Dr. Richard Boser, Chair
Welcome to the Department of Technology at Illinois State University, where we are preparing the next generation of technology leaders. I invite you to explore these pages to learn about our programs, faculty, facilities, scholarships and other useful information.
The Department of Technology at Illinois State University is recognized as one of the premier Technology programs in the United States at both the Bachelor’s and Master’s levels. The Department prepares graduates to be management-oriented technology professionals and serves approximately 550 undergraduate majors and 60 graduate students. The curriculum blends extensive laboratory experiences with business and management principles. We offer six undergraduate fields of study and three areas of graduate study. Our newest major, Renewable Energy, officially began in Fall 2008.
High quality teaching is the core mission of the Technology Department. All faculty, including senior professors, regularly teach courses to undergraduate students and make accessibility and assistance to students a priority. Typical class sizes range from 20-30 students and regularly include activity-oriented laboratory experiences.
Facilities and Equipment - Contemporary laboratories and classrooms feature equipment for computer-aided design, rapid prototyping, robotics, desktop publishing, computer networking, and much more. A new robotics and automation laboratory, funded by the Caterpillar Foundation, was opened in spring 2007. The Department maintains its own computer network with a full-time systems manager and the most recent software applications. All classes are taught in advanced technology classrooms with computer projection and Internet access. Because technology is constantly changing and to best prepare for careers in the field of study, it is critically important that students gain experience on state-of-the-art equipment. The generous support of, alumni and industrial partners allows us to maintain top quality facilities and equipment.
Accreditation represents an important external validation of quality for the department and is a tribute to the vision and hard work of the faculty and staff. The undergraduate programs in Technology are reviewed by three accreditation groups (next review date in parenthesis): Association of Technology, Management, and Applied Technology (formerly NAIT) (2011), American Council on Construction Education (2009), and National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (2011).
Student Activities and Organizations - Students are able to choose from almost a dozen different student chapters of professional organizations. Each area of study is associated with one or more organizations that provide important leadership and networking opportunities for our students. Teams of students often travel to conferences or conventions to participate in national competitions and network with industry professionals.
Professional Practice – Opportunities are available for students to earn academic credit while gaining experience in professionally-supervised experiences in business and industry. These work experiences must be career-oriented and may take place at local, regional, national, or even international locations. The availability and growth of professional practice is a direct result of the interest that employers have in students that have some actual job-related experience.
Graduate Study – Graduate study in the Department is focused on project management, technical training and development, and technology teacher education. The combination of research, technical writing, and technical expertise have made the Department’s graduates highly sought after. Graduate certificate programs are also offered in Project Management and Technical Training and Development.
Scholarships and Honors – Through the generous support of alumni, retired faculty, and friends of the department, a number of endowed scholarships are annually awarded to students in each of the Department’s concentration areas. Competitive scholarship awards are typically $1,000 per year, although some are higher. Additionally, there are numerous regional or national scholarships that TEC students have successfully competed for.
The Technology faculty is comprised of approximately 20 individuals who are nationally and internationally recognized for their expertise and professional involvement. Approximately 80% have earned a doctoral degree. Faculty bring considerable industry experience in to their teaching and regularly inject examples and illustrations from business and industry into their classes. To remain current in the rapidly changing world of technology, faculty regularly pursue continuing professional development by participating in workshops and conferences of professional organizations, and by conducting research that is presented at national conferences and published in professional journals.
Employment Opportunities - As in almost all areas of employment, the recent economic downturn has clearly made initial placements more difficult for Technology graduates. However, long term employment projections are still very positive. The Department is well connected with Illinois industry and graduates will be well positioned for the economic expansion cycle that is sure to follow, as Technology graduates are prepared to step into technical management positions related to their area of study. Prior to May 2009 annual follow up studies consistently indicate that 99% of graduates were employed in their discipline within three months of graduation. Although compensation packages vary by area of study, reported starting salaries were very competitive and in 2008 averaged approximately $48,000 per year.
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