| 05/03/2023 |
Yong Liu, Tandon Director of Graduate Programs, sends program change proposal to OAPRA |
| 05/26/2023 |
JS completes initial review |
| 06/07/2023 |
JS completed revised review based on AF feedback |
| 07/17/2023 |
JS and AF meet to discuss JS's initial edits, AF provides additional edits and advisement. JS revises proposal review based on meeting |
| 07/19/2023 |
AF sends first round of feedback to Pete Voltz, indicating that revisions have been made to the requirements section to better demonstrate allowing students who have previously completed NYU ECE coursework to waive 3 of the 4 ECE courses for one of the requirements. AF notes concerns re: offering NYU internal students a faster pathway to completion versus external students. There should be a content basis for waiving the 3 course requirements. Is there a way to revise this to allow any student with appropriate background to waive? Once clarification/guidance is received, swift submission to NYSED is expected. |
| 07/25/2023 |
Pete Voltz reached out to AF, confirming Tandon has reviewed OAPRA's edits/suggestions and sends revised NYSED form. Re: AF's feedback, Pete clarifies: the requirements for the PhD degree do not depend on whether the student came from NYU or any other school. They still need the four core ECE courses, one additional ECE course, two non-ECE courses and Three flexible courses (a bit of explanation was added about the course and credit options, as requested). The only difference between students from NYU and other schools is that the Core ECE courses are required to be taken at Tandon cannot be transferred in. The earlier note about students from Tandon seeming to need fewer courses was just referring to the fact that if a student does their masters here, they might have taken those core courses while they were pursuing the masters degree and would not have to repeat them in the remaining time they take to do the PhD. Main question for OAPRA: can Tandon have a policy where certain specific courses MUST be taken here, and not transferred in? Suggests meeting to discuss. |
| 07/25/2023 |
AF responds, indicating that OAPRA has accepted all of the changes and the suggestion to remove the section causing confusion. AF makes the following edits: I have added two places in the narrative section to 1) briefly describe what is acceptable for different course requirements in terms of transfer with a little more detail; and 2) list the dissertation completion requirements--this is general practice for registered requirements at the doctoral level. I have also requested that the PhD Thesis section in the side by side be broken out into two parts, as described in the narrative section. Details are provided in a comment. Pending the discussion points below, this proposal is good to go to NYSED: No Transfer Policy: My take is that the Four Core ECE courses can be treated similarly to a residency requirement, which students transferring in their Master's degree requirements from NYU have already fulfilled--I think it is important to clarify that "cannot be transferred" means that these courses must be taken at Tandon, not that they cannot be transferred in from any other program. UG Coursework (as indicated in previous draft of narrative): I would like to highlight that undergraduate coursework may not be applied toward the completion of doctoral level requirements, only graduate level coursework. If you would like to discuss this issue further we should schedule a meeting (Pete, this might be something we could address via advanced standing, but that would need to be written into the requirements we submit to state) |
| 07/25/2023 |
Pete responds, requesting Yong look over OAPRA edits and make changes as appropriate before sending back to Pete. Upon final review, Pete will send to AF |
| 07/27/2023 |
Yong Liu reaches out to Pete and AF, sending back a revised document based on AF's comments. |
| 07/27/2023 |
AF responds, indicating latest revisions from Tandon are strong, with one line in the implementation section being removed, removing the unnecessary language around "negative impacts" on students. Once Pete approves, proposal is ready for NYSED submission. |
| 07/27/2023 |
Pete replies, confirming receipt and anticipates approving final documents by 07/28 |
| 07/28/2023 |
Pete accepts final change, per AF proposal is now ready for NYSED submission. JS compiles PDF and sends to AF. |
| 08/04/2023 |
AF submits proposal to NYSED |
| 08/04/2023 |
JS informs Tandon of submission to NYSED |
| 08/07/2023 |
NYSED provides feedback, requests NYU submit two sample program schedules, one for a student focused on computer engineering and the other for a student focused on electrical engineering. JS |
| 08/08/2023 |
AF requests JS look over proposal documents to see if OAPRA can generate schedules, if not reach out to Pete Voltz to request creation of schedules. |
| 08/10/2023 |
