| Harrisburg University of Science and Technology | |
|---|---|
| Motto | "The City is Our Campus" |
| Type | Private university |
| President | Dr. Mel Schiavelli |
| Provost | Dr. Eric D. Darr |
| Location | Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, U.S.A. |
| Campus | Urban |
| Colors | Green and Gold |
| Nickname | HU |
| Affiliations | ACE, NSF, NAICU |
| Website | www.harrisburgu.edu/ |
The Harrisburg University of Science and Technology is a private teaching university[1] in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, United States. The university offers applied programs in the nationally critical science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines. The University also matches students with mentors and requires internships in technology fields. Harrisburg University is the first private, non-profit science and technology focused university to be chartered by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in more than 100 years.[2] The National Center for Science and Civic Engagement is affiliated with the university.
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Founded in 2001 to address Central Pennsylvania’s need for increased opportunities for study leading to careers in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields, Harrisburg University is a private institution that produces graduates in science and technology disciplines. Harrisburg University ensures institutional access for underrepresented students and links learning and research to practical outcomes. As a private University serving the public good, Harrisburg University remains the only STEM-focused comprehensive university located between Philadelphia and Pittsburgh and is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.[3]
Harrisburg University maintains undergraduate and graduate programs in science and technology related disciplines. The student/faculty ratio is 9 to 1 with an average class size of 12. The university follows a trimester system.
Concentrations include Food Safety & Quality Assurance; Nanobiotechnology; Nanobiotechnology & Nanofabrication: and Pharmaceutical Design
Concentrations include Computer and Information Security, New Media Design and Production; Software Engineering & Analysis.
Concentrations include Digital Health; eBusiness; Entrepreneurship; Information & Communication Technologies; Interactive Media Management; and Management
Geographic Information Systems (GIS) is an emerging high-tech field. This program allows students to master GIS related software. Some courses include: Intro to GIS, Geography, Cartography, Geospatial Technology, GIS Policy, Spatial Statistics, Satellite Remote Sensing.
Concentrations include biology, biological chemistry, chemistry, environmental science & renewable energy, and forensics.
The 36-credit-hour degree program covers essential skills and topics including procurement and risk management, to systems integration and organizational leadership. Additionally, the curriculum has received Registered Education Provider (REP) status through the Project Management Institute (PMI), providing preparation for the nationally recognized PMP certification.
This is a 36 semester credit hour program that provides students with leading edge approaches and skills to help them apply existing and emerging learning technologies in a variety of learning environments.
The 36-credit-hour degree program provides students with both technical and business skills to advance further in careers in information systems, and features renowned faculty teaching an interdisciplinary blend of information systems, systems engineering, and engineering management. Graduates are ready to lead, manage, and engineer the complex IT systems needed to support businesses and other organizations.
Information Technology Project Management Specialized Graduate Certificates:
The University offers computer science training classes taught by professionals over the internet.
Harrisburg University uses the slogan "The city is your campus." [4] The university's academic center along with additional class space in Strawberry Square, are all located in urban downtown Harrisburg. The university is within walking distance of the Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts, which provides auditorium space and numerous cultural events for students.
The University's facilities include a 16-story $73-million[5] at the corner of Fourth and Market streets in downtown Harrisburg. The Academic Center has room for 1,600 students spread out in 24 classrooms, six scientific teaching labs, a library, Reading Room, Student Services Center, 125-seat auditorium, six student meeting areas, a multi-media production facility and a courtyard.[5]
Students can maintain an apartment in the city or commute from home. The university offers several options for housing, including the Residences on Market, the Harrisburg International House and the Pennsylvania Place. The housing options for housing in Harrisburg are all independently owned and operated. The University anticipates that approximately one hundred (100) of its enrolled students will reside across the street from the University’s Academic Center at the newly-renovated Residences on Market building located at 335 Market Street, Harrisburg, PA. Harrisburg University also teams with a private firm to provide outsourced student housing at various apartments around the downtown area.[6]
Harrisburg University partners with many local civic organizations for student clubs and activities, such as the Harrisburg Young Professionals (HYP). HU students receive free membership in the organization[7], which involves students in various community progams. HYP members mentor students and participate in regular community events. In 2009, the Harrisburg University Bulletin (HUB) was founded. It serves as an independent student-run newspaper and a platform for student opinion and literature.
As of 2011, Harrisburg University serves 1022 students (approximately 400 FTE) through its dual enrollment, undergraduate, graduate, training, certificate and its professional and continuing education programs. Its student population is 43% ethnic minority and 99% receive financial aid. 47% of the student body is male and 53% is female.[8]
The National Center for Science and Civic Engagement (NCSCE), at Harrisburg University, supports and disseminates campus-based science education reform strategies that strengthen learning and build civic responsibility among students. The Center’s programs teach basic science and mathematics through a focus on some of the most important and complex civic issues facing society today. The center also operates offices in Somerset, New Jersey and Washington D.C., and administers projects such as the internationally-known Science Education for New Civic Engagements and Responsibilities (SENCER), which is supported by a major grant from the National Science Foundation.[9]
Nearly 200 colleges and universities in more than 40 states and 10 foreign nations are working on the project, with faculty teaching SENCER courses to strengthen student learning in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) by providing them with real-life problems and issues to which the various disciplines can be applied.[10] Issues range from health challenges like asthma, HIV, diabetes, emerging infectious diseases and tuberculosis, to matters involving transportation, energy and environment, as well as specific civic concerns, such as maximizing the accuracy of the census and methods of voting.
The Center for Advanced Entertainment and Learning Technologies (CAELT), at Harrisburg University is collaborative partnership with Carnegie Mellon University's Entertainment Technology Center and the Technology Council of Central Pennsylvania.[11] Students and faculty from both CMU and HU work side-by-side on Synthetic Interviews Software Technology projects. With speech recognition capacities, this technology has many applications including enabling users to interview historical and fictional characters.[11]
Harrisburg University is a model of public–private partnership and has received external support from the corporate sector, private individuals, and state and federal government. Fortune 500 companies and other leading companies such as The Hershey Company, Select Medical Corporation, PPL, Gannett Fleming, Cleveland Brothers Equipment Company, Tyco Electronics and Penn National Insurance have all supported the University since 2001.[12]
The University began an initial comprehensive fundraising campaign in 2006, called CONNECT: The Campaign for Harrisburg University, which has raised over $44-million, surpassing the overall goal of $40-million.[13] The fundraising campaign has enjoyed widespread support from across the Harrisburg metropolitan area. Several hundred individuals and organizations have made supporting Harrisburg University one of their top philanthropic investments.
Research Centers