College of Science and Engineering

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Dr. Abdel Bachri, Dean

The College of Science and Engineering is divided into six departments: Agriculture; Biochemistry and Chemistry; Biology; Engineering and Physics; Mathematics and Computer Science; and Nursing. These departments offer a variety of programs leading to baccalaureate and associate degrees. The college also contributes to the general education of those students majoring outside of the College of Science and Engineering. The Center of Teaching Excellence in Math and Science, coordinated by the college, provides outreach programs and support for the public schools with the general service region of southwest Arkansas.

The mission of the college is to educate students in the natural sciences, physical sciences, mathematics, computer science, agriculture, and nursing to prepare them to enter industrial, governmental, and professional careers as well as advanced degree.

General Requirements

Specific requirements for degrees in the various areas may be found under the departmental announcements, but candidates for the baccalaureate degrees in the College of Science and Engineering must:

1. Comply with the general regulations governing baccalaureate degrees;
2. Complete a minimum of 120 semester hours;
3. Complete the general education requirements applicable to the desired degree;
4. Complete a suitable minor if required; and
5. Earn a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.00 in all courses taken in the major field. (The agricultural education and nursing programs require higher grade point averages.)

Policy for double counting CSE course credits

Double majors within the College of Science and Engineering must take at least 15 hours of CSE credits that are exclusive to each major degree plan. Minors within the College of Science and Engineering must include at least 9 hours of CSE courses that are not already counted towards the major.

Assessment

The learning goals for each of the major programs and descriptions of the assessment procedures may be found in the departmental assessment reports on the SAU website under Academics and Assessment.

Pre-Professional Areas

Southern Arkansas University offers various curricula which will fulfill specific requirements for admission to programs in architecture, landscape architecture, chiropractic, dentistry, engineering, forestry, medicine, nursing, optometry, pharmacy, physical therapy, and veterinary medicine or allow a student to pursue a career in the related health sciences of cardiopulmonary science, dental hygiene, medical technology, nuclear medicine technology, occupational therapy, radiologic technology, and respiratory therapy. Students should consult the catalogs of the professional schools in which they are interested prior to or early in their undergraduate programs in order to be informed of the exact requirements they should plan to satisfy. For advisement in pre-professional areas, students should consult the dean of the College of Science and Engineering for an advisor. Typically, students will major in biology pre-health or chemistry pre-health biochemistry or agricultural science for the pre-professional studies above.

Since medical and dental schools and allied health programs vary considerably in their admission requirements, prospective students should familiarize themselves with the requirements of the school they wish to attend. In general, these requirements will include college algebra, trigonometry, at least two to three years of biology, one year of college physics, and one to three years of college chemistry. It is recommended that the student also take upper-level courses in biology, biochemistry, physics, physical chemistry, cultural anthropology, sociology, and higher mathematics.

Programs of study need to be planned in close consultation with the faculty advisor. For favorable consideration by admission committees, students should present work meeting high standards, especially in the sciences, to merit strong recommendations from the faculty or medical science committee and to attain favorable scores on professional exams such as the MCAT, DAT, VCAT, OPAT, GRE, or PCAT admissions examinations.

Completion of these pre-professional programs does not assure admittance to any clinical program or professional school.

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