JS responds to AF, noting that Tandon will need to create sample schedules as submitted documentation to date does not allow for internal creation by OAPRA. AF subsequently reaches out to Tandon: "I am writing because we have received a follow up request from NYSED: 'Thank you for your program change application for the PhD in Electrical Engineering. To move forward with your proposal, please provide two sample program schedules, one for a student focused on computer engineering and the other for a student focused on electrical engineering. The use of a format similar to Table 1 in the application would be appreciated, and be sure to include course numbers and titles.' I have attached the form that you should use to complete this request--Pete is familiar with it. Essentially the purpose is to demonstrate how a student will progress through the program requirements semester by semester, using representative courses (Pete, in this case list an actual potential course not the program requirement) and listing out the non-credited, non-classroom requirements and when they are completed. There is a particular interest in the difference between how a computer engineering focused student would complete the program versus and electrical engineering student, probably from the requested title change. Please provide two of the attached schedules, one for each student type. Let me know if you'd like to get on a call to discuss. " |
| 08/10/2023 |
Pete Voltz responds, confirming receipt and requests Yong Liu draft the required schedules for discussion |
| 08/10/2023 |
Yong Liu sends two sample schedules for OAPRA review |
| 08/14/2023 |
JS completed review of sample student schedules, sends draft to AF. AF responds with feedback to be sent to schools: There is one summer semester included on both schedules, but it is listed as “Summer 2.” Please confirm: should this be Summer 1. The side-by-side lists a total of 21 credits for "Required PhD Thesis Courses," but courses related to dissertation requirements listed in the program schedules appear to exceed that number. Please confirm the correct total. There appears to be a sequence of courses - Machine Learning and Advanced Machine Learning. The “advanced” course is listed in both schedules, but the first course in this sequence is only listed in the Electrical Engineering focus schedule. Please confirm this is accurate. |
| 08/15/2023 |
JS sends feedback to Tandon. |
| 08/15/2023 |
Pete Voltz responds, providing clarification and requests that Yong Liu make final revisions/clarifications. |
| 08/16/2023 |
Yong Liu responds, clarifying/confirming feedback: JS to review and report back to AF |
| 08/16/2023 |
JS reviews, provides feedback/thoughts to AF. AF instructs JS to change naming system of semesters only (i.e. Fall 1 > Y1 Fall, etc.), documents wil then be ready for NYSED submission. JS edits and sends to AF |
| 08/17/2023 |
AF reaches out to Tandon, indicating sample schedules are complete and ready for submission to NYSED |
| 08/17/2023 |
AF submits sample schedules to NYSED and informs Tandon of submission |
| 08/24/2023 |
NYSED responds with feedback on student schedules: · I only see three core ECE courses (i.e., ECE-GY 6303, ECE-GY 7143, and ECE-GY 6233). The program proposal states that there are four core ECE courses that cannot be transferred in. Please confirm what the fourth ECE core course is. · Based on the sample schedules, the electrical engineering students will take RE-GY 9990-EL01 PHD Qualifying Exam and the computer engineering students will take ECE-GY 9980-A Electrical Engineering Area Exam. Please explain the discrepancy. |
| 08/24/2023 |
AF asks JS to review and provide context. JS responds: 1. Per the proposal, the program requires "Four Core ECE courses (6, 7, 8 level courses), selected in consultation with the PhD advisor." Students do take additional ECE courses, the point of the core courses (as opposed to other ECE courses) is that they cannot be transferred in - meaning, the intent is for at least 4 classes to be taken at NYU. For each concentration listed in the schedules, I see at least 4, for example: Electrical Engineering focus: ECE-GY 6233, 6303, 7143, 6023, 6013, 6063, 6183, 6333, and 6813. Computer Engineering focus: ECE-GY 6143, 6303, 6353, 7143, 7363, 6233, 6383, 7353, and 6323. The sample schedule does not denote which of the 4 were chosen w/ the advisor for this theoretical student, but there are indeed 4 courses listed that are ECE level 6-8 courses. 2. The reviewer is stating that the qualifying exam courses have different titles for the different areas of focus. The proposal lists 21 "Required Dissertation Credits, including a "Qualification Exam." A specific course name/number is not listed, which may explain the discrepancy - there may be multiple qualifying exam courses, depending on student focus. |
| 09/25/2023 |
AF reaches out to Tandon w/ NYSED feedback: We have received two additional questions from NYSED on the sample student schedules that we provided. Would you please review these questions and provide responses: In reviewing the two sample schedules, I need some clarification on the following: · I only see three core ECE courses (i.e., ECE-GY 6303, ECE-GY 7143, and ECE-GY 6233). The program proposal states that there are four core ECE courses that cannot be transferred in. Please confirm what the fourth ECE core course is. · Based on the sample schedules, the electrical engineering students will take RE-GY 9990-EL01 PHD Qualifying Exam and the computer engineering students will take ECE-GY 9980-A Electrical Engineering Area Exam. Please explain the discrepancy. |
| 09/25/2023 |
Yong responds to AF/NYSED feedback: NYSED: I only see three core ECE courses (i.e., ECE-GY 6303, ECE-GY 7143, and ECE-GY 6233). The program proposal states that there are four core ECE courses that cannot be transferred in. Please confirm what the fourth ECE core course is. Tandon: all the 6, 7, 8 level ECE-GY courses are considered core courses for PhD students. There are a lot of core courses in both study plans. NYSED: Based on the sample schedules, the electrical engineering students will take RE-GY 9990-EL01 PHD Qualifying Exam and the computer engineering students will take ECE-GY 9980-A Electrical Engineering Area Exam. Please explain the discrepancy. Tandon: All students have to take both EE-GY 9990 and ECE-GY 9980. In EE and CE sample plans, EE-GY 9990 is scheduled for Summer 2 and ECE-GY 9980 is scheduled for Spring 3. There is no discrepancy. Maybe they misread the forms, which I attach again for reference. |
| 09/25/2023 |
Pete Voltz responds: Yong is correct about the second bullet point. Both samples show both EE-GY 9990 and ECE-GY 9980. For the first bullet point, the description of the program indicates that the four core courses are selected in consultation with the advisor. I'm not sure why the NYSED reviewer selected a certain 3 as core courses, and said they could not find a fourth. To make the sample curricula clearer to the NYSED reviewer, maybe we should indicate in each sample program a set of four courses that we indicate are "sample core courses." What do you think? |
| 09/25/2023 |
JS responds to AF: Hi Alex, my analysis of this feedback is basically in line with what Pete and Yong have stated. Regarding the first point, I think the confusion may lie in the fact that “ECE” courses (levels 6-8) an fulfill several requirements in the proposal docs, per the below: Four Core ECE courses (6, 7, 8 level courses), selected in consultation with the PhD advisor. (cannot be transferred) One additional ECE course (can be transferred) Three flexible courses (can be transferred), Courses can be taken from any department/school of NYU (in theory these could also be ECE courses). I think Pete’s suggestion to indicate which ECE are core courses is a good one - this should eliminate any confusion for the reviewer Regarding the second point of feedback, I can confirm (as Pete and Yong mentioned) that EE-GY 9990 and ECE-GY 9980 are present in both sample schedules for the two concentrations. |
| 09/26/2023 |
AF responds to JS, Pete and Yong: I don't think we need to make it that complicated. Below are my planned responses. If you have no further suggestions for clarification/revision I will send as soon as you confirm. · I only see three core ECE courses (i.e., ECE-GY 6303, ECE-GY 7143, and ECE-GY 6233). The program proposal states that there are four core ECE courses that cannot be transferred in. Please confirm what the fourth ECE core course is. NYU Response: All the 6, 7, 8 level ECE-GY courses are considered core courses for PhD students. Four of these core courses, chosen from those available in partnership with the student's advisor, must be taken within the program. This requirement must be completed as prescribed and there is no option to waive this requirement through external transfer. · Based on the sample schedules, the electrical engineering students will take RE-GY 9990-EL01 PHD Qualifying Exam and the computer engineering students will take ECE-GY 9980-A Electrical Engineering Area Exam. Please explain the discrepancy. NYU Response: All students have to take both EE-GY 9990 and ECE-GY 9980. In both the EE and CE sample student schedules EE-GY 9990 is scheduled for Summer 2 and ECE-GY 9980 is scheduled for Spring 3 |
| 09/26/2023 |
Yong and Pete confirm that AF's response to NYSED is sufficient - AF submits responses to NYSED for review |
| 12/06/2023 |
JS reaches out to TW, flagging this proposal: Hi Titilayo, this is something I meant to flag for you during our Academic Authorization meeting on Monday - apologies for missing it. We received feedback from NYSED on a program change for the PhD Electrical Engineering, and NYSED confirmed receiving our feedback on 10/10/2023 - with no word since. As we are now approaching 2 months since then, I believe this may warrant reaching out to NYSED for a status update |
| 12/06/2023 |
TW reaches out to NYSED: Good morning Jessica, I hope you are doing well. I have returned from my maternity leave and have resumed my role as the proposal contact for New York University. I am reaching out to find out the status of NYU's PhD in Electrical Engineering proposal. Please let me know if you require any additional information. |
