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North Dakota State College of Science (NDSCS) is pleased to announce the launch of a new Fire Science degree program. This innovative program aims to provide local firefighters with a practical and affordable avenue to advance their careers in the fire service.

The Fire Science program will be taught at various locations, including fire stations across the region and the North Dakota Firefighters Association (NDFA) training center in Bismarck. Additionally, future academies are planned to take place at NDSCS campuses in Fargo and Wahpeton.

Designed to meet the needs of a wide array of fire service professionals, the program caters to both new candidates seeking to join the field and veteran firefighters aiming to enhance their expertise. Cities such as Fargo, West Fargo, and Moorhead have already expressed interest in the program and arrangements are being made to enroll students from North Dakota, Minnesota, and South Dakota.

The Fire Science program is estimated to cost $10,835 for a student without any prior college credits or firefighter credentials. Recognition for Prior Learning options are also available for recently trained firefighters. Graduates will obtain a degree in Fire Science that not only equips them with advanced knowledge but also significantly enhances their career prospects within the fire service industry.

The NDSCS Fire Science program is guided by experienced leaders and instructors with deep knowledge and expertise in the field. They will ensure that the training delivered is rigorous, practical, and aligned with the evolving needs of the fire service industry.

NDSCS is thrilled to offer this much-needed program and looks forward to fostering a new generation of highly skilled firefighters ready to serve and protect their communities.

We are delighted to extend the program to volunteer firefighters as well. They can participate in NDFA regional academies throughout North Dakota, and efforts are underway to provide classes in other states.

Inquiries about the program should be directed to the Fire Science Program Coordinator, Clinton Gilbertson, who can be reached via email at Clinton.Gilbertson@ndscs.edu or by phone at 701-671-2329.

For more information about the Fire Science program, visit NDSCS's website at NDSCS.edu/FireScience.

North Dakota State College of Science (NDSCS) students recently earned top awards at the National SkillsUSA Championships held during the National Leadership and Skills Conference (NLSC) in Atlanta, Georgia. Four NDSCS students earned the national spotlight for their achievements.

Zachary Lahlum of Marion, N.D. earned a gold medal in the Power Equipment Technology category. In Power Equipment Technology, Lahlum’s skills were tested in all areas of technology including: repair and maintenance of chainsaws and other handheld power equipment; understanding related theories; interpreting electrical and hydraulic schematics; and customer service skills. About his time competing in SkillsUSA, Lahlum noted, “I have made many great friends through SkillsUSA, but more importantly, I have been able to network with industry professionals. I enjoyed competing because everything is relevant and useful for my future career.”

Cale Mouser of Tenstrike, Minn. also earned a gold medal award in the Diesel Equipment Technology category. Mouser cycled through 14 stations testing and troubleshooting engines, electrical and electronics systems, powertrain systems and more during this competition. He demonstrated numerous shop skills, and also performed a job interview and completed a written test. Involvement with SkillsUSA has clearly left an impression on Mouser, as he reports, “SkillsUSA is dedicated to preparing the leaders of the world’s work force through hands-on involvement, industry partnerships, and access to up-and-coming technology. Through involvement in this organization, students are not only taught industry specific skills, but how to think critically and efficiently. It is through the skilled hands of thinkers that technology advances, and SkillsUSA is a crucial member in creating the industry of tomorrow.”

Shayne Hoffman of New Hradec, N.D. won a bronze medal in the Architectural Drafting category. Hoffman, an Architectural Modeling & Design Technology student at NDSCS, used his drafting skills and Autodesk Revit computer software to design a residential addition to an existing home located in Florida. The competition included a written test, hand sketch, and drawings. Hoffman reflected on his experience by saying, "Through SkillsUSA I was able to see my progression year after year, which has helped me for my future career by improving my technical skills through the competition and my soft skills through networking with the many industry contacts who attend.”

Ruari Devlin of Grand Forks, N.D. also won a bronze medal at the National SkillsUSA competition with his award in the CNC Programmer category. Devlin was evaluated, in part, on his ability to independently plan and program jobs for various types of CNC machines and provide instructions for operators to execute.

The SkillsUSA Championship is one of the largest hands-on workforce events in the world, and is known for competitions showcasing the best career and technical education students in the nation. This year, nearly 6,200 contestants from across the country competed in 110 separate events.

Article written by NDSCS and submitted to external news outlets. 

In an era where renewable resources are gaining increasing prominence and support from government authorities, educational institutions are stepping up to incorporate these sustainable technologies into their campuses. North Dakota State College of Science (NDSCS) has taken a proactive approach by installing solar panels and a wind tower, not only to generate clean energy but also to offer valuable learning opportunities to its students. These installations serve as practical tools for students to gain hands-on experience in installation, troubleshooting, and maintenance of renewable energy systems. Let's delve deeper into the significance and impact of these initiatives at NDSCS.

