Faq
Some of the following FAQs and Answers are from the www.igert.org website. Others are more specific to the INTELLIGENT DIAGNOSTICS IGERT site.
IGERT? What the heck is IGERT?
It stands for Integrative Graduate Education and Research Traineeship,
and is a program developed by the National Science Foundation to improve
the graduate experience. IGERT provides interdisciplinary graduate
training for students who wish to pursue careers in the sciences,
mathematics, engineering or technology (interdisciplinary being the keyword here). Approximately 20 new IGERT programs are funded each year, and
there are now over 100 IGERT programs at universities across the United
States. Each program is unique in its curricular and research focus.
Students interested in pursuing PhDs in the sciences, mathematics,
engineering or technology can select and apply to IGERT programs that
suit their interests. Students accepted into an IGERT program then begin
a rigorous course of interdisciplinary study (that's the integrative
graduate education and research part) and get $30,000 a year plus tuition
and fees (that's the traineeship part).
Do I need to have a MS degree to be eligible for an IGERT Fellowship?
No, but you do need to be pursuing a PhD. Students with BS degrees who wish to obtain a PhD may hold IGERT Fellowships as a MS / PhD student.
What are the deep goals and ideals of the NSF IGERT program?
The National Science Foundation Introduction to the IGERT Program says:
The IGERT program has been developed to meet the challenges of educating
U.S. Ph.D. scientists, engineers, and educators with the interdisciplinary backgrounds, deep knowledge in chosen disciplines, and technical, professional, and personal skills to become in their own careers the leaders and creative agents for change. The program is intended to catalyze a cultural change in graduate education, forstudents, faculty, and institