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News Release |
| For Immediate Release 10 October 2002 DSU to Offer Two New Degrees at Sioux Falls Center BROOKINGS-The South Dakota Board of Regents, meeting today on the campus of South Dakota State University in Brookings, approved Dakota State University's plan to offer degrees in computer science and health information technology at USDSU in Sioux Falls. The DSU bachelors degree program in computer science gives students a strong background in both the theoretical and applied areas of computer science. It stresses the technical and theoretical development of computer programs and systems. Graduates of computer science have an understanding of structured programming techniques, operating systems, computer architecture, and data structures. The associate degree in health information technology program prepares students for technical work in hospitals, clinics, and related health facilities, and agencies. Graduates are prepared to serve as entry-level medical record technicians. The medical record technician performs technical duties vital to the operation of a medical record department in any health care facility. "By offering the computer science degree in Sioux Falls, DSU is creating extended opportunities for Sioux Falls area residents interested in the more technical aspects of information technology," said Regents Executive Director Robert T. Tad Perry. "As computer applications expand in business and industry so will the need in Sioux Falls for highly trained workers in the technology field. Graduates of the computer science program will be capable of filling job openings for computer programmers, analysts, and database administrators." "Sioux Falls will also greatly benefit from the offering of the associate degree in health information technology, because of the growth of the health care industry in that area," Perry said. According to the South Dakota Occupational Outlook Handbook, job opportunities in the technology field will increase over the next 10 years. The South Dakota Department of Labor estimates that about 200 new jobs will be available in the field between 1998-2008. Increased job opportunities are also expected for the health information technology field. The Department of Labor predicts a 42 percent increase in the number of positions needed in this field in a 10-year period. "The addition of computer science and health information technology to the array of program offerings we have at USDSU will be quite welcome," said USDSU Executive Dean Mark Lee. "As our mission develops, we must deliver programs that have a direct impact on the economic development of the greater Sioux Falls community. Today, our programs focusing on business, information systems, health care professions, and others are supplying local employers the educated workforce they need. Clearly computer science and health information technology fit and will complement our other programs." -30- |
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