Enhancing Learning Through Renewable Energy

Ivan Maas, Chairman of the Building Systems Department at NDSCS, shares that the integration of solar panels and a wind tower has greatly enhanced the learning experience for NDSCS students. “By providing exposure to renewable energy from an installation and troubleshooting perspective, students become proficient in assisting with the setup of such equipment. This practical experience equips them with valuable skills that align with the growing demand for renewable energy professionals.”

Installation and Gifting of Solar Panels

NDSCS boasts multiple solar arrays on its campus. The first array, a 3.5KW installation, was placed on a dual-axis tracker in 2011-12. It was purchased using a Career and Technical Education (CTE) grant and installed by Enterprise Sales from Valley City, ND. Recently, this array was upgraded to IQ-7+ micro inverters from Enphase, improving its efficiency and allowing direct integration with the NDSCS power grid.

Arrays #2 and #3, each with a capacity of 1.3KW, were also purchased in 2011-12 through the CTE grant. These arrays were installed on a ground-mounted framework built for student accessibility. The DC power generated by these arrays is fed into Barnard Hall, where it is converted into AC power using a Fronius IG inverter before being integrated into the power grid. In 2020-21, NDSCS added another solar array, known as Array #4, with a capacity of 4.4KW. This installation was funded by the NDSCS Electrical Department and installed by Scott's Electric in Wahpeton, ND, under guidance from Lightspring in Bismarck, ND.

The Future Impact of Solar and Wind Technology

Maas believes that wind energy might see limited growth in the residential and light commercial sectors due to initial high costs, maintenance challenges, and grid interconnectivity issues. However, large-scale wind turbine utilization is expected to continue growing steadily. On the other hand, solar energy is predicted to experience high demand and substantial growth. Solar power's predictability and dependability, coupled with the simplicity of maintenance and absence of moving parts, make it an attractive renewable energy option. Maas mentions that solar "farms" will be installed near existing distribution resources, power plants, and wind turbine installations. Some states, like California since 2020, have even enacted laws mandating solar installations on every new home.

Both private individuals and corporations are increasingly opting for solar installations to reduce their reliance on the electrical grid and minimize their carbon footprint.

Understanding Solar Panel Output

Solar panels come in various sizes and power outputs. Small panels with outputs ranging from 15 to 50 watts are suitable for charging small devices in outdoor settings. Residential and commercial panels typically range from 250 to 500 watts each. Multiple panels can be electrically wired together to form a solar array, while large installations with multiple arrays are often referred to as solar "farms." The output of a panel depends on its voltage and current ratings, which must be matched to the specific application for proper and safe operation.

Impact on Higher Education

Maas shares his thoughts on the future collaborations between renewable energy and higher education:

“I don’t know how many campuses have solar generation capability. It will vary greatly by state and region. My guess is that a very small percentage today have renewable sources/assets and it would be very rare to have their entire electrical power needs coming from renewables (solar/wind/etc.).”

“I believe there are not many colleges teaching solar classes. Some may include discussions in renewable energy but very few (like NDSCS) feature full-fledged installation practices. The most widely known training center (nationally) for solar installations is North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP). NABCEP Certifications are very highly respected and recognized nation-wide. Regionally, several colleges in Minnesota have some instruction in solar installation since Minnesota has aspired to be more proactive on renewable energy production/consumption than other states.”

Article written by NDSCS. 

The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) has formally granted continuing accreditation to the North Dakota State College of Science Registered Nursing and Practical Nursing programs. This includes the one-year Associate in Science in Nursing degree (ASN RN), the two-year Associate in Applied Science degree in Registered Nursing (AAS RN), and the Practical Nursing Degree.

According to acenursing.org, the ACEN supports the interests of nursing education, nursing practice, and the public through the functions of accreditation. Accreditation is a voluntary, peer-review, self-regulatory process by which non-governmental associations recognize educational institutions or programs that have been found to meet or exceed standards and criteria for educational quality. The monitoring of certificate, diploma, and degree offerings is tied closely to state examination and licensing rules and to the oversight of preparation for work in the profession.

NDSCS offers three academic options for Nursing students. The Practical Nursing program is for students who are interested in pursuing a career in nursing or wish to transfer to an associate or bachelor’s program for nursing. The two-year Associate in Applied Science Registered Nursing program is available to applicants wishing to become a Registered Nurse. The Associate in Science Registered Nursing program option is available to Licensed Practical Nurses who wish to continue their nursing education to become a Registered Nurse.

New for fall, Licensed Practical Nurses who graduated from a diploma program will also have the option to obtain their Associate Degree in Registered Nursing. In addition to its regular cohorts, NDSCS has conducted more than 32 satellite nursing programs as part of its commitment to meeting the workforce needs of rural North Dakota and the region. NDSCS-Fargo location is planning to add the Associate of Applied Science Registered Nursing Program option beginning in Spring 2024.

To learn more about the NDSCS Nursing program visit NDSCS.edu/Nursing or email NDSCS.Nursing@ndscs.edu