2008 Woodie Awards
New doctoral program first of its kind
By: Meredith Mayberry
Issue date: 2/13/08 Section: News
Central Michigan University is throwing tradition to the wind next fall semester.
The university's new doctoral program, Science of Advanced Materials, is nontraditional in the sense that it is interdisciplinary, or combines multiple departments and areas of study.
"Physics, chemistry and math are most involved on campus," said Alan Jackson, professor and chair of the physics department. "We expect biology and engineering to be involved in the future."
Valeri Petkov, associate professor of physics, said the interdisciplinary aspect of the program offers students more options.
"It covers, in a nontraditional way, various research, which is not possible ... in traditional settings," Petkov said.
Petkov said "green technology," such as solar cells which collect solar energy from the roof of a building, is one of the program's areas of interest.
"We're looking at a new type of technology," Petkov said. "We're trying to shift focus to educate future entrepreneurs."
Jackson, the acting director of the program, said the it is unique to Michigan in its organization. Instead of focusing around a certain type of material, CMU's program will organize around scientific methodologies, or how to study materials.
"Students will study materials either created through advanced synthesis techniques or have advanced functionality," Jackson said. "We hope it will give students the tools they need in the job market."
Petkov said he hopes the program's students will lead the way in opening new high-tech industries in Michigan.
"We hope our students stay in Michigan," he said.
Jackson said about six students are expected to be accepted every year.
"It's about a five-year program, so we'll have around 25 students total once the program is fully implemented," he said.
Applications are being accepted now.
"We've had a number of students interested, even though we're still a while before actually accepting anyone," Jackson said. "There's been a great initial response."
There are 12 doctoral programs on campus, said Roger Coles, interim dean of the college of graduate studies.
Doctoral enrollments currently are up at the university, according to CMU's Vision 2010 program Web site, planning.cmich.edu.
Jackson said about 15 faculty members have been involved in the planning of Science of Advanced Materials for about six years.
"There is a group of five people who have been working very closely over the last two years or so to get the program in its final shape," he said.
news@cm-life.com
The university's new doctoral program, Science of Advanced Materials, is nontraditional in the sense that it is interdisciplinary, or combines multiple departments and areas of study.
"Physics, chemistry and math are most involved on campus," said Alan Jackson, professor and chair of the physics department. "We expect biology and engineering to be involved in the future."
Valeri Petkov, associate professor of physics, said the interdisciplinary aspect of the program offers students more options.
"It covers, in a nontraditional way, various research, which is not possible ... in traditional settings," Petkov said.
Petkov said "green technology," such as solar cells which collect solar energy from the roof of a building, is one of the program's areas of interest.
"We're looking at a new type of technology," Petkov said. "We're trying to shift focus to educate future entrepreneurs."
Jackson, the acting director of the program, said the it is unique to Michigan in its organization. Instead of focusing around a certain type of material, CMU's program will organize around scientific methodologies, or how to study materials.
"Students will study materials either created through advanced synthesis techniques or have advanced functionality," Jackson said. "We hope it will give students the tools they need in the job market."
Petkov said he hopes the program's students will lead the way in opening new high-tech industries in Michigan.
"We hope our students stay in Michigan," he said.
Jackson said about six students are expected to be accepted every year.
"It's about a five-year program, so we'll have around 25 students total once the program is fully implemented," he said.
Applications are being accepted now.
"We've had a number of students interested, even though we're still a while before actually accepting anyone," Jackson said. "There's been a great initial response."
There are 12 doctoral programs on campus, said Roger Coles, interim dean of the college of graduate studies.
Doctoral enrollments currently are up at the university, according to CMU's Vision 2010 program Web site, planning.cmich.edu.
Jackson said about 15 faculty members have been involved in the planning of Science of Advanced Materials for about six years.
"There is a group of five people who have been working very closely over the last two years or so to get the program in its final shape," he said.
news@cm-life.com
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