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.

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