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| Since its founding 175 years ago, Rensselaer’s bold concept of technological education has grown under visionary leadership. Over the years, its graduates have contributed significantly to national and global development. Today, as a selective institution of higher learning, Rensselaer offers distinctive advantages to its highly motivated and intellectually talented students. | Also on this page: |
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Rensselaer’s relatively small size enables faculty, who are actively engaged in sponsored research, to work closely with students. Connections between faculty and students are also enhanced by our emphasis on interactive learning environments, laboratory teaching, and opportunities for student research. A broad range of majors and minors are available through Rensselaer’s five schools—Engineering, Science, Lally School of Management and Technology, Architecture, and Humanities and Social Sciences— and our Faculty of Information Technology. Students also have the opportunity to choose from several interdisciplinary and dual-major options. Dean Gary A. Gabriele Undergraduate programs leading to the Bachelor of Science degree are available in more than 30 fields listed on the inside of the front cover. All B.S. programs normally are completed in four academic years. The general degree requirements are given in the Academic Information section; individual curricula will be found under the schools in which they are offered. In addition, as described below, students may prepare for entry into medical and law schools within the context of these programs. Professionally accredited degrees are offered in architecture and engineering. The five-year Bachelor of Architecture curriculum is described in the Architecture section of this catalog. The five-year Professional School program in Engineering, covered in the Engineering Undergraduate Educational Program section, leads to the Master of Engineering degree along with the B.S. Options Rensselaer offers a variety of special options for students in undergraduate and professional programs, including undergraduate research participation, study abroad and exchange programs, prehealth and prelaw programs, Reserve Officer Training Corps, and internships. Undergraduate Research Program Rensselaer offers undergraduates the opportunity to participate in research projects as a globally active research university through our Undergraduate Research Program (URP). Rensselaer’s URP provides students with a real-world, hands-on research experience. Through this unique program, students work directly with a faculty member on a bona fide research project. Students can earn pay or course credit for their participation in this program. Details are available on our web site: http://www.rpi.edu/dept/urp/ or in the Office of Undergraduate Education, Troy Building, Room 3012. Exchange and Study Abroad Programs Rensselaer offers a number of exchange opportunities for graduate and undergraduate students. Participation in these programs allows students to broaden their cultural horizons as well as view and experience a technological education from another perspective. For undergraduates, these programs are intended for the junior year; this requires that application for participation be made during the second semester of the sophomore year. Generally, students need to have achieved and maintained a QPA of 3.0 or better in order to be seriously considered for an exchange or study-abroad program. Rensselaer has a number of established study-abroad programs with colleges and universities throughout Europe, with limited opportunities in Asia and Australia. Participation in these programs is usually for one year; however, sometimes arrangements can be made for a one-semester exchange. Some programs give priority to specific majors, and foreign language proficiency is required by some institutions. Below is a listing of the Rensselaer programs; for more information on these programs, contact the person listed. Undergraduate International Exchange Program International Management Exchange Program Architecture Exchange Program Global Engineering Education Exchange (Global E3) Program Swiss Exchange Program French Exchange Program University of Amsterdam Exchange Program Prehealth Programs Rensselaer successfully prepares students for entrance into medical, dental, podiatric, and other health professional schools. These students major in such fields as biology, chemistry, engineering, mathematics, physics, or psychology, earning the B.S. degree from Rensselaer and at the same time fulfilling the prerequisites for professional school. An appropriate plan of study is arranged with the help of the student’s academic adviser. Students wishing further information should refer to the Prehealth Web site: http://bio.bio.rpi.edu/MED/ or talk directly to members of the Prehealth Professions Committee located in 1W14 Science Center, (518) 276-8427. Another program at Rensselaer that leads to careers in health science fields is the biomedical engineering program. Prelaw Program A student may prepare to enter law school from Rensselaer by following a baccalaureate curriculum in a number of fields. Rensselaer graduates who obtain law degrees are equipped to enter general practice or to serve in important legal positions in business, industry, or government. Accelerated programs have been developed by Rensselaer with Albany Law School and Columbia University Law School. After a three-year accelerated undergraduate program, the student enters law school. At the end of four years the student is awarded the B.S. degree and the J.D. at the end of the sixth year. See the Science and Technology Studies program and the Lally School of Management and Technology sections of this catalog for further information. Internship Programs Upper-division undergraduate students may enroll for course credit in a Rensselaer internship program. Students work as volunteers for at least 80 hours per semester for nonprofit or governmental organizations, including Troy city government offices, local schools and after-school programs, hospitals, museums, homeless