Bachelor of Science in Mass Communications, Specialization in Advertising and Strategic Media

at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville USA

Geography brings together the natural and social sciences and utilizes geospatial technologies to understand Earth's processes and examine relationships between people and the environment. The breadth of geographic inquiry in the Department of Geography and Geographic Information Sciences accommodates students who have broad interests and goals. The master’s program in geography within the College of Arts and Sciences is designed to provide students with a foundation in geography as well as specialization within one or more of geography’s sub-disciplines.

What can I do with a degree in Geography?
A variety of career opportunities await graduates with a degree in geography from SIUE. We offer the only geography program in the St. Louis metropolitan area and as such, our graduates are in demand for positions in the region’s growing geo-spatial workforce. Employers include federal and state government agencies; national security contractors; tech companies; engineering firms; utility companies; local and regional governments; agricultural companies; and environmental non-profit organizations. Our geography graduates work as geospatial analysts, cartographers, imagery analysts, urban planners, retail location analysts, climate scientists, resource managers, sustainability consultants and park rangers.

How does a statistician design an experiment to test a new drug? What is an efficient algorithm to solve a differential equation, and when does it work? How do you determine a fair price for an annuity? Given a complex network of nodes and edges, what is the shortest path from one vertex to another? How can you teach problem solving in a diverse high school classroom?

These are only some of the questions to be explored in our five undergraduate study options in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics. In the College of Arts and Sciences at SIUE, we have a faculty-to-undergraduate major student ratio of five to one, so our students receive personalized attention from faculty recognized for outstanding teaching and excellent research.

What can I do with a degree in Math?
Professionals holding positions in the mathematics field as mathematicians, statisticians, and actuaries consistently rank their careers at the top of surveys on job satisfaction and security. According to The Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job outlook in these fields remains strong, and growth is projected at 25% over the next 10 years.

Actuarial Science
What are the odds that an earthquake will cause catastrophic damage in a particular area? How should an insurance company determine how much to charge for life insurance? Actuarial science is a focused discipline that uses mathematical and statistical models to assess the financial, economic and business implications of future events.

According to the Society of Actuaries, an actuary combines the skills of a business executive, mathematician, and financial and investment manager. Actuarial science is an ideal concentration for students interested in careers that deal with studying risks related to economics, finance and social issues.

The Department of Social Work at SIUE offers unique learning experiences. Students not only learn in a traditional classroom setting, but also by involvement in community-engaged scholarship and learning activities. Our students work with agencies and organizations, assisting with service provision for individuals and families experiencing homelessness, poverty and mental health challenges.

What can I do with a degree in Social Work?
The master of social work program prepares students for careers in advanced social work practice. Students graduate with comprehensive social work knowledge and refined practice skills to engage in professional roles as clinicians, administrators, program coordinators and evaluators, and community developers. Graduates are able to lead efforts aimed at enhancing the lives of individuals, families and communities who may be under-served, at-risk or otherwise challenged. Career opportunities are available in a number of social work areas, including but not limited to adoption and foster care, substance abuse, health and mental healthcare, hospice, social policy development, neighborhood and community organizations.

If you have diverse academic interests that span the disciplines and would like to turn these interests into a cohesive program, then the integrative studies program could be for you! Working professionals can also earn a baccalaureate degree to better position them for opportunities for advancement where a baccalaureate degree is required.

Integrative studies is an interdisciplinary program geared toward meeting each student’s personal, academic and career goals, as well as providing knowledge and skills to meet the needs of emerging professions. This program provides students the opportunity to embrace their individuality and widen their perspectives by exploring and making connections between different fields of study. Students design their own program of study, in consultation with a professional advisor and a faculty mentor, and in doing so take responsibility for their education and career planning.

What can I do with a degree in Integrative Studies?
Students graduating with an undergraduate degree in integrative studies will be well prepared to pursue career opportunities in a variety of professional settings, such as advertising, public service, military, sales, human services, ministry, sports promotion, higher education, public relations, and youth development, among others. Graduates will also be prepared to pursue a master’s or professional degree in various fields.

The Master of Science in computer science program in the School of Engineering includes applied and theoretical aspects of advanced computing topics. Courses within the Department of Computer Science include advanced operating systems, computer architecture, computer networks, bioinformatics, artificial intelligence, database systems and information assurance. Students who choose to complete a thesis directly engage with faculty to develop a deep understanding of the research topic.

What can I do with a degree in Computer Science?
Graduates with a degree in computer science are prepared for positions such as software developer, consultant, systems programmer, project leader, and application software specialist. Graduates also pursue careers as research scientists, technology infrastructure specialists or technology consultants. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts continued high demand and high salaries well into the next decade for computer scientists and software engineers. Students who choose to complete the thesis program during their course of study will be well-prepared to enter a PhD program.

A Master of Science in kinesiology with a specialization in exercise physiology from the School of Education, Health and Human Behavior is offered as an adult evening program designed in accordance with the American College of Sports Medicine [ACSM] for certification as a certified clinical exercise physiologist. The curriculum in the Department of Applied Health is designed to prepare individuals for careers as exercise specialists directing cardiac preventive and rehabilitative programs, personal training, hospitals, and corporate wellness programs, positions in health and exercise science programs, or further study in graduate programs or allied health programs in medicine or physical/occupational therapy.

Why Exercise Physiology?
A rapidly growing field, exercise physiology uses exercise, nutrition and behavior retention in the treatment of healthy or unhealthy individuals . Exercise physiologists are responsible for the assessment, improvement, and maintenance of health and fitness; rehabilitation of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases/disabilities; and the professional guidance of athletes and others interested in sports training.

