A new certificate program at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology is geared toward innovation. The South Dakota Board of Regents recently approved a 12-hour technology innovation certificate to be available to undergraduate or graduate students starting in the fall of 2008. This program, coordinated through the industrial engineering department, is designed to provide the background and requisite instruction for students interested in introducing a new product or innovation to the marketplace. As such, this program is ideal for students interested in entrepreneurial endeavors or for employment with companies that promote a strong entrepreneurial culture.
The technology innovation certificate program is part of a broader initiative of the High Plains Center for Product Innovation, Commercialization and Support and is aimed at complementing engineering and science technical skills with value added components in business and entrepreneurship. This program provides greater flexibility for students in engineering and science by chunking existing coursework into one or two credit modules. The program will make extended use of multi-media and inverted designs and will allow students to continue course work even while on internships or coops.
"We think it is a great opportunity for students to not only think about starting their own business someday, but it is also a great way to respond to increased industry expectations for value added curriculum in business and management," Dr. Stuart Kellogg, chair, industrial engineering, said.
Students will take courses creativity and innovation, commercialization of new technology, marketing and financing technology innovations, and more.
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