Two Iowa State University departments to merge July 1

AMES, Iowa -- Two academic departments at Iowa State University will merge July 1 following approval by the Board of Regents, State of Iowa, this week.

The department of industrial education and technology in the College of Education will combine with the department of agricultural and biosystems engineering, jointly administered by the colleges of Agriculture of Engineering.

The merger combines two technology-intensive programs -- one that focuses on manufacturing and occupational safety and the other on agricultural and environmental systems technology and management, innovations and safety systems. It will increase the number of faculty working with students and broaden the technology expertise available.

"The combination allows us to more efficiently use fiscal and physical resources to benefit students and research," said Roger Smith, professor and interim chair of the department of industrial education and technology.

The merger will impact about 500 undergraduate and 80 graduate students. No faculty or staff members will be eliminated in the consolidation; searches for two open faculty positions will begin soon. Students currently enrolled, new freshmen and transfer students enrolling in the fall will have the option of graduating under their current majors.

Ramesh Kanwar, professor and chair of agricultural and biosystems engineering, will chair the combined program. Smith will continue to serve as an associate dean in the College of Education.

"Both departments focus on the application and integration of technology," Kanwar said. "There is a synergy among the faculty that will strengthen teaching, outreach and research opportunities. We share a common philosophy in not only educational goals but also in instructional methods."

The two departments have been discussing the merger for more than a year. The consolidation is not related to a study by the university on the possible combination of the College of Family and Consumer Sciences and the College of Education.