STEM @ Frostburg

What is STEM?

STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics and refers to majors, disciplines, and careers in these areas. STEM also includes the health professions, which require strong backgrounds in science.

STEM@Frostburg

Frostburg State University students interested in STEM have many opportunities inside and outside of the classroom. STEM students can choose from 20 academic majors offered by six departments. Many of these majors offer further specialization through concentrations and options within the major. Additionally, there are several interdisciplinary STEM minors. STEM programs and courses at Frostburg State University predominantly feature experiential learning in the form of hands-on experiments, collaborative projects, and independent research. Several STEM programs also feature internships.

STEM students have additional opportunities to be connected to STEM@Frostburg outside of the classroom. There are many student organizations for STEM students, many of which engage in educational outreach and other service learning projects. STEM freshmen can live in the STEM Scholars academic residential community in Sowers Hall. Finally, there are major campus events, like STEM Fest and the Undergraduate Research Symposium for STEM students to share their love of STEM with the campus and community.

Many institutional scholarships intended just for STEM students have been made available by the generosity of the alumni and friends of FSU. Additionally, STEM students can qualify for scholarships, fellowships, and other awards offered by national and international organizations, state and federal government agencies, and the private sector.

Why STEM?

STEM related careers are in high demand! Both the US Government and the State of Maryland have indicated that colleges and universities are not graduating enough STEM students to meet current demand. Unemployment in many STEM fields is below the national average and falling! Employers are willing to pay competitive salaries for qualified STEM graduates. STEM students can look forward to positions where the median salary is high. Many positions at the higher end of the salary ranges require graduate or professional degrees, but the effort is worth it.

Unemployment in STEM fields

Chemistry 4.3% Biology 5.4%
Computer Science 4.3% Medicine 1.2%
Mathematics 7.2% Dentistry ~0%
Physics 5.8% Veterinary ~0%
Electrical Engineering 3.9% Pharmacy 4.1%
Mechanical Engineering 6.4% Wildlife/Zoology 12.5%
Chemical Engineering 2.9% Geoscience 6.1%
US National Average Unemployment Rate 8.3%

Data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, reporting data for 2010.

Selected median salaries in STEM fields

Chemistry $42K - $79K Biology $32K - $79K
Computer Science $71K - $90K Medicine $166K
Mathematics $70K - $99K Dentistry $146K
Physics $105K Veterinary $82K
Electrical Engineering $87K Pharmacy $111K
Mechanical Engineering $78K Wildlife/Zoology $57K
Chemical Engineering $90K Geoscience $83K

Data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, reporting data for 2010.

Science

Technology

Engineering

Mathematics

STEM Student in Lab