Trends in the Development of Nanotechnology Degree ... - NCLT
Trends in the Development of Nanotechnology Degree ... - NCLT
Trends in the Development of Nanotechnology Degree ... - NCLT
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<strong>Trends</strong> <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Development</strong> <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>Nanotechnology</strong> <strong>Degree</strong> Programs<br />
<strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> Unites States<br />
Jennifer M. Cleary<br />
The John J. Heldrich Center for<br />
Workforce <strong>Development</strong>,<br />
Edward J. Blouste<strong>in</strong> School for<br />
Plann<strong>in</strong>g and Public Policy
Model <strong>of</strong> Labor Market Demand & Supply Interactions<br />
Career<br />
Aspirations<br />
Workforce<br />
&<br />
Skill<br />
Needs<br />
Workforce Supply<br />
Labor Market<br />
Intermediaries<br />
Demand<br />
Students<br />
Incumbent<br />
workers<br />
LMI<br />
Skills/<br />
Knowledge<br />
for Jobs<br />
Education &<br />
Tra<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g<br />
Universities/colleges<br />
K-12<br />
Private tra<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g<br />
Pub/Priv.<br />
employment<br />
counsel<strong>in</strong>g<br />
Skilled<br />
Workers<br />
Employers<br />
Private sector<br />
Public sector<br />
Non-pr<strong>of</strong>it/Ed.<br />
John J. Heldrich Center for<br />
Workforce <strong>Development</strong><br />
2
Sett<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> Stage: Understand<strong>in</strong>g Employer<br />
Demand for <strong>Nanotechnology</strong> Skills and <strong>Degree</strong>s<br />
Questionnaire and <strong>in</strong>terviews with<br />
nanotechnology firms <strong>in</strong> Arizona<br />
• Motorola<br />
• FreeScale<br />
• Ray<strong>the</strong>on<br />
• General Dynamics<br />
Case studies <strong>of</strong> pharmaceutical and<br />
biotechnology firms <strong>in</strong> New Jersey<br />
• Merck<br />
• Scher<strong>in</strong>g-Plough<br />
John J. Heldrich Center for<br />
Workforce <strong>Development</strong><br />
Industry Focus<br />
• Aerospace<br />
• Biotech<br />
• Semi-electronics<br />
Job Focus<br />
• R&D<br />
Industry Focus<br />
• Pharma<br />
• Biotech<br />
Job Focus<br />
• R&D<br />
• Manufactur<strong>in</strong>g<br />
• Corporate<br />
3
Demand: Key F<strong>in</strong>d<strong>in</strong>gs<br />
• The use <strong>of</strong> nano affects R&D jobs most, but<br />
also Mfg. & Corp. jobs to a lesser degree.<br />
• Some employers cautious about nano-specific<br />
degrees.<br />
Employers report that workers tra<strong>in</strong>ed <strong>in</strong> traditional<br />
discipl<strong>in</strong>es posses much <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> core knowledge/skills<br />
needed to learn <strong>the</strong> basics <strong>of</strong> nanotechnology<br />
research on <strong>the</strong> job.<br />
John J. Heldrich Center for<br />
Workforce <strong>Development</strong><br />
4
Demand: Key F<strong>in</strong>d<strong>in</strong>gs (Cont’d)<br />
However, <strong>in</strong>terdiscipl<strong>in</strong>ary knowledge and key<br />
nano-related skill and knowledge are<br />
important, though specifics vary<br />
Workers need some understand<strong>in</strong>g <strong>of</strong> core concepts<br />
<strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g an understand<strong>in</strong>g <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> nanoscale (sub-atomic,<br />
atomic, molecular and supramolecular levels) and<br />
Quantum mechanics / quantum effects.<br />
Employers value <strong>in</strong>terdiscipl<strong>in</strong>ary skills for<br />
nanotechnology workers.<br />
Key skill and knowledge requirements may vary from one<br />
<strong>in</strong>dustry to ano<strong>the</strong>r.<br />
John J. Heldrich Center for<br />
Workforce <strong>Development</strong><br />
5
Supply- Side Research<br />
• Environmental scan <strong>of</strong> nanotechnology related education <strong>in</strong><br />
Arizona<br />
• Study <strong>of</strong> nanotechnology degree and certificate programs<br />
Def<strong>in</strong>ition: <strong>Degree</strong>s with <strong>the</strong> term “nano” <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> formal title.<br />
John J. Heldrich Center for<br />
