Master of Science in Mathematics, Specialization in Mathematics Professional Development Sequences (STEM)

at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville USA

At SIUE, a Bachelor of Fine Arts prepares students to be lifelong practitioners of the studio arts who can demonstrate professional competencies, conceptual, technical and visual; in one specialized area within the department’s studio offerings.

Students in the Bachelor of Fine Arts program can take coursework in:

• Ceramics
• Drawing
• Graphic Design
• Metalsmithing
• Painting
• Photography
• Printmaking
• Sculpture
• Textiles

Art and design students at SIUE study in newly built and renovated facilities offering state-of-the-art technology, and are challenged to view themselves as professionals on the first day they step into a classroom.

The Bachelor of Fine Arts, offered through the Department of Art and Design in the College of Arts and Sciences, is considered the professional degree in visual arts. It is the entry-level degree by which students enter the professional field of graphic design, and is considered the necessary degree for a student interested in becoming a lifelong professional artist. Students will also be well prepared to pursue graduate studies.

What can I do with a degree in Art and Design?
An undergraduate degree in art and design prepares majors for a wide variety of careers, including work in museums, art galleries, cultural institutions and academia. Our students are also well-prepared for graduate school. Some of our recent graduates are pursuing advanced degrees at Indiana University, University of Nebraska, Maryland Institute College of Art, The State University of New York at Albany, University of Wisconsin at Madison, Syracuse University, the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, and the Rhode Island School of Design, among others.

Psychology is all about understanding people, which is not only interesting, but also crucial to workplace success. Psychology is both a scientific discipline which seeks to understand and explain behavior, and an applied profession which seeks to alleviate psychological problems and enhance human potential. In the Department of Psychology at SIUE, undergraduate courses in psychology acquaint students with the methods used and the knowledge gained by psychologists in their continuing efforts to understand mental processes and behavior. Students majoring in psychology study basic psychological processes, such as learning, cognition and motivation; the development of behavior, personality, and coping skills from conception through old age; human interaction in social settings; and the effects of physical and psychological stress upon coping skills and mental health. The psychology program is housed in the School of Education, Health and Human Behavior.

What can I do with a degree in Psychology?
Students obtaining an undergraduate degree in psychology from SIUE will be well-prepared to pursue a variety of both public and private sector careers. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, growth among popular career choices for those majoring in psychology is expected to be strong through 2028. Examples include mental health counselor (22%), social and human services assistant (13%), market research analyst (20%) and human resources specialist (5%).

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.

Law
Students are admitted to law school from a wide variety of academic disciplines, and no specific major is required for entrance. The American Bar Association (ABA) recommends pursuing an area of study that interests you and helps you develop a strong skill set in problem solving, critical reading, writing, oral communication and research. Law schools judge applicants based on their diversity of experiences, GPA and LSAT scores.

The philosophy major offers excellent preparation for law school because it excels at teaching the skills needed for law school and in legal professions. On average, philosophy majors tend to excel on the LSAT, and philosophy majors have a high law school admission rate. The Department of Philosophy offers a BA in philosophy with a specialization in law that specifies 15 hours of 33 required credit hours to complete the philosophy major. By including this coursework, the BA in philosophy with a law specialization is designed to guide students toward curricular decisions that will facilitate their future success in law school and in subsequent legal professions.

The study of history begins with questions about the past; how things came to be as they are or were. These questions can contribute to a greater understanding of ourselves, others and the world in which we live.

Historians approach the study of the past from various perspectives, but all analyze the patterns and causes of change in human thought and action across space and time and the consequences of those changes. Some, working within or across national histories, focus on the trajectory of particular social institutions, such as the family, government, business or religion. Alternately, historians can investigate the historical development of ideologies or of cultural concepts such as race or gender. Historians borrow investigative strategies freely from other disciplines. For some historians, the methodologies of the social sciences become critical tools for the study of the past, while others prefer a historical approach involving the methods of the humanities and literature. Most adopt some mixture of methodologies.

In the College of Arts and Sciences at SIUE, the Department of History emphasizes the study of primary sources beginning with our freshman-level survey labs, through the senior research projects. We also provide numerous opportunities for hands-on learning through class projects and internships at many venues in the greater St. Louis region and in the Metro East. A specialization in applied historical methods is also available for those interested in museums, editing and digital technology. The social science secondary education minor for licensure in teaching is housed in the Department of History.

What can I do with a degree in History?
Traditionally, a bachelor’s degree in history was thought to primarily provide a knowledge base for two careers: licensure in teaching, or as a foundation for attending law school. While teaching and attending law school are still viable options for students with a degree in history, the degree is becoming broadly recognized as a foundation for many other careers. Students are pursuing careers in local, state and federal government, including the Foreign Service and city or town management; nonprofit organizations; politics, including political advising; curatorial and archival management in libraries, museums and art galleries; media, public relations, digital editing and film consulting; and business, in corporate training and development.

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.

