Bachelor of Arts in Biological Sciences, Specialization in Genetics and Cellular Biology (STEM)

at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville USA

The study of communication involves the development of theories and research tools to analyze, explain and improve human interaction. The applied communication studies program is offered in the College of Arts and Sciences through the Department of Applied Communication Studies. Departmental courses focus on two-person interaction, small-group decision making, communication patterns in organizations and other complex systems, public relations, and speaker-audience interaction in public speaking.

What can I do with a degree in Applied Communication Studies?
In America, employers increasingly recognize the need for more effective communication. As a result, job opportunities for graduates trained in applied communication studies are prevalent in business and industry, government agencies, educational systems, nonprofit organizations, and community-based resource centers. Graduates often have several career choices. Examples of communication careers departmental graduates have entered are: teaching and administration; management, training and consulting in organizations; public relations; human relations and employee assistance programs; sales; and government service. Graduates find employment in various types of for-profit and nonprofit organizations locally, regionally, nationally and internationally. Applied communication is also an in-demand minor for students majoring in areas such as, business, mass communications, political science and sociology. Our graduates are also well-prepared for graduate school.

Track Option: Corporate and Organizational Communication
Students who choose the corporate and organizational communication track focus on communication within the context of businesses and other organizations. Effective communication in organizations is necessary both for the attainment of organizational goals and for individual productivity and satisfaction. This track is designed for those who will work in organizational settings and who want to become more effective in their interactions with others for a more successful and fulfilling work life. This knowledge is especially important now that the "world of work" is undergoing such rapid change. In addition to learning, understanding, and applying organizational theories and research, students will develop important organizational skills such as conflict management, decision making, goal setting and team building. Students completing this track will be prepared for careers in a wide variety of organizational settings and roles (sales, management, human resources and training), as well as for graduate study in communication or business.

The Master of Business Administration (MBA), accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) International, is designed to develop the professional capabilities of managers working in business. The central objective of the curriculum in the School of Business is to enhance quality and innovation in the analysis, interpretation, and use of information for formulating, communicating and implementing managerial decisions in business organizations. The ethical management of resources in a global environment is emphasized through the curriculum. Required courses in quantitative analysis, and decision making will sharpen the ability of students to apply models and skills, and integrate knowledge across disciplinary areas. Students can select a specialization in business analytics, healthcare administration, management information systems, project management, or a general specialization comprised of four elective courses that will fit their specific career objectives.

What can I do with an MBA?
Students completing the program should be prepared to engage in managerial careers leading to advancement through middle-and upper-level positions in business and nonprofit organizations. Additionally, graduates of the program are qualified 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 is required.

The Master of Science in nutrition and dietetics coordinated program is designed for students who wish to earn a master's degree while gaining eligibility to become a registered dietitian and pursue careers as entry-level dietitians. The nutrition and dietetics program is offered through the Department of Applied Health in the School of Education, Health and Human Behavior. The program combines graduate-level coursework in nutrition with the clinical curriculum and supervised practice that allows graduates to sit for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics examination for registered dietitians. This program is also ideal for those students who have earned a BS degree in another field but are now interested in becoming a registered dietitian or those who graduated with a BS in nutrition and were not matched for a dietetic internship.

What can I do with a degree in Nutrition and Dietetics?
Students graduating with a master's degree and passing the RD exam can pursue careers in clinical dietetics, community and public health, consulting, private practice, food and nutrition business industry, food service, food management, research and education, sports and wellness nutrition, or corporate wellness.

Sports Nutrition
The master's in nutrition and dietetics coordinated program has a concentration in sports nutrition. Our students gain a better understanding of physiology and the physiology of exercise to benefit all patients and clients. With additional recognition of the importance of nutrition at all levels of fitness and competition, sports dietitians will continue to be in demand. Graduates of SIUE’s program will be uniquely positioned to meet these needs.

Graduates of the Department of Sociology master’s program are equipped with the skills and understanding necessary to address today’s social problems and policies. Through the program’s advanced study, students examine theory, conduct research and analyze data on issues such as:

• Deviance and crime
• Gender/sexualities
• Race and ethnic relations
• Medicine
• Leadership and organizations
• Sustainability
• Social inequality
• Research methods and statistics

What can I do with a degree in Sociology?
Many graduates of the master’s program are regionally recognized leaders in their fields who command titles such as director, executive director, manager or owner quickly upon graduating. Others have used their degrees as stepping stones to a PhD or law degree, a credential for a teaching position at a community college, or preparation for doing research for private business or public service agencies.

The mission of the environmental sciences graduate program is to cultivate students’ perspectives of environmental issues and provide students with refined knowledge of environmental issues at the local, regional and global scale. The program will increase the student’s technical competence in addressing and analyzing these issues, their origins, ramifications and resolutions. The environmental sciences graduate program at SIUE is designed to enhance and promote professional education and career opportunities in a wide area of interests.

