Posted on September 6, 2007
Out of the 93 majors offered at JMU, biology is the most popular major for freshmen who have declared a major, followed by nursing, according to a public affairs release. Biology and nursing took the top two spots as the most popular programs for the 2006 freshman class as well.
“I think a lot of students select biology because they either think they want to be doctors, or they just like nature,” said Dr. Jon Monroe, a professor of biology here at JMU. “Kids have a lot of exposure to biology and many have had experience with the health care system that had a big effect on them personally.”
Dr. Merle Mast, the nursing interim department head, credits a few reasons for the success of the nursing program.
“I’d like to claim that our really excellent program is the whole reason that it’s popular,” she said. “But there are some others [reasons]. There is a looming nursing shortage,” said Mast, “so because of this shortage, nursing is a very marketable profession.”
Over the past few years, both departments have been growing and working to accommodate more students.
“Our numbers usually track the national trends and lately we’ve been growing,” Monroe said. “Counting the Biotechnology majors I think we are close to 1,000.”
The nursing department has doubled in size in the last year to allow more students into their program because over 600 students declare the major.
“We used to admit 50 students a year, and now we will take 60 in the fall and 60 in the spring,” Mast said.
More students has meant a struggle to find more space.
“We’re a practice profession, our faculty teaches small groups of eight to10 students in clinical practice,” Mast said. “So expanding a nursing program is not as easy as finding larger classrooms.”
Neither biology nor nursing has had the opportunity to use the Rockingham Hospital building JMU purchased last year.
“The hospital is still occupied, and right now we are just brainstorming possibilities [for the hospital],” Mast said.
Both majors offer students special programs and a variety of different opportunities.
According to Mast, the nursing department offers a baccalaureate program, a master’s program for nurse educators and nurse practitioners, and a program that allows students who have completed the program at a community college to come to JMU for their bachelor’s.
Biology is an open major, meaning that there is no application necessary to declare it. Monroe hopes being in the top two majors at JMU does not attract students who are in it for the wrong reasons.
“I hope it does not encourage students to major in biology just because it is popular,” he said. “They should know it is one of the more challenging majors at JMU.”
Unlike the biology department, students apply to the nursing program either in the fall or the spring.
“It is frustrating to students because it is competitive and it is an uncertainty for them,” Mast said.
Senior Greg Zirkle said he enjoys being a biology major.
“I think the material is really interesting and even though it’s pretty difficult I think what you come away with after taking the courses is worth it,” he said. “All the faculty that I’ve encountered within the major have been very helpful and willing to discuss any issues.”
Senior Halley Dillon said the nursing program is difficult, but rewarding.
“My major in general can be difficult at times,” she said. “You are learning how to save someone’s life and if that fact alone doesn’t spin your head then taking a look at everything you have to remember will. But in the end I know it will all be worth it.”
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