The Undergraduate Plan
Initiatives in Undergraduate Education
Prabhat Hajela
Vice Provost & Dean of UG Education
Overview
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The Undergraduate Plan is a set of initiatives that renew our
commitment in the Rensselaer Plan to “…an undergraduate
experience that surpasses all others…”
The Undergraduate Plan will focus on
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An educational experience enriched by research and
independent inquiry
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A breadth of study that prepares students to be good global
citizens within the rapidly expanding global workplace
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INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCES
Immersive learning experiences that foster close mentoring
relationships between faculty and students, and developed
around topics reflecting institutional strengths and goals
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UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH
LIVING AND LEARNING COMMUNITIES
UNDER-GIRDING INITIATIVES
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enhancing academic programs and offerings, academic support
services, and world-class instructional facilities
Undergraduate Research Experiences
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Any major research university must include its
undergraduates as active participants in their research
enterprise
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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
International Experiences
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Emergent global workplace requires a
comprehensive education to include
exposure to collaborative work or study
experience in an international setting
International Options to Consider
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New programs to enhance international experience
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Rensselaer satellite campuses at international
locations
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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
Possibilities identified in Presidential trip to Asia
International Co-Op programs
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Support from Institute Advancement and Key Executives
Living and Learning Communities
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Learning community focused around a specific
theme
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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
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Biotechnology
Electronic Media and Arts
International Affairs and Public Service
Research based learning community
Supporting Programs & Infrastructure
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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
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Expanded Summer Programs
Honors College
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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
Co-Terminal Programs
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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
Academic Support/Pedagogical Innovations
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Rensselaer will continue to innovate in the area of
pedagogy, both for our own students as well as a
vehicle for more effective outreach
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CIUE to assist faculty in course innovations and
development of new instructional tools
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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
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
Assessment Practices
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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
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Assessment requirements to be central in
new programs, offerings, and developments
Enhanced Instructional Facilities
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Studio classrooms
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Rensselaer has made considerable investments in previous
years
Will continue to be examined in the context of changing
curriculum
Teaching labs
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New initiative to significantly enhance undergraduate
teaching laboratories
• Immediate assessment for safety concerns
• Programmatic reviews recommending upgrades to
existing facilities
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Aerospace wind-tunnel facilities
Evolution of curricula and need for entirely new
facilities
Living and learning spaces
Expanded Summer Programs
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Expanded program offerings and opportunities will
require a more round-the-year campus
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Make available regular credit courses and sports
camps/personal and professional development
courses
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Goal - develop robust summer session
Announcement and call for proposals sent from Provost
Office
Undergrad Education will coordinate summer offerings
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