News & Events
New Academic Departments at City Tech to Strengthen Physics, Biological Sciences, Chemical and Entertainment Technology Programs
A major academic reorganization at New York City College of Technology (City Tech) in Downtown Brooklyn has resulted in the establishment of four new academic departments effective September 1, 2006 -- Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Physics and Entertainment Technology.
"In the last few years, City Tech has hired several top-notch faculty members in the sciences who are conducting cutting edge research," said Acting Dean of Arts and Sciences Pamela Brown. "The time is right to form three separate science departments, which will help to develop fields of specialization in research as well as foster the development of new curriculum in these areas of rapid technological advance.”
The creation of an independent Department of Biological Sciences will facilitate research in emerging technologies. Current areas of faculty and student research include optical biosensors, modeling of DNA transcription and gene regulation, neurochemistry and improving cancer drug delivery systems.
"It will also promote the development of curriculum to meet the rapidly changing instructional requirements of the College’s allied health programs in nursing, dental hygiene, restorative dentistry, and radiologic technology and medical imaging," Brown added.
She went on to say that an independent Department of Physics will expand and facilitate advanced research opportunities for both students and members of faculty in areas that include advanced in-space propulsion systems, computer simulations of the expansion of the universe, theoretical nuclear physics, the physics of urban air pollution, and photonics, an important component of telecommunications.
"Physics faculty members are collaborating with colleagues in electrical engineering technology to expand the College's photonics lab," she noted. "Departmental status will better enable the faculty to develop new curriculum to more effectively support other academic programs that rely on instruction in physics." These include architectural technology, computer engineering technology, construction technology, electrical engineering technology, and environmental control technology.?
The new Department of Chemistry will catalyze ongoing research by chemistry faculty members in the development of new pathways for synthesis of biologically important natural products and development of analytical techniques to monitor such maintenance issues in civil engineering as the deterioration of cement. Several new courses are being developed by the faculty, Brown said.
According to David Smith, chair of the new Department of Entertainment Technology, "Upgrading our status from a 'program' to a 'department' will give faculty and students alike representational privileges in College governance and a greater voice in future decision making."
The baccalaureate program in entertainment technology at City Tech is one of the most comprehensive in the country and attracts students from all over the U.S. who are fresh out of high school as well as professionals already at work in the field. In addition to the degree program, the department also offers certificate programs in show control, scenic construction, lighting and sound systems technology.
Among departmental faculty are one of the country’s leading experts in show control systems and an internationally recognized expert in virtual orchestration technology.
The proposal to create the four new departments was made following consultations with the affected faculty members and various College governance bodies, and approved by the CUNY Board of Trustees.
“This reorganization will position City Tech to continue attracting accomplished faculty who will share their considerable expertise with our students in the classrooms and labs and as mentors," said City Tech President Russell K. Hotzler.
08/25/06
