Florida Atlantic University



Florida Atlantic University

College of Engineering

(2011 Draft)

COLLEGE STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES

These objectives for the College of Engineering are in support of the four Strategic Goals of the Florida Board of Governors and the Florida Atlantic University Board of Trustees. This draft has been reviewed by the College Executive Committee; in coming weeks, it also will be reviewed by the College Policy & Development Committee, the College Executive Advisory Council, and College faculty and staff. Each objective is accompanied by an appropriate measure for determining whether the objective is being met, the strategy for achieving the objective, an estimate of the additional resources needed to implement the strategy, and explanatory comments. All objectives are for the three-year period 2005-2006 through 2007-2008.

Goal 1: Access to and Production of Degrees/Diversity

A. Enrollments and Degree Production:

Objective 1.1: Increase the numbers of FTIC and transfer students enrolling in the College of Engineering.

Strategy: Add to the staff of the Division of Engineering Student Services a coordinator to meet regularly with community colleges and high schools to promote programs of the College of Engineering and to assist with issues of recruitment and articulation.

Resources Required: A continuing annual allocation of approximately $80,000 for salary, benefits, travel and communication expenses, and promotional materials.

Measure of Success: A 5% annual increase in undergraduate headcount enrollment in the College, as determined from FAU-IEA enrollment data.

Comment: This objective is commensurate with the Board of Governors’ target of 3.9% annual growth rate in numbers of baccalaureate degrees awarded between now and 2012-2013.

Objective 1.2: Increase the graduation rates for transfer students entering the College of Engineering from Florida community colleges.

Strategy: Provide two-year scholarships of $3,000 annually to thirty qualified graduates of Florida community colleges with high financial need enrolling in the College of Engineering.

Resources Required: A first year allocation of $90,000, with a continuing annual allocation of $180,000 thereafter.

Measure of Success: A 10% increase in graduation rates of Florida community college transfers (five semesters after initial enrollment in the College of Engineering), as determined by FAU-IEA graduation data for this student group.

Comments: Research has shown that financial need is the biggest obstacle that transfer students face in attempting to complete baccalaureate degrees in engineering or computer science. The College of Engineering, in an NSF project now in its fifth year, has demonstrated a doubling of retention and graduation rates through a combination of financial aid and student professional development activities. These same techniques will be utilized for the transfer student scholarship group

Objective 1.3: Improve access to College of Engineering baccalaureate programs for place-bound and working students.

Strategy: Utilize distance learning methods and technologies to offer junior-level engineering and computer science courses at all FAU campuses.

Resources Required: A one-time allocation of $500,000 for equipment for the University and for the College of Engineering, and continuing annual allocations of approximately $50,000 for equipment repair and upgrades and $80,000 for salary, benefits, travel and communication expenses for a program director in the College of Engineering.

Measure of Success: A headcount enrollment of 100 students after three years of operation, as determined from FAU-IEA enrollment data.

Comment: With few exceptions, all students must come to the Boca Raton campus for their last two years of study in engineering and computer science. This initiative would enable students to complete most of their junior year at other FAU campuses.

B. Diversity:

Objective 1.4: Increase minority student enrollments in the Master’s programs of the College

Strategy: Create ten fellowships for financial support of Master’s level studies by outstanding minority baccalaureate graduates of the College of Engineering.

Resources Required: A continuing annual allocation of approximately $250,000 for student stipends and graduate tuition waivers.

Measure of Success: An annual increment of ten minority students enrolled in College Master’s programs, as determined by FAU-IEA enrollment data.

Comments: College baccalaureate enrollments of African and Hispanic Americans exceed Florida and national averages (Source: Engineering & Technology Enrollments-Fall 2002, Engineering Workforce Commission). For the FAU College of Engineering, African Americans and Hispanic Americans account for 32.1% of undergraduate enrollment. For all 305 engineering programs in the U.S. and Canada, the corresponding number is 14.2%; for all Florida engineering programs it is 29.2%.

The FAU College of Engineering also fares very well in comparisons with national and Florida averages for diversity in PhD enrollments. However, the FAU advantage is not reflected at the Master’s level, where African and Hispanic Americans account for 9.1% of enrollments (compared with 20.4% for all Florida engineering programs). The fellowship program will reduce this gap. The strong incentives it will provide will help retain for Master’s level studies the plentiful, highly qualified, minority baccalaureate graduates of the College of Engineering. Objective 1.2 also supports Goal 1.A and Goal 2.

Goal 2: Meeting statewide professional and workforce needs.

Objective 2.1: Develop and implement a Master’s degree program in Bioengineering.

Strategy: Expand the College’s highly successful, existing graduate certificate program in Bioengineering to full Master’s degree status.

Resources Required: A continuing annual allocation of approximately $500,000 for salary and benefits for four additional faculty members, plus a one-time allocation of $250,000 for laboratory equipment.

Measures of Success: Full implementation of the program and enrollment of 25 students after three years of operation.

Comment: This effort is in direct support of State and University priorities and the needs and interests of students, business, and industry. It builds upon the existing, growing teaching and research efforts across the College in the areas of bioengineering, informatics, nanotechnology, biomechanics, rehabilitative engineering, assistive technologies, and design and manufacture of customized implants and replacement parts. This objective also supports Goals 1.A, 3, and 4.

Objective 2.2: Develop and implement a graduate level certificate program in Imaging Technologies.

Strategy: Capitalize upon the outstanding research and development capabilities of the College’s Imaging Technology Center and the renown of the Center Director, Dr. William Glenn, to provide unique graduate level instruction in this critical area of need.