Workforce <strong>Development</strong><br />
6
Literature Review: <strong>Nanotechnology</strong><br />
Higher Education <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> U.S.<br />
• National Center for Learn<strong>in</strong>g and Teach<strong>in</strong>g Nanoscale Science and<br />
Eng<strong>in</strong>eer<strong>in</strong>g<br />
– “Big Ideas” on knowledge and skills needed for<br />
nanotechnology work<br />
– Database <strong>of</strong> degree and certificate programs<br />
– study <strong>of</strong> a sub-sample <strong>of</strong> programs found wide variations<br />
among programs (Wansom et. al., 2008)<br />
• Stephan et al. (2007) scan <strong>of</strong> educational approaches<br />
– Most “nano” education occurs <strong>in</strong> labs<br />
• SRI/Boe<strong>in</strong>g case studies <strong>of</strong> several higher ed. programs<br />
• Small Times survey <strong>of</strong> degree programs<br />
John J. Heldrich Center for<br />
Workforce <strong>Development</strong><br />
7
Common Approaches to <strong>Nanotechnology</strong><br />
Education <strong>in</strong> U.S. Higher Education<br />
Formal<br />
Approaches<br />
<strong>Degree</strong><br />
programs<br />
M<strong>in</strong>or/concentration<br />
with<strong>in</strong> traditional<br />
degree<br />
Less Formal<br />
Approaches<br />
Interdiscipl<strong>in</strong>ary student research<br />
(e.g. IGERT)<br />
Modification <strong>of</strong> traditional degree content<br />
Elective courses<br />
John J. Heldrich Center for<br />
Workforce <strong>Development</strong><br />
8
<strong>Degree</strong> Program Overview<br />
Purpose: To identify and describe <strong>the</strong> key characteristics <strong>of</strong><br />
nanotechnology degree and certificate programs <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> U.S.<br />
• Programs identified from major national sources, targeted<br />
Internet searches, and referrals.<br />
<strong>Nanotechnology</strong> <strong>Degree</strong> Program Lists<br />
# <strong>Nanotechnology</strong><br />
<strong>Degree</strong> Programs*<br />
This Research 49<br />
The Penn State University Center for <strong>Nanotechnology</strong><br />
Education and Utilization 33<br />
National <strong>Nanotechnology</strong> Initiative (NNI) 14<br />
National Center for Learn<strong>in</strong>g and Teach<strong>in</strong>g Nanoscale<br />
Science and Eng<strong>in</strong>eer<strong>in</strong>g (<strong>NCLT</strong>) 13<br />
• Interviews with faculty, adm<strong>in</strong>istrators<br />
• Analysis <strong>of</strong> key <strong>in</strong>stitution, program, and class-level data<br />
John J. Heldrich Center for<br />
Workforce <strong>Development</strong><br />
Small Times Survey 2007 9<br />
9
<strong>Degree</strong> Levels<br />
Master's<br />
<strong>Degree</strong>s, 8<br />
Doctoral<br />
<strong>Degree</strong>s, 8<br />
Associate's<br />
<strong>Degree</strong>s, 32<br />
Bachelor's<br />
<strong>Degree</strong>s, 1<br />
N=49<br />
John J. Heldrich Center for<br />
Workforce <strong>Development</strong><br />
10
Institution Type, BS and Above<br />
Research Universities (Very High<br />
Research Activity)<br />
7<br />
4<br />
Carnegie Class<br />
Research Universities (High<br />
Research Activity)<br />
Research Universities<br />
1<br />
1<br />
1<br />
2<br />
Special Focus Institutions‐‐<br />
Schools <strong>of</strong> eng<strong>in</strong>eer<strong>in</strong>g<br />
0<br />
1<br />
0 2 4 6 8 10 12<br />
# <strong>of</strong> Programs<br />
Bachelor's Master's Doctoral<br />
John J. Heldrich Center for<br />
Workforce <strong>Development</strong><br />
N=17<br />
11
Geography<br />
John J. Heldrich Center for<br />
Workforce <strong>Development</strong><br />
12
Interview F<strong>in</strong>d<strong>in</strong>gs<br />
Employer <strong>in</strong>volvement<br />
Level and type <strong>of</strong> employer <strong>in</strong>volvement are <strong>in</strong>consistent<br />
Workforce and economic development are key motivators<br />
for <strong>the</strong> creation <strong>of</strong> associate’s degree programs <strong>in</strong><br />
nanotechnology<br />
Reasons for creat<strong>in</strong>g o<strong>the</strong>r types <strong>of</strong> degrees are more<br />
diverse.<br />
Approach to <strong>in</strong>terdiscipl<strong>in</strong>arity <strong>of</strong> nano<br />
