Distance Education Programs in Engineering and Computer Science

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Distance Education Programs in Engineering and
Computer Science

• Dr. Linda Krute, Director
• Engineering Online Programs

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Why Do We Need Distance Engineering Education
Programs in North Carolina?

• Masters degree is often required for career
  advancement.
• Many engineers need courses to maintain their PE
  license.
• Educational life cycle of an average engineer
  2-5 years.

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Why Is Education Important?

• Companies need to maintain/retain a stable and
  competent workforce to compete in todays global
  market.
• North Carolina needs to recruit new workers and
  new industry to expand economic development
  opportunities.
• Industry needs to retrain current workers to
  develop new skills and competencies in order to
  be productive and cost-effective.

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Engineering Education Programs Available at a
Distance

• Undergraduate courses offered at UNCA, UNCW and
  Lenoir Community College.
• BSE program in Mechatronics at UNCA.

Developing Future Engineers for North Carolina
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Programs for Working Professionals

• Graduate degree programs offered via the Internet
  using streaming media technology.
• Computer Programming Certificate

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Who Would Be Interested?

• Individuals interested in taking several courses
  in a specific area of engineering or computer
  science to improve job skills.
• Professionals interested in taking just one
  course in order to improve job performance or
  retool for other job opportunities.
• Individuals interested in earning an advanced
  degree in engineering or computer science.

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What Do We Have to Offer?

• A rich history of course delivery --College of
  Engineering has delivered distance education
  programs since 1978.
• Quality programs -- the same courses and degrees,
  academic requirements, and academic rigor as the
  on campus programs.
• Asynchronous format -- lectures are delivered via
  the Internet or by CD-ROM with additional
  materials available on the web.

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Basic Program Logistics
Regular full-time graduate faculty teaching the
on-campus classes are simultaneously teaching
the distance education classes using PowerPoint
slides or hand-drawn notes.
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Enrollment Options

• Enrollment in one or more individual courses as
  "Post-Baccalaureate Studies" student.
• Enrollment as a degree-seeking student.

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Program Requirements

• 30 credits in an approved plan of graduate work
  that (10 courses)
• Individualized plan of graduate work developed
  with a faculty advisor.
• The degree must be completed in 6 years.

• Continuous enrollment in fall and spring semesters

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Graduate Degree Programs

• Master of Engineering
• Areas of Concentration
• Master of Computer Science
• Master of Civil Engineering

• Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering
• Master of Science in Aerospace Engineering
• Master of Science in Chemical Engineering

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Bridging the Gap
Advanced Skills
Basic Computer Skills
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Computer Programming Certificate

• Current requirements BS degree and a passing
  grade in an introduction to computer programming
  course.
• Designed to provide students with a solid
  foundation in computer science.
• Serves as a bridging program for Master of
  Computer Science degree program.
• Seven required courses offered each semester
  including summer session.

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How Can these Programs Benefit a Small-or
Midsize Business?

• Employees do not have to leave the work site to
  attend class. Expected time lost to the company
  when traveling to a class on campus 3-4
  hours/day
• Variety of courses offered each semester for a
  variety of interests and needs.
• Opportunity to recruit, retrain and retain top
  engineers and IT professionals by providing
  support for employees to participate in a
  distance education program.

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What Do Students Think About the Program?

• I believe that the masters degree has helped
  me obtain my last two job promotions.
• My employer offered to pay my tuition if I
  obtained my masters degree while working
  full-time.

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More comments ..

• I could do course work on my own time without
  having to interrupt my work schedule and busy
  personal schedule
• The program is very well organized and is
  targeted for students who do not have easy access
  to a university.
• I can come home and have dinner with my family,
  put the kids to bed, and then go to class in my
  own home.

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Where Do We Go From Here?

• Develop Engineering Online partnerships with key
  companies and regional economic development
  centers.
• Promote the educational opportunities available
  from the College of Engineering to working
  professionals and engineers.
• Link to our web site at http//EngineeringOnline.n
  csu.edu