Bridgewater State College breaks ground on a 98.7 million dollar Math and Science Center, the single largest capital project ever at a Massachusetts state college.

Friday's groundbreaking comes as the college predicts that three out of every four new jobs created in Massachusetts will require training in science, technology, engineering and math.

Bridgewater State College is also the largest preparer of new math and science teachers in Massachusetts.

Governor Deval Patrick says the investment will help Bridgewater State College become an engine for economic growth for southeastern Massachusetts.

The new Math and Science Center will replace the original Marshall Conant Science Building, which opened in 1964.

Bridgewater State College President Dana Mohler-Faria says the new 211-thousand-square-foot facility will double the college's math and science space and is scheduled to open in the fall of 2012.

The project is part of a 2.2 billion dollar higher education bond bill signed into law by Patrick in August of 2008.