Continuing to build on Augusta University’s groundbreaking cybersecurity engineering degree program first launched in 2019, the institution’s School of Computer and Cyber Sciences (SCCS) will further expand learning opportunities for the future generations of engineers.
On Tuesday, Feb. 14, the University System of Georgia Board of Regents gave their approval for the university to begin offering a new engineering undergraduate program starting Fall 2023 — a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Systems Engineering (BMSE).
This degree is the first-one-of-its-kind to be launched in the state of Georgia, because while a many university’s offer some sort of biomedical entering program, very few of them have a direct focus and emphasis in cybersecurity.
“School leadership said the BSME program at AU is like no other, with its curriculum designed around the system’s engineering and cybersecurity aspects of constructing and integrating systems in biomedical and healthcare settings,” said a press release from Augusta University.
The program will take advantage of the university’s strengths in health sciences, its growing momentum in cybersecurity and its access to the Georgia Cyber Center on campus.
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“As a leading public comprehensive research university in Georgia and a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense, Augusta University is launching this innovative Biomedical Systems Engineering program to extend the university’s strengths in health sciences to technology-based academic programs, while being responsive to growing workforce needs and the increasing global threat in health security,” said President of Augusta University Brooks Keel.
Students will also have the opportunity to work with partners such as the Savannah River National Labs and the Medical College of Georgia (MCG). With these educational relationships, the program will offer a “one-of-a-kind opportunity” to utilize various high-impact practices that are unique to the university’s School of Computer and Cyber Sciences.
In addition to preparing students for graduate and professional STEM studies, as a result of collaboration with AU’s College of Science and Mathematics and MCG, those who graduate with this new degree will be able to find employment in healthcare and education settings whether private practice or industry.
“The new program aligns with our mission to provide state-of-the-art technology education and research in the computing and cybersecurity disciplines by creating a multidisciplinary program for health care-focused cybersecurity,” said Dean of the School of Computer and Cyber Sciences Alex Schwarzmann. “This program, at the intersection of health care systems and cybersecurity, complements Augusta University’s public comprehensive research mission and our current academic portfolio in computer and cyber sciences, setting the stage for biomedical systems engineering to be a leadership program.”
According to a press release, the university said the program will aim to improve the understanding, management and integration of biomedicine systems while encouraging the ability to develop digital healthcare-oriented systems and technologies, as well as guaranteed security and integrity.
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With a culminated capstone experience divided into teams, students will develop solutions to real-life problems in order to hone and practice their learned skills which will perfect them for usage in their respective future careers.
“We currently work with Savannah River Nuclear Laboratory in the capstone program and look forward to expanding future projects with them over two semesters. Along with our work with SRNL, we have plans to partner with the Medical College of Georgia to identify research problems that our students can contribute to and help solve,” said School of Computer and Cyber Sciences assistant professor and BSME Interim Program Director Jeffrey Morris.
By simulating realistic scenarios for class credit and connecting students to other professionals and organizations, AU allows these connections between students and staff that often times can lead to a better researcher in the long run.
“We are very proud of our growing momentum in engineering at Augusta University,” said Schwarzmann. “Our cybersecurity engineering program and the addition of the biomedical systems engineering program bolster Augusta University’s position as a leader in education in computing disciplines, information technology, cybersecurity and related engineering disciplines.”
Liz Wright is a staff writer covering education, lifestyle and general assignments for The Augusta Press. Reach her at liz@theaugustapress.com