Pure Mathematics
Often called the foundation of all sciences, pure, or theoretical mathematics, deals with the science of structure, order, measurements and relationships of objects or groups of objects. Students who like to problem-solve are ideally suited to study mathematics. This degree can lead to rewarding careers in education and finance, as well as a growing array of job opportunities in technology and engineering. Students in theoretical mathematics gain experience understanding large, complex systems. These experiences can then be translated into numerous career opportunities.

Students who like solving problems creatively and expressing their point of view should think about pursuing a degree in theater and dance at SIUE. Theater is the study of literature, history and production of live theatrical performances. Students pursuing a degree in theater and dance from SIUE will complete an intense curriculum that will prepare them to take the next step in their professional careers or go on to graduate school. Students explore and build on their artistic talents - not only as actors and dancers, but as casting agents, box office managers, choreographers, set and lighting designers, and theater managers.

The theater and dance program in the College of Arts and Sciences at SIUE is known for its small class sizes and the artistic freedom afforded to its students. Faculty members encourage students to take risks to discover their creativity, and performance opportunities are ample. Each year, the department offers four theater productions, a dance concert, two student productions, a one-act festival, summer stock theater productions, an annual dance festival and a four-day experimental theater festival in the spring. The Department of Theater and Dance encourages a diverse mix of students and a well-rounded education with a solid liberal arts foundation.

What can I do with a degree in Theater and Dance?
Students with a degree in theater and dance find careers as actors, playwrights, screenwriters, directors, production designers, dancers, choreographers and critics. Theater and dance students obtain the skills to pursue a wide range of career paths within and outside the arts.

Dance
At SIUE, the dance program cultivates artistry, creativity and critical thinking in a supportive learning environment. Using a liberal arts approach, students are provided with professional development skills that lead to lifelong careers within the field of dance. Students also complete the necessary coursework to pursue a graduate degree if they choose to do so. Our program is known for its small class sizes, individual artistic freedom and emphasis on injury prevention. Along with courses in dance techniques, students can explore courses in choreography, dance pedagogy, dance science, dance history and dance management.

International studies is an interdisciplinary degree program designed to help students reflect on and engage in the complex social, political, economic, and cultural interrelations that exist among nations and regions of our increasingly globalized world. The program offers a broad range of curricular options in the College of Arts and Sciences, allowing students to explore, in regards to various peoples and across populations, aspects related to geography, history, religion, government, trade, communication, languages and literatures, music and arts, social justice, and environmental challenges. Students in the program will learn critical and analytical problem-solving skills that they can apply to contemporary global issues.

What can I do with a degree in International Studies?
Graduates with a bachelor’s degree in international studies are qualified for many positions in diplomacy or with nonprofits, governmental organizations and businesses. Students can apply their knowledge of globalization, language and culture in workplace settings in the areas of foreign service, foreign aid or international intergovernmental organizations. Examples of government agencies seeking these graduates are the U.S. Department of State, the U.S. Department of Defense, the National Security Agency and the Central Intelligence Agency. In recent years, there have been hundreds of thousands of export related jobs and employment opportunities with foreign firms in Illinois and in the St. Louis metropolitan area. Possible job titles include: foreign service specialist; human rights advocate; lobbyist and administrative/legislative aid; Peace Corps officer; teacher of English as a foreign language in international settings; family and community support service provider for humanitarian agencies in the United States and internationally; and business consultant in international firms.

International Relations and Diplomacy
Students who choose this concentration have a career interest in the art and practice of conducting negotiations between representatives of groups, governments or international organizations. Students gain the skills to engage in international relations through the intercession of professional diplomats with regard to issues of peacemaking, war, trade, economics, environment, culture and human rights.

Faculty in the Department of Music believe students in undergraduate academic programs in music should receive a comprehensive musical background that includes cultural knowledge through the general education program, individual performance, ensemble performance, scholarly studies in music theory and history/literature, and where applicable, teacher education courses. The intent is to develop skilled and informed musicians, able scholars, and excellent and enthusiastic teachers.

The Bachelor of Music curriculum prepares students for professional careers and advanced graduate study in music performance and music education. The Bachelor of Arts, designed for students who wish to specialize in music within a liberal arts curriculum, may serve as the foundation for advanced studies in music.

Music Theory and Composition
The theory and composition specialization at SIUE allows students to gain experience in creating their own music and in understanding and explaining the principles and structures of music. In addition to the core curriculum, students specializing in theory and composition take advanced courses in analysis, arranging, and modern music, as well as private lessons in composition. Over four years, our students build a portfolio of their music while working directly with faculty and guest artists, and receive opportunities every semester to hear their music performed. Classes in music theory and composition are taught exclusively by full-time professors, and composition lessons are always one-on-one with a professor.

The focus of this specialization is to prepare students for graduate study or immediate employment, with a nearly 100% placement rate. The rigorous curriculum emphasizes fundamentals of form, harmony, orchestration, notation and musicianship applicable to any style or genre of music, from traditional concert music to film and game music.

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.

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.