For over a century, US institutions have granted B.S. degrees in Ceramic Engineering (CerE). An evolutionary change has been taking place over the past couple of decades during which the market for disciplinary specific degrees (B.S. CerE and B.S. MetE) has declined. For example, the number of accredited B.S. CerE degree programs has fallen below the effective critical mass necessary for accreditation as a separate discipline and these programs are currently producing less than 200 B.S.CerE graduates per year. Based on the most recent ABET listing, only 5 programs currently have or will continue seeking accreditation under CerE (Alfred, Clemson, Missouri-Rolla, Penn State, and Rutgers).

Most of the programs no longer offering CerE degrees now have or will seek accreditation under Materials Science and Engineering (MSE), with varying degrees of specialization in ceramics. Notable examples include two of the founding CerE programs: Ohio State University and University of Illinois. Others such as Alfred University, the leading producer of CerE graduates, recently have added an MSE program. Understandably, the trend toward MSE has been viewed negatively by many in the CerE community but open discussion has been limited, especially of the role CerE is playing in the MSE programs.

In recognition of the integration across the whole field of materials, momentum is building for a proposed Materials Disciplines Accreditation Coordinating Council. Such a council would coordinate and operate accreditation activities for the entire field through NICE which has responsibility for ceramics and TMS which has responsibility for materials and metallurgical. Besides the overlapping interests of the two societies, such an alliance would also provide a better platform from which to promote the interests of CerE throughout the field. Regardless of the outcome of this proposal, fundamental changes in the organization of ceramics education in the US have taken place. The purpose of this special poster session is to provide a forum for a long-overdue, focused discussion of these changes.

Three invited perspectives (posters) will provide a framework for the discussion in terms of the three main types of programs in which ceramics education is currently taking place at the undergraduate level:

1. CerE programs, Dale Niesz, Rutgers University

2. Ceramics specializations within MSE, Jennifer Lewis, University of Illinois

3. General MSE programs, Kevin Trumble, Purdue University

Contributed posters from these and other types of programs incorporating ceramics are encouraged, as are those from representatives of ceramics related industries hiring Ceramic and Materials Engineering graduates. Although the focus will be on undergraduate curricula, posters on graduate education in ceramics, teaching innovations, and laboratory exercises are also welcome, as are perspectives from ceramics and related industry representatives.

Contributed posters so far include:

John Hellmann, Penn State University

More specific goals of the session are to:

1. Review current accredited CerE curricula. The CerE programs have not had an organized curriculum discussion since 1964 ("Pask Report"). To what extent do the industries that employ B.S. CerE graduates depend on the specialization in ceramics at the undergraduate level?

    

2. Review the ceramics components of MSE curricula. What constitutes a "specialization" in ceramics within MSE and what should be the role of CerE in the MSE programs?

The CerE community stands to benefit from the discussion in several ways, including:

1) There is currently much uncertainty regarding what constitutes a ceramics specializations within MSE, as well as the ceramics content of the general MSE programs. The CerE community should lead the process to establish some guidelines.

2) CerE curricula include non-ceramic materials content. Likewise, there is substantial overlap with MSE in the areas of curriculum design, teaching and learning methods, and other innovations in the non-materials aspects of education. CerE could benefit from these efforts in the other materials fields. 3) A stronger alliance between CerE and MSE would benefit both in terms of the most serious problem facing all materials programs, attracting undergraduates. Indeed, the professional societies of the larger and more visible engineering and science disciplines (e.g., Mechanical, Electrical, and Civil Engineering and Chemistry) are beginning to fill the void created by the lack of focus in materials education information.

CerE Education Poster Preparation Guidelines

In addition to following general guidelines for conference poster presentations in terms of size, layout, minimization of text, etc., some specific guidelines for content are recommended. Academic programs: Provide a brief history of the program, including the specific institutional context, and quantitative information regarding graduates, etc. Provide a detailed justification and description of the current program, including specific course descriptions. Focus on the role of CerE within the curriculum and highlight problems or concerns you see for the future. Industry: Provide the corresponding information to the extent relevant, including quantitative hiring trends, history and justification for any preferences for graduates from programs of the different types, etc.

Contact Kevin Trumble, Purdue University for further information

Phone: (765) 494-4114 email: driscol@ecn.purdue.edu