| 12/06/2023 |
Jessica responds: Hello Titilayo, Welcome back from your leave and congratulations! The Engineering Board is discussing it at their meeting tomorrow. I will be in touch if they have any questions or concerns. |
| 12/27/2023 |
Jessica reaches out to TW: Hello Titilayo, The Engineering Board has gotten back to me, and they have the following questions: Are the flexible courses currently permissible from any department/school of NYU? Please provide a list of the formal courses, including department the course is housed in, course number, course title, and the number of credits. Please explain or provide the policy or procedure used to review and accept flexible courses. In the proposal, the reduction of formal courses is justified based on requirements at other universities. Has the program confirmed that all other program requirements of those universities are equivalent or less than those of NYU? |
| 01/03/2024 |
TW sends NYSED feedback questions to Tandon for response |
| 01/04/2024 |
Yong Liu of Tandon responds to NYSED feedback (see bolded portions for Yong's response): Are the flexible courses currently permissible from any department/school of NYU? Yes, they should be 6000 level or above graduate level courses from any department/school of NYU, and they have to be approved by the student's PhD advisor. Please provide a list of the formal courses, including department the course is housed in, course number, course title, and the number of credits. Formal courses are courses with regular lectures/labs and exams. Independent study credits, such as reading, project or thesis, are not counted as formal courses. Since we allow formal courses from any department of NYU, it is not realistic to provide an exhaustive list. Please explain or provide the policy or procedure used to review and accept flexible courses. Transferred flexible courses have to be approved by the ECE graduate academics committee chair; NYU courses have to be approved by the student's advisor. In the proposal, the reduction of formal courses is justified based on requirements at other universities. Has the program confirmed that all other program requirements of those universities are equivalent or less than those of NYU? The proposal was motivated by the formal course requirements at other universities we studied. I am not sure the meaning of this following sentence, " Has the program confirmed that all other program requirements of those universities are equivalent or less than those of NYU?", does it mean the program requirements other than formal course requirements? Since the program had not been updated since 1995, the board is looking a lot more closely at the requested changes. For my own understanding, what constitutes a "formal course"? See my explanation above. |
| 01/04/2024 |
TW responds to Yong (see bolded portions for TW's response): Are the flexible courses currently permissible from any department/school of NYU? Yes, they should be 6000 level or above graduate level courses from any department/school of NYU, and they have to be approved by the student's PhD advisor. Can you provide a few sentences that describe which courses normally fit under the "6000 level or above graduate level courses"? What do these courses have in common? What makes them satisfy the flexible course requirement aside from them being "6000 level"? It's clear from the proposal that they have to be approved by the PhD advisor but what is not clear is what the PhD advisor is looking for in courses they approve for this level? Please provide a list of the formal courses, including department the course is housed in, course number, course title, and the number of credits. Formal courses are courses with regular lectures/labs and exams. Independent study credits, such as reading, project or thesis, are not counted as formal courses. Since we allow formal courses from any department of NYU, it is not realistic to provide an exhaustive list. I understand you allow formal courses from any department at NYU, however NYSED would like to review our current course offerings for this program. Please create a list of at least of sample courses descriptions of at least Eight Core ECE courses, Four non-ECE courses, and Five flexible courses. For each course, please include the department the course is housed in, course number, course title, and the number of credits. Please explain or provide the policy or procedure used to review and accept flexible courses. Transferred flexible courses have to be approved by the ECE graduate academics committee chair; NYU courses have to be approved by the student's advisor. NYU is required to establish written criteria regarding transfer of credit. The transfer of credit policy and/or procedures should be transparent and provide a clear rationale for why credits are accepted or not accepted. Please provide a few sentences that explain what criteria