News release from the University of Saint Francis:
USF offering new bachelor degree in science and entrepreneurship
(April 8, 2013) – The University of Saint Francis will offer a new degree, the Bachelor of Science in Science and Entrepreneurship, beginning this fall.
The degree will provide graduates with a broad scientific background and business acumen that prepares them to translate new scientific discoveries to business. It will allow graduates to create new science-related businesses, manage a laboratory for an established industry or enter a Master of Business Administration or Professional Science Master program.
As science and technology advance, science-related businesses develop in response. The Bachelor of Science in Science and Entrepreneurship graduate is dually equipped—as a scientist able to implement his or her own profitable business plan, or as a laboratory manager able to bridge the language gap between science and business for an established company. Successful science industries rely on lab managers who understand the business side of the industry and on business managers who understand the science behind their business.
While high school students planning a career in science or business will benefit from the new degree offering, high school graduates interested in business creation, workers who need to reposition themselves in the job market and employees who wish to enhance job skills will also broaden career opportunities through the degree.
“Entrepreneurship is one of the key focuses of Vision 2020,” said John Sampson of Northeast Indiana Regional Partnership, an economic development team and contact point for businesses interested in locating to the 10-county region of northeast Indiana that includes Allen County. Vision 2020 is a regional initiative focused on aligning the region’s economic development efforts around key areas, with a collective vision, mission and slate of priorities to achieve by the year 2020.
“Research has shown that because of their creative talents, scientists are predisposed to start businesses. We see the value of attracting and retaining professionals in the life and physical sciences as a key economic development strategy to identify new entrepreneurs,” he said.
“Focusing on innovation will enable northeast Indiana to become a top global competitor. In the past two decades, commercialization of scientific research is creating new products and processes at revolutionary speed. These are the types of graduates we need to maintain our economic competitive edge. We know that industries in our region need a workforce with strong science, technology, engineering and math skills, and we are pleased to see USF step up and help fill this gap for our businesses.”
“USF offers 15 specialized science degrees in the School of Arts and Sciences, with enrollment in science programs averaging over five percent annual growth and 97 percent of graduates employed in their fields or pursuing graduate degrees,” said Dr. Matt Smith, dean of the school.
USF has a flexible credit transfer policy. A variety of science courses completed at other institutions may transfer into the Bachelor of Science in Science and Entrepreneurship. The 120 credit-hour requirement allows for faster completion at less cost.
For more information, contact Dr. Jean Elick in the Department of Chemistry at jelick@sf.edu or (260) 399-7700, ext. 8221, or visit sf.edu/sf/apply.
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