BI What's New: Programs, Accreditations, & Initiatives

Black Issues in Higher Education, Dec 10, 1998

Southeast Missouri State University has a new bachelor of science degree program in environmental science. The program was approved by the Missouri Coordinating Board for Higher Education and was established in response to the growing demand for environmental science professionals.

The curriculum is highly interdisciplinary and science intensive.

The core curriculum is in the natural sciences and mathematics, and has four option areas of specialization -- biology, business, chemistry, and geosciences. Based in the College of Science and Technology, the program will be served by 30 faculty members from 14 academic departments.

Graduates in the business area will be prepared to enter and complete the M.B.A. program at SMSU in just one year. And in addition to advanced study in business, graduates of the program may opt for advanced training in the sciences, law school, or medical school.

The program also offers two academic minors -- the environmental science minor is for students majoring outside of the natural sciences, and the environmental studies minor is for students with a major in one of the natural sciences.

For more information, visit the Web site at <http://www2.semo.ed/envirosci>; or call Dr. Steve Overmann, the program's director, at (573) 651-2386.

The university will also offer two related courses beginning in the spring -- Environmental Health, which will focus on environmental factors that affect human health, and Environmental Law, which will focus on environmental regulations and public policies.

For information, contact Dr. John Kraemer, who will teach both courses, at (573) 651-2355.

Regents College, New York's virtual university, has published a step-by-step guide to the research, writing, and thinking processes necessary to succeed in graduate school.

Introduction to Graduate Research and Writing offers suggestions for selecting and refining a research topic, conducting research, evaluating print-based and electronic sources, developing a familiarity with discipline-specific language and evaluating and revising a rough draft. It also includes a comprehensive resource listing of academic databases and provides guidelines for citing works using the styles of the Modern Language Association, the American Psychological Association, and the Council of Biology Editors.

The book, which costs $19.95, is available through the college's bookstore, located on the Web at <www.regents.edu/bookstore>, or by calling (800) 466-1365.

George Washington University, Middle Tennessee State University, Montana State University, and Pennsylvania State University have formed a partnership with AT&T to provide elementary and secondary school educators access to Web-based courses and professional development opportunities. The universities will provide accredited courses through AT&T's Learning Network Virtual Academy, an online centralized resource for teachers. Courses will range from technology usage to middle school mathematics, science, and astronomy.

"The Virtual Academy is the first online centralized resource of its kind to offer teachers access to a host of quality professional development programs focused on integrating technology into the classroom and designed to help teachers meet their credential requirements," said Joan Fenwick, director of the AT&T Learning Network.

Users will be able to review course descriptions and apply or register for courses. However, only teachers will be able to register for continuing education units and graduate degree program courses.

The Web address is <www.att.com/learningnetwork>.