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Southeast Missouri State University


Dean's Office
Dr. Chris McGowan, Dean

Dr. Jai N. Dahiya, Associate Dean and Professor of Physics

Wilma Huffman, Senior Administrative Assistant


Departments


Biology
Chemistry
Computer Science
Environmental Science
Mathematics
Physics & Engineering Physics

Biology


The Department of Biology provides work culminating in one of two degrees: the bachelor of science degree in biology or the bachelor of science degree in biology education.  The bachelor of science degree in education prepares students for certification in high school biology teaching. The biomedical sciences track prepares students for professional post-graduate education in medicine and related fields, including optometry, physical therapy and dentistry. OEE students may tailor their studies for any of wide range of careers, the wildlife and conservation option prepares students for a career in wildlife and conservation biology and various types of biological research. The MCM track provides students with theoretical background and practical skills to prepare for jobs in biotechnology, as well as graduate work in molecular biology research.

All majors in the Department of Biology take a common core of courses, ensuring that graduates are broadly trained in the diverse range of biological disciplines.  Internships and independent research opportunities with departmental faculty further develop students' skills in a specific field of interest.

Chairperson: Dr. William R. Eddleman, weddleman@semo.edu, (573) 651-2171



Chemistry

The Department of Chemistry offers programs designed to prepare students for careers in chemistry and chemistry-related fields, such as medical technology, or for advanced studies in graduate and professional programs. The department has a long tradition of providing quality educational programs. The undergraduate chemistry program at Southeast is certified by the American Chemical Society, the world’s largest professional scientific society. Since 1995, mean test scores by our chemistry graduates on the Major Field Achievement Test in chemistry have been at or above the 70th percentile, and in 1996, our institutional rank was in the 99th percentile. 

The chemistry program at Southeast encourages strong student-faculty relationships that emphasize individual attention, personal contact and independent thinking. Many students are actively involved with faculty in research projects, which often result in peer-reviewed publications and presentations at professional meetings. The Department of Chemistry's affiliation with the Southeast Missouri Regional Crime Lab provides a unique experience for students in the master’s degree program in forensic chemistry to explore forensic science as a career option.

Chairperson: Dr. Philip W. Crawford, pcrawford@semo.edu, (573) 651-2166



Computer Science

The Department of Computer Science provides students with the skills necessary for entry-level positions in a variety of computer science areas, as well as providing them with the basic knowledge needed throughout their professional careers. In addition, the program prepares students for graduate study in the computer science field. Since computer science is a rapidly expanding field, our faculty engages in applied research for peer review and publication, participates in professional and consulting activities, and serves both the university and professional communities in numerous activities.
  
The Department of Computer Science offers students the flexibility to tailor their degrees to fit specific niches in the marketplace. The bachelor of science in computer science degree is oriented toward the science, mathematics and engineering aspects of the computer science field, which prepares students for graduate school or for interdisciplinary work in scientific informatics, such as bioinformatics or cheminformatics. The bachelor of science in applied computer science degree is more flexible, allowing students to become application developers in any area from accounting to zoology. Students earning this degree select a minor or second major in a field in which they can develop expertise in order to develop computer applications in that area or pursue graduate studies in that field. Students can choose their minor or second major from any discipline offered by Southeast, giving them a broad scope of options to pursue.

Interim Chairperson: Dr. Donald J. Bagert, 651-2244, dbagert@semo.edu



Environmental Science

Environmental science is a diverse field concerned with management and protection of living and non-living natural resources, prevention and management of pollution, and legal, medical and economic factors related to the environment.  Environmental scientists work in a wide diversity of job settings -- from wilderness to corporate boardrooms to research labs to medical clinics to courtrooms. The Environmental Science Program provides a highly interdisciplinary, science-intensive curriculum designed to prepare today’s students to become tomorrow’s leaders in the environmental field. This program is made for students who love science and want to pursue a career that “makes a difference” toward a better future. 

The bachelor of science in environmental science degree provides a common core of courses and offers curricular tracks in:  biology, business, chemistry, environmental health, geosciences, information systems and soil science.  These curricula prepare students for entry directly into the environmental field or make graduates able to continue their education in graduate, law, medical or business schools.

All environmental science students participate in experiential learning through internships or research projects.  Internships provide valuable career experiences and often are paid positions in federal, state or local government agencies, in private business/industry or in non-profit organizations. Student research projects with faculty have resulted in presentations at regional and national professional meetings and in publication in professional journals.

Director:  Dr. Stephen R. Overmann, srovermann@semo.edu, (573) 651-2386


Mathematics

The Department of Mathematics offers two bachelor's degree programs and a master's degree program.  Mathematics may also be chosen for a middle school education major or for an elementary education concentration.  A minor in mathematics is also available.

The bachelor of science degree with the pure mathematics option prepares students for graduate study in mathematics. The bachelor of science degree with the applied mathematics/statistics option prepares students for graduate study or employment in business, industry or government.

The bachelor of science in education degree prepares students to teach mathematics at the secondary, middle or elementary school level.

The master's of natural science degree in mathematics offers the flexibility to design a program of study in mathematics education, applied mathematics, statistics or pure mathematics.

The recently revised minor in mathematics requires 15 hours in mathematics, including analytic geometry, calculus I and six hours at the 300 or above level.

Chairperson: Dr. Victor Gummersheimer, vgummersheimer@semo.edu, (573) 651-2164


Physics & Engineering Physics

Physics is perhaps the most fundamental of the sciences. It involves the study of the nature of basic things such as motion, forces, energy, matter, heat, sound, light and the atom. Engineering is the profession in which basic knowledge from the mathematical and natural sciences is applied to develop new ways to utilize the materials and forces of nature for the benefit of society. The Department of Physics and Engineering Physics at Southeast Missouri State University prepares students for immediate employment or further study in physics- or engineering-related fields upon graduation. We do this by offering bachelor of science degrees in Physics, Engineering Physics (ABET/EAC accredited) and Physics Education. We also offer a two-year pre-engineering program in which students transfer to an engineering school to complete their bachelor's degree in a field of engineering. We offer small classes with individualized attention from faculty members and the opportunity to be involved with faculty members in undergraduate research. 

Please review our Web site at http://www6.semo.edu/pep/index.asp for details about each of our programs or contact us by e-mail at dprobst@semo.edu or phone (573) 651-2388 with questions regarding our department or programs, or if you have any questions about careers in physics or engineering in general. We look forward to working with you to achieve your educational goals.

Chairperson:  David K. Probst, Ph.D., P.E., dprobst@semo.edu, (573) 651-2388

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