SC State’s Engineering & Computer Science complex is home to modern labs for technology-oriented
education.
The engineering programs are supported by a $1M grant from Dominion Energy.
ORANGEBURG, S.C. – South Carolina State University’s Board of Trustees on Thursday approved four new
degree programs – three in undergraduate engineering specialties and a master’s degree
in cybersecurity.
“South Carolina State University refuses to sit still,” SC State President Alexander
Conyers said. “I thank the Board of Trustees for responding to the workforce development
needs of our industrial partners and the advancement needs of students.
“As we continue to recruit across the nation, we hear from potential students who
want these programs,” he said. “So, we are glad we are able to deliver the types of
programs today’s students desire and need to succeed.”
Supported by a $1 million grant from Dominion Energy, the new undergraduate programs
include Bachelor of Science degrees in:
Mechanical engineering.
Electrical engineering.
Computer engineering.
If approved by the state Commission on Higher Education (CHE), the additions would
address workforce demand for professionals in industrial, technological sectors and
business sectors and increase earning potential for SC State students.
The graduate program in cybersecurity will help mitigate the shortage of cybersecurity
personnel in South Carolina, but it also has the potential to reach students anywhere
in the U.S., as the curriculum would be delivered 100% online.
Mechanical and electrical engineering
The mechanical and electrical engineering programs would complete SC State’s shift
from engineering technology to full engineering degrees – an essential transition
that allows students to sit for engineering licensure exams. SC State’s Department of Engineering already has evolved its programs in industrial and civil engineering, while its nuclear
engineering and mechatronics engineering programs always have been full engineering
degrees. SC State also offers a fire protection engineering concentration within its
civil engineering program.
Students already enrolled in the engineering technology programs would be eligible to complete those degrees or transfer into the full engineering
programs.
Computer engineering
If approved by the CHE, the computer engineering program would be a new discipline
at SC State while utilizing elements from the curricula in SC State’s existing Departments
of Engineering and Computer Science and Mathematics.
According to a resolution approved by the Board of Trustees on Thursday, the computer engineering program is designed to provide students with
breadth in engineering, the sciences, mathematics, and the humanities, as well as
depth in the fields of both software and hardware disciplines appropriate for a computer
engineer.
It will develop a student’s design and analytical skills. In combination with the
co-op experience, it opens students to opportunities in engineering practice, advanced
training engineering, or other professions, as well as an entry into business and
administration.
Master of Science in computer science cybersecurity
The supply of cybersecurity workers in South Carolina is low, demonstrating a need
to design a graduate curriculum tailored to address the national security issues and
the requirements of employers in the cybersecurity field.
