By DAVID DUPONT
BG Independent News
The BGSU Board of Trustees Friday approved seven new academic programs that are important pieces in the administration’s path forward.
The programs in health care, resort management engineering and aviation – “very much align” with what business and the public want and need, President Rodney Rogers said. They address critical work force needs while still grounded in the academic standards.
Trustee Ava Harter, a senior vice president and chief legal officer for Owens-Corning, said that the engineering graduates from BGSU’s new College of Engineering are “desperately needed.”
In September, the trustees approved a reconfiguration of the College of Technology, Architecture and Applied Engineering into three colleges – the School of the Built Environment, the School of Engineering and Technology, and the School of Aviation.
[RELATED: BGSU engineers future of College of Technology]
Friday’s action filled in the degrees two of those schools will offer.
The School of Engineering will offer three Bachelor of Science degrees – Robotics Engineering, Electronics and Computer Engineering, and Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering.
This transitions engineering technology programs into engineering programs, Provost Joe Whitehead explained. “There’s great need for engineers in the U.S. and specifically here in Ohio. … We’re moving in that direction to meet that need.”
He cited the Intel project being developed outside of Columbus as well as the increasing use of automation and smart technology to increase efficiency.
The move will require the addition of new courses, and changes to others.
Whitehead said this has been in the works for years. During that time, engineering faculty have been hired to fill vacancies in engineering technology, and hiring for those positions will be given priority in the future.
Engineering, he said, has more appeal for students.
High school students will ask, when, for example, physics is mentioned: What do I do with a physics degree? Whitehead, who is a physicist, said that “students relate to engineering. They see a career path.”
The development of engineering programs supports both social needs as well as helping to boost enrollment, he said.
According to an update provided to the trustees, the design stage for the construction of a new home for the College of Technology, Architecture, and Applied Engineering is expected to be completed this fall, with the project ready to be occupied by the beginning of the fall, 2025 semester.
The trustees also approved the creation of two degrees in the School of Aviation.
Previously BGSU offered one aviation degree through the College of Technology. Now with the creation of the school, it will offer two, Bachelor of Science in Aviation Management and Bachelor of Science in Aviation Flight Operations.
The goal, Whitehead said, will clarify the offerings for students.
There is demand, he said, both for those who manage airports as well as for pilots.
“This will enhance the content for management side,” he said.
BGSU now has the largest aviation program in the state with most students studying to become pilots.
BGSU also continues to increase the number of programs offered online, a growth area for the university.
Trustees approved an online Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Science. This, Whitehead said, creates a pathway for medical laboratory technicians with associate degrees to get their bachelor’s degrees to become medical laboratory scientists. As medical laboratory scientists, they will work more closely with physicians in analyzing tests results, Whitehead said.
Hospital officials have told university administrators that there is a need for more medical laboratory scientists.
BGSU offers the bachelor’s degree in medical laboratory science, so the courses are in place. Now they will all be offered online so technicians will be able to continue working full time while earning the bachelor’s degree.
BGSU also will now offer a 100-percent online Bachelor of Science in Resort and Attraction Management degree to supplement the program now housed at Firelands.
Whitehead said that this will help BGSU take advantage of tuition reimbursement programs offered at other theme parks and resorts, including Dollywood.
All classes have already approved for online delivery and will not require additional expense for the university.
BGSU is also increasing access to the program by dropping the requirement that students have associate degrees in resort management; they will just have to have enough credits for standing as juniors.
“Again,” Whitehead said, “it’s about expanding access.”
