Bachelor of Science in Environmental Sciences (STEM)

at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville USA

The Department of Chemistry, in the College of Arts and Sciences, offers several degree programs and active research opportunities in order to satisfy the diverse career goals of our students. At SIUE, students will learn from faculty members who have earned national and international reputations in their respective areas of expertise. The department also has well-equipped laboratories where students can expect to gain experience in the many different disciplines in chemistry and biochemistry. Through the department’s research programs, students may also gain experience in the most current techniques.

What can I do with a degree in Chemistry?
Students earning a degree in chemistry will be well prepared to pursue a variety of careers. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for a chemist with a bachelor's degree was $79,300 as of May, 2020. Chemistry majors work as analysts, environmentalists, criminologists, librarians, patent examiners, production foremen, researchers, writers and teachers. Chemists also find work in sales, and for private companies that produce items such as fertilizers, pharmaceuticals, plastics and semi-conductors. Careers in the public sector can be found in local, state and federal governments, as well as hospitals, high schools, colleges and universities.

The fast change of pace in our society is creating new career opportunities for individuals trained in multiple disciplines. The Master of Arts in integrative studies allows students to access expertise from two or three areas and integrate courses into a degree that meets the needs of an emerging career field.

Consider integrative studies if:

• You have diverse interests that span two or three academic disciplines and you want to blend these interests into one cohesive program
• You have a career interest in an emerging field that crosses academic disciplines, such as cultural heritage and resources management or marketing communications
• You want to advance in a non-traditional sector or start your own business

What can I do with a degree in Integrative Studies?
A Master of Arts in integrative studies can lead to a multitude of career paths as well as entry into doctoral programs. The degree will meet the needs of students seeking knowledge for advancement in a specific industry, looking to move to an emerging field that is multidisciplinary or starting their own business. Employment outlook and salary information for these careers vary widely. A carefully designed plan of study will provide students with a unique combination of skills and knowledge that will be advantageous in the job market.

Sustainability
The integrative studies degree with a focus in sustainability prepares students to apply sustainability concepts, principles and technical approaches to address “green” career needs in a variety of fields. The curriculum integrates sustainable sociology and environmental management, with special focuses on sustainability research, planning and leadership skills, environmental regulation requirements, and community-based sustainable management of natural resources. Through innovative curriculum and training, students will explore institutional, social and environmental approaches to better understand and provide innovative solutions to complex sustainability challenges.

The Department of Applied Communication Studies, housed in the College of Arts and Sciences, offers a program leading to the master of arts in applied communication studies, with specializations available in corporate and organizational communication, health communication, interpersonal communication, or public relations.

The graduate program in applied communication studies provides students with a broad curriculum, designed to deepen their understanding of communication theory and their ability to analyze, generate and apply communication research, as well as to enhance their knowledge and skills necessary for their development as leaders across an array of communication professions.

What can I do with a degree in Applied Communication Studies?
Graduates with a master's degree in applied communication studies are qualified for careers in business, industry, nonprofit and governmental settings, as well as in higher education (at the community college level). Mastery of communication theory, research methods and application strategies is particularly relevant for students seeking careers in fields such as management, training and development, sales, advertising, public relations, community relations, intra- and inter-organizational communication, consulting, fundraising, event organizing, community health relations, communication training in health organizations, and human resources.

The Master of Science in accountancy (MSA) in the School of Business provides an advanced professional plan of study designed to prepare individuals for careers as professional accountants in public accounting, industry, or nonprofit and governmental sectors. Through the Department of Accounting, students learn the skills and knowledge needed to enter the accounting field and to form a foundation for advancement to the highest levels of the profession. Completion of this program will provide, in most cases, the educational qualifications required to sit for the Uniform Certified Public Accountant Examination. Upon completion of the MSA, candidates should have acquired the technical knowledge that will serve as a basis for preparation for the relevant professional examination required for certification as a Certified Public Accountant, Certified Management Accountant or Certified Internal Auditor.

What can I do with a Master's Degree in Accounting?
MSA graduates qualify to sit for the CPA exam in Illinois and have rewarding careers in public accounting as auditors, tax specialists or consultants. Graduates who work in corporate accounting may be employed as managerial accountants, internal auditors, income tax specialists, systems experts or management consultants. In the nonprofit sector, accountants play important roles in governmental entities, healthcare organizations and charitable agencies. Based on their wide range of business exposure and knowledge, many accountants ultimately move into high-level management positions.

The Bachelor of Science in nutrition from the School of Education, Health and Human Behavior focuses on the study of foods and nutrients and their effect on the health of individuals. Housed in the Department of Applied Health, the program combines coursework in both the basic sciences and nutritional sciences to provide students with the preparation needed to excel in a variety of professional nutrition and health settings. An intensive study in biological and physical sciences is emphasized as a basis for understanding the science of nutrition and the relationships between nutrients and human health. Core course requirements focus on human nutrition with areas of study in energy metabolism, proteins, vitamins, minerals, community nutrition, and diet in the prevention and treatment of diseases. At SIUE, the major in nutrition is designed to meet the admission requirements for post-graduate programs in dietetics, as well as admission requirements of most colleges of medicine, nursing, dentistry, optometry, pharmacy and other healthcare professions.

What can I do with a degree in Nutrition?
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, national job growth for dietitians and nutritionists is expected to be 15% through 2026. At SIUE, we provide the curriculum and pre-professional training for students wishing to enter graduate school to pursue programs in nutrition/dietetics on their way to careers as registered dietitians. Students must complete graduate training and 1,200 hours of internship to begin a career as a registered dietitian (RD). The role of nutritionists and dietitians will continue to be important as the understanding of food and nutrition in preventing and treating illnesses becomes more prevalent.

The art education program at SIUE, offered through the Department of Art and Design in the College of Arts and Sciences, is a K-12 teacher licensure program in visual arts education for the state of Illinois. The program is built on an understanding and application of skills in the fields of art studio, art history, and the role and function of art to general education and to the culture it serves. Our program is grounded in the School of Education, Health and Human Behavior knowledge base, which promotes the “Teacher as an Inquirer-Professional.” The program is based on the initial level for teacher preparation in the areas of knowledge application and development, instructional process, context and foundations of education, learners and learning, interpersonal relation skills, and professional relationships. At SIUE, our students are engaged in inquiry and reflection, which are necessary components in the development of successful learning environments in various contexts. Our students observe and interact with a wide variety of art education professionals in diverse art program settings in order to understand the role of each program to the needs of their future students and instructional objectives.

The art education program at SIUE stresses the development of the student as an artist-teacher, the student as a professional teacher and the development of the student’s teaching skills in school. Students at SIUE have access to excellent facilities and a variety of equipment for creating art. These facilities and equipment allow students to obtain hands-on experience in creating art, presenting lessons and writing curriculum. Our students are prepared for their future careers as artist-teachers with a broad, general background in intermediate-level courses in studio art, art history, art education and professional education. To complete the art education program, students participate in intensive student teaching for one semester in two school settings at K-12 public schools throughout Illinois.

What can I do with a degree in Art Education?
Graduates of the art education program at SIUE are prepared to successfully compete for career and graduate education opportunities. Our students pursue advanced Master of Fine Arts (MFA) and Master of Arts (MA) degrees in visual arts education and studio art, and gain employment with area public and private schools, teaching in K-12 classrooms.

The Department of Civil Engineering offers a curriculum that provides students with a solid background in mathematics, physical science and civil engineering. Elective courses are available in environmental, geotechnical, structural, transportation and water resources engineering. Laboratory facilities in the School of Engineering are available for conducting basic environmental analyses, hydraulic experiments, material tests, soil mechanics procedures and transportation studies. Baccalaureate graduates are prepared to assist public and private employers, or to pursue graduate study.

What can I do with a degree in Civil Engineering?
Civil engineers work in a wide range of fields in both technical and managerial positions. Job opportunities can be found in consulting companies, industry and government agencies. Civil engineers work in offices and on job sites. They design, build, inspect, maintain, rehabilitate, and preserve buildings, bridges, treatment systems and roads—all the essential infrastructure for society. Due to the nature and importance of the profession, civil engineers are always needed.

The mass communications program in the College of Arts and Sciences at SIUE prepares students to succeed in careers in one of the fastest growing and most dynamic areas: the mass media.

The Department of Mass Communications at SIUE is accredited by the highly selective Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communication (ACEJMC). This means our students get one-on-one attention from their instructors due to small class sizes and curriculum that keeps with changes in the media industry. Our students have access to state-of-the-art facilities and faculty members who dedicate themselves to serving the professional and intellectual needs of the students.

The Department of Mass Communications offers three sequences: journalism, media production, and advertising and strategic media. While most of the curriculum is a shared experience by all majors, students take advanced courses specific to their chosen sequence. This approach is in keeping with the converged nature of today’s media industries. At its heart, our department is all about teaching students how to tell stories, whether in the form of advertising campaigns, news stories, documentaries, or any of an almost limitless use of this major. Students who major in mass communications but choose not to enter the media industry will be well-prepared, thoughtful and effective communicators.

What can I do with a degree in Mass Communications?
Graduates of the Department of Mass Communications choose various career paths. Our graduates have become reporters, editors and photojournalists for newspapers, magazines, and online publications. Others work in radio and television, for advertising agencies, and in marketing and communications positions at major corporations and non-profits; many become the social media experts in their positions. Some graduates take an entrepreneurial approach and create careers as independent videographers, event planners, graphic designers, web developers, and freelance communications specialists.

The Department of Chemistry, in the College of Arts and Sciences, offers several degree programs and active research opportunities in order to satisfy the diverse career goals of our students. At SIUE, students will learn from faculty members who have earned national and international reputations in their respective areas of expertise. The department also has well-equipped laboratories where students can expect to gain experience in the many different disciplines in chemistry and biochemistry. Through the department’s research programs, students may also gain experience in the most current techniques.

What can I do with a degree in Chemistry?
Students earning a degree in chemistry will be well prepared to pursue a variety of careers. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for a chemist with a bachelor's degree was $79,300 as of May, 2020. Chemistry majors work as analysts, environmentalists, criminologists, librarians, patent examiners, production foremen, researchers, writers and teachers. Chemists also find work in sales, and for private companies that produce items such as fertilizers, pharmaceuticals, plastics and semi-conductors. Careers in the public sector can be found in local, state and federal governments, as well as hospitals, high schools, colleges and universities.

The SIUE School of Engineering offers a Master of Science in industrial engineering within the Department of Industrial Engineering. There are four areas of concentration: systems optimization, manufacturing engineering design, enterprise and production control, and quality engineering. Core courses are offered in the areas of engineering optimization, quality control, production planning, and manufacturing design.

What can I do with a degree in Industrial Engineering?
More professionals are earning graduate degrees, adding to the competitive nature of the marketplace. It is imperative to explore graduate education as an avenue to achieve a higher level of career success. Whether students want to move up the ladder, find a niche teaching in higher education or pursue consulting opportunities, they can leverage themselves with a graduate degree in industrial engineering from SIUE. Companies like The Boeing Co., Emerson Electric and Covidien hire many SIUE graduates. A graduate degree places students in a network of highly skilled and educated professionals who work in the region, across the country and around the world.