the ECE graduate academic committee chair uses to evaluate and accept flexible courses. In the proposal, the reduction of formal courses is justified based on requirements at other universities. Has the program confirmed that all other program requirements of those universities are equivalent or less than those of NYU? The proposal was motivated by the formal course requirements at other universities we studied. I am not sure the meaning of this following sentence, " Has the program confirmed that all other program requirements of those universities are equivalent or less than those of NYU?", does it mean the program requirements other than formal course requirements? The reviewer is interested in the analysis that was done to determine why NYU decided to reduce the program requirements. They are looking at the program requirements as a whole, not just on formal course requirements. What impact does reducing the formal course requirements have on the program's design compared to other institutions? How does the advisor and/or overall program requirements ensure students are competitive to other PhD Electrical Engineering programs? |
| 01/17/2024 |
JS writes to TW: Hi Titilayo, Per your request, I am writing to let you know that is has been two weeks since we provided Tandon w/ NYSED's most recent feedback on this proposal (PhD Electrical Engineering), and we have not yet received a response - I am happy to reach out to request a status update, if you'd like. |
| 01/18/2024 |
TW follows up with Pete and Yong re: NYU response to NYSED feedback, Yong responds: "Dear Titilayo, I am preparing a response draft, will share with you all early next week." TW confirms receipt. |
| 02/01/2024 |
JS pings TW on proposal, TW reaches out to Yong requesting a status update on response to NYSED feedback |
| 02/01/2024 |
Yong responds: Dear Titilayo, I shared a google doc link to the response draft with you and Pete Wednesday of last week. Seems like you missed it. Here it is again, please feel free to comment/edit it. |
| 02/01/2024 |
TW responds to Yong with further clarifying questions: Yong, Thanks for sharing this document.I have made notes in the document as well as below: Question 1. What makes a course 6000 level besides this numbering system? Question 2. Can you please describe the difference a little more explicitly aside from the course numbers being different? What else is used to assign a course to each level? What is advanced about the course? What criteria is used to help assign it to a more advanced level than the level below it? For the course descriptions you included, please update the document to include the following: For each course, please include the department the course is housed in, course number, course title, and the number of credits. Question 3 What is being checked to determine whether or not the courses are similar? Course descriptions? Are you collecting syllabi? Do you check the syllabi against NYU's syllabi of the course? Are there credit differences you are looking at? Question 4. The response provided does not respond to the question posed. If you'd like to discuss my feedback, please let me know. |
| 02/01/2024 |
Yong responds to TW, requesting a meeting to further discuss feedback: Dear Titilayo, Thank you for the feedback. It will be good if we can discuss your feedback. What is your availability early next week? |
| 02/05/2024 |
TW responds: Hi Yong, We are available to meet 2-3pm, Thursday or 3-4, Friday. Please let me know if either works for you. |
| 02/05/2024 |
Pete Voltz responds: I can make it for 3-4 Fricay, or 2:30 - 3pm on Thursday. |
| 02/05/2024 |
Yong responds: Neither works for me. I can do Thursday from 3pm to 3:45pm, or Friday from 10am to 11am, or 1pm to 1:45pm. Please let me know if any of the slots works for you. |
| 02/08/2024 |
Per academic authorization meeting, TW to reach out to schedule meeting |
| 02/12/2024 |
TW reaches out to coordinate meeting, suggests Tuesday 02/13 at 4pm or Wednesday 02/14 at 930am for a 30 minute meeting. Yong responds, can do Wednesday time slot - Yong sends Zoom link out to TW and Pete Voltz |
| 02/14/2024 |
TW & CK meet with Yong & Pete to discuss NYSED feedback. Yong and Pete to update feedback response doc and submit to TW. Assigned to CK to review updated feedback responses. |
| 02/15/2024 |
TW sends NYU response to NYSED |
| 02/23/2024 |
Jessica Lamendola (NYSED) confirms receipt |
| 03/05/2024 |
NYSED responds with one additional question: Good Morning Titilayo, The Engineering Board has come back with one more question: Is there an overview or audit process for evaluation the selection of flexible courses taken in other departments/schools at NYU, to assure consistency and conformance with the policies listed in the NYU Tandon Graduate Bulletin? Is there training provided to PhD/dissertation advisors on the Tandon Graduate Bulletin or in the preparation of the PhD study plan? |
| 03/05/2024 |
