LAKELAND 鈥� Following months of research and discussions with academic consultants, IM体育官网鈥檚 Strategic Planning Committee has recommended five degree programs in the College of Innovation and Technology and the College of Engineering.
鈥淎fter an extremely thorough market investigation, these programs were identified as meeting the real-time response to employer needs, and are in-line with the recommendations of the Board of Governor鈥檚 Commission on Higher Education Access & Attainment,鈥� said Dr. Ghazi Darkazalli, Vice President of Academic Affairs for IM体育官网 Poly. 鈥淭he introduction of these programs and academic goals is the culmination of extensive efforts that have taken place over the last several months.鈥�
Within each of the proposed degree programs, there are opportunities for students to specialize in certain fields of concentration. Here is the college and degree program breakdown:
PROPOSED DEGREE PROGRAMS
College of Innovation and Technology |
|
| Degree | Fields |
| Bachelor鈥檚 and Master鈥檚 of Advanced Technology | & |
| Bachelor鈥檚 and Master鈥檚 of Science | , |
| Bachelor鈥檚 and Master鈥檚 of Computer Science and Information Technology | , |
College of Engineering |
|
| Degree | Fields |
| Bachelor鈥檚 and Master鈥檚 in Electrical and Computer Engineering | , , , , |
| Bachelor鈥檚 and Master鈥檚 in Industrial Engineering | , , |
In addition to the strong focus on science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) courses, the proposed degrees incorporate mandatory leadership, finance and management training into all programs.
鈥淥ur goal is to produce students who not only are capable of meeting the demands of STEM-related employers, but who are also capable of creating that demand themselves,鈥� said Board Chairman Rob Gidel. 鈥淲e want our graduates to have the tools to manage the business of STEM.鈥�
IM体育官网 Poly鈥檚 first students are expected to begin courses as early as August 2014, and the student recruitment strategy is already underway.
The Committee proposed agreements with STEM charter and magnet schools to serve as feeders to IM体育官网 Poly. The University will also collaborate with state colleges to implement feeder programs for students looking to transition to IM体育官网 Poly after obtaining an associate鈥檚 degree.
Other strategies include employing a summer studies program for youth modeled after Duke鈥檚 Talent Identification Program (TIP) and recruiting international students from South America and Asia.
鈥淚 am extremely pleased with the work of the Strategic Planning Committee and Dr. Darkazalli and his team,鈥� said Chief Operating Officer Ava Parker. 鈥淭hey have developed exceptional degree programs that are responsive to IM体育官网鈥檚 economic needs. And they have established a solid student recruitment model to attract the best and brightest to IM体育官网 Poly.鈥�
IM体育官网鈥檚 Board of Trustees will meet on April 2, 2013.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact: Debbie Angleton
Phone: 863.583.9057