Daytona Beach, FL (May 19, 2010) – Daytona State College has been approved by the State Board of Education to offer a Bachelor of Science in Engineering Technology (BSET). Daytona State has been working on adding this program since last year when the University of Central Florida (UCF) announced that they would be dropping the program.
“We wanted to add this program to ensure that those students who were taking the program at UCF would have the opportunity to complete their area of study and to ensure that the industries that we are working hard to attract to the Daytona Beach area would have qualified job applicants,” stated Frank Lombardo, Senior Vice President of Academic Affairs.
“The addition of this program puts Daytona State in a great position to assist with the training and re-training of some of the people directly affected by layoffs within the space industry,” remarked Dr. Kent Sharples, President. “We are the right college with the right opportunity. These programs are a perfect fit for Daytona State College.”
While the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) still must review this addition to Daytona State’s bachelors’ degree offerings, the college is making plans to begin enrolling students for this degree in September of this year at the Advanced Technology College campus.
The most significant difference between a BS in Engineering and a BS in Engineering Technology is engineering technologists work actively to take products and ideas from design or conception to saleable product and processes. They work hand-in-hand with research focused engineers, building a bridge to businesses in order to provide a smooth flow in the conversion of ideas and concepts to products and services. The Engineering Technology program of study relies heavily upon laboratory, application orientated, and business focused education. As a result of this focus an engineering technologist can provide a faster bottom line return.
Positions filled by these graduates will vary according to the degree received. Graduates acquiring an associate's degree or lower typically will find careers as Engineering Technicians. Those acquiring a bachelor's degree or higher often are hired to work as technologists, application engineer, and engineering managers. Entry-level positions such as product design, testing, development, systems engineering, field engineering, technical operations, and quality control are all common positions for Engineering Technology graduates. Additionally, many BS Engineering Technicians begin their own businesses, thus improving the local economy and acting as a magnet for other related business.
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MEDIA CONTACT:
Glyn Johnston, Vice President, Marketing, Communications & Events, (386) 506-4499, johnstg@DaytonaState.edu
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