South Dakota’s University Center recently launched several new two-year programs that will allow students to take advantage of the state’s growing bioscience industry and the growing need for qualified employees with undergraduate associate degrees in the field.
“In the last five years, South Dakota has grown its bioscience jobs by 11 percent,” said South Dakota Biotech Executive Director Joni Johnson, whose organization focuses on growing the state’s burgeoning industry. “Employment is projected to increase 10.8 percent through 2020.”
While the college previously offered two certificate programs through the University of South Dakota’s Department of Biomedical Engineering, it will now offer an undergraduate associate of science degree with a focus on integrated science. This will allow students to learn about chemical and biochemical research, the development of medical devices and pharmaceuticals and industrial operation, as well as life science.
The additional certificate programs provide students with training on regulatory affairs and laboratory science, with an credit hour requirement of 11 and 12, respectively. The certificate programs have been available to students since last fall. The new associate program requires a total of 60 credit hours and will be available to students beginning this fall.
South Dakota university opens doors to bioscience students
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