What can I do with a degree in Exercise Physiology?
Career opportunities for individuals graduating with a degree in exercise physiology are numerous. The demand for exercise physiologists is outstanding and is expected to remain very strong due to the increasing emphasis on prevention of illness and the use of exercise as a means of promoting good health.

The environmental sciences undergraduate program, in the College of Arts and Sciences at SIUE, is interdisciplinary, and is designed to cultivate students' perspectives of environmental issues, and to provide them with refined knowledge of environmental issues on a local, regional and global scale. The curriculum within the Department of Environmental Sciences will increase students’ technical competence in addressing these environmental issues, their origins, ramifications and resolutions. The program will promote experiential learning and professional education to prepare students for career opportunities in a wide variety of workplaces.

What can I do with a degree in Environmental Sciences?
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, employment of environmental scientists and specialists is projected to grow 8% through 2028, which is faster than the average for all occupations in the U.S. Graduates with a Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts with specializations in environmental health, environmental toxicology and environmental management will have career opportunities in their areas of interest. For example, a licensed environmental health practitioner can be employed for inspection, sampling and reporting for sanitary, food safety, sewage and waste disposal, drinking water, pest control, or industrial hygiene.

Environmental Toxicology
The environmental toxicology specialization provides students with the knowledge to work as environmental toxicology specialists, and prepares students for careers in teaching, research or other related professional fields. Environmental toxicology students study toxic pollutants and their effects on the physical and biological environment, such as identifying and investigating potential sources of pollutants in the environment and minimizing their toxic effects on humans and other organisms. Toxic pollutants in the environment include different organic and inorganic chemical compounds, such as pesticides, industrial waste and heavy metals. Occupations that use environmental toxicology include:

• Risk assessment
• Pharmaceutical development
• Food additive toxicity testing
• Managing regulatory compliance
• Residue or forensic analysis
• Pest control
• Monitoring and field sampling
• Industrial hygiene
• environmental health and safety

Examples of careers for graduates with a specialization in environmental toxicology include environmental toxicologist, staff toxicologist, environmental health, and safety specialist.

The biological sciences encompass the study of all life on Earth. Biological sciences programs are offered through the Department of Biological Sciences in the College of Arts and Sciences. At SIUE, our diverse programs of study include specializations that allow students the opportunity to pursue any areas that are of interest to them. Students can customize their academic program in order to better prepare them for their chosen career.

What can I do with a degree in Biological Sciences?
Many careers are available for people with basic or advanced training in biology. There are opportunities in botany, ecology, education, fisheries, forensics, forestry, genetic engineering, horticulture, medical technology, microbiology, molecular biology, parasitology, physiology, wildlife management and zoology. Technical and supervisory positions are available in federal, state, industrial and university laboratories. Environment and health-related occupations almost always require sound, basic training in biology. Most students entering schools of medicine, dentistry, optometry, osteopathy, veterinary science, chiropractic and podiatry are biology majors. Basic training in biology is essential for careers in allied health sciences, including nutrition, pharmacy, occupational therapy and physical therapy.

Philosophy is the attempt to think carefully, critically and systematically about the most challenging questions that face humanity. Philosophy is the oldest academic discipline, with roots that trace to ancient Greece and to thinkers who asked probing questions about themselves and the world around them. Philosophy is called, “the queen of the sciences” because every major academic discipline—from math to psychology—was part of philosophy at one time. Philosophy continues to spawn new cutting-edge fields, such as cognitive science.

At SIUE, pursuing a degree in philosophy allows you to follow your interests. Classes are centered on discussion so you can be an active participant every day. In order to develop your abilities to solve complex problems, generate ideas, communicate clearly, respond to others, adapt to change, and think creatively, faculty in the College of Arts and Sciences Department of Philosophy will challenge you throughout your course of study. Being challenged helps students develop deep analytical skills that will translate into everyday life, as well as their chosen profession.

What can I do with a degree in Philosophy?
The focus on clear thinking and writing prepares students for a wide range of careers, including law, medicine, bioethics, finance, diplomacy, journalism, public relations and business. Philosophy students tend to score higher on the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT) and the verbal and analytical writing portions of the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) than students from other majors, and are among the highest scorers on the Graduate Management Test (GMAT). Famous philosophy majors include: Steven Colbert, Angela Davis, Carly Fiorina, Mary Higgins Clark, Carl Ichan, Bruce Lee, George Soros and David Souter. The skills developed by philosophy majors help ensure they will thrive wherever their interests take them.

The business administration program is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) International, and provides a broad education in the functional areas of modern business, the behavior of organizations and decision-making processes, as well as analytical methods for solving basic problems affecting commerce and business practices. Our students find that the combination of knowledge acquisition and skill development is appealing and rewarding. Students in the School of Business will also learn about the ethical and global issues facing today’s businesses, while refining their communication skills and abilities. They will also learn to make leadership decisions based on quantitative data using analytical tools.

What can I do with a degree in Business Administration?
Graduates of the business administration program are well prepared to become business professionals who understand the environment in which business operates, and can analyze how business operations are impacted by economic, social, political and legal environments. Graduates of the program are prepared for careers in administration or management of business firms, in banking and insurance, and in federal, state, and local government agencies, as well as a variety of other settings where knowledge of business functions and practices is required. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment in business and financial operations occupations is projected to grow 5% through 2029.

Finance
The finance specialization prepares students for decision-making positions in the areas of corporate finance, investments, and management of financial institutions. Courses in finance are designed to help students understand the complex world of global finance and business. The specialization emphasizes financial knowledge and skills that are necessary to succeed in today’s diverse and highly technical business world.