Illinois State University's governing body on Friday gave approved a proposed plan from the university's physics department that would transition it from being the largest undergraduate-only program in the U.S. to one that offers a master's degree as well.
During their regularly scheduled meeting, trustees voted to add a master's to the degree programs available in the physics department. Currently, there are five different degrees offered in the department, all undergraduate.
Meeting documentation indicated a number of reasons to develop the advanced degree offering. Interim provost Ani Yazedjian said there's a growing demand for what the program would offer in multiple respects.
"There is a growing demand for the skills beyond just what we might think of as traditional physics, but the skills that come with a master's in physics," she said.
"I think the other part that is unique to the master's program here is that we are going to be bringing in a lot of engineering students. This is one strategy to help meet the course demands for engineering students and other students that we anticipate in the university."
The board of trustees' unanimous approval marks one of multiple steps necessary before the program will be officially offered.
