Two department-level master's degrees approved

The Purdue University Board of Trustees has approved master’s degrees in computer and information technology and in industrial technology. The programs must still be approved by the Indiana Commission on Higher Education.

The college also offers a master of science degree in technology, which can be tailored with emphases from individual departments. The two new degrees are the first for the college offered at the department level.

Provost Randy Woodson said research has shown current and future needs for computer and information technology professionals with advanced degrees. He said studies predict a 99 percent growth for master's degree-level bioinformatics specialists over the next five years.

Woodson said the industrial technology master's program will address a concern made by a National Academy of Engineering report on how the United States lacks workers with high enough levels of education to contribute to the research and development efforts of America's future technology industry.