IMPORTANCE OF UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH IN ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY PROGRAMS

This paper talks about the importance of undergraduate research in the Associate of Applied Science (AAS) of Mechanical Engineering Technology (MECH), the AAS if Industrial Design Technology (IND), and the Bachelor of Technology (BTech) of New York City College of Technology (NYCCT). Enrolment and retention rates have been increasing steadily since the department received its first NSF ATE and NASA Cipair awards in summer 2010. The NSF ATE grant enabled the department to start undergraduate research in mechatronics by establishing a mechatronics center. The NASA grant helped the department modify some of its key courses in the AAS in MECH and send students to summer internships in NASA centers. Since the establishment of the new mechatronics center and the summer internship opportunities the number of new freshmen students has increased considerably in the department. Students are more motivated and retention rates are increasing. Students are more involved in undergraduate robotics research, team-work, and hands-on activities. They participate in regional and national competitions and conferences. Students are more involved in team work, creativity, and extracurricular activities. The department's overall environment has changed categorically. Students are more active and interested in working with each other and learning the latest technologies related to their field. Faculty members who mentor and advise students in their research receive three hours release time per semester. They use their three hours release time with students in the new mechatronics laboratory which was developed through the NSF/ATE grant.