Getting Started in ISAT
The Integrated Science and Technology Department does not have any departmental requirements for admission. If you are a JMU student you can declare ISAT as your major. Get information on how to apply to JMU.
Incoming Freshmen
If you are strongly thinking about majoring in ISAT it is to your advantage to declare the major. ISAT guarantees seats in ISAT required classes for its majors. Undeclared students and students in other majors can also take ISAT classes, but they are not guaranteed seats. ISAT majors also are included in email lists that alert them to courses and opportunities in the department.
NOTE: You can minor in ISAT. If you are interested in complementing another course of study with ISAT, that is possible.
Undecided Students
Have you looked into the ISAT major, but still not decided if it is right for you? Try an ISAT course. Four of our first year classes are also part of the Gen Ed Cluster 3. GISAT 151 is an introduction to applied calculus, GISAT 251 couples basic statistical analysis with how to design research projects, GISAT 112 applies chemistry to studying current issues in the global environment, and GISAT 113 is a basic look at biosystems. If you take 151 or 251 and both 112 and 113, you will satisfy the requirements for Cluster 3 for Gen Ed.
The ISAT department would also be happy to speak with you about the major and answer your questions. Stop by and see Paul Henriksen in ISAT 121, or email him at henrikpw@jmu.edu, or call him at 540-568-2755. He would be happy to tell you about the major and answer your questions.
Current JMU Students
If you are currently a JMU student, you can still make the switch to ISAT. Paul Henriksen would be happy to sit down with you and go over your transcript and find courses that you have already taken that can be used as substitutes for ISAT classes. If you have already taken calculus, statistics, biology, chemistry or physics at the college level or taken AP tests and scored 4 or above, often these classes can be used to substitute for ISAT classes. While many ISAT classes have prerequisites, you can jump ahead and take some more advanced classes while catching up in others.
Transfer Students
Students who enter ISAT after two years in another program can often finish in two to three years especially if they have already taken other classes in the sciences.
If you are attending another university and are thinking of switching to JMU and the ISAT program, you can contact Paul Henriksen to discuss your transcript and how your classes can fit with the ISAT department. If you have already taken calculus, statistics, biology, chemistry or physics at the college level or taken AP tests and scored 4 or above, often these classes can be used to substitute for ISAT classes. While many ISAT classes have prerequisites, you can jump ahead and take some more advanced classes while catching up in others.
