Graduate Education

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Graduate Education Research Trends 2004 ERC
Workshop Washington, DC Dr. Mehmet T.
Tumay Associate Dean, Research Graduate
Studies College of Engineering Louisiana State
University February 29, 2004
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RD DefinedNSF 90-306 pp 2-3

• Research Systematic study directed toward
  fuller scientific knowledge or the
  understanding of the subject studied.
• Basic R Gain fuller knowledge or
  understanding of the fundamental aspects of
  phenomena and of observable facts, without
  specific applications in mind
• Applied R Gain knowledge or understanding
  necessary for determining the means by which a
  recognized and specific need may be
  met.
• Development Systematic use of the knowledge
  and understanding gained from research,
  directed toward the production of useful
  materials, devices, systems or methods.

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2-D Characterization of RD
more
Traditional basic research
This should also count as research
This should also count as research
Creation of New Knowledge
Traditional development
less
Product Orientation
low
high
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RANKING OF TOP 27 PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES ACCORDING
TO 2003 US NEWS WORLD PUBLIC 2002 BUDGET
FIGURES FROM NCES (National Center for
Educational Statistics) http//nces.ed.gov/peds/
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RANKING OF TOP 27 PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES ACCORDING
TO 2003 US NEWS WORLD PUBLIC 2002 BUDGET
FIGURES FROM NCES (National Center for
Educational Statistics) http//nces.ed.gov/peds/
6
RANKING OF TOP 27 PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES ACCORDING
TO 2003 US NEWS WORLD PUBLIC 2002 BUDGET
FIGURES FROM NCES (National Center for
Educational Statistics) http//nces.ed.gov/peds/
7
RANKING OF TOP 27 PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES ACCORDING
TO 2003 US NEWS WORLD PUBLIC 2002 BUDGET
FIGURES FROM NCES (National Center for
Educational Statistics) http//nces.ed.gov/peds/
8
RANKING OF TOP 27 PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES ACCORDING
TO 2003 US NEWS WORLD PUBLIC 2002 BUDGET
FIGURES FROM NCES (National Center for
Educational Statistics) http//nces.ed.gov/peds/
9
RANKING OF TOP 27 PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES ACCORDING
TO 2003 US NEWS WORLD PUBLIC 2002 BUDGET
FIGURES FROM NCES (National Center for
Educational Statistics) http//nces.ed.gov/peds/
10
RANKING OF TOP 27 PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES ACCORDING
TO 2003 US NEWS WORLD PUBLIC 2002 BUDGET
FIGURES FROM NCES (National Center for
Educational Statistics) http//nces.ed.gov/peds/
11
RANKING OF TOP 27 PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES ACCORDING
TO 2003 US NEWS WORLD PUBLIC 2002 BUDGET
FIGURES FROM NCES (National Center for
Educational Statistics) http//nces.ed.gov/peds/
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4 Ks of Research
Know-What Know-Why Know-How Know-Where
Definitions, Descriptions, Scope Goals,
Programs, Vision Scientific Knowledge Needed Un
iversities, Research Labs, Societies, Peer
Networks
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How Expensive is R D?
is (but) provides a (among other
earthly and heavenly benefits)
Research
Expensive
Competitive Edge
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Components of University Research

• Research Library
• Research Labs, Test Beds
• Computing Resources
• Faculty, Grad Students, Researchers from
  Industry
• Ideas, Abstractions
• The Minds Eye
• Research Environment
• Research Funding

University Research
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Engineering Research Recommendations To
Universities

• Academic community should broaden its research
  horizons to problem domains that derive from
  non-routine applications,
• Develop and promulgate explicit policies that
  assure and inform all faculty members that
  research is interdisciplinary, and applications
  oriented areas or work oriented toward technology
  transfer will be competitive in the tenure and
  promotion evaluation process,
• Support faculty and graduate students who wish to
  gain expertise in other fields so that they may
  more effectively pursue interdisciplinary or
  applications oriented research,
• Invite qualified individuals from industry and
  commerce to serve on university and departmental
  advisory and review committees,
• Eliminate or reduce practices that impede
  intellectual contacts with industry,
• Encourage research faculty to seek out
  nontraditional sources of funding to pursue
  interdisciplinary and applications oriented
  research,
• Universities should support engineering as a
  laboratory discipline, one with both theoretical
  and experimental components.

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Source of U.S. Research Funding
NSF Science Engineering Indicators, 2002
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National RD Source, performer, type (FY 2000)
Science Engineering Indicators, 2002
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Compound Annual RD Growth Rate in RD
Expenditures (1985-1998)
U.S. Competitiveness 2001 Council on
Competitiveness
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Federal RD Investment by Budget Function
NSF Science Engineering Indicators 2002
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Change in Federal Research Funding(FY 1993-1999)
Chemical Eng
Physics
Mechanical Eng
Electrical Eng
Percent
Chemistry
Biological Sci
Medical Sci
Computer Sci
Trends in Federal Support of Research and
Graduate Education National Research Council
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U.S. Engineering Enrollment
NSF Science Engineering Indicators 2002
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Bachelors Degrees Awarded at U.S. Universities
Social and behavioral sciences
Natural sciences
Social and behavioral sciences
NSF Science Engineering Indicators 2002
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U.S. Science Engineering Doctorates
NSF Science Engineering Indicators 2002
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?
With a drop in support for certain disciplines
comes a drop-off in students and faculty entering
those fields. We have seen this happening the
number of engineering, physical and environmental
science degrees has been falling since the early
1990s.
Assessing the U.S. RD Investment Presidents
Council of Advisors on Science and Technology
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Doctorates in Natural Sciences Engineering
NSF Science Engineering Indicators 2002
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Doctoral students in science engineering with
plans to remain in the U.S.
NSF Science Engineering Indicators 2002
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By the end of 2004, one of every 10 jobs at U.S.
computer-related companies will have moved to
emerging markets where costs are lower. Gartner
Inc.
By 2015, 3.3 million white-collar jobs paying
136 billion in wages will have moved from the
United States to lower cost countries, with the
software and computer industry leading the
exodus. Forrester Research Inc.
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At the Crossroads Concerns

• Imbalance in the federal research portfolio
• Fundamental research versus development and
  application
• Engineering and the physical sciences versus
  health and the life sciences
• Decline in interest in science and engineering on
  the part of U.S. students
• Flow of high-end technology jobs overseas

Source LSU Chancellors Distinguished Lecture,
Sept. 8, 2003 Dr. G. Wayne Clough, President,
Georgia Institute of Technology
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Beyond The Crossroads

• Rebalance the federal portfolio, increasing
  research in engineering and the physical
  sciences.
• Encourage U.S. students to pursue science and
  engineering
• Support for scholarships and fellowships
• Innovative curricula and degree programs
• Recognize that innovation is the key to
  maintaining a strong U.S. economy in the face of
  global competition.

Source LSU Chancellors Distinguished Lecture,
Sept. 8, 2003 Dr. G. Wayne Clough, President,
Georgia Institute of Technology