2008 Woodie Awards
Professor pushing for math major on Prescott campus
Billy Nollet
Issue date: 10/13/06 Section: News
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Embry-Riddle Professors are working to develop a mathematics major focused in the aerospace sciences. ERAU Professor Dr. Jonathan Russell states that he would like the program to become a "specialized entrée" for the aerospace industry. He relates his specialized mathematics major to the space physics major, which provided the physics/engineering industry a breed of students with special skill that a normal physics major would not otherwise have.
In the engineering field there are infinite problems with different interdisciplinary concepts that require a math expert to solve. According to Russell, these mathematicians would help engineers "tackle" challenging problems. He hopes the new major will provide a good launch pad for students who "want to do math in the engineering world."
Dr. Russell described to horizons some examples of new classes that would be offered with the new program. Possible new classes include: Mathematics for Control Systems, Numerical Methods for Engineering, Calculus of Variations, and Differential Geometry. Russell displayed discontent with the current engineering math course, expressing interest in making a "true engineering math course" and splitting off a separate mathematical physics course because, he states, the two "are not the same kind of animal." The program would also "provide special computer skills" with programs that students will use in their career. Such programs include Finite Element Analysis.
Potential disciplines for the program include Propulsion, Electrical Power Systems, and Math for Analytical Dynamics. From guidance and navigation to heat/radiation transfer in a spacecraft, all these academic studies are important in the aerospace industry. Russell states that "most aerospace companies train new engineers for as much as a year" before they're ready for their career. Dr. Russell believes that this program will allow students to learn more of the specialized aspects of their career before they complete their undergraduate studies; thus, decreasing the training period at their job after graduation.
Russell would like to "build a co-op type program" for students to work with industry professionals. He explains that he would like to bring in professionals from the aerospace industry with "real time problems" for students to solve. These co-op programs would help build a relationship between Embry-Riddle and aerospace leaders.
The new academic program should not be a tremendous financial expenditure, because a large portion of the program is on the computer.
In the engineering field there are infinite problems with different interdisciplinary concepts that require a math expert to solve. According to Russell, these mathematicians would help engineers "tackle" challenging problems. He hopes the new major will provide a good launch pad for students who "want to do math in the engineering world."
Dr. Russell described to horizons some examples of new classes that would be offered with the new program. Possible new classes include: Mathematics for Control Systems, Numerical Methods for Engineering, Calculus of Variations, and Differential Geometry. Russell displayed discontent with the current engineering math course, expressing interest in making a "true engineering math course" and splitting off a separate mathematical physics course because, he states, the two "are not the same kind of animal." The program would also "provide special computer skills" with programs that students will use in their career. Such programs include Finite Element Analysis.
Potential disciplines for the program include Propulsion, Electrical Power Systems, and Math for Analytical Dynamics. From guidance and navigation to heat/radiation transfer in a spacecraft, all these academic studies are important in the aerospace industry. Russell states that "most aerospace companies train new engineers for as much as a year" before they're ready for their career. Dr. Russell believes that this program will allow students to learn more of the specialized aspects of their career before they complete their undergraduate studies; thus, decreasing the training period at their job after graduation.
Russell would like to "build a co-op type program" for students to work with industry professionals. He explains that he would like to bring in professionals from the aerospace industry with "real time problems" for students to solve. These co-op programs would help build a relationship between Embry-Riddle and aerospace leaders.
The new academic program should not be a tremendous financial expenditure, because a large portion of the program is on the computer.
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