New physics lab, majors at VUU
7/13/2016, 7:15 a.m.
A new physics laboratory, and new majors in physics and cyber security at Virginia Union University, are expected to boost the number of students who want to pursue careers in cyber security.
“The cyber security industry is growing faster than the average for all occupations in any field,” says Dr. LaTrelle Green, dean of VUU’s School of Mathematics, Science and Technology. “It’s a crucial need for our world economy.”
In order to meet the demand, VUU will offer new majors in physics and cyber security this fall. Cyber security majors may choose from four concentrations, including accounting, digital forensics, finance and banking, and mathematics. So far 26 students have signed up for the new majors, said Dr. Green.
VUU’s new physics major was created, in part, from a National Science Foundation $100,000 grant awarded to Dr. Shaheen Islam, a professor in the Department of Natural Sciences. “Many more career opportunities will be available to our students as a result of this program, including jobs in high-tech industries, national labs, sales and marketing, medical facilities and teaching,” she said.
VUU officials also said negotiations are underway to offer a “3 Plus2” engineering program that will allow students to study three years at VUU, then two additional years at a partner university to earn dual undergraduate degrees in physics and engineering. Howard University is one of the possible partners, officials said.
