A new twist on math and science education.

Nearly 55 universities around the nation are using a unique graduate degree to help students get interested in science and math professions. The Professional Science Masters (PSM) degree combines a solid grounding in math or science with business or information technology courses designed to prepare graduates for work in business, government or nonprofit organizations.

Since 1997, a total of 101 programs have been established in 24 states. More than 1,200 students are enrolled nationally, and more than 660 have graduated to date. Nearly 40 percent of current PSM students are women, typically underrepresented in math and science studies.

University administrators and policymakers are hopeful that this degree will serve as a catalyst to attract more students to the study of math and science, and help to ensure universities are meeting the workforce needs of business and industry.

These degrees cover a wide area of disciplines. Common degrees are biotechnology, bioinformatics, biostatistics, and financial mathematics, but they may also be more specialized, such as nanoscale physics, geographical information systems, or human-computer interaction. Students are trained to be scientists--well-versed in the scientific method with proficient lab skills. They are also trained to function in a work environment that requires creating a budget, interpreting financial statements, communicating complex scientific results to the public, and managing projects.

Congress is now considering a bill that authorizes $20 million for FY 2007 and succeeding years in order for the National Science Foundation to fund improved or additional programs in up to 200 universities. State legislators may find the degree program to be a good way to retain students in the state since master's students, as opposed to Ph.D. students, tend to come from the area and remain in the region after graduation.

Information about PSM degrees can be found at www.sciencemasters.com