A successful experiment in curriculum integration: integrated science and technology at James Madison University

In 1988, the Virginia general assembly created the "commission on the university of the 21st century", which challenged each Virginia university to provide leadership in bringing about needed educational reform. In response to this challenge, James Madison university proposed an innovative new major entitled "integrated science and technology" (ISAT). ISAT integrates the study of science, mathematics, and technology in the context of societal and business concerns to uniquely qualify graduates to play a central role in creative scientific and technological problem solving. ISAT graduates are able to creatively solve scientific and technological problems in a real-world context with an appreciation for economic, social, political, and legal constraints. They communicate effectively and work productively in teams with individuals from a variety of disciplines. ISAT has grown from an enrollment of 62 students in its first freshman class (1993), to graduating over 200 seniors in 2002. ISAT has, by all measures, demonstrated a successful implementation of the original program vision.