University first to offer bachelor of innovation degrees

The University of Colorado Board of Regents on November 2 unanimously approved a new family of degrees for students at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs.

Meeting at the University of Colorado at Denver and Health Sciences Center campus in Aurora, the regents agreed with recommendations made by UCCS chancellor Pam Shockley-Zalabak and CU president Hank Brown to offer what is believed to be the first degrees of their kind in the United States, a bachelor of innovation. Initial offerings will include the BI in Business Administration, BI in Computer Science, BI in Electrical Engineering, and BI in Game Design and Development.

The new family of degrees will include initial offerings in business and engineering and are designed to meet the needs of employers interested in graduates who have skills in both areas as well as experience in the innovation process and working extensively in team environments. Students will be able to further enhance their skills by opting for specialization in areas such as globalization, creative communication, advanced engineering and advanced business.

“I am appreciative of the support of the board for UCCS to create what we believe will be a unique educational experience that allows students to expand their base of knowledge and to meet the needs of industries who must compete globally,” Shockley-Zalabak said.

Currently, UCCS offers bachelor of science and bachelor of arts degrees in engineering and business. Under the plan approved by the regents, those degrees will remain but students will have the option to complete 42 to 50 credit hours of additional courses to earn a bachelor’s of innovation. The additional coursework includes an innovation core that includes topics such as entrepreneurship, business law and intellectual property law. In addition, students will choose a cross-discipline specialty area such as globalization or creative communication. For example, students choosing the globalization area will be encouraged to have a one-semester study abroad experience. The students who complete the requirements will receive a bachelor of innovation degree in business administration, computer science, electrical engineering or game design and development.

“The need for a dramatic reform in engineering education is nationally recognized,” Jeremy Haefner, dean, College of Engineering and Applied Science, said. “UCCS is responding to this need by working to create engineers with business and innovation skills who will be effective in furthering the goals of both profit and non-profit organizations.”

Venkat Reddy, dean, College of Business, said business administration majors who select the innovation emphasis will have an improved understanding of engineering processes.

“This is a great opportunity for business and engineering students to gain skills that cannot be easily duplicated as they prepare to compete in the new global economy. This increased knowledge will also help them to become effective leaders in local, international, and multinational organizations,” Reddy said.

Both deans said they have received strong support for the bachelor of innovation concept from local and national industrial leaders. Each also credited Terry Boult, El Pomar chair of Communication and Computation, for his role in sparking discussion about developing a new curriculum that would allow business and engineering students to combine interests.

The new program must be approved by the Colorado Commission on Higher Education. Once approved, UCCS plans to offer the degree for the Fall 2007 semester. For more information, contact the College of Engineering and Applied Science, 719-262-3541 or http://eas.uccs.edu or the College of Business and Administration, 719-262-3408 or http://business.uccs.edu/