William Shapton is the Senate DE Policy Task Force chair. Jeff Burl is working on the EE program with Ford, which currently has its first student. John Sutherland and William Shapton described the MTU PhD program with Ford. An MTU faculty member spends 3-6 months at Ford, supported by the company. This time at the site lets the faculty member work closely with the student.
Students spend a week or two on campus during the time of their qualifying exam.
Projects are picked by a series of 5 Ford Vice-Presidents. Sutherland described the MTU MS program with Ford. This degree has a thesis requirement and accomplishes coursework by delayed videotape. This program has 14 students currently, with 15-20 beginning in the fall. A discussion of intellectual property right issues ensued.