The support from this project will allow the development of a new program in engineering education at the Ph.D. level, called the Managerial, Environmental, International (MEI) doctoral option. The targeted Graduate Research Traineeship area is Education and Human Resources: Innovation in Teaching and Learning. The program will produce a new level of awareness in highly competent, technical engineering graduates in three areas currently ignored in doctoral engineering programs. This program will educate individuals who, in addition to having standard levels of technical competency, also possess competency in the management of technology, environmental responsibility, and the problems associated with international competitiveness. This option will initially be open to students who wish to complete the Ph.D. degree in the areas of Chemical, Civil, Environmental, Materials, Manufacturing, and Mechanical Engineering. Innovative structural components include: o Appropriate cross-disciplinary course and project work in managerial and environmental areas, culminating in a competency examination and a publication addressing an issue of managerial or environmental importance related to the candidate's area of study in the appropriate journals or proceedings. o A six-month industrial internship with a participating company involving the international aspects of industrial competition. o Co-advisement of undergraduate student projects with WPI faculty in appropriate areas.