Resources Required: A Legislative Budget Request in support of the Imagining Technology Center has been submitted. State funding of this request will provide the resources necessary.

Measures of Success: Full implementation of the program and enrollment of 20 students after three years of operation.

Comment: Imaging technologies are increasingly important in key fields such as medicine, security, and entertainment. The College’s Imaging Technology Center is unique in the world. The Director, Dr. Glenn, has some 125 U.S. patents to his credit and is recognized internationally as a leader in invention and development of imagining systems. While other institutions may have individual courses related to imaging technologies, there are no comprehensive academic programs in the U.S. for education and training of the skilled workforce needed. The College of Engineering is in a unique position to meet this need. This objective also supports Goal 1.A and Goal 3.

Goal 3: Building world class academic programs and research capacity.

Objective 3.1: Increase College externally funded contract and grant expenditures.

Strategy: Continue to motivate and support an already entrepreneurial faculty in their quest for externally funded contracts and grants.

Resources Required: A continuing annual allocation of approximately $50,000 for faculty travel and visits to potential sponsors. Favorable University policies on return of indirect costs and other research incentives are critical to achievement of this objective.

Measure of Success: A 25% increase over three years in College expenditures from externally funded contracts and grants, as indicated by funding data provided by the FAU Division of Research & Graduate Studies.

Comment: This objective is commensurate with the Board of Governors target of a 7.87% annual growth rate in expenditures for externally funded contracts and grants. College of Engineering contract and grant expenditures in fiscal 03-04 were $8.75 million.

Objective 3.2: Develop a comprehensive, world class program of graduate studies and research in imaging technologies.

Strategy: Broaden the College’s highly successful, existing efforts in Imaging Technologies through addition of faculty and staff to provide a recognized, comprehensive program of education and research in this field.

Resources Required: A Legislative Budget Request in support of the Imagining Technology Center has been submitted. State funding of this request is critical to achievement of this objective.

Measures of Success: A 30% increase over a three-year period in Center externally funded research expenditures, as indicated by funding data provided by the FAU Division of Research & Graduate Studies. (The educational component of this initiative is covered in Objective 2.2.)

Comment: The College’s Imaging Technology Center already is a world class operation, but currently lacks the breadth necessary to provide a truly comprehensive program of graduate education and research. Such breadth will greatly enhance the impact, influence, and recognition of the Center.

Objective 3.3: Continue development of a world class program of ocean engineering research and education at SeaTech.

Strategy: Expand and broaden the College’s recognized, comprehensive efforts in Ocean Engineering through addition of three faculty to provide expertise in emerging areas such as Navy Sea-basing technology, coastline security technology, ocean observation, ocean exploration, underwater acoustic imaging and communication, marine materials and undersea vehicles.

Resources Required:  A continuing allocation of approximately $400,000 for salary and benefits for three additional faculty members, plus a one-time allocation of $150,000 for laboratory equipment. 

Measures of Success:  A 20% increase over three years in expenditures from externally funded contracts and grants and an increase of 15 in graduate student headcount enrollment over this same period, as indicated by funding data provided by the FAU Division of Research & Graduate Studies and enrollment data provided by FAU-IEA.

Comments: The College’s Ocean Engineering program already is a world class operation. This initiative will bring additional resources and recognition to the program through its abilities to actively engage in important new areas related to local and national interests and priorities.

Objective 3.4: Increase national and international recognition of scholars and researchers in the College of Engineering.

Strategy: Aggressively seek out opportunities for recognition of faculty and staff and assist with applications and nominations for recognition.

Resources Required: No additional resources required.

Measures of Success: Achieve national recognition at the National Academy of Engineering, or equivalent level, for at least one additional member of the faculty of the College of Engineering.

Comment: The College of Engineering currently has one member of the National Academy of Engineering. Other College faculty members have qualifications needed for recognition at this level.

Goal 4: Meeting community needs and fulfilling unique institutional responsibilities

Objective 4.1: Provide dual-enrollment educational and enrichment opportunities in engineering and computer science for gifted high school students from Palm Beach and Broward Counties.

Strategy: Continue the College’s highly successful summer Engineering Scholar’s Program.

Resources Required: A continuing annual allocation of approximately $75,000 for faculty salaries, course materials, lab supplies, and recruitment costs. (For the past seven years the College has been able to defray significant portions of the program costs through grants.)

Measure of Success: Enrollment of at least one hundred students annually.

Comment: The Engineering Scholar’s Program, part of the Governor’s Summer Program, provides gifted high schools students access to state-of-the-art laboratories, computer facilities, and faculty expertise not otherwise available to them. It is an effective tool for student recruitment and promotion of College programs. This objective also supports Goal 1.A .

Objective 4.2: Provide top high school students in Palm Beach and Broward Counties comprehensive and meaningful dual-enrollment opportunities to explore engineering and computer science and to assess their level of interest in these fields.

Strategy: Develop and implement an Engineering Academy program offering qualified high school students (on Saturdays) select, entry level dual-enrollment courses in engineering and computer science taught by top College faculty.

Measures of Success: Presentation of three courses and enrollment of 60 students, as indicated by FAU-IEA enrollment data.

Resources Required: A continuing annual allocation of approximately $40,000 for faculty salaries, course materials, lab supplies, and recruitment costs.

Comment: This effort, to be offered to top students on Saturdays during the fall and spring semesters, is patterned after the College’s highly successful Engineering Scholars’ Program, which is offered only during the summer and only to certified gifted students. This activity will be an effective tool for student recruitment and promotion of College programs. It also supports Goal 1.A.

 

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