SLIPPERY ROCK — Slippery Rock University is aligning all of its STEM-HP, science, technology, engineering, mathematics and health professions, programs in one college as a means of providing better continuity and improved course and major linkage.

The realignment includes moving two of SRU’s three computing areas from the College of Business, Information and Social Sciences to the College of Health, Environment and Science.

“We have been looking at this for a year and have now moved the computer science major and information technology major, as well as the computer science department, to my college,” said Susan Hannam, dean of the College of Health, Environment and Science. “We thought it was good idea to get all of the STEM-HP programs together.”

The information systems portion of computing, which Hannam says has a strong business connection and is the actual application of computing, will remain in the College of Business, Information and Social Sciences.

Hannam said students already studying in one of the programs will be able to continue through to graduation using their current major’s course plan. New students entering any of the affected majors will see their course alignment change to meet new course requirements. Curriculum changes are expected to work their way through SRU’s curriculum committee and other appropriate approvals during the spring semester.

Information technology and computer science will be moved to the College of Health, Environment and Science.

Deborah Whitfield, SRU computer science professor and chair of the computer science department, said, “It just made common sense. Students in the information systems major already had to take six or seven courses in the School of Business, so their focus should be in the business area. Those in computer science and information technology have a much closer relationship to physics, mathematics and engineering, and decades ago, were actually part of the mathematics department, so it is common sense to house them there.”

Philip Way, SRU provost and vice president for academic and student affairs, approved the moves retroactive to Oct. 1.