shelters, environmental organizations, the New York state legislature, the Attorney General’s Office, and others. Interns have an excellent chance to glimpse career options in the public and not-for-profit sectors. Further information is available from http://www.rpi.edu/~interns/ or from Nancy Campbell, Department of Science and Technology Studies, (518) 276-6065. Special Courses for Freshmen Recognizing the diversity of backgrounds among entering freshmen, Rensselaer offers special courses or sections in many first-year subjects. These include special sections for students who have been awarded advanced placement, honors courses, extrahelp sections, and first-year studies in humanities and social sciences. As a rule, admission to advanced or extra-help courses is by invitation. Candidates are identified before the start of the fall term or, in some cases, during the fall term. Advanced-placement sections are designed for students who are continuing subjects in which they have received advanced-placement credit. Extra-help sections are designed to meet the needs of students with background deficiencies in a subject. These sections cover the same content as the regular sections. However, they meet an additional hour each week and the class size is limited, allowing the instructor to give increased attention to individuals. First-year studies in humanities and social sciences introduce students to a range of humanities and social sciences issues through a choice of team-taught topics courses. Each course involves discussion sections of approximately 25 students emphasizing communication and collaborative projects. Reserve Officer Training Corps Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) programs are available on an elective basis for students who desire commissions as officers in the armed forces. ROTC programs are undertaken concurrently with baccalaureate degree studies. Graduate School Graduate degrees are offered at the Troy campus. In addition more than 2000 part-time students pursue graduate programs at Rensselaer at Hartford and more than 1000 pursue graduate programs through Rensselaer’s distance learning program provided by the Office of Professional and Distance Education. All doctoral programs and many master’s programs involve students in graduate research. The research at Rensselaer is generally supported by government, industry, or foundations. Faculty members serve as senior investigators for a wide range of challenging research projects and are assisted by postdoctoral investigators and graduate students. Research opportunities for graduate students are also an important part of many centers including the Scientific Computation Research Center, the Center for Integrated Electronics, Electronics Manufacturing, and Electronic Media, the Center for Composite Materials and Structures, the New York State Center for Automation Technologies, and the Severino Center for Technological Entrepreneurship. Interim Vice President Andrew Z. Lemnios Rensselaer at Hartford Mission Statement Rensselaer at Hartford exists to meet the lifelong learning needs of the experienced professional. We are committed to anticipating and responding to changing individual and organizational needs with high-quality programs. Rensselaer at Hartford History Stephen Van Rensselaer founded Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in 1824 in Troy, New York “for the purpose of instructing persons in the application of science to the common purposes of life.” We celebrate the Institute’s heritage and look ahead to the innovations that will propel Rensselaer into the future. Rensselaer is committed to the creation of prosperity through technology. Through interactive learning environments and cutting-edge research, students and faculty work together to discover how science and technology can be used to improve our lives. Our graduates are entrepreneurial and fully prepared for leadership in an increasingly global world. Rensselaer at Hartford (formerly The Hartford Graduate Center) was founded in 1955 at a time when rapidly changing technologies in the aircraft and defense industries were creating a critical shortage of engineers and other professionals in the Greater Hartford area. H. Mansfield Horner, then chairman of the United Aircraft Corporation (now United Technologies), approached Livingston Houston, then president of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, with a proposal to provide local, graduate instruction to these working professionals. Rensselaer accepted Horner’s invitation and introduced to the Connecticut River Valley the same academic standards that had secured its own nationally acknowledged stature and reputation. We celebrate our heritage and look ahead to the innovations that will propel Rensselaer at Hartford into the future. Throughout our history, Rensselaer at Hartford has continued to honor a commitment to serve the educational needs of experienced professionals. We provide a dynamic learning experience for students who need to balance their professional, academic, and personal lives. In addition, the Rensselaer Learning Institute, a provider of continuous professional development, delivers programs from multiple suppliers, allowing us to educate and train directly in corporate client sites. More than 1,800 students are pursuing graduate degrees at Rensselaer at Hartford, as well as several thousand others annually attending courses, seminars, and workshops offered through the Rensselaer Learning Institute. Degrees awarded include Master of Science in Computer Science, Engineering Science, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Management, Environmental Management and Policy; in Computer and Systems Engineering; and Master of Business Administration (MBA). Rensselaer at Hartford also offers a number of graduate certificates in Computer Science and Engineering, as well as specialized programs such as Dual Master’s Degrees, an Executive Master’s Program, and the Weekend MBA in Hartford and Groton. Locations Rensselaer at Hartford is housed in its own eight-story building on sixteen landscaped acres in downtown Hartford, and is readily accessible from both Interstates 84 and 91. Amenities