| Overall Rating | Gold |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 66.71 |
| Liaison | Christie-Joy Hartman |
| Submission Date | Sept. 13, 2024 |
James Madison University
AC-3: Undergraduate Program
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
3.00 / 3.00 |
Essa
Paterson Program Coordinator ISNW |
Does the institution offer at least one sustainability-focused major, degree, or certificate program for undergraduate students?:
Name of the sustainability-focused undergraduate degree program:
A brief description of the undergraduate degree program:
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.
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.
Website URL for the undergraduate degree program:
Name of the sustainability-focused, undergraduate degree program (2nd program):
A brief description of the undergraduate degree program (2nd program):
Website URL for the undergraduate degree program (2nd program):
Name of the sustainability-focused, undergraduate degree program (3rd program):
A brief description of the undergraduate degree program (3rd program):
Website URL for the undergraduate degree program (3rd program):
The name and website URLs of all other sustainability-focused, undergraduate degree program(s):
Does the institution offer one or more sustainability-focused minors or concentrations for undergraduate students?:
Name of the sustainability-focused undergraduate minor or concentration:
A brief description of the undergraduate minor or concentration:
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.
Website URL for the undergraduate minor or concentration:
Name of the sustainability-focused undergraduate minor or concentration (2nd program):
A brief description of the undergraduate minor or concentration (2nd program):
The Climate Science Minor introduces students to the domain knowledge and analytical skills necessary for understanding and investigating Earth’s climate system. The program serves as an organizing framework for students interested in climate science and will broaden disciplinary expertise for advanced study, graduate programs and/or employment. The minor is structured in three tiers:
1) Introductory lecture and lab courses serve as an entry point to the program (4 credits total);
2) Content-specific courses build domain knowledge in climate science (minimum of 3 courses);
3) A minimum of one course focused on mathematical and/or data analytical skills provides tools necessary for working with scientific data; and
4) The remaining credit hours to fulfill the 18 credit-hour minimum requirement may consist of additional courses closely aligned with climate science, such as undergraduate research, internships and honors theses, upon approval by the program director(s).
Website URL for the undergraduate minor, concentration or certificate (2nd program):
Name of the sustainability-focused undergraduate minor or concentration (3rd program):
A brief description of the undergraduate minor or concentration (3rd program):
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.
Website URL for the undergraduate minor or concentration (3rd program):
The name and website URLs of all other sustainability-focused undergraduate minors and concentrations:
The following minors are also available:
A. Environmental Science Minor - 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.
https://catalog.jmu.edu/preview_program.php?catoid=54&poid=23269&returnto=2891
B. Environmental Management minor - 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.
https://catalog.jmu.edu/preview_program.php?catoid=54&poid=23414&returnto=2891
C. Environmental Information Systems minor - 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.
https://catalog.jmu.edu/preview_program.php?catoid=54&poid=23268&returnto=2891
D. Environmental Humanities Minor - This minor allows students to articulate broad historical and cultural views of the complex interactions among humans and the natural and material environment. Students will analyze and produce expressive, creative work that illustrates the complexity of human interaction with the environment.
https://catalog.jmu.edu/preview_program.php?catoid=54&poid=23267&returnto=2891
E. Science, Technology and Society minor: Science, technology and society (STS) is an internationally recognized field of cross disciplinary study that integrates philosophical, social scientific and humanistic studies to better understand the natural and human-built world. The minor offers students the opportunity to critically examine science, technology and medicine as methods for reasoning about and acting upon the natural world as expressions of human cultures, past and present.
Students learn to scrutinize the ideas, reasoning, values, practices and artifacts embedded in the world they inhabit today. They explore how choices made within various historical, social, economic and political contexts sometimes influence the development of science, technology and medicine. They also see how the adoption and diffusion of ideas, artifacts and techniques can then influence individuals, society, politics and culture. Courses in this minor draw students together from diverse majors across the campus and encourage open inquiry into the role of science and technology in society.
https://catalog.jmu.edu/preview_program.php?catoid=54&poid=23284&returnto=2891
The following concentrations are also available:
Integrated Science and Technology: Environment and Sustainability Concentration, B.S. - The Bachelor of Science degree in Integrated Science and Technology produces graduates broadly acquainted with basic science, technology and social science. All students pursue a common program through their sophomore year that provides a foundation of science and its technological applications. Studies are integrated to include mathematics, statistics, physics, chemistry, biology, computation, environmental science, modern production, energy, and the role of science and technology in society. During their junior and senior years, students pursue advanced studies in critical sectors of industry and government, including applied biotechnology, energy, environment and sustainability, industrial and manufacturing systems, and applied computing. Each student selects a concentration in these areas and pursues additional study that culminates in a capstone project. Students rely heavily upon systems thinking, analytical methods, and computation as problem-solving tools throughout the curriculum, work in teams extensively, and engage in laboratory experiences in the requisite sciences.
https://catalog.jmu.edu/preview_program.php?catoid=54&poid=23387&returnto=2891
Our planet faces various challenges, including
- climate change
- fossil fuel consumption
- resource depletion
- pollution, industry impacts
- transportation issues
These factors affect the health and sustainability of both human and ecological systems. In the environment and sustainability concentration, we delve into these complex interactions and seek innovative solutions.
