Transcript Slide 1

Reinventing the Polytechnic
Zvi Szafran – Vice President of Academic Affairs
Jeff Ray – Dean, Engineering Technology and Management
Why Reinvent?
• There is a need for a more technology-literate educated
public in all academic disciplines.
• Polytechnic Universities have a unique educational role
to play in preparing graduates for the modern
technological economy.
• To meet this challenge, Southern Polytechnic State
University has focused on curricular change involving the
fusion of liberal arts and technology, resulting in an
increasingly comprehensive university.
• Every program is technologically focused, including
those in the "traditional" liberal arts areas
SPSU History
• Founded in 1948
– Originally, a two-year division of Georgia Tech
– Founded to serve the needs of returning WWII
veterans
– Requested by Georgia business and industry
• Accredited as a four-year college in 1970
• Granted independent status in the University
System of Georgia in 1980
SPSU Facts
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Technology-focused degrees
Faculty and staff: 404
Undergraduate programs: 38
Graduate programs: 11
Number of students: 5600
– Undergraduate: 4900
– Graduate (Masters Level): 700
Traditional Curricular Strengths
• Engineering Technology
– Undergraduate
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Civil Engineering Technology
Computer Engineering Technology
Electrical Engineering Technology
Industrial Engineering Technology
Mechanical Engineering Technology
Telecommunications Engineering Technology
– Graduate
• Electrical Engineering Technology
Newer Curricular Strengths
• Engineering
– Undergraduate
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Construction Engineering
Mechatronics Engineering
Software Engineering
Systems Engineering
Civil Engineering (Evening Program)
Electrical Engineering (Evening Program)
Mechanical Engineering (Evening Program)
– Graduate
• Systems Engineering
Polytechnic Strengths
• Preparing students for technology-related
careers
• Unique programs at the interface of
traditional fields
• Applied focus -- project-based
Overall Goal:
To Become the First
Fully Comprehensive Polytechnic
• Some polytechnics offer a narrow range of traditional
technology-focused programs
• Some polytechnics offer a comprehensive range of
programs, only some of which are technology-focused
• We will offer a comprehensive range of programs, all
technology-focused
• Fusion of technology and the liberal arts
USG Core Program
Area A: Basic Skills (English, Intro. Math)
Area B: Institutional Option
• Required course in Science, Technology, and Society
• Required course in Public Speaking
Area C: Humanities, Fine Arts
Area D: Mathematics, Sciences
Area E: Social Sciences
Area F: Major Cognates
• Most degrees require course in Technical Communication
Strong focus on communication and technology.
Technology-focused Liberal Arts
and Professional Programs
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English
Art
Psychology
Political Science
Accounting
Business Administration
Education
English
• At most polytechnics, English would be a
service department, faculty would believe
they were out of the mainstream
• At SPSU, the English Department is at the
core of our mission
English
• Full department name is English, Technical
Communication and Media Arts (ETCMA)
• Main program is B.S. in Technical Communication
– Computer mediated communication and information design
– Concentrations in: Information Design, Digital Media and Graphics
– Preparation of professional portfolios
English
Other Degrees Offered:
• M.S. in Information Design and Communication
• M.S. in Information and Instructional Design
• B.A. in English and Professional Communication
• Interfaces with nearly all science, engineering, and
technology programs (English, Public Speaking, T-Com).
• Also offers core courses in Literature and Fine Arts
English
T-Com Coursework in:
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Fundamentals of Information Design
Applied Graphics for Technical Communicators
Foundations of Multimedia
User Documentation
Usability Testing
Online Documentation
Fundamentals of Website Design
Our Newest Degree (approved June 2011):
B.A. in New Media Arts
• SPSU’s first degree program in the Arts
• Gives students the technical and artistic skills needed in
the fields of multimedia development and design, web
design, and video production.
