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Supervisory and management positions in scientific and engineering organizations are usually awarded to staff members who have earned the respect of management and coworkers by excelling in their areas of technical expertise. They then act as “lead scientists” or “lead engineers,” directing the work of other scientists or engineers. Although they have proved that they have good judgment in strictly technical matters, nothing in their past education and little in their work experience has prepared them for supervisory and management responsibilities.
The overall objective of this program is to prepare individuals trained and experienced in science or engineering in the elements of leading technical projects and organizing and supervising technical personnel. The program is organized along five concentrations: Project Management—the organization and direction of specific technical projects; Organization Management—the organization and leading of people to accomplish technical objectives; and Project/Organization Management—a combination of the previous two. A concentration in Technical Innovation Management addresses the personal and organizational management of innovation and the development of new technical ventures. The newly offered concentration in Quality Management will focus on preparing technical leaders to manage programs to high-quality standards like ISO9001, AS9100 and CMMI. The concentration will offer an introductory course as well as advanced courses focuses on the quality aspects of technical programs and software engineering.
Instructional methodology employs a mixture of lectures on theory and practice by experienced technical senior leaders and executives and realistic problem situations in which students play a management role, dealing with problems and making decisions that are typically required of technical managers. Management theories and tools are presented in the context of problem situations.
Appropriate emphasis is given to that blend of technical, administrative, business, and interpersonal skills required for the successful management of continuously changing high-technology organizations and projects.
Students are encouraged to pursue the entire master’s degree, but in special approved cases may apply for a Graduate Certificate in Technical Management. The requirements for admission are the same as for the master’s degree and the student must complete six courses, as approved by the program chair/vice chair, with a grade of A or B (see Admission Requirements).
Program Committee
Joseph J. Suter, Chair
Principal Professional Staff
Applied Physics Laboratory
Lisa A. Blodgett
Principal Professional Staff
Applied Physics Laboratory
Donna M. Gregg
Principal Professional Staff
Applied Physics Laboratory
L. James Happel
Principal Professional Staff
Applied Physics Laboratory
K. T. Ramesh
Professor
Mechanical Engineering Whiting School of Engineering
Robyn L. York
Principal Professional Staff
Applied Physics Laboratory |
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