by John Gagnon, promotional writer
The School of Technology is undergoing a
transformation. Established in 1972, at the outset it
offered training certificates; then two-year associate's
degrees; then bachelor's degrees; and now comes its
first graduate program--a master's in integrated
geospatial technology.
Dean Jim Frendewey says of the program, which was
approved by the State Thursday, "It fits in with what we
are about and what we do." He adds that this blend of
theory, technology, and application is "a natural
evolution."
Simply put, geospatial means information linked to
location. Global sustainable development depends on the
availability and reliability of data about natural and
built features and locations--rivers and towns,
mountains and pipelines. This information can be used to
plan the built environment or to respond to natural
disasters; for instance, locating a cell phone tower,
or, after an earthquake, comparing damage information
and population information to help deliver emergency
services and pinpoint zones of refuge.
"More and more people want to know where things are
located," Frendewey says. That includes industry,
government, military, and the scientific community--the
latter ranging from geologists to environmentalists to
social scientists. Meeting those needs, he says,
constitutes "a valuable undertaking."
The program, which has an intensive online component,
hinges on interdisciplinary collaborations among faculty
on and off campus. The faculty lineup includes Research
Scientist Colin Brooks and Codirector Robert Shuchman (MTRI);
Assistant Professor Michael Falkowski, Professor Ann
Maclean and Professor Andrew Storer (all of SFRES);
Assistant Professors Eugene Levin and Yushin Ahn of the
School of Technology; industry leaders from the US and
Russia; and scholars at the University of Maine, Ohio
State University, the Technical University of Israel and
Moscow State University.
The acquisition and processing of geospatial data
about the land make for an applied science. The
technology includes surveying, geodetic science,
photogrammerty, cartography, and mapping--all enriched
with new, sophisticated technology in satellite systems,
remote sensing capabilities, precision surveying
instruments, computing, data networks, laser systems,
radar, and sonar.
The master's program will begin in the fall and is
comprised of 25 classes. No new faculty will be needed
on campus for the initiative.
Levin says Tech's program is unique. There are
universities that specialize in individual aspects of
this inquiry, he says, but none that blend them all.
"It's not enough to have one small specialty anymore,"
Levin says. Thus, the "integrated" component. "It's a
big enterprise now," he adds.
The program has already garnered "strong interest" as
word gets out, in part by a paper about the initiative
that Levin coauthored in 2010 in the journal, "Surveying
and Land Information Science." Fifteen prospective
students from around the world have inquired about the
opportunity. As well, Levin adds, "Our graduates are
pushing us."
That's because the career opportunities are
"excellent." Levin points out one website that indicates
there are currently 10,000 jobs in the field.
Levin was hired to develop and implement this
program, which proved to be a four-year labor.
Is it time to celebrate? "Not yet," he says. "It's
too early. We need more students, and we have to work
more to make that happen. We will be gratified in two
years when our students get their dream jobs."
He has a postcard from a recent graduate who has a
bachelor's in surveying engineering: "I am down in
Antarctica right now, about to install some GPS units to
track the ice sheet. Houghton just wasn't cold enough
for me"--postmarked McMurdo Station.
"I don't know how many people have mail from
Antarctica," Levin says. "When you get a message like
this, you're doing something that's needed."
The endeavor includes a graduate certificate. As
well, Levin and Frendewey foresee a PhD in the field,
and they anticipate adding another master's program in
medical informatics.
Frendewey says the program fits into the University's
strategic goal of enhancing the graduate program
overall.
Dean Jacqueline Huntoon (Graduate School) says, "This
program and its courses will complement many of the
current graduate programs offered at Michigan Tech. It
has been carefully designed with input from industry,
and we are optimistic that it will prepare students to
become leaders in this growing industry."
|