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Dakota State University Has Unusual Physical Science Program

Although the name "physical science" is not unique in undergraduate institutions, the approach of the physical science program at DSU is very unusual. The closeness of the faculty and respect for scientific disciplines outside of their own has lead to a program which builds on the common ground between math, chemistry and physics. It is not a program for the faint of heart; it incorporates all of the traditional training that one would find in a chemistry or physics program, and then takes it further.

The heart of the physical science program is the core courses, which incorporate chemistry, physics, mathematics, biology and earth science. This is the foundation on which the rest of the program builds. Subjects that are often taught separately in chemistry and physics programs are taught cooperatively at DSU, including thermodynamics, quantum mechanics, statistical mechanics and an advanced computational course. In addition to these chemistry and physics courses, students are required to take a full year of calculus and one semester of differential equations to give them the mathematical background they will need for the upper level courses, plus one year of biology and one semester of geology to expand their view of application of the sciences.

One of the principle driving forces in the development of the physical science program at DSU is to ensure that the degree will be acceptable to both prospective employers as well as graduate programs. This requires additional training in either chemistry or physics, depending on the interests and long term goals of the individual student. Thus, each physical science major chooses either the chemistry or the physics track for additional training in one of these two sub-disciplines. The courses for these tracks were chosen by following the guidelines of the American Chemical Society and the American Institute of Physics to ensure that students will get training that is comparable to that in a traditional chemistry or physics program depending on the track the student chooses.

Beyond these science disciplines, DSU strives to prepare students for the twenty-first century workplace or graduate program, so students also choose one additional specialization, either in computer science, business management or secondary education. Because Dakota State University is South Dakota's leading computer technology institution, all DSU graduates learn certain computer skills, such as a programming language (typically C++). This strong computer background common to all DSU students is what makes it possible to offer courses that cover such complicated subjects as density functional theory. Students taking the computer science track gain additional training in subjects such as system analysis and design, operating systems, or networking. Students taking the business management track gain additional training in accounting and economics, business management and organization. For students interested in teaching, the secondary education track provides them with the pedagogical training required by most schools, and in South Dakota, they are qualified to teach chemistry, physics, physical science, computer technology, and, with very little additional work, mathematics, on graduation.

All of this training is brought into focus in a senior capstone project required of all physical science majors. The capstone projects are independent research allowing the students to decide not only the type of project they are interested in, but they develop the design of the experiment themselves and are given access to the equipment so they can run the experiments and analyze the results. Independent research and close association between students and faculty throughout their four years at DSU is a key component to the program and only possible because of the small number of students.
As a new program, DSU has had few physical science graduates to date; however, there are several indicators that the program is significant. For example, one DSU student is currently working in a quality control lab for a local ethanol plant and has been offered a managerial position on graduation. Another student is currently being actively recruited by one of the top Ph.D. granting institutions in the field of forensic science. In addition, the university has been contacted personally from faculty at Boston College, Purdue University and Ohio State University to ask when DSU will start graduating students from the program.

Dr. Richard Bleil, Associate Professor of Chemistry at DSU said, “The students enrolled in this program have shown great faith in both the faculty and DSU, as they would have to for any new program, so we strive to ensure they leave with a quality degree and great opportunities ahead of them. I am very happy that current indicators seem to show that we have accomplished just these goals.”