(EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.) A cooperative agreement offering a doctoral program in engineering science through the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville School of Engineering and the College of Engineering at SIU Carbondale will begin during spring semester.
A doctorate in engineering science--encompassing areas of specialization in civil, electrical, computer and mechanical engineering--would open several doors of opportunity for a graduate, according to Oktay Alkin, associate dean for research and development for the SIUE School of Engineering. "Graduates will be sought highly by universities, research laboratories and engineering companies," Alkin pointed out.
The program, created last year with a "memorandum of understanding" between SIUE and SIUC, recognizes SIUE as a residency center for the doctoral program at Carbondale, said Hasan Sevim, dean of the SIUE School of Engineering.
"This is a great opportunity that will allow our faculty to engage in more externally funded research, publish in prestigious journals, and more importantly provide continuity in research with doctoral students being available longer than master's students," Sevim said.
Patrick Solt, a computer engineering major at SIUE, is the first student to enroll in the cooperative program. Solt has been provided with an academic advisor at SIUE who will chair a dissertation committee that consists of faculty from both campuses. The School of Engineering recently has launched a campaign to recruit for the program and inquiries already have been received from domestic and international students.
To begin, two courses taught by SIUC engineering faculty will be made available to SIUE graduate students by videoconference for Spring Semester. Engineering faculty at SIUE will return the favor in future semesters by making courses available to students in Carbondale.
Alkin explained that it will be possible for a student to complete the requirements of the degree without leaving Edwardsville, if that's what the student prefers. "The ability to complete the program in Edwardsville makes it very attractive for professionals employed in the St. Louis Metropolitan Area," he said.
John Nicklow, associate dean of SIUC's College of Engineering and director of the engineering science doctoral program, said the program will bring together more than 100 engineering faculty from both campuses. "This is a significant intellectual compilation that will benefit doctoral students and boost research capacity in both institutions," Nicklow said.
For more information about the cooperative program, contact Alkin, (618) 650-2541, or by e-mail: oalkin@siue.edu. Details of the program, including application materials and instructions, also are available through the Web: http://www.siue.edu/engineering/phd.
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is proud to celebrate its 50th Anniversary and first half century of excellence. The University has grown from 1,776 students in 1957 to nearly 13,500 students today. SIUE is a catalyst for the cultural and intellectual vitality and economic development of Southwestern Illinois and the greater St. Louis region.
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