Education, Experience, and Certification Through Micro-Credential Program in RF Engineering for Engineering Technology Students

Doug Kim

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Conference: 2024 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition
Location: Portland, Oregon
Publication Date: June 23, 2024
Start Date: June 23, 2024
End Date: July 12, 2024
Conference Session: Engineering Technology Division Curriculum Development
Tagged Division: Engineering Technology Division (ETD)
Permanent URL: https://peer.asee.org/47214

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Paper Authors

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Doug Kim State University of New York, Farmingdale

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Dr. Kim is currently an associate professor in Electrical and Computer Engineering Technology at Farmingdale State College. He worked in RF and wireless industry for more than 15 years before joining the college. Dr. Kim received B.S. in EECS from University of California Berkeley, M.S. in EE from University of Southern California and Ph.D. from Stony Brook University,

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Abstract

The demand for RF (Radio Frequency) engineers has been increasing recently due to the proliferation of wireless devices and applications in both commercial and defense settings. There is a shortage of both new and experienced engineers in RF engineering. The complete RF engineering curriculums are not generally offered at the undergraduate level because of the higher level of prerequisites required in physics and math to fully understand the fundamental theories governing various aspects of RF engineering. A curriculum in RF engineering for Engineering Technology students is even harder to find. There are three key qualifications that companies look for in entry-level RF engineering positions. They are education, experience, and certification. A well-designed micro-credential program can provide these three qualifications to Engineering Technology students without overwhelming them with the higher math and physics than the degree requires. When designing the micro-credential program for RF engineering in Engineering Technology programs, the practicality and applicability of the course contents must be carefully investigated before integrating them into the course contents. Direct Inputs from the RF industry for practical skills a new hire must have are essential for the program's success. For engineering technology students, investing valuable class time to help them acquire practical skills with the theories tightly associated with the skills is much more effective and beneficial. This is a different approach than the traditional theory-first and verification-through lab activities. One of the most lacking qualifications for an RF engineering position is experience. Having a practical field experience in RF engineering can provide an advantage in the job market. The micro-credential program proposed in this paper not only provides coursework in RF engineering but also real-world experience through applied learning such as internships, co-op programs, or senior capstone projects. The certification can be achieved by the micro-credential program in collaboration with companies in the RF industry that recognize the certification awarded by the program as proof of attaining fundamental skills in RF engineering. This paper presents the micro-credential program that offers education, experience, and certification desired by the RF industry to Engineering Technology students within the boundary of the current degree requirements. The paper also describes in detail how to design the program to prepare and provide the qualifications.

Citation
Format

Kim, D. (2024, June), Education, Experience, and Certification Through Micro-Credential Program in RF Engineering for Engineering Technology Students Paper presented at 2024 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition, Portland, Oregon. https://peer.asee.org/47214

TY - CPAPER
AB - The demand for RF (Radio Frequency) engineers has been increasing recently due to the proliferation of wireless devices and applications in both commercial and defense settings. There is a shortage of both new and experienced engineers in RF engineering. The complete RF engineering curriculums are not generally offered at the undergraduate level because of the higher level of prerequisites required in physics and math to fully understand the fundamental theories governing various aspects of RF engineering. A curriculum in RF engineering for Engineering Technology students is even harder to find. There are three key qualifications that companies look for in entry-level RF engineering positions. They are education, experience, and certification. A well-designed micro-credential program can provide these three qualifications to Engineering Technology students without overwhelming them with the higher math and physics than the degree requires. When designing the micro-credential program for RF engineering in Engineering Technology programs, the practicality and applicability of the course contents must be carefully investigated before integrating them into the course contents. Direct Inputs from the RF industry for practical skills a new hire must have are essential for the program&#39;s success. For engineering technology students, investing valuable class time to help them acquire practical skills with the theories tightly associated with the skills is much more effective and beneficial. This is a different approach than the traditional theory-first and verification-through lab activities. One of the most lacking qualifications for an RF engineering position is experience. Having a practical field experience in RF engineering can provide an advantage in the job market. The micro-credential program proposed in this paper not only provides coursework in RF engineering but also real-world experience through applied learning such as internships, co-op programs, or senior capstone projects. The certification can be achieved by the micro-credential program in collaboration with companies in the RF industry that recognize the certification awarded by the program as proof of attaining fundamental skills in RF engineering. This paper presents the micro-credential program that offers education, experience, and certification desired by the RF industry to Engineering Technology students within the boundary of the current degree requirements. The paper also describes in detail how to design the program to prepare and provide the qualifications.
AU - Doug Kim
CY - Portland, Oregon
DA - 2024/06/23
PB - ASEE Conferences
TI - Education, Experience, and Certification Through Micro-Credential Program in RF Engineering for Engineering Technology Students
UR - https://peer.asee.org/47214
ER -