Through a combination of hands-on fieldwork and lab-based courses, we apply a holistic problem-solving approach. Our curriculum equips you with the tools and knowledge to tackle today's environmental challenges head-on. We emphasize practical applications and real-world solutions to create a better tomorrow.
https://www.jmu.edu/cise/isat/academics/concentrations/environment.shtml
Biology, Ecology and Environmental Biology Concentration, B.S. - The biology department offers a concentration within the biology major for students with interest in ecology, field biology, natural resources, environmental biology, conservation biology, evolution, animal behavior and organismal biology.
https://catalog.jmu.edu/preview_program.php?catoid=54&poid=23344&returnto=2891
Economics, Environmental and Natural Resource Economics Concentration, B.A.; B.B.A.; B.S. https://catalog.jmu.edu/preview_program.php?catoid=54&poid=23458&returnto=2891
Economics majors can opt for a concentration in Environmental and Natural Resources Economics. This program is designed for students interested in forests, fisheries and wildlife, or those with a more general interest in environmental and natural resource issues. https://www.jmu.edu/environment/majors/index.shtml#:~:text=Economics%20(BS),environmental%20and%20natural%20resource%20issues
Geology, Environmental and Engineering Geology Concentration, B.S. - The environmental and engineering geology concentration provides students with the necessary skills to enter the environmental and/or geotechnical engineering industry. Students will have the opportunity to take courses that focus on soil classification, ground water flow mechanics, water chemistry, soil/rock mechanics, geomorphology and geophysics.
Sociology, Environments, Technologies and Innovations Concentration, B.A.; B.S. - The sociology program develops the student’s ability to analyze the social world by using diverse sociological theories and research methods. It stresses the importance of social, cultural, and historical contexts for understanding relationships between and among individuals and the social structures that make up societies. Students will gain the ability to think broadly and critically about the diversity of social organization and practice locally and globally. Students will also develop the ability to take a disciplined and scholarly approach to understanding the world in which we live.
The sociology program encourages majors to select electives that create a coherent program of study suited to their special needs and interests. Such a focus would involve four or more courses from the following concentration groupings:
- Communities, Inequalities and Public Policy
- Environments, Technologies and Innovation
- Health, Medicine and Society
- Markets and Cultures
- Political and Global Analysis
https://www.jmu.edu/socanth/sociology/index.shtml
Justice Studies, Social Justice Engagement Track, B.A. - This concentration is designed to investigate what is fair, equitable and just for society. Emphasizing the oppression and liberation of vulnerable, exploited and marginalized populations, this curriculum promotes sustainable and just solutions to social, political and economic problems.
Integrated Science and Technology, Energy concentration, B.S.: The Bachelor of Science degree in Integrated Science and Technology produces graduates broadly acquainted with basic science, technology and social science. All students pursue a common program through their sophomore year that provides a foundation of science and its technological applications. Studies are integrated to include mathematics, statistics, physics, chemistry, biology, computation, environmental science, modern production, energy, and the role of science and technology in society. During their junior and senior years, students pursue advanced studies in critical sectors of industry and government, including applied biotechnology, energy, environment and sustainability, industrial and manufacturing systems, and applied computing. Each student selects a concentration in these areas and pursues additional study that culminates in a capstone project. Students rely heavily upon systems thinking, analytical methods, and computation as problem-solving tools throughout the curriculum, work in teams extensively, and engage in laboratory experiences.
https://catalog.jmu.edu/preview_program.php?catoid=54&poid=23387&returnto=2891#EnergyConcentration
You will
- Learn how to apply the fundamentals of energy science to design renewable energy systems and enhance the efficiency of energy technologies while conserving resources.
- Explore how policy and economics influence energy demand, supply, and infrastructure.
- Understand the various commercial energy sources such as fossil, wind, solar, nuclear, geothermal, hydro, and tidal. You’ll also dive into the ethical considerations surrounding these energy sources.
- Gain hands-on experience though laboratory courses in data collection, analysis, instrumentation, teamwork, and effective communication of experimental results.
- Receive expert guidance from faculty who specialize in wind, solar, and geothermal energy sources.
- Be equipped with the knowledge and skills to become a leader in the energy industry.
- Develop a strong foundation in the sciences and technology related to energy production, conversion, use, and conservation.
- Apply your knowledge from a technical, economic, and policy perspective, focusing on the design and analysis of energy technologies through a capstone project.
https://www.jmu.edu/cise/isat/academics/concentrations/energy.shtml
Additional documentation to support the submission:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
Information as obtained from the JMU 2024-25 Undergraduate Catalog to meet criteria of current program status and offerings at the time of submission. https://catalog.jmu.edu/index.php?catoid=54
Completed by Essa Paterson, ISNW.
The information presented here is self-reported. While AASHE staff review portions of all STARS reports and institutions are welcome to seek additional forms of review, the data in STARS reports are not verified by AASHE. If you believe any of this information is erroneous or inconsistent with credit criteria, please review the process for inquiring about the information reported by an institution or simply email your inquiry to stars@aashe.org.