The Undergraduate Plan Initiatives in Undergraduate Education

1. The Undergraduate PlanInitiatives in Undergraduate Education Prabhat Hajela Vice Provost & Dean of UG Education

2. Overview • The Undergraduate Plan is a set of initiatives that renew our commitment in the Rensselaer Planto “…an undergraduate experience that surpasses all others…” • The Undergraduate Plan will focus on • An educational experience enriched by research and independent inquiry • UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH • A breadth of study that prepares students to be good global citizens within the rapidly expanding global workplace • INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCES • Immersive learning experiences that foster close mentoring relationships between faculty and students, and developed aroundtopics reflecting institutional strengths and goals • LIVING AND LEARNING COMMUNITIES • UNDER-GIRDING INITIATIVES • enhancing academic programs and offerings, academic support services, and world-class instructional facilities

3. Undergraduate Research Experiences • Any major research university must include its undergraduates as active participants in their research enterprise • Develops spirit of inquiry and discovery among students – encourages pursuit of graduate and professional programs • Encourages entrepreneurship • Contributes to building mentoring relationships between faculty and students

4. International Experiences • Emergent global workplace requires a comprehensive education to include exposure to collaborative work or study experience in an international setting

5. International Options to Consider • New programs to enhance international experience • Degree programs with an international emphasis - foreign language courses, international relations coursework, study abroad, and international internships • Summer semester overseas – faculty led courses at select international locations • Technology facilitated virtual interaction with international partners + culminating short term student exchanges • Rensselaer satellite campuses at international locations • Possibilities identified in Presidential trip to Asia • International Co-Op programs • Support from Institute Advancement and Key Executives

6. Living and Learning Communities • Learning community focused around a specific theme • Desirable residential component • Select cohort participate in coursework, seminars, field trips developed around a theme area • Ability to accommodate different learning styles • Opportunity to develop lasting contacts with faculty, staff, and senior students • Theme areas under consideration for Rensselaer • Biotechnology • Electronic Media and Arts • International Affairs and Public Service • Research based learning community

7. Supporting Programs & Infrastructure • Implementation of Undergraduate Plan will require enhanced program offerings, expanding academic support services, and continued development of world-class instructional facilities • Academic Advising • Honors College, Co-Terminal Programs • Pedagogical Innovations and Academic Support and Assessment Practices • Enhanced Physical Facilities • Expanded Summer Programs

8. Honors College • Recognize undergraduate students for research accomplishments or other independent work by admittance to an Honors College • Thesis derived from independent research • Portfolio of artistic work • Business case studies • … • Participation in Honors College multidisciplinary seminar series over a 2 to 3-week pre-Fall semester period • Link to URP and SURP • Develop financial support for student and faculty participation

9. Co-Terminal Programs • Develop options for students to pursue MS degrees as a co-terminal option • Encourage students to seek accelerated graduate degree - working in familiar surroundings with known teachers • Minimal effort to completing graduate school application but high standards for admission • Five years or less for both BS and MS degrees • Leverage undergraduate research to enhance participation

10. Academic Support/Pedagogical Innovations • Rensselaer will continue to innovate in the area of pedagogy, both for our own students as well as a vehicle for more effective outreach • Innovations in UG Education - Anderson Center (CIUE) • Pedagogical Innovations and Outreach (AEM) • Pre-college Outreach (CIPCE) • Collectively establish a national resource for next generation STEM courseware • CIUE to assist faculty in course innovations and development of new instructional tools • Seed grants for new development activities • Course developers to assist faculty with course management tools • Consolidation of activities into a Center for Academic Innovation and Outreach

11. Assessment Practices • Initiative to make assessment of learning outcomes more pervasive across Institute • Skeleton of assessment plan has been shared with Deans • Constitute a standing committee for assessment of learning outcomes across the Institute • A short list of learning outcomes for each course to be listed in all course syllabi • Assessment requirements to be central in new programs, offerings, and developments

12. Enhanced Instructional Facilities • Studio classrooms • Rensselaer has made considerable investments in previous years • Will continue to be examined in the context of changing curriculum • Teaching labs • New initiative to significantly enhance undergraduate teaching laboratories • Immediate assessment for safety concerns • Programmatic reviews recommending upgrades to existing facilities • Aerospace wind-tunnel facilities • Evolution of curricula and need for entirely new facilities • Living and learning spaces

13. Expanded Summer Programs • Expanded program offerings and opportunities will require a more round-the-year campus • Goal - develop robust summer session • Announcement and call for proposals sent from Provost Office • Undergrad Education will coordinate summer offerings • Make available regular credit courses and sports camps/personal and professional development courses • Opportunity for students to accelerate degree objectives • Additional incentive to pursue co-terminal programs • Greater flexibility to pursue co-op, internships and study abroad • Other changes in school calendar will be examined