Bachelor of Arts in Foreign Languages and Literature, Specialization in Spanish

at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville USA

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.

The management information systems (MIS) graduate program is a STEM-designated business program. MIS is an applied business program that focuses on the areas of:

• Information systems
• Software development
• Computer system architectures
• Business intelligence and data analytics
• Information security
• Cloud management
• Related management issues

Business Analytics

The business analytics specialization equips future business leaders with an understanding of the fundamentals of business analytics, exposure to concepts of analytics and information-driven decision making in various functional business domains, and experience in applying concepts of business analytics in a variety of industry-leading software platforms.

Coursework in the specialization balances theoretical concepts with applied exercises, cases, and projects. Students have the opportunity to apply concepts of business analytics to a real-world project addressing substantive business questions. These experiences enable the student that specializes in business analytics to emerge with a fundamental grounding in:

• Concepts of business analytics
• Process of designing and executing appropriate analyses based on the business issues involved
• Delivery of findings to a management audience

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.

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 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.

Industrial engineers design, produce and deliver quality products (parts or services) to customers at affordable prices in a timely manner. This process involves not only designing and producing value-added products, but also planning and managing people, processes, systems, equipment and other resources efficiently and cost-effectively. In the Department of Industrial Engineering within SIUE's School of Engineering, students learn the knowledge and skills necessary in engineering and management and are uniquely positioned to work in a variety of industries, such as automobile and aircraft manufacturing industries, healthcare organizations, shipping and logistics, and business.

What can I do with a degree in Industrial Engineering?
SIUE graduates of the industrial engineering program are employed as industrial engineers, manufacturing/production engineers, quality engineers/managers, operations/system engineers/managers, and process design engineers at various major corporations. These corporations include Boeing, Caterpillar, Inc., Pepsi, Pinnacle Foods, Schnucks, Kraft Foods, Eaton Corporations, Nestle Purina, Lockheed Martin, Lowe's, GM, Mallinckrodt, Bayer, Chrysler, Emerson Electric, Motorola, American Airlines, USPS, Intelligrated Systems, Anheuser-Busch InBev, BJC Health Care, AT&T and MasterCard, among other reputable companies.

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.

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.

Management
The management specialization provides students with the knowledge and skills necessary to become effective managers in organizations. The courses in this specialization emphasize the complex nature of organizations and the skills and knowledge necessary to manage human resources, design effective organizational systems, and diagnose and solve organizational problems. In addition, the specialization emphasizes the increasingly global nature of business and coping with change in internal and external environments. The specialization provides the flexibility to accommodate students with a variety of interests and prepares them for managerial careers in private and public sector organizations.

Graduates of the accountancy 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. Most of our students aspire to become certified public accountants (CPAs), which requires 150 hours of college credit. With this in mind, our Master of Science in Accounting (MSA) program is designed to seamlessly complete the additional 30 hours beyond the 120 hours required for the BSA. For students completing their BSA who have earned at least 150 hours, our undergraduate curriculum meets the requirements to sit for the CPA exam in most states.

For individuals not seeking CPA certification, the Bachelor of Science in accountancy program provides the education required for many careers in the accounting discipline, including financial reporting, internal auditing, tax accounting, managerial accounting and not-for-profit accounting. Students will also be prepared for appropriate professional certifications within these segments of accounting, such as a certified management accountant or a certified internal auditor. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of accountants and auditors is projected to grow 4% through 2029.

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.