Professional MS Programs in Engineering: Minnesota Experience

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Professional MS Programs in Engineering
Minnesota Experience

• Prof. Avram Bar-Cohen
• CDTL - University of Minnesota
• INCOSE Academic Forum
• Univ of Minnesota 7/19/00

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CDTL VISION

• Provide nationally and internationally
  recognized educational programs that are
• Tailored to the needs of technological
  organizations and technical professionals
• Delivered in facilities suitable for multiple
  learning styles and technology-enhanced
  education, and
• Taught by faculty that are skilled in and
  committed to teaching adults

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CDTL MISSION Professional Education

• Develop, market, and administer non-traditional,
  graduate-level educational programs that expand
  the technical, management, and leadership
  abilities of engineers and scientists employed by
  Minnesota-based organizations.

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History of CDTL

• 1987 Honeywell Foundation Endowment
• 1988 Honeywell/Sweatt Lectures
• 1989 Management Minor
• and IDEAS Scholarship Program
• 1990 MS MOT Entering Class
• 1994 Short Courses in Industry
• 1995 International Residency in SE Asia
• 1997 Professional MS (MS SE) Programs

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MS in the Management of Technology

• IT/CSOM Partnership
• Targeted at Experienced Engineers/Scientists
• Executive Format
• Weekends - Lock-Step - Peer Learning
• Application Orientation Capstone Projects
• Leadership
• Communication - Ethics
• International Residency

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MOT Curriculum

• Technology Management
• Manufacturing for Competitive Advantage
• Pivotal and Emerging Technologies
• Strategic Management of Technology
• Forecasting Technology Development
• Management Science
• Management Accounting
• Problem Formulation and Decision Making
• Business, Government and Macroeconomics

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MOT Curriculum

• Management of Tech-Based Organizations
• Management of Technology-Based Organizations
• Financial Management in. ...
• Project Management in...
• Managing Innovation in...
• Managing Information Resources
• Managing Internal and External Interfaces in
• Leadership
• Communication, Ethics, Conflict Resolution

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CDTL Professional MS

• ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE
• Administered by CDTL
• Academic Oversight by Sci/Eng Department
• Modified Lock-Step, Four Semesters
• Core Course, Short Courses, Capstone Project
• One Day/Week, Alternating Friday/Saturday

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CDTL Professional MS

• ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS
• BS in Engineering or Science
• One Year (or more) Work Experience
• Strong Company Recommendation
• No GRE, 3.0 GPA

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MS in Software Engineering

• GOALS
• provide solid software engineering foundation
• foster awareness of challenges associated with
  software intensive systems
• explore methods to quickly evaluate, adopt, and
  capitalize on emerging technologies
• introduce emerging technologies applications

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MS in Manufacturing Systems

• GOALS
• foster understanding of manufacturing systems and
  practices
• create familiarity with computer networks and
  information technologies
• introduce emerging technologies
• education toward environmentally-benign processes

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MS in Infrastructure Systems Engineering

• GOALS
• enhance the theoretical and practical tool kit
  of infrastructure professionals
• demonstrate application of GIS and new
  technologies to extending life of pavements and
  bridges
• familiarize students with management and public
  policy issues
• develop a system approach to the design,
  evaluation, maintenance of infrastructure

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CDTL Statistics

• 100 Partner Companies
• 350 CDTL Alumni
• 200 Enrolled Students
• 4 Endowed Chairs
• 30 Faculty
• IT, CSOM, CLA, HHH, Adjuncts
• 10 Professional Staff Vendors

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Closing Thoughts

• Top-tier research universities can meet
  educational needs of working professionals
• Distinct organizational structure needed to
  develop, deliver, improve professional MS
  programs
• Exposure to advanced concepts, new tools, and
  intellect of faculty enhance technological
  leadership potential
• Professional MS programs wave of future!