A shortage <strong>of</strong> qualified faculty, limited consensus on learn<strong>in</strong>g<br />
needs, and <strong>in</strong>stitutional factors contribute to varied<br />
approaches.<br />
• .<br />
John J. Heldrich Center for<br />
Workforce <strong>Development</strong><br />
13
Interview F<strong>in</strong>d<strong>in</strong>gs (Cont’d)<br />
Partnerships<br />
Partnerships among related programs were common<br />
Inter-<strong>in</strong>stitutional partnerships appeared to be more<br />
common – or at least more commonly-cited, than <strong>in</strong>tra<strong>in</strong>stitutional<br />
partnerships<br />
Employment outcomes<br />
Little is known<br />
Some report success, o<strong>the</strong>rs difficulty <strong>in</strong> plac<strong>in</strong>g<br />
graduates<br />
Associates degrees are more dependent on local labor<br />
market activity<br />
John J. Heldrich Center for<br />
Workforce <strong>Development</strong><br />
14
Conclusions<br />
• The development <strong>of</strong> nanotechnology degree programs reflects <strong>the</strong><br />
emerg<strong>in</strong>g nature <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> technology itself.<br />
• Need for nanotechnology-specific degrees <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> current job<br />
market is not clear<br />
• However, more education may be needed <strong>in</strong>:<br />
– common techniques/concepts (e.g. characterization, nanoscale<br />
concepts) and<br />
– Interdiscipl<strong>in</strong>ary aspects (<strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g ethics/safety/legal)<br />
• The variety <strong>of</strong> jobs affected by nanotechnology may <strong>in</strong>dicate that<br />
moderate levels <strong>of</strong> nanotechnology-relevant content is needed for<br />
non-STEM majors (e.g. manufactur<strong>in</strong>g, bus<strong>in</strong>ess/sales/market<strong>in</strong>g)<br />
John J. Heldrich Center for<br />
Workforce <strong>Development</strong><br />
15
“Nano” <strong>Degree</strong>-Grant<strong>in</strong>g Schools <strong>in</strong> U.S.<br />
• Arizona State University<br />
• Bucks County Community College<br />
• Butler County Community College<br />
• Chippewa Valley Technical College<br />
• Dakota County Technical College<br />
• Delaware County Community College<br />
• Forsyth Technical Community College<br />
• Harper College<br />
• Harrisburg Area Community College<br />
• Lehigh Carbon Community College<br />
• Lock Haven University <strong>of</strong> Pennsylvania<br />
• Louisiana Tech University<br />
• Luzerne County Community College<br />
• M<strong>in</strong>nesota State Community and<br />
Technical Collage<br />
• Montgomery County Community<br />
College<br />
• Normandale Community College<br />
• North Dakota State College <strong>of</strong> Science<br />
• North Dakota State University-Ma<strong>in</strong><br />
Campus<br />
• Northampton Community College<br />
• Northwest Vista College<br />
• Oklahoma State University<br />
John J. Heldrich Center for<br />
Workforce <strong>Development</strong><br />
• Penn State Fayette Campus<br />
• Penn State Hazleton Campus<br />
• Penn State Wilkes-Barre<br />
• Penn State York<br />
• Pennsylvania State University Greater<br />
Allegheny<br />
• Read<strong>in</strong>g Area Community College<br />
• Rice University<br />
• Richland Community College (Dallas<br />
County C.C. District)<br />
• Schenectady County Community<br />
College<br />
• Seattle Community College-North<br />
Campus South Dakota School <strong>of</strong> M<strong>in</strong>es<br />
and Technology<br />
• Texas State Technical College-Waco<br />
• University <strong>of</strong> Albany, State University<br />
<strong>of</strong> New York University <strong>of</strong> New<br />
Mexico<br />
• University <strong>of</strong> North Carol<strong>in</strong>a Charlotte<br />
• University <strong>of</strong> Wash<strong>in</strong>gton-Seattle<br />
Campus<br />
• Westmoreland County Community<br />
College<br />
16
Contact Information<br />
The John J. Heldrich Center for Workforce <strong>Development</strong>,<br />
Edward J. Blouste<strong>in</strong> School <strong>of</strong> Plann<strong>in</strong>g and Public<br />
Policy, Rutgers University<br />
www.heldrich.rutgers.edu<br />
Jennifer Cleary, jcleary@rutgers.edu<br />
John J. Heldrich Center for<br />
Workforce <strong>Development</strong><br />
17