The University of Vermont added to its growing reputation as a leader in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) education on Feb. 5 with the announcement of a new bachelor of science degree in biomedical engineering and a bachelor of science degree in data science.
The new programs, made official at a recent meeting of the UVM Board of Trustees, support UVM’s efforts to expand STEM education with a goal of doubling enrollments in STEM-related programs by 2020. The programs in the College of Engineering and Mathematical Sciences will be housed in the new $104 million STEM complex of laboratories, classrooms and research facilities scheduled for completion in May of 2019.
There are currently only 91 biomedical/bioengineering undergraduate degrees in the U.S. accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. Of these, UVM is one of 50 offered by institutions that have a medical school that grant MD degrees. The proximity of the School of Engineering to UVM's Medical School is expected to provide high quality partnerships for the biomedical engineering program that will primarily involve participation from the School of Engineering and the College of Medicine.
“The approval of the bachelor’s degree in biomedical engineering is great news for UVM students,” said Luis Garcia, dean of the College of Engineering and Mathematical Sciences. “This areas of interdisciplinary study will promote collaborative education between the outstanding engineering faculty and the research colleagues in the highly ranked College of Medicine. This is a unique opportunity that will allow us to leverage the teaching, research and clinically-related facilities to provide a world-class learning environment for our students.”
The biomedical engineering degree is designed to train engineers to work at the interface between engineering and the biomedical sciences. By developing the fundamentals required of an engineer, students will then be given opportunities to apply their skills to biomedical problems. These fundamentals will pertain to core electrical engineering and/or mechanical engineering concepts depending on the specialization of the student and related curriculum.
The curriculum is structured into two phases: foundational and specialization. The foundational phase establishes a core of math and science, builds a solid foundation in quantitative engineering methods and biomedical science, and exposes students to opportunities in biomedical engineering. In the specialization phase students continue their studies in one of three specializations: biosensing and instrumentation; cell, tissue, and organ biomechanics; and systems and network biology.
Data Science Degree prepares students to enter one of fastest growing fields in U.S.
The bachelor of science degree in data science was created to prepare students for careers in the rapidly growing field of big data science and analytics. The demand for data scientists and analytics talent is among the highest of any job sector in the U.S. due to a growing need by employers for individuals who can analyze large, highly complex data sets. Data scientists are increasingly in demand across a spectrum of occupations including government, finance, business, and journalism to name a few.
In becoming the only flagship university in New England – and just one of four in the Northeast – to offer students an education in this field accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC), UVM is well positioned to meet the needs of this emerging sector. As the smallest institution in this select group, UVM is expected to draw students interested in greater access to already-established scholars in the field and related disciplines.
“I am delighted by the Board of Trustees’ approval of the bachelor’s degree in data science,” said Garcia. “This degree combines the disciplines of computer science, mathematics and statistics, which are critical skill areas for today’s societal needs, and will allow us to prepare students for careers in big data and analytics. These are areas with huge demand, which align with where faculty are conducting state of the art research.”
The curriculum for the interdisciplinary data science degree in the College of Engineering and Mathematical Sciences combines courses from statistics, mathematics and computer science. With undergraduate degrees already being offered in mathematics, statistics, and computer science, the data science degree allows students to study all three disciplines and increase their marketability to potential employers. The degree is also expected to prepare students interested in enrolling in UVM’s master’s degree program in the same field or other graduate programs such as complex systems, computer science, mathematics, or statistics.