Career Guide to JMU Majors Logo

Overview 

The Integrated Science and Technology major is housed in the School of Integrated Sciences within the College of Integrated Science & Engineering.

Concentrations/Strategic Sectors

Applied Biotechnology
Energy
Engineering/Manufacturing
Environment
Information/Knowledge Management
Telecommunications

Admission and Progression Standards

Visit the Major Snapshots site to learn more about the admission and progression standards of this major.

Description of Major

Integrated Science and Technology (ISAT) is a program in the School of Integrated Sciences which is a part of CISE. The concentrations are as follows: Applied Biotechnology Energy Production Systems Environment Information/Knowledge Management Telecommunications, Networking, and Security The School of Integrated Sciences also offers minors in Materials Science, Environmental Information Systems, Science Technology and Society, and Environmental Management.

More About the Field 

During the freshman and sophomore years, the ISAT program provides a basic science and mathematics curriculum foundation. Students are introduced to science, its methods and applications, and are provided the analytical skills to understand issues in contemporary science and technology. In the junior year, students pursue a core group of classes called strategic sectors.

These sectors, developed from national critical technologies lists, represent areas of current strategic importance in the world economy. The strategic sectors are as follows: Energy, Environment, Information/Knowledge Management, Applied Biotechnology, Production Systems, and Telecommunications, Networking and Security. A concentration is offered in each sector. The concentration is a 12 hour sequence of courses capped by a six hour senior capstone project.

The Energy sector provides students with a broad understanding of the principal aspects of energy supply and use, with an emphasis on sustainable energy development and increased efficiency. In the Environment sector, students learn an appreciation and understanding of the nature of environmental concerns in today’s society, especially in the areas of energy, production systems, industry, and resource management. Information and Knowledge Management acquaints students with the central role that information and knowledge management has in technology and society. The Production Systems sector deals with design and engineering functions in a manufacturing enterprise. The Applied Biotechnology sector provides students with the understanding of the interdependent roles of science and technology by focusing on advances in the life sciences in the past 20 years. Telecommunications, Networking, and Security provides instruction and examples in the design, development, and management of telecommunications systems and security for those systems. An overview of the regulatory issues encountered in the telecommunications industry includes regulation of emerging services and technologies, First Amendment issues, ownership and distribution of new information forms, and limitations and uses of technology.

Complementary Majors and Minors 

The ISAT major is considered too demanding to be paired with another major but minors that could complement this major include Art, Chemistry, Computer Information Systems, Economics, Environmental Information Systems, Geographic Science, Geology, Computer Science, Logic and Reasoning, Materials Science, Mathematics, Robotics, Statistics, Physics, or Writing, Rhetoric and Technical Communication.

Characteristics of Successful Students

The successful ISAT student is characterized by a general interest in science and math, without an intense interest in a particular field of science, or in math. ISAT students enjoy learning about and using the computer as a problem solving tool. They have good interpersonal skills and enjoy solving problems in groups. Their interests tend to be broad rather than narrowly defined.

Careers

Many graduates choose typical career paths associated with this major. However, some graduates choose unrelated careers that utilize skills and experiences developed during their years in college. Keep in mind, that some fields will require graduate study or further training. The listing below offers examples of possible career paths and is not meant to be comprehensive.

  • Alternative Energy Consultant
  • Applications Developer
  • Artificial Intelligence Technologist
  • Biological Weapons Trainer
  • Biotechnologist
  • Business Security Consultant
  • Communication Systems
  • Computer Simulation Specialist
  • Computer Software Developer
  • Database Administrator
  • Defense Program Analyst
  • Developer
  • Energy Industry Analyst
  • Energy-Efficiency Consultant
  • Energy Engineer
  • Environmental Consultant
  • Environmental Protection
  • Expert Systems Developer
  • Forensic Scientist
  • Global Forecast Analyst
  • Global Project Manager
  • Graphic Arts Technologist
  • Health System Analyst
  • Information Technology Tech
  • Laboratory Technician
  • Laser Engineer
  • Manufacturing Engineer
  • Manufacturing/ Production Manager
  • Market Analyst
  • Materials Scientist
  • Medical Imaging Assistant
  • Peace Corps Worker
  • Patent Classifier
  • Pollution Control Technologist
  • Production Control Supervisor
  • Project Controls Engineer
  • Quality Assurance Technologist
  • Quality Control Technician
  • Quality Engineer
  • Recycling Product Developer
  • Renewable Energy Specialist
  • Research Scientist
  • Robotics Researcher
  • Satellite Laser Imagining Specialist
  • Scientific Sales and Marketing
  • Security Specialist
  • Software Development Specialist
  • Stream Restoration Specialist
  • Sustainability Specialists
  • Systems Administrator
  • Technical Consultant
  • Technology Instruction Designer
  • Technology Manager
  • Telecommunication Technician
  • Waste Management Specialist
  • Web Developer

Who Employs Graduates?

Agricultural Industries, Biotechnology Firms, Chemical Companies, Colleges/Universities, Consulting Firms, Energy Companies, Engineering Firms, Environmental Agencies, Federal and State Government Laboratories, Food Companies, Hospitals, Medical Centers, Manufacturing Companies, Pharmaceutical Companies, Pollution Control Agencies, Private Research Firms, and Telecommunication Companies.

Internships and Experiential Opportunities 

The ISAT student coordinator and faculty assist students in finding appropriate internships that complement their academic studies. The ISAT curriculum also includes laboratory investigations, independent projects, cooperative learning groups, and off‑campus experiences in addition to classroom discussions.

View our list of internship coordinators for each major.

Career Profiles 

Biological Technicians
Careers in Energy
Environmental Scientists and Specialists
Geoscientists
Industrial Production Managers
Electronics Engineers
Energy Engineers
Environmental Scientists
Forensic Science Technicians
Industrial Safety and Health Engineers
Information Security Analysts
Information Technology Project Managers
Solar Energy Systems Engineers
Manufacturing Engineers
Materials Scientists
Regulatory Affairs Specialists
Sustainability Specialists
Telecommunications Engineering Specialists
Wind Energy Engineers
Wind Energy Project Managers

Additional Resources to Research Careers
  • Handshake: view new internships and jobs that employers are looking to hire JMU students from your major 
  • Career Outcomes: see where alumni worked or studied right after graduating.
  • GoinGlobal: learn more about employment opportunities overseas as well as H1B visa information for international Dukes pursuing jobs in the U.S.
  • O*NET: browse occupational profiles to learn about thousands of different careers, pulling data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics 
  • CareerOneStop: explore thousands of different careers by looking at career profiles 
  • Utilize the LinkedIn Alumni tool to see what others have done with their majors and what their career paths look like. Reach out to alumni via LinkedIn and conduct an informational interview.
Copyright

© University Career Center, James Madison University

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without permission from the JMU University Career Center. Content for each major has been written/reviewed by faculty in the respective department and is revised each year. Requests to update content can be submitted to career@jmu.edu

Back to Top