1. College of Engineering
Dr. Vijay Vaidyanathan
Associate Dean – Undergraduate Studies
UNT College of Engineering

2. An Engineering Perspective
Bottlenecks in the Pipeline: Identifying data needed for success of STEM Transfer Students
An Engineering Perspective

3. Objective Identification of potential ‘problem’ areas:
Advising in community colleges
Core complete vs Math ready?
Lack of university advising presence in community colleges
Lack of perceived empathy from 4 year institutions
Lack of bridges or pipeline infrastructure
Pave the way for ‘efficient’ transfer from 2-year to 4-year institutions
Student success is the key to retention
Create avenues for student success
Sustain the process

4. Outline Introduction to UNT College of Engineering
Transfer advising and recruiting
New appointments
Participation in statewide articulation efforts
Emulating successful models
Scholarships, peer tutoring, LLC
Summer research
Building bridges
Introduction to engineering
Conclusion

5. The College of Engineering
Fall 2011
553,000 square feet
70 Full Time T/TT Faculty
13 Full Time Lecturers
Approx students
5 Departments
Located within UNT Discovery Park (290 acres)

6. Degree Programs BA Information Technology BS Computer Science
BS Computer Engineering
BS Electrical Engineering
BS Mechanical Engineering
BS Materials Science and Engineering
BS in Engineering Technology in
Construction
Electronics
Nuclear
Mechanical
MS Computer Science and Engineering
MS Electrical Engineering
MS Mechanical Engineering
MS Materials Science and Engineering
MS Engineering Systems
PhD Computer Science and Engineering
PhD Materials Science and Engineering

7. Corporate Involvement

8. Transfer Recruiting and Advising
Advising Infrastructure
Located at Discovery Park
Advising director with 3 advisors
New advisor for transfer students
University Commitment
Addition of new transfer recruiters/advisors

9. Transfer Orientation Preceded by visits to local community colleges
Separate transfer orientation sessions
One-on-one advising with CENG advisors and departmental advisors
Information provided in the form of a detailed booklet
Adherence to articulation agreements

10. Participation in Statewide Articulation
Tuning Texas : Statewide initiative undertaken by THECB to streamline transfers from 2-year to 4-year institutions. EE
MEE

11. Statistics on Transfer Students-1
Transfers
UNT Freshmen
Math 1650 (Pre-Calculus)
55.93%
71.0%
Math 1710 (Calculus I)
52.44%
62.7%
Math 1720 (Calculus II)
46.03%
53.01%
Physics 1710 (Mechanics)
50.91%
57.97%
Physics 2220 (Electromagnetics)
62.34%
66.8%
Chemistry 1410
58.68%
67.8%
Biology 1710
65.05%
68.47%
Engineering students:
Pre-calculus (63% pass rate),
Calculus I (54.5% pass rate),
Calculus II (45% pass rate)

12. Statistics on Transfer Students - 2

13. Emulating Successful Models
Transfer Scholarships
Dean’s scholarship
CENG scholarship
Peer Tutoring
Engineering Excellence
Living and Learning Community (LLC)
Kerr Hall
Grown from 20 to 47 students
Academic and non-academic activities

14. SUPER 17/10 undergraduates participated in our summer research program
Complete program with seminars, social activities, mentoring, etc.
Targets for graduate recruiting
Program has attracted $75,000 from RIM

15. Faculty Response to SUPER
Students highly motivated
Outreach activities were useful
Would have liked to see a ‘richer’ pool of students from outside UNT
Grades did not reflect ability to do research – in a positive way
Extend to 10 weeks
Conduct during regular academic semesters

16. Student Responses to SUPER - 1

17. Student Responses -2

18. Student Responses - 3

19. Common Themes
Opportunity to conduct research, learning about nature of research, meeting fellow engineers, learning time management skills
The most valuable for me about the SUPER experience was to have the opportunity to work with nice and smart people.
The hands on lab work I did w/ my professor allowed me to really utilize what I learned in the classroom to real life experience. This is my most valuable experience

20. SUPER - Transfer Open to 10 students to conduct research projects
8 weeks during the summer under the banner of SUPER-Transfer (Summer Undergraduate Program in Engineering Research for transfer students).

21. Features
Students who have completed at least two years of study in a community college with a grade of B or better in Calculus I. Their overall Grade point average should be 3.0 or higher at the end of the previous spring semester.
Participants in the 8 week program are provided a stipend of $2,500, and tuition for one hour of college credit (if needed).
SUPER-Transfer will also provide avenues for the students to participate in non-academic, social activities to foster team spirit.

22. Building Bridges ENGR 1201 – Introduction to Engineering WECM Question
Taught in Community Colleges
Plan to co-teach in CC
WECM Question
Bridge courses in math (summer)
ABET accredited Engineering Technology

23. Conclusions
Bottlenecks cannot be sorted out overnight, but can be overcome with good communication
Remember: students are the most important part of transfer process
A multi-pronged approach is needed – combination of research activities, bridge course and tight articulation