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Mar 9, 2006 3:17 pm US/Central
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Nanoscience Comes To Colleges
Fargo, N.D. (AP) ―
Two area colleges are joining in a two-year nanoscience technician degree.
The Moorhead campus of Minnesota State Community and Technical College and North Dakota State College of Science in Wahpeton are partnering to offer the program this fall.
Graduates will find their diplomas are tickets to the future, said James Carlson, president of PRACS Institute in Fargo, N.D., a pharmaceutical research company.
"Pick a city. Turn in your resume. Tell them what you want to get paid. It's that simple," Carlson said.
At PRACS, the technicians analyze samples and record data. New hires usually have a bachelor's degree in chemistry or biotechnology, but their training is not specialized enough, Carlson said.
"I lose a whole year teaching them how to turn the equipment on," he said.
Graduates of the new program will be able to hit the ground running, said Michael Burke, director of the state College of Science Center for Nanoscience Technology Training. Nanotechnology is the science of working at the atomic and molecular levels.
Students will take science courses at either Science in Wahpeton or at the Moorhead campus, then industry-specific courses at the Skills and Technology Training Center in Fargo.
PRACS and Alien Technology in Fargo are among companies that will offer internships and eventually jobs to the students. Other industry partners are Packet Digital, Aldevron and MeritCare of Fargo, and Imation and Cargill in Wahpeton.
(© 2006 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)