|
UNT, TWU team up to offer dual degree program for engineering, math programs
DENTON (UNT), Texas -- A $1 million grant from the National Science Foundation for an innovative electrical engineering program includes funding for scholarships to attract women and minorities to the University of North Texas College of Engineering. UNT and Texas Woman's University have signed an agreement that will allow a student to attend both universities, and simultaneously receive bachelor's degrees from both schools. Reza Mirshams, associate dean of the UNT College of Engineering, says the agreement will allow a student to earn a bachelor's degree in mathematics from TWU, and a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from UNT. The program will take a student five years to complete."It has been our intention to attract more females and minorities to the engineering program and this new dual degree program will be important to that effort," Mirshams says. Murali Varanasi, chair of the department of electrical engineering, says students in this program will complete their first two years of coursework at TWU. Year three will feature classes at both universities and the final two years will be completed at UNT. "We are fortunate to have received a $1 million grant from the National Science Foundation to help us provide scholarships for this program," Varanasi says. "We have been trying to make our programs more inclusive. Since TWU has a number of math and computer science students who would find this program attractive, it made sense for us to enter into this agreement." Don Edwards, chair of the math department at TWU says, "We want to provide as many opportunities as possible for our students. (The department) has had cooperative programs with other universities in the past, and they have worked well. We desperately need to attract more women into math and engineering, and this is an excellent opportunity to do that."Edwards also compliments the UNT faculty members who have helped to develop the dual degree program. "The opportunity to collaborate with UNT is a good thing for us. The faculty members are very collegial, and have been great to work with," he said. "The heart of any successful venture like this is the involvement of the faculty who will be teaching the classes. We are all excited about this, particularly being able to do this so soon after the establishment of (UNT's) college of engineering," Varanasi says. Mirshams can be reached at his office, (940) 565-4203. Varanasi can be reached at his office, (940) 891-6872. Edwards can be reached at his office, (940) 898-2166.
UNT News Service Phone Number: (940) 565-2108
Contact: Rafael McDonnell 940-565-4835
Email: RMcDonnell@unt.edu
Latest News
Actress Alyssa Milano to recognize UNT students’ efforts in raising funds for UNICEF campus challenge
UNT students raised more than $4,500 toward the campaign's overall goal of $150,000 by organizing several fundraisers, including a raffle and a concert in Denton featuring local bands.
New Jazz Singers director debuts at UNT concert
Works by music legends Miles Davis, Harold Arlen and George and Ira Gershwin will be among the featured songs for the debut concert of Tim Brent.
Texas State Historical Association hosts open house at new UNT home
Attendees can purchase the 2010-2011 Texas Almanac at the Nov. 30 event.
TAMS student to compete for $100,000 science scholarship
Peter Hu will compete against five other regional winners at the national competition next month in New York.
Global partnership to promote English proficiency in rural Korea
College students will travel to Korea for six-month or one-year periods to teach English.
UNT names director of arts institute, UNT on the Square
Herbert Holl will oversee the Institute for the Advancement of the Arts and coordinate activities for UNT on the Square.
| 
