2001-2002 UAF Catalog

Science, Engineering and Mathematics, College of

David Woodall, Dean

In addition to providing course work in science and mathematics for all UAF undergraduates, the College of Science, Engineering and Mathematics, created in 1996, provides undergraduate and graduate programs in the basic sciences, engineering, computer science and mathematics. Undergraduate students in the sciences pursue degrees in biological sciences, wildlife biology, chemistry, biochemistry and molecular biology, environmental chemistry, applied physics, geology or physics as well as interdisciplinary fields including general science and earth science. Baccalaureate degree programs in civil, electrical and mechanical engineering are accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. Undergraduate opportunities in mathematical sciences include mathematics, statistics and computer science. The baccalaureate degree program in computer science is accredited by the Computing Science Accreditation Board.

Undergraduate majors in the college work in an atmosphere that emphasizes close working relationships between faculty and students, provides opportunities for undergraduates and graduate students to work together on projects of mutual interest and takes advantage of the opportunities provided by the research institutes with which the college works closely -- the Geophysical Institute, the Institute of Arctic Biology, the UA Museum of the North, the Institute of Northern Engineering and the Arctic Region Supercomputing Center. The combination of fundamental knowledge provided by course work and the experience of working on practical, discipline-related projects provides graduates of these programs with the skills and experience they need to immediately enter the job market or continue their educations in graduate school.

At the graduate level, there are 26 master of science degree programs throughout the college and four master of arts in teaching degree programs in the natural sciences and mathematics. The master's degree programs provide students with a wide variety of research opportunities in both laboratory and field settings throughout Alaska and beyond and prepare them for professional positions in the sciences, computer science, mathematics and advanced positions in engineering. Ph.D. degree programs in atmospheric sciences, biochemistry/molecular biology, biological sciences (biology, botany, wildlife biology and zoology), environmental chemistry, geology, geophysics, interdisciplinary studies, mathematics, physics and space physics provide a broad variety of opportunities for advanced study leading to academic and advanced professional positions.