Aim is to provide employers with scientists and engineers with business training.

AOI was appointed recently to the newly formed Professional Science Masters Degree (PSM) Advisory Board. The function of the group is to provide guidance to the Oregon University System (OUS) in the development of new MS programs that retain the essence of science and engineering while incorporating a core of business-related coursework.

Traditionally, science and engineering graduate students receive a heavy, and almost exclusive, dose of math, chemistry and other related field, lab and coursework. Yet, they often move immediately into a work environment where the ability to do business planning, manage personnel, and oversee complex projects would be of great additional value to employers. The PSM degree, which has already been implemented at Oregon State University, as well as several other universities nationally, allows MS students working in science and engineering to garner valuable business-related coursework and practical workforce experience. The graduates can then move directly into professional positions in the business community with the additional skills of immediate usefulness to Oregon employers.

AOI hosted the first meeting of the group at the AOI offices on June 17. The 16-member Oregon University System PSM Board is a mix of academics, business representatives, and Senate Majority Leader Richard Devlin (D-Lake Oswego).