Responding to one of the fastest growing fields in today's economy, the College of Business and Public Administration made front-page news in USA Today Feb. 23 after announcing plans to introduce bachelor's and master's degrees in electronic commerce. Old Dominion will be one of a select few institutions to offer both graduate and undergraduate degrees in the discipline.

"Old Dominion will be on the cusp of one of the most fundamental changes in business operations and strategy that has occurred since World War II," said President James V. Koch, who will teach an economics course in the new program.

Beginning this fall, the university will introduce an e-commerce concentration in both its undergraduate and graduate programs. The new, free-standing degree programs are expected to be available starting in fall 2001.

Both the bachelor's of science and master's of science in e-commerce will provide students with extensive training and education in all facets of using technology to manage a business.

"Our programs will teach students to apply business principles to this new-frontier technology," said J. Taylor Sims, dean of the College of Business and Public Administration. "Through these courses and degree programs, we will provide students with the knowledge they need to keep pace with the revolutionary changes that are happening - and about to happen - in the business world."

A unique aspect of the Old Dominion program will be the E-Commerce Computer Lab and Center, a site and support center for area industry to work with students and faculty to develop and test e-commerce infrastructure. Coupled with the university's Career Advantage Program, which guarantees undergraduates an internship in their field of study, students in the new degree programs will receive hands-on experience and a close-up look at the rapidly changing technology impacting Internet business.

"Entire industries are being reshaped or even eliminated by e-commerce. Our students must be prepared to work and compete in such a world," said Koch. "In 10 years, e-commerce majors will be as common as computer science majors are today," he added. "No school will be without one."