email the department secretary, Brandie Tibbs.

The Arkansas State University MBA Program is a professional degree program designed to prepare students of all educational and professional backgrounds for management positions in all types of organizations. As such, the program stresses the development of analytical, problem-solving and decision making competencies for the dynamic, complex global organizational and social environments.

Marketing - Concentration
The MBA with a Concentration in Marketing program is designed to allow students to complement their studies in business administration with in-depth coverage of the core components of marketing theory as applied in today’s marketing environment. Students will complete the 27 hours within the MBA core (which includes one graduate level marketing course) and 9 additional hours of graduate level marketing coursework.

The Radiologic Sciences Programs are administered by the Department of Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences in the College of Nursing and Health Professions. The program is designed to produce Radiologic Science professionals who are clinically competent, advanced level radiologic sciences practitioners. The program is a "1 plus 1" model, meaning all students begin their sophomore year in radiography, then choose one of six "tracks" for their senior year.

Radiation Therapy
Provides students with the skills necessary to operate therapeutic radiation oncology systems and thus become a professional, entry level radiation therapist.

Program Mission Goals & Outcomes/Radiography
The Radiography Program at Arkansas State University exists to produce competent, entry-level technologist for the practice of radiologic technology.

Students will be clinically competent:

•  Outcomes
  • Students will provide appropriate patient care
  • Students will practice proper radiation safety
  • Students will produce quality radiographs

    Students will develop critical thinking skills.

• Outcomes
  • Students will adapt to varying clinical experiences and equipment
  • Students will critique images and recommend corrective action for sub-optimal radiographs

    Students will demonstrate communication skills.

• Outcomes
  • Students will demonstrate written communication skills.
  • Students will demonstrate oral communication skills.

    Students will model professionalism.

• Outcomes
  • Students will demonstrate professional work ethic
  • Students will summarize the value of life-long learning

The program offers classroom instruction on concepts and theory, integrated with intensive laboratory experience focusing on techniques and communication skills required for professional biotechnologists. It is an interdisciplinary program composed consists of 36 academic credits, including two intensive laboratory methods courses and a directed professional internship.

The internships consist of a minimum of 300 laboratory hours in an industry or government laboratory research agency  and focus on intensive training. Students are required to compose a PowerPoint presentation and a professional portfolio illustrating accomplishments achieved during their internship experiences.

The Masters of Science degree in Computer Science is designed to strengthen the background of the student in advanced computing concepts involving computational problem solving and complex programming environments. The program covers topics in algorithms, computation theory, and advanced programming systems.  Students are expected to be able to construct complex software solutions for a variety of problems and systems.  Electives allow the student to focus studies in several areas, including parallel and distributed systems and programming, bioinformatics, and graphics.

Traditionally, mechanical engineers have been involved in fields as diverse as aeronautics, biomechanics, environmental science, manufacturing, power generation, and robotics to name just a few. However, as national and global needs change, engineers are being asked to apply their problem solving skills to address medical, business, and policy issues that confront our society.

Mechanical Engineering at A-State
The Mechanical Engineering Programs at Arkansas State University are accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, http://www.abet.org.  

The A-State mechanical engineering program includes a strong general education component, traditional engineering science courses, exposure to manufacturing processes and automation, and multi-course sequences to provide proficiency in Thermal and Mechanical system design.

We provide our students with a broad and well-rounded educational foundation and stress the necessity to engage in lifelong educational efforts to cope with the ever-changing landscape of science and technology. In addition, students have the opportunity to conduct research and to take courses in other disciplines such as business, mathematics, agriculture, and biological or physical sciences based on their individual career goals.

Program Educational Objectives
The Program Educational Objectives for the Mechanical Engineering Program, which pertain to program graduates 3 to 5 years after completing the program, are:

• Graduates have successfully advanced in mechanical engineering practice as evidenced by their achievements and contributions to their employers and the greater engineering community.
• Graduates have pursued graduate degrees or completed professional development activities in continuing to advance their knowledge base in mechanical engineering or related professional fields.
• Graduates have made a broader contribution to the local and national economic development by providing a mechanical engineering perspective to the challenges and opportunities of society.

The Student Outcomes for each of the Arkansas State University undergraduate engineering programs are:

• An ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science, and engineering;
• An ability to design and conduct experiments, as well as to analyze and interpret data;
• An ability to function on multi-disciplinary teams;
• An ability to identify, formulate, and solve engineering problems;
• An understanding of professional and ethical responsibility;
• An ability to communicate effectively;
• The broad education necessary to understand the impact of engineering solutions in a global, economic, environmental, and societal context;
• A recognition of the need for, and an ability to engage in, life-long learning;
• A knowledge of contemporary issues;
• An ability to use the techniques, skills, and modern engineering tools necessary for engineering practice; and
• An ability to design a system, component, or process to meet desired needs within realistic constraints such as economic, environmental, social, political, ethical, health and safety, manufacturability, and sustainability.

The major in International Business permits students to prepare for managerial careers in international business. It is interdisciplinary in nature and emphasizes the development of language skills as well as an understanding of the sociocultural, political, managerial, marketing, and economic understanding of the international environment.

Animal Science involves study of the science and business of producing domestic livestock, such as beef and dairy cattle, swine, poultry, sheep and goats.  An animal scientist applies principles of the biological, physical, and social sciences to the problems associated with livestock production, management, and welfare.  Animal Science is also concerned with human food (meat, milk, eggs, etc.) produced from domesticated livestock species.  The food processing industry is one of the largest industries in the U.S.  In addition, Animal Science includes aspects of companion animals (horses, dogs, cats, etc.), including their nutrition, care, and welfare.

Emphasis Areas:

• Equine Management
• Pre-veterinary
• Production and Management

Prerequisites
Students majoring in Animal Science must complete specific courses as part of their general education coursework. This list of courses, as well as other curriculum and degree requirements, can be found in the most current Undergraduate Bulletin.

This MSW offers a concentration in rural based clinical social work practice. Students learn the fundamental knowledge, skills, and ethics that guide social work practice and the populations traditionally served by the profession.

Graduates of this program are:

• Prepared to acknowledge and utilize the less formal social exchange between people and systems that exist in rural communities.
• Educated on how to identify and develop resources, and how to use natural helping networks.
• Expected to employ a broad range of approaches, theories and models in their practice and to develop skills that enable them to perform multiple roles in the helping process.
• Aware of the importance of examining issues of diversity; social work values and ethics; how to identify, prevent and interrupt social and economic injustice; and the importance of community empowerment.

The Department of Biological Sciences serves students desiring to gain a broad background in biology, botany, environmental biology, zoology, or wildlife ecology and management. This preparation qualifies students for professional work in health professions, teaching, research, industry, or for graduate study.

Emphasis Areas:

• Biology
• Botany
• Pre-professional Studies
• Zoology