• Interfaces with programs in Architecture and Computer
Game Design and Development
New Media Arts
Foundation Coursework:
Advanced Coursework:
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• Digital Media Interaction
• Mobile and Casual Game
Development
• Foundations of Multimedia
• 2D Animation
• Applied Graphics
• Video Production
2D and 3D Design
Intro. To Media Studies
Visual Thinking
Media Theory and Practice
Foundations of Graphics
Fundamentals of Website
Design
Social Sciences
• At most polytechnics, the social sciences would be
a service department, faculty would believe they
were out of the mainstream
• At SPSU, the Social and International Studies
Department is at the core of our mission
B.S. in Psychology
• Department is Social and International Studies
• Engineering Psychology: Focus on applying an
understanding of human behavior interacting with the
design of systems and products
• Industrial/Organizational Psychology: Focus on
applying an understanding of human behavior with
improving productivity and workplace quality
• Interfaces with Industrial Engineering Technology,
Business (Technology Management), Software
Engineering, Systems Engineering
B.S. in Psychology
Coursework in:
• Experimental Psychology
• Principles of Industrial Systems and Processes
• Work Measurement and Ergonomics
• User-Centered Design
• User Interaction Engineering
• Principles of Team Dynamics
• Human Resources Management
B.S. in Political Science
• Department is Social and International Studies
• Focus is on understanding of the political process,
communication, analysis, and critical reasoning skills
• More rigorous, quantitative, research focus (three
required courses in quantitative analysis and
research methods)
• Concentration on Technology and the Law
• Interfaces with Civil Engineering Technology
(Geographic Information Systems), Science
Technology and Society
• Dept. also offers History of Science concentration
B.S. in Political Science
Coursework in:
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Intro. To Quantitative Research Methods
Intermediate Quantitative Research Methods
Advanced Multivariate Statistical Analysis
Geographic Information Systems
Cross-National Technology Policy Analysis
International Issues in Science and Technology
Business Administration
• Most polytechnics have Business Administration
Departments, but they’re not particularly
technologically focused…
• At SPSU, the Business Administration major began
as a Technology Management degree
Accounting
• B.S. and M.S. in Accounting
• Focus is on “lean accounting” which analyzes
industrial cost centers
• Courses include
– Accounting Information Systems and Enterprise
Resource Planning
– Quality Concepts and Systems Design
– Accounting Software Applications
– Principles of Industrial Systems
– Emerging Auditing Technology
Business Administration
• Aligned with B.S. in Industrial Engineering Technology,
sharing six courses
• Concentrations in MIS, Management of Operations, and
Technology Management
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Intro to Computer Applications
Statistics
Quality Concepts and System Design
Principles of Operations Research
Management Information Systems
Technology and Public Issues
Our Newest Degrees (approved June 2011):
Education
• Georgia is a large net importer of teachers
• Developed to meet massive need in STEM areas
• Opposite Approach: Began from science departments,
not education department
• SPSU is the only polytechnic in UTeach Program
Education
Education Degrees Offered:
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B.S. in Biology with Teacher Certification
B.S. in Chemistry with Teacher Certification
B.A. in Mathematics with Teacher Certification
B.S. in Physics with Teacher Certification
Endorsement in Computer Science (not currently
certification area)
• Next up: Endorsements in Technology and
Engineering
Summary
• Nineteen new degree programs created
and approved since 2006
• Enrollment has increased 47% since Fall
2005
• Prepare students for more technologically
challenging careers
• Develop a more technology literate
graduate
Summary of New Degrees
• School of ACC
– M.S. Architecture
– B.S. Environ. Eng.Tech. *
• School of Arts & Sciences
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B.S. Biology w. Teacher Cert.
B.S. Biotechnology*
B.S. Chemistry
B.S. Chem. w. Teacher Cert.
B.S. Environmental Science*
M.S. Inform. + Instruc. Design
B.A. Math w. Teacher Cert.
B.A. New Media Arts
B.S. Physics w. Teacher Cert.
B.S. Political Science
B.S. Psychology
• School of CSE
– B.S. in Computer Game Dsgn.
• School of ETM
– B.S. in Accounting
– M.S. in Accounting
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B.S. Civil Engineering
M.S. Civil Engineering*
B.S. Construction Engineering
B.S. Electrical Engineering
B.S. Mechanical Engineering
B.S. Mechatronics Engineering
B.S. Systems Engineering
Next Steps
• More specialized, career-oriented,
engineering technology programs under
development
• Expanding system-wide articulation with
Technical College System of Georgia for
selected online degrees implemented
Questions?
Join us for the fourth Polytechnic Summit in June 2012
at Southern Polytechnic State University in Marietta, Georgia