Office of Research, Measurement and Evaluation
Grants - Microelectronics-Photonics Program: A New Era in Electronics Education
http://microep.uark.edu
National Science Foundation Award #DGE-9972820
Principal Investigator: Leonard Schaper, Engineering
Co-Principal Investigator: Greg Salamo, Physics, Ken Vickers, Microelectronics-Photonics
Evaluator: Ronna Turner and Sean Mulvenon, Educational Research Methods
The MicroEP program at the University of Arkansas is an interdisciplinary graduate program designed to expand a student's knowledge beyond the boundaries of traditional departmental based graduate programs. Students in the Microelectronics-Photonics program participate in cross-departmental research, take applications-intensive classes from multiple engineering and science departments, and develop workplace productivity skills in a simulated industrial environment. The outcome of their graduate education in this interdisciplinary environment is a better understanding of microelectronic-photonic materials; the creation of high-performance, miniaturized devices and systems made from these materials; and an understanding of the economics that affect successful introduction of these devices and systems into industry and the community.
In order to evaluate the effectiveness of this type of training, Dr. Ronna Turner and the staff at the Office of Research, Measurement & Evaluation administer psycho-social instruments and perceptual inventories to voluntary participants in the MEP, physics, and traditional science programs each year. Data is obtained from students, faculty, alumni, and employers for the purpose of assessing the perceived effectiveness of the program and providing input on program implementation.
Additional link:
http://www.nsf.gov
