Conference Session

New Trends in Engineering Graduate Education

Collection

2006 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Kenneth Ports, QTS, Inc.; Dennis Kulonda, Florida Tech; Clifford Bragdon, Florida Tech; Carmo D'Cruz, Florida Tech

Tagged Divisions

Graduate Studies

Business Development Center (SBDC), EconomicDevelopment Commission of the Space Coast, NASA Office of Technology Commercializationat KSC, and other local partners, neighboring universities and colleges, plans to dramaticallyreduce this problem by methodical research and facilitation of best practices for technologytransfer and commercialization leveraging a unique educational program in experientialentrepreneurship and technology commercialization.SCION Objectives:The SCION Partnership objectives are to:1) Develop education and experiential entrepreneurship programs to promote technology Page 11.1243.11commercialization and entrepreneurship

Conference Session

Graduate Student Experiences

Collection

2006 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Tammy VanDeGrift, University of Portland; Janet Davis, University of Washington

Tagged Divisions

Graduate Studies

. IntroductionIn a review of recent research, Gaff reported in his article “The Disconnect Between GraduateEducation and Faculty Realities” that graduate students are not equipped for the faculty positionsthey accept and have little exposure to other career paths outside the academy 1. Graduatestudents reported not having enough information to help them choose or plan for a career. Oneresponse for this lack of information is the Preparing Future Faculty (PFF) program launched in1993 by the Association of American Colleges and Universities and the Council of GraduateSchools. The PFF program is designed to expose students to the teaching profession and provideinformation about academic careers. Several research universities have Preparing Future

Conference Session

Graduate Student Experiences

Collection

2006 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Scott Rogers, Georgia Institute of Technology; Jeremy Noonan, Purdue University; Jaemeen Baek, Georgia Institute of Technology; Sangil Lee, Georgia Institute of Technology; Ulas Tezel, Georgia Institute of Technology; Grant Michalski, Georgia Institute of Technology; Chia-Hung Hou, Georgia Institute of Technology

Tagged Divisions

Graduate Studies

environmental engineering program needed to overcome these obstacles tocreate a valid assessment tool. Previous program surveys did not amply address specific studentconcerns. Those surveys had poorly designed questions and answer formats. Survey distributionhad relied on students to retrieve and return surveys themselves. Data analysis had consisted ofonly computing mean values and compiling comments. Results of the surveys had suffered fromlow response rates, biases, and demographic underrepresentation.A graduate-student committee designed a survey considering the aforementioned problems.“The improvement of research quality” was the overall survey theme, and four subtopics --research resources, research preparation, research views and attitudes, and

Conference Session

New Trends in Engineering Graduate Education

Collection

2006 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Ernest McDuffie; Elaine R. Milliam; Robert Kavetsky; Ronald Bennett; Eugene Brown

Tagged Divisions

Graduate Studies

environmental quality,lightweight naval alloys and friction stir welding, as well asresistance and powering of small, fast ships. Students were awedwith the extensive research facilities and the obvious knowledgeand dedication of the scientists and engineers who hosted thestudents for brief informational sessions in their labs.Students were vocal about their impressions of Carderock. “I am abit overwhelmed,” said Lisa Hilliard, a graduate student workingtoward her Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of Florida. “Itis amazing to think that someone is willing to pay you to thinkabout the things you’ve always wondered about as a kid. It’s veryexciting,” she said.After the tour and lunch, the students were welcomed, along withtheir mentors and advisors

Conference Session

Mentoring Graduate Students

Collection

2006 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Heidar Malki, University of Houston; Michael Gibson, University of Houston; Enrique Barbieri, University of Houston; William Fitzgibbon, University of Houston

Tagged Divisions

Graduate Studies

continuous quality improvement inorganizational environments.Proposed Interdisciplinary Graduate ProgramA tentative curricula for the Masters in Technology (M.T.) degree includes the following courses:1. 12 hours in College core and leadership/management classes, including research methods.2. 12 hours of courses comprising a concentration in one of the CoT disciplines.3. 0-6 hours of practicum/internship courses.4. 6 hours of Thesis or Project.Figure 1 depicts the proposed multidisciplinary graduate program for the CoT. College Core:Tech Management and Research Design Concentration 1: Concentration 2