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ESM Vision
(Toward the Year 2015 – 2004, 2010, and Beyond)
The Department of Engineering Science and Mechanics at Virginia Tech (ESM) is an
internationally recognized authority on the integration of (natural and life) science fundamentals
and advanced mathematical tools with engineering analysis and design. Our Department leads the
development of creative and critical thinking methods and their use in the formulation of
engineering science and technology policy. It promotes educational and curricular reform in the
engineering sciences and serves as a resource for others in this context. Our activities provide a
conduit between, on the one hand, engineering as a primarily technological enterprise and, on the
other, the (natural and life) sciences and mathematics that are primarily discovery-oriented and
the social sciences in their primarily humanistic form.
Graduates of the ESM undergraduate and graduate programs are instilled with a highly flexible
professional perspective, since they are provided with a strong foundation through a broad-based,
fundamentals-of-engineering-science curriculum and given skills-oriented training in critical
thinking and technology leadership. This enables them to pursue successful careers in a variety of
engineering industries, in research environments, and in higher education. Indeed, ESM graduates
now populate prominent engineering departments across the nation and are transmitting the
values of their engineering science training to new generations of students. Our graduates also
serve as science and technology advisors to local, regional, and federal governmental
organizations; hold leadership positions in professional societies; and are active participants in
public discourse on the role and value of engineering science in relation to the research and
educational competitiveness of the Commonwealth of Virginia and our nation.
BACKGROUND
If our vision is achieved, we assume that it will have advanced the engineering sciences, in
particular the discipline of mechanics, and will have made Virginia Tech and ESM more relevant
to the broader needs of society. This vision allows our institution to improve on education,
research, and service as we do. It permits us to continually define the evolving role of education
and ensure that the engineering sciences, including mechanics, are well-defined to other
engineering departments, funding agencies, and the employers of our graduates.
We assume that the ESM Faculty will unanimously support the vision and also concur that our
Department will rise to greater prominence if it is implemented. The vision challenges the Faculty
to truly change where necessary, involves and engages all faculty members in the Department,
and will become sustaining once the ESM Faculty becomes motivated by the specific goals that
we will be developed. We anticipate that this vision will encourage all faculty members to work
together as a team, promote synergy, and provide a coherent direction for the Department. Its
fulfillment will help faculty and staff members to work more efficiently and effectively, and to
enjoy their work and careers.
We expect this vision to advance the Department beyond the status quo so that we are viewed as
being truly unique and distinctive by others, and as a model to be emulated by other academic
departments as they also stake claim to preeminence.
Department of Engineering Science & Mechanics, Virginia Tech
http://www.esm.vt.edu
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MEASURES OF THRIVING
Preeminence in the minds of a broader audience
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First in the mind.
Acknowledged expertise, as evidenced by high level of service on national
and international advisory panels, review panels, commissions…
Graduates and faculty guiding policy and entrepreneurship.
Students, graduate and undergraduate, sought after in unprecedented fashion.
We’re known for having made ground-breaking advancements and discoveries.
Growth in the quality and number of our faculty members.
We’ve created time to think; no longer need to be reactive.
Our faculty members are sought after by other institutions and choose not to go
because of the strength and reputation of our Department.
We write the BAAs and influence major trends in emerging technologies.
Qualitative Accomplishments
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Number of invited presentations for both students and faculty (acknowledged
expertise).
Number of quality applicants greatly exceeds available slots (student, faculty)
We will have to develop enrollment criteria to limit enrollment, or we’ve hired more
faculty members to expand capacity.
Service teaching well-accepted by other departments.
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Scholarly publications in high impact archival publications and their citations.
External funds in education and research.
Research dollars per faculty member per year.
Number of PhD’s supported and graduated per faculty per year.
35-50 undergraduate degrees produced per year, including bio-mechanics.
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Metrics
Department of Engineering Science & Mechanics, Virginia Tech
http://www.esm.vt.edu