include onsite security; free, lighted parking; bookstore; and cafeteria. Our newest location at the Trails Corner Professional Center in Groton serves students and corporations in Southeastern Connecticut. Additional information on academic programs can be obtained by contacting the Enrollment Management Office at (860) 548-2480 or (800) 433-4723, ext. 2480; by e-mail: rem-info@rh.edu; or by visiting our web site at www.rh.edu. Professional and Distance Education Vice Provost for Professional and Distance Education The Office of Professional and Distance Education (PDE) provides graduate-level credit and noncredit educational programs to working professionals in corporate, government, and home environments using distance technology and other nontraditional delivery systems. Our highly regarded distance program, RSVP, helps working professionals and their organizations remain current in their fields. RSVP has twice received recognition from the U.S. Distance Learning Association: in 1993 as Best Distance Learning Program and in 1996 as Outstanding Corporate Partnership Program. RSVP provides courses, degrees, and certificates through a range of delivery technologies including satellite, interactive video conferencing, videotapes, and the World Wide Web. Online courses are delivered either via videostreaming or by the new Rensselaer 80/20 Delivery Model, which combines asynchronous and synchronous learning sessions. Programs are supported and enhanced with on-line office hours, student chat areas, and class notes. More than 1,000 students at over 60 corporate locations in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Western Europe, “attend” each semester, along with an increasing number of individual students. Master’s degrees and certificates are available in the following areas: Master’s Degrees Business Administration Certificates Bioinformatics Students must be accepted as matriculated or nonmatriculated and must meet the same admission standards as on-campus students. The PDE staff takes responsibility for liaison activity between the distance student and the campus by providing centralized access to student and administrative services, computer and library services, and faculty. The office can also arrange noncredit courses, workshops, seminars, and symposiums in disciplines reflecting Rensselaer’s unique academic strengths. Taught by Rensselaer faculty and other experts in the field, these courses may be offered at the Rensselaer campus or delivered at corporate sites and other locations upon request. They can also be delivered through distributed learning technologies. Noncredit programs can be completed for Continuing Education Units (CEUs). For additional information visit the Web site at http://www.pde.rpi.edu or contact the Office of Professional and Distance Education by telephone at (518) 276-8351. Computing and Information Services CIO John E. Kolb Computing and Information Services (CIS) provides information strategies, services, and technology and collaborates with Rensselaer’s diverse campus constituents to find solutions for changing educational, research, communication, and business needs. CIS is responding to the rapid evolution of distributed computing and the need for combining computing and communications services and supports Rensselaer’s nationally recognized interactive learning initiatives. Campus computing facilities offer students a variety of software including programming language compilers, desktop publishing packages, spreadsheets, computer-aided design packages, as well as electronic mail and conferencing. Of Computing and Information Services’ seven departments, students interact most closely with Academic Computing Services and the Rensselaer Libraries. Director Sharon Roy Academic Computing Services (ACS) provides educational computing support for the learning and research activities of Rensselaer. Professional staff assist students, faculty members, and other computer users by providing specialized consulting, Rensselaer-specific documentation, and training through short courses. At the Help Desk in the Voorhees Computing Center, you can request services from any CIS department and receive consulting help from ACS staff. Computing is integrated into the curriculum and computers are now an essential component of course work and communication. As part of the Mobile Computing Program, all incoming students are required to have a laptop computer. By Fall 2002, all undergraduates will have a laptop computer. Campus computing facilities offer students several platforms including PCs running Windows and UNIX. Each student is given a Rensselaer Computing System (RCS) account that allows access to the campus network, the Internet, RPInfo (Rensselaer’s web site), electronic mail, and Library services. A variety of software is available including numeric and symbolic computation programs (Maple and MATLAB), programming language compilers (C,C++, and Fortran), desktop publishing packages and spreadsheet software (Microsoft Office), computer-aided design packages (SolidWorks), graphic packages, as well as electronic mail programs and newsreaders for Usenet electronic news. Specialized software for course work is also installed in some locations. Several hundred public workstations in classrooms and labs are connected to the network. There are also network ports in public buildings across campus and in every residence hall room. From a single workstation, personal computer, or laptop, a student can connect to several different host computers on campus as well as to off-campus host computers, data services, and networks. Some of the larger public workstation areas are located in the Voorhees Computing Center (VCC), Jonsson Engineering Center, Troy Building, Low Center for Industrial Innovation (CII), Folsom Library, and Russell Sage Laboratory. Many of these sites are open 24 hours a day and weekends, depending on the academic calendar. Diverse campus computing facilities are described elsewhere in this catalog under the school, department, or center with which they are affiliated. The Scientific Computation Research Center (SCOREC) in the School of Engineering is just one example. High Performance