2008 Woodie Awards
Stevens Merges Science and Engineering
Regina Pynn
Issue date: 8/31/07 Section: Campus News
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In hopes of lessening barriers to research, Stevens has done away with the old separation between the science and engineering disciplines. The Schaefer School of Engineering is now the Schaefer School of Engineering and Science and the Imperatore School of Science and Arts has been replaced by the College of Arts and Letters.
Provost George Korfiatis says this change was planned many months before any official announcement was made and that faculty members from many different departments gave their input. The realignment is designed to use Stevens' resources more efficiently and encourage more collaboration between faculty members in different departments.
When asked how the changes would impact the undergraduate population, the Provost commented that many students would hardly notice the change. "There is zero impact on the undergraduate program, other than that you might have a different professor teaching a course… Departments are great for the undergraduate students. There's a sense of belonging. But when it comes to research the question is how can the faculty move laterally? This move is about breaking down boundaries." The Provost also stated that there are no plans to replace Stevens' Bachelor of Engineering degree and that the realignment will not result in any faculty being fired.
Teams of faculty members will work together to develop a strategy for how similar programs can work towards similar goals. One area where this integration will occur is with the Computer Science and Computer Engineering departments. Collaboration between these programs was hindered by the old school system. Increased communication between the Biomedical Engineering and Chemical-Biology departments is another goal for this realignment.
These changes also mean that, for the first time in its history, Stevens will have an entire college solely devoted to the liberal arts. "Stevens has always been known as a good engineering school, but we have other talents. This will help encourage the diversity of the student body."
Dr. Michael Bruno is Dean of the School of Engineering and Science. Dr. James McClellan is Dean of the College of Arts and Letters.
Provost George Korfiatis says this change was planned many months before any official announcement was made and that faculty members from many different departments gave their input. The realignment is designed to use Stevens' resources more efficiently and encourage more collaboration between faculty members in different departments.
When asked how the changes would impact the undergraduate population, the Provost commented that many students would hardly notice the change. "There is zero impact on the undergraduate program, other than that you might have a different professor teaching a course… Departments are great for the undergraduate students. There's a sense of belonging. But when it comes to research the question is how can the faculty move laterally? This move is about breaking down boundaries." The Provost also stated that there are no plans to replace Stevens' Bachelor of Engineering degree and that the realignment will not result in any faculty being fired.
Teams of faculty members will work together to develop a strategy for how similar programs can work towards similar goals. One area where this integration will occur is with the Computer Science and Computer Engineering departments. Collaboration between these programs was hindered by the old school system. Increased communication between the Biomedical Engineering and Chemical-Biology departments is another goal for this realignment.
These changes also mean that, for the first time in its history, Stevens will have an entire college solely devoted to the liberal arts. "Stevens has always been known as a good engineering school, but we have other talents. This will help encourage the diversity of the student body."
Dr. Michael Bruno is Dean of the School of Engineering and Science. Dr. James McClellan is Dean of the College of Arts and Letters.