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Integrated Science, Business and Technology, B.A. (ISBT)

Program Description

The Integrated Science, Business, and Technology (ISBT) major leads to a bachelor's of science degree and provides a curriculum in which the study of science, technology, mathematics, business, and the liberal arts are integrated to develop a graduate who is uniquely qualified to take an active leadership role in arriving at scientifically and economically informed solutions to real-world problems. Because effective solutions to complex real-world problems require multidisciplinary teams, the ISBT major aims to provide the students with a facility in the tools and processes underpinning effective team-building and project management. This major will build on La Salle's strengths by making connections between the ethical and moral dimensions as well as the scientific and business aspects of these real-world problems. An important attribute of ISBT graduates will be their ability to quickly acquire the necessary information and knowledge relevant to a specific problem.

Three areas of concentration for in-depth exploration have been chosen in consultation with the ISBT Advisory Board. They are Biotechnology (BIO), Information and Knowledge Management (IKM), and Energy and Natural Resources (ENR).

The ISBT BIO concentration will prepare students for employment in diagnostic, pharmaceutical, medical, food, agricultural, and other types of biotechnology-based companies. Courses in this concentration will provide students with experience in protein chemistry, tissue culture, microbiology, and molecular biology. The students will also gain a fundamental understanding of the regulations and procedures used by agencies that regulate the biotechnology industry. Specific regulations to be covered will include GMP, environmental issues (waste disposal, pollution, etc.), patent considerations, and biosafety.

Graduates of the ISBT IKM concentration are "Knowledge Liaisons" who facilitate the flow of information throughout the entire corporate organization. Building on a technical foundation that includes an understanding of data collection methods, database structure, system architecture, and data-mining applications, the Knowledge Liaison shepherds information among corporate divisions, departments, individuals, and the corporate knowledge repository.

The ISBT ENR concentration provides a broad understanding of energy and natural resource supply and use. Topics to be emphasized include sustainable energy development, efficiency, natural resource management, environmental concerns, related government policy, risk assessment, and the effect of deregulation on the energy industry. This area of study will address supply chain management in terms of the use and disposal of natural resources. Energy production will be analyzed to include the consideration of the raw materials necessary for production as well as the consideration of the waste and by-products resulting from energy production. The technical and economic aspects and the human benefits resulting from this area will be studied.

Why Take This Major?

Within the Integrated Science, Business, and Technology (ISBT) Program, our faculty and staff are committed to providing students with a liberal arts education that promotes their discovery of the ethical, moral, scientific, and business aspects of real-world problems. The ISBT program challenges the student to manage complex projects and communicate effectively in a collaborative team environment that offers:

State-of-the-Art Equipment and Laboratory Spaces

You will be able to learn in spaces that are created just for you, including modern lab spaces and our Innovation Factory where you have access to 3D printers and maker tools.

A Well-Rounded Education

The ISBT program supplements La Salle's liberal and value-based education with interdisciplinary science, technology, and business areas, ensuring your education is never in-the-box.

An Early Immersion into Key Content

ISBT majors share a common experience the first two years with a focus on the foundational concepts of physics, chemistry, computer science, mathematics, and the life sciences, as well as the organizational concepts of collaboration, project management, business analysis, and system dynamics.

An Opportunity to Perform Research

ISBT majors take part in a two-semester sequence of the SEA-PHAGES program, a Howard Hughes Medical Institute sponsored research experience where students isolate and characterize bacterial viruses in soil samples. Student research is frequently included in large, peer-reviewed scientific journals and can form the basis of future Capstone projects.

One-on-One Attention

With an average class size of 22 students, you receive individualized attention that enables you to explore your interests and customize your career interest.

Pursuit of Internships and Co-Operative Experiences

Students majoring in ISBT have established a strong record of having successful co-operative and internship positions. Many complete internships while taking courses part-time or during the summer semester break, while others complete paid six-month co-ops. Students can take internships and co-ops for academic credit; and while not required, ISBT faculty encourage students to seek and participate in them.

The following are some of the organizations where ISBT majors have found these opportunities:

  • Anexinet Corporation
  • AstraZeneca U.S.
  • Bio-Imaging Technologies, Inc.
  • BioSyn, Inc.
  • Fisher Clinical Services, Inc.
  • IBS Communications, Inc.
  • Johnson & Johnson, McNeil Consumer Health Care
  • Johnson & Johnson, McNeil Consumer and Specialty Pharmaceuticals
  • Keystone Foods, LLC
  • Musco Family Olive Co.
  • NuPathe, Inc.
  • Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.

Career Preparation

ISBT Graduates enjoy successful careers covering a variety of fields with some of the biggest names in the country, including:

  • Leadership Development Program, GlaxoSmithKline
  • Operations Manager, Delta Geophisics, Inc.
  • Global Marketing Senior Manager, Ethicon, Inc.
  • Research Service Analyst, Consumer Health Sciences
  • Systems Analyst, Robert Kohler Company
  • Senior IT Manager, Johnson & Johnson
  • Energy/Marine Underwriter, Navigators Group
  • Global Market Access Analyst, Merck & Co., Inc.
  • Principle Cybersecurity Engineer, CA Technologies
  • Manufacturing Associate, Tengion
  • Research Support Specialist, Stony Brook University
  • Director of Brewing Operations, Two Roads Brewing Company
  • Merchant Program in Pharmacy, Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
  • Scientist, GlaxoSmithKline
  • Sr. Procurement Analyst, Sunoco, Inc.