What can I do with a degree in Environmental Sciences?
Students completing the graduate program in environmental sciences have career opportunities with governmental agencies, private industries, consulting firms and educational institutions. Areas of responsibility may include environmental field or laboratory research and analysis, environmental policy and law, environmental remediation, solid and hazardous waste management, groundwater pollution control, water management, air quality management, environmental and ecological risk assessments, and restoration environmental engineering.

The Master of Business Administration (MBA), accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) International, is designed to develop the professional capabilities of managers working in business. The central objective of the curriculum in the School of Business is to enhance quality and innovation in the analysis, interpretation, and use of information for formulating, communicating and implementing managerial decisions in business organizations. The ethical management of resources in a global environment is emphasized through the curriculum. Required courses in quantitative analysis, and decision making will sharpen the ability of students to apply models and skills, and integrate knowledge across disciplinary areas. Students can select a specialization in business analytics, healthcare administration, management information systems, project management, or a general specialization comprised of four elective courses that will fit their specific career objectives.

What can I do with an MBA?
Students completing the program should be prepared to engage in managerial careers leading to advancement through middle-and upper-level positions in business and nonprofit organizations. Additionally, graduates of the program are qualified 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 is required.

Healthcare Administration
The healthcare administration specialization prepares students for effective management in healthcare settings. As healthcare delivery systems undergo rapid change, managerial responsibilities increase in scope and magnitude. The healthcare administration specialization includes focused healthcare courses in finance, policy and economics courses that help managers be effective in organizational innovation and change. In addition, customer relationship management is a growing area for healthcare delivery systems to improve provider-patient connections.

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.

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.

Genetics and Cellular Biology
Genetic engineering and cellular biology are rapidly expanding fields in biology. Genetic engineering is a defined method for producing genetic changes in a variety or organisms in the laboratory. Cellular biology is a field that studies all aspects of gene regulation, protein trafficking, cell physiology, and apoptosis. A large number of industrial companies and many research laboratories use genetic engineering and cell biology techniques in their work. Job opportunities are numerous and growing in number. Students with training in genetic engineering and cellular biology may be employed in diverse laboratory settings including plant breeding, insecticide development, and the production of pharmaceuticals.

Electrical engineering and computer engineering disciplines are concerned with the development and application of electrical and computer technology to enhance and enrich all life. Electrical and computer engineers, as part of this mission, are engaged in a wide variety of activities that include:

• Space exploration and remote sensing
• Process control and automation
• Automatic control systems for use in robotics, missiles, aircraft and manufacturing plants
• Electric power generation and distribution, environmentally responsible generation and use of energy
• Audio- video- and data-communication systems, and satellite communications
• Digital processing of signals and images using the computer
• Design and manufacturing of faster and more capable microprocessors for the computers of tomorrow
• Applications of technology in the healthcare field through computerized ultrasound, radiology, tomography and imaging systems, computer-aided diagnosis and treatment, and telesurgery

The applications listed above require a solid foundation in mathematics and physics, which requires electrical and computer engineering students to go through a substantial set of courses in these areas. In addition, today’s engineers also must be aware of a wide variety of global, social, ethical, economic and environmental issues that are relevant to the systems they design and build. Our bachelor’s degree programs include courses and projects designed to build this awareness. The electrical and computer engineering program mission is consistent with the mission of the University and the School of Engineering.

What can I do with a degree in Electrical Engineering?
Electrical and computer engineers find employment in a wide variety of manufacturing companies such as aerospace and aircraft, electric manufacturers, computer circuit (a.k.a. “chip”) manufacturers, and medical equipment manufacturers. They are employed in the fields of research, design, manufacturing and sales. Many public utilities, which include power companies and telephone companies, employ both computer engineers and electrical engineers. Other potential employers include oil companies, railroads, food processing plants, chemical and biological laboratories, chemical plants, various branches of federal government, and many consulting engineering companies.

The newly redesigned secondary education program in the School of Education, Health and Human Behavior focuses on anti-racism and social justice. In response to the Illinois Professional Teaching Standards, this program utilizes the brand new Culturally Responsive Teacher and Leader Standards as they join Illinois in their collective effort to have the teaching force reflect the demographics of students in K-12 in the next four years.

What can I do with a degree in Secondary Education?
Students pursuing most majors in the College of Arts and Sciences and Professional Educator Licensure through the School of Education, Health and Human Behavior are presented with two career pathways; that of their major area of study, and that of a career educator. According to the U.S. Bureau of Education and the Illinois State Board of Education, the employment outlook for 2016-2026 is strong for high school teachers, both nationally and within the state. As is the case with all teacher education programs at SIUE, the secondary education program has an exceptional record of preparing highly effective teachers.