SEMO OFFERS NEW PROGRAM IN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE

Southeast Missouri State University has a new undergraduate program in environmental science.

It is the first such program by a public university in Missouri. The Missouri Coordinating Board for Higher Education recently approved the program.

Thirty faculty members from 14 academic departments are involved in the environmental program. Dr. Steve Overmann, associate professor of biology, directs the degree program.

"The environmental science program is designed to provide graduates with the academic credentials necessary to compete in the national and international job markets of the 21st century," he said.

"Environmental concerns and regulations are not going to go away," said Overmann. "Our graduates are going to be in demand for good career positions in business, industry and government."

Overmann said industries today are highly regulated. There is a need for professionals in areas of toxicology, pollution monitoring, air and water regulation, endangered species and landfill issues. "It's a huge job field," he said.

The new degree program has a core curriculum in the natural sciences and mathematics and four option areas of further specialization: biology, business, chemistry and geosciences.

Overmann said few universities in the nation have an environmental science degree with a business emphasis.

"Traditionally, people have been trained in either science or business, but not both," he said. "The environmental field has a great need for graduates with this dual training."