2003-2004 UAF Catalog

Science, Engineering and Mathematics

David Woodall, Dean

In addition to providing course work in science and mathematics for all UAF undergraduates, the College of Science, Engineering and Mathematics provides undergraduate and graduate programs in the basic sciences, engineering, computer science, statistics 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 (ABET). Our chemistry major is accredited by the American Chemical Society and our wildlife biology major leads to certification by the Wildlife Society. The wildlife biology program is one of only 16 programs in North America that lead to this important certification. 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 Commission of ABET. Currently, there are more than 140 faculty members in CSEM, supported by 25 staff members within the college.

Advising within CSEM is performed by friendly faculty and CSEM academic programs are designed to provide a foundation for advanced study or immediate professional careers. 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 centers and institutes with which the college works closely -- the Center for Nanosensor Technology, the Geophysical Institute, the Institute of Arctic Biology, the UA Museum, the Institute of Northern Engineering, the Institute of Marine Science 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 master of science degree programs throughout the college, as well as 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. Ph.D. degree programs in atmospheric sciences, biochemistry/molecular biology, biological sciences (biology, botany, wildlife biology and zoology), engineering, 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.

CSEM departments are active in continuing education and special instructional outreach activities. Faculty members are active in precollege education through Math Awareness Week, Engineering Week, Math Counts, Science Potpourri, the Science Center, Alaska High School Science Symposium, Alaska Summer Research Academy, and Howard Luke Science Fair and Camp. A variety of short courses have been provided to the mining community. The Space Grant program has provided summer classes for high school teachers and CSEM offers summer science and engineering camps. Engineering faculty provide educational workshops, as well as Professional Engineering examination review courses.