College of Charleston introduces four new programs

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College of Charleston is launching four new academic programs this fall, giving students even more options for future career paths.

Programs include environmental geosciences, electrical engineering, a nursing partnership and a minor in management, the college reported.

The new bachelor’s degree in environmental geosciences is an interdisciplinary program focused on serving increased interest in the environmental sector. Students in the program will start off studying general geology courses and move into geoscience literacy, learning how the environment is changing in response to natural and human factors, the college said.

Through the program, students can take geoscience foundations and apply them to climate change, emerging pollutants and energy resources, said Tim Callahan, chair of the Department of Geology and Environmental Geosciences.

The field was added following feedback from alumni, prospective students and employers. Eight students have already declared environmental geosciences as their major within the first few weeks it was available, the college said.

“Geosciences really touches on every aspect of life and can be used across all fields of employment,” Callahan said in the release. “Every employer in any sector needs someone who can be mindful and respective of the environment, someone who knows the language and has knowledge of environmental science: corporations looking to improve their environmental impact; local, state and national government agencies; policymakers; conservation groups.”

College of Charleston’s electrical engineering bachelor’s degree has an emphasis on autonomous electric vehicle design, the college said, and gives graduates a competitive edge on the job market.

“It is our objective to prepare electrical engineers to excel at designing, creating and managing complex control systems,” said Narayanan Kuthirummal, chair of the Department of Physics and Astronomy. “In addition, our liberal arts–based education can offer much more to an engineer.”

CofC’s new minor in management focuses on helping students hone their managerial skills, no matter what industry they enter. Students can study personality, intelligence, human resource management, team dynamics, organizational culture and strategy, the college said.

“The management minor is a great option for students interested in the human side of business,” said Carrie Messal, chair of the Department of Management and Marketing. “Courses in the program include classic management topics, like planning, organizing, leading and controlling for effective and efficient organizations.”

Courses will also include discussions around race, equity, sustainability and innovation, which Messal believes are important for every student to take part in, no matter their future field.

With the new partnership between College of Charleston and Medical University of South Carolina, CofC students can also now earn both a Bachelor of Arts in biology from the college, as well as a Bachelor of Science in nursing from MUSC in only 4.5 years, the college said.

Through the program, the MUSC College of Nursing will admit up to six CofC biology majors a year into its accelerated Bachelor of Science nursing program. CofC students can start applying in the fall as freshmen, but the strict regimen requires they maintain a minimum cumulative and pre-requisite science GPA, the college said.

“We are grateful to the College of Nursing at MUSC for working with us to put this program in place for the freshman class of 2021,” said Karen Eippert, director of the college’s Health Professions Advising program. “It’s a unique opportunity for a select number of students who want a direct path into nursing while completing their four-year degree at CofC.”