Computing A Batch Cluster, several UNIX workstations with fast processors and large amounts of memory, can be used for long-running numerically intensive jobs. In addition, an IBM SP2 parallel computer, high-performance RS6000 UNIX workstations connected by a high-speed switch, can be used to run programs that make use of parallel processing. Director Loretta Ebert With state of the art electronic information-retrieval services and study space for over 900 students, the Folsom Library serves as Rensselaer’s central library while the Architecture Library, located in the Greene Building, supports the School of Architecture programs. Most of the libraries’ collections of approximately one-half million volumes of books and journals are on open-access shelves. The collection also contains technical research reports, government document series, computer software, video tapes, and sound recordings. Reference librarians help students define their information needs and suggest pertinent literature. Specially designed classes and workshops on both Web-based and traditional print resources are offered through the libraries’ awardwinning instruction program. Computer-based access to the collections, research databases, and a growing number of full-text journals are available across campus through RensSearch. RensSearch provides on-line access to over 100 databases through the campus network. All are easily accessible through the Research Databases Web page and permit database searching, review of abstracts, on-line document ordering, and full-text articles delivered to the workstation for Rensselaer affiliated students, faculty, and staff. Library services include an electronic class reserves system, photocopy facilities, interlibrary loan, borrowing privileges at most academic libraries in the area, individual consulting on research projects, and group study rooms. Students may take a break in the Library Cafe or borrow the latest best seller from the Class of 1996 Reading Room’s recreational reading collections. Individual assistance and equipment are available for special needs. In order to provide students with increased access to computing resources, the libraries have 88 public access computers, including PCs, Macintoshes, and UNIX workstations. These computers provide access to campus network resources, library databases, and the World Wide Web. A new public access and instructional computing laboratory and classroom facilitates hands-on, small group instruction. More than 200 laptop connections to the campus network are distributed throughout the Folsom Library. The Libraries also coordinate RPInfo, Rensselaer’s World Wide Web site. Librarians oversee the development and organization of this site, and provide assistance and support to campus Web authors. They also assist users of the site in accessing information both on and off campus. The Institute Archives and Department of Special Collections, located in the Fixman Room on the third floor of Folsom Library, contains valuable information on the history of Rensselaer and its alumni. It also houses major collections on the history of science and technology. The Architecture Library occupies the west end of the third floor of the Greene Building. This library features open shelves for easy access to architecture materials. Approximately 30,000 volumes of books and periodicals, both domestic and foreign, are available. The Architecture Library contains a loan collection of 85,000 slides on contemporary and historical buildings, structural design, building technology, city planning, and fine arts. The library also includes videos, maps, architectural drawings, microfiche, and architecture-related software. Advising and Learning Assistance Center Director Robert M. Conway Jr. The Advising and Learning Assistance Center was created to provide a unified approach to supporting students in the learning and advising process. It is a place where students can get “onestop” academic support in the form of a variety of services. The office is responsible for many undergraduate academic matters including: coordination of academic advising; serving as primary advisers for undecided and nonmatriculated students; counseling of students; providing procedures and programs to assist in the process of retention of students; free course-specific tutoring to all undergraduates; supplemental instruction; providing help to students to whom English is a second language (ESL); workshops on topics such as time management, study skills, and stress management, etc. In addition, the staff of this office, who serve on a number of campus committees, also work in such areas as program adjustments, changes of curriculum, academic standing, academic dismissal and readmission, commencement prizes, and interpretation of, and exceptions to, academic regulations, and assisting students in reviewing their Curriculum, Advising, and Program Planning (CAPP) reports. Finally, the center employs student learning assistants who reside in predominantly freshman residence halls to provide learning skills assistance. This office exists to assist our students in their academic endeavors by providing the aforementioned services in a professional and caring manner. Center for Innovation in Undergraduate Education Director Brad Lister The Lois J. and Harlan E. Anderson Center for Innovation in Undergraduate Education broadens Rensselaer’s long-held commitment to excellence in undergraduate education by incorporating technological, research, and service issues into undergraduate programs. The center also provides a visible focus for Rensselaer’s commitment to education and for educational program development. The mission of the center is to stimulate and nurture innovative ideas for improving the quality of undergraduate education. The center is also the vehicle for the transformation of innovative ideas into the undergraduate curriculum. As an outgrowth of the CIUE, the International Center for Multimedia Education provides a resource for concepts, materials, and methods to encourage and support the use of multimedia tools in K-12, university, and cooperative education environments. |
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