What are ISAT classes like?
Curriculum
The ISAT curriculum involves a range of study areas, called sectors. In the first two years, ISAT majors explore each sector while completing their required General Education classes for JMU. In the third year, students choose three sectors to study further. In the final year, students concentrate on at least one of these sectors and complete their senior project. View a more complete description of the curriculum, including sample syllabi.
Undergraduate Focused
ISAT offers small class sizes that facilitate more personal interaction with faculty. Because ISAT is undergraduate-focused, students have a chance to work closely with faculty starting in their very first year. Students are not just a number and do not just lost in a crowd. As opposed to a large research university where faculty frequently only have graduate students working on projects, ISAT faculty depend on undergraduates to get involved early and often with the range of projects they undertake.
Classes
While each class and professor offer their own content and style, ISAT classes have one general theme: don’t just study it, do it. ISAT classes are hands on, most involving a semester project that can be completed with a team of other students. By applying what is learned in class to a project, students have a hands-on learning experience while honing their presentation, writing, and communication skills.
NOTE: ISAT majors are guaranteed spaces in their required classes.
Labs
ISAT students complete lab experiments using state of the art equipment and facilities. During the first two years of study, students are exposed to lab work in analytical methods, environmental studies, energy, genetics, engineering and manufacturing, computer programming, and more.
Senior Project
Each student completes a senior project before graduating. This is a student’s opportunity to integrate his or her skills and interests and focus on a real-world challenge. Projects can be completed individually or as a team. Some students choose to do the bulk of their work in the summer before senior year - perhaps even as part of a paid internship! The senior project often sets the ISAT graduate apart in a competitive job market.