TW shares feedback with PV & Yong Good afternoon Pete and Yong, The Engineering Board has come back with one more question. The Board is not satisfied with the responses we previously provided. They want to be assured there are mechanisms in place to assure consistency across the program. Are you able to provide a response to the prompt below? Does Tandon have any such policy in place? Is there an overview or audit process for evaluation of the selection of flexible courses taken in other departments/schools at NYU, to assure consistency and conformance with the policies listed in the NYU Tandon Graduate Bulletin? Is there training provided to PhD/dissertation advisors on the Tandon Graduate Bulletin or in the preparation of the PhD study plan? Please let me know if you are able to respond to the follow-up questions or if you would like to set up time to discuss. PV responds: I'm not quite sure how to answer this exactly, but: when a course is requested to be used as an elective, there is an approval process that goes first through the department, and then I have to approve an AMM allowing the course to count as an elective. We can write up details on that. Regarding training, there is no training, as yet, on the graduate bulletin, but that might be something we can initiate if you think that would help satisfy them. We have begun, this semester, sending out reminder emails to faculty about key points to remember from the Bulletin. |
| 03/06/2024 |
TW requests summary of their current practice. PV responds he is waiting to hear back from the department. |
| 03/21/2024 |
Pete Voltz sends draft response to OAPRA: Here is what we suggest in answer to the latest question from NYSED. Please let us know if you have any questions, or think this will not suffice. There is an orientation session run by the ECE Graduate Program Director for all new PhD students and their advisors. The orientation goes over the departmental policies and procedures as discussed in detail in the ECE graduate student Manual, including a discussion of the preparation of the study plan. The policy and practice for the flexible courses will be discussed in that session. The fact that the flexible courses fall within the “formal courses” section is one of the points that will be made, so that thesis and project type courses cannot be counted towards the flexible courses requirement. The Program Director also must approve all transfer credits from outside NYU, and this includes whether a course can be counted towards the flexible courses requirement. In addition, the ECE Graduate program director reviews the student’s entire record before degree conferral can be granted. Regarding the overall Tandon policies, as described in the Tandon Graduate Bulletin, the Vice Dean for Academics gives an orientation for all new faculty once per year. |
| 03/29/2024 |
CK prepares and sends updated draft response to Pete & Yong to review & finalize: Thank you for continuing to work with us to make sure NYSED has what they need for us to get this change proposal across the finish line. Your drafted response unfortunately falls a bit short of what NYSED is seeking. NYSED is seeking explicitly articulated evidence of mechanisms/policies/processes that are in place for assessing eligible “flexible” courses to assure consistency across the program. We've used some of your language to start drafting a response and identifying some specific points you should touch on when completing the response. Please make your edits in this google document: PhD ECE NYSED Feedback Response March 2024. See the comments in the Google doc for guidance. If, after reviewing the drafted language and guidance, you think it would be helpful to talk it through with us, please let us know and we will set up a time for us to meet. |
| 04/02/2024 |
Pete requests meeting to discuss drafted response. CK confirms meeting at 2:30pm on 04/04/2024, sends invite. |
| 04/04/2024 |
CK & TW meet with Pete & Yong to discuss response to NYSED feedback, sends summary email: CK & TW meet with Pete & Yong to discuss response to NYSED feedback, sends summary email: It was good speaking with you this afternoon to drill into NYSED's most recent feedback on the PhD ECE proposal. I think we made good progress. Below is a brief meeting summary and next steps: We reviewed the NYSED feedback question and drafted response language: PhD ECE NYSED Feedback Response March 2024 Titilayo provided guidance on what NYSED is looking for: an articulation of a standard process by which flexible courses are determined/allowed in a PhD student's course of study Pete and Yong shared more details about some of the steps that would be involved in the selection/approval of a flexible course (student & advisor discuss, advisor reviews syllabus) Titilayo suggested it might be helpful to included examples of a syllabus for a course that would be approved by an advisor and one that wouldn't be approved (and include a reason for why the one would be approved and the other not approved) Carina updated the drafted response language to reflect what was discussed in the meeting NEXT STEPS: Pete and Yong to finalize the response language and send to Titilayo and Carina If you feel that you need to chat a bit more about this before finalizing the response, please let us know and we'll find time that works on everyone's calendars. |
