Chico State offers new programs

Sacramento Bee 12/26/06

By Christine Vovakes

California State University, Chico, is one of 12 CSU campuses to offer the new professional science master's degree, or PSM, and the only one to have a program in environmental sciences.

An $891,000 grant from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation is providing startup funding for the new programs, university officials announced earlier this month.

The two-year PSM degree intends to meet the growing needs of industry by training students and working professionals in math, science, business, engineering and technology. In additional to classes, PSM graduate students will do internship projects at private businesses or government agencies.

Jim Houpis, dean of the College of Natural Sciences, said that degree is a natural fit with Chico State's strong academic programs in environmental sciences.

Chico State's program will emphasize natural resource management, policy, environmental biotechnology and industrial ecology. The interdisciplinary program will be based in the College of Natural Sciences. The colleges of business and engineering, computer science and construction management will also offer courses.

Chico State expects to start enrolling students in the PSM program in fall 2007.