Mission Statement

The College of STEM provides study for students in the areas of agriculture, astronomy, biology, chemistry, computer science, Earth and Environmental Sciences, mathematics, medical laboratory science, radiologic technology, physics, engineering physics, and engineering technology. Our outstanding, discipline-based programs are student-centered and designed to prepare students for responsible positions at all levels of research, industry, education, medicine, and government. We emphasize degree programs relevant to regional economic and market trends, designed to enable graduates to compete in the global economy and foster lifelong learning skills.

Our mission is to promote scientific literacy while emphasizing the process, content, and interdisciplinary nature of science. Additionally, our mission is to develop critical thinking skills, to enhance verbal and written communication abilities, encourage reasoned debate on scientific issues, and promote civic responsibility.

Our goal is to provide professional training at the undergraduate and graduate levels, while serving as a foundation for a career in science, technology, engineering or mathematics, as well as to provide training for allied health profession and pre-professional training in preparation for careers in medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, and veterinary science. In addition, we encourage collaborative research with faculty, internships, and other learning experiences that facilitate transition to work or graduate and professional education.

College Gonfalon and Seal

Gonfalons are banners carried during graduation ceremonies to symbolize the different academic areas within the university.  The colors on the background of the gonfalon correspond with the disciplines associated with each college or school.  The symbols within the seal represent the programs within each college.

College of Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics Gonfalon

The seal and background colors of the College of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics are displayed on a red banner, the official color of Austin Peay State University. The seal is placed over a background of gold, yellow, and sage green stripes representing the graduation colors (hood colors) of the college’s major degrees.   Each graduation ceremony, a student is nominated by faculty to represent the college that has demonstrated leading through excellence throughout their undergraduate or graduate program. 

Seal of the College of Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics

The seal consists of four main divisions:  an electron cloud, a pi symbol, a beaker, and the earth.  The electron cloud represents the atom and its basic fundamental properties relating to physics, astronomy, chemistry, and radiologic technology.  Pi is a universal symbol that represents mathematics and its unity in the sciences.  The beaker is a classic symbol of science representing not only chemistry but also the fields of biology and medical technology.  Each of these fields involves the study of nature, the human body, and their chemical properties.  The earth plays a vital role in all science and represents the geosciences and agriculture’s relationship to the earth.   The sheaves of wheat represent crops and agriculture.  The ribbon contains binary code representing computer science and information technology, crossed hammers for geosciences, and DNA--the basic building block of all life sciences.