| 05/10/2024 |
Pete responds with an update to the drafted doc: Dear Carina and Titilayo, Yong and I had a brief meeting today, and I've added a note to your suggested reply here: PhD ECE NYSED Feedback Response March 2024 We indicate that language describing what flexible courses are, and listing a couple of examples, will be added to the ECE graduate students manual. Please let us know what you think, or if we need further discussion. |
| 05/28/2024 |
CK & TW review and finalize updated drafted response to prepare for submission to NYSED. |
| 05/28/2024 |
TW submits response to Jessica Lamendola at NYSED: Dear Jessica, Please see our response below: When a student requests a course to be used as one of their flexible courses, they must go through an approval process to determine the eligibility of the course, which is as follows: The basic criteria for flexible courses is: · They must be graduate level courses from any school/program at NYU · They must be determined by the student’s PhD advisor to be essential for the student to develop necessary knowledge bases and techniques to complete their dissertation The selection/approval process for flexible courses is: · PhD students meet with their advisors every semester to discuss their upcoming plans for coursework and other dissertation related work. · For any flexible courses, the student or the advisor might suggest a specific course that aligns with the student’s dissertation topic. · The advisor reviews the course syllabus to determine that the course aligns with the student’s dissertation topic and the level of rigor expected for PhD coursework. The advisor may connect with the course instructor, if further information is needed. Regarding training provided to PhD/dissertation advisors: At the school level, Tandon’s Vice Dean for Academics gives an orientation for all new faculty once per year, which includes information on the preparation of PhD study plans. At the program level, the ECE Graduate Program Director holds an orientation session for all new PhD students and their advisors. The orientation goes over the departmental policies and procedures, including a discussion of the preparation of the study plan and the policy/practice for the flexible courses. The following examples illustrate an appropriate approval, and an appropriate disapproval of flexible courses. Example of an appropriate approval of a flexible course. The PhD thesis topic is in the field of Systems and Control in the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department. The student suggests they would like to take the course MATH-GA 2040, Advanced Numerical Analysis: Finite Element Methods, in the Graduate School of Arts and Science: Basic theory of elliptic equations and calculus of variations. Conforming finite elements. Approximation and interpolation by piecewise polynomial functions. Error bounds. Numerical integration. Nonconforming and isoparametric elements. Mixed methods. Problems of parabolic type. This would be an appropriate flexible course, because the course is a graduate course at the Graduate School of Arts and Science, and the topics covered are directly related and useful to the field of Systems and Control. Example of an appropriate disapproval of a requested flexible course. The PhD thesis topic is in the field of Systems and Control in the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department. The student suggests they would like to take the course INTRL-GA 1700, International Relations, in the Graduate School of Arts and Science: This course offers a graduate-level introduction to theories of international politics and to some of the important aspects of international politics. The class explores a variety of debates and findings in the subfield of international relations. Coverage does not include every issue and approach, but it addresses the core problems and perspectives of animating mainstream IR in the United States today. Students can expect to develop a sufficient understanding of the subfield to prepare for further study and specialization while advancing their knowledge of the substantive issues under consideration. This course might very well be useful for the student if they intend to work for an international company after completing the PhD, but this would be an inappropriate flexible course, because the topics would not be directly related to the student’s thesis topic. The student might take the course as one of the non ECE courses, but not within the flexible courses section. Please let us know if you have any additional questions. |
| 05/28/2024 |
Jessical Lamendola (NYSED) confirms receipt of response. |
| 05/29/2024 |
CK notifies Tandon that response was submitted to NYSED. |
| 07/02/2024 |
NYSED approves proposal |