New Name, Programs First of Many at the Polytechnic campus

MESA, Ariz. — It used to be that a prospective student interested in Web design or emergency management would not know where to find those programs at Arizona State University.

In August that changed. The Department of Information and Management Technology in the College of Technology and Innovation received approval from the Arizona Board of Regents to move forward with a new department name and degree programs.

Effective this fall, its new name is the Department of Technology Management, which according to ASU Chair and Professor Thomas Schildgen better reflects the varied programs offered by the department, which range from programs focusing on weapons of mass destruction to digital print and photography.

"With enrollment being one of the primary objectives of the Polytechnic campus, the name change will better accommodate new technical program offerings," says Schildgen.

In addition to the name, the bachelor's degree in Industrial Technology was disestablished to make way for three new majors, which were formerly concentrations under the Industrial Technology degree. Bachelor's degrees in Graphic Information Technology, Environmental Technology Management (ETM) and Operations Management became effective for students enrolling in fall 2005.

"Previously, when undergraduate students or parents looked for academic programs in Environmental Technology or Graphic Information Technology they could not find any direct information because degree programs were listed, not the technical concentrations," says Schildgen.

Some of these programs currently offer online courses or will be very soon. The master's degree in Environmental Technology Management is the only one currently offered completely online by the department and has been for four years. Beginning in January 2006, the Master of Science in Technology will offer an online Graphic Information Technology degree.

"In 2006, the BAS in Fire Service Management will be online along with the BAS in Internet and Web Development," adds Schildgen. "The effort to make more programs available online is only increasing and will continue."

These changes are only the first of many that will be occurring as part of the proposed five-year plan to transform the Polytechnic campus. The recommendations include reorganizing existing colleges; establishing new colleges, schools and degree programs; and adding faculty and facilities. To learn more about the department visit, technology.poly.asu.edu/dtm. To learn more about the five-year plan, visit www.poly.asu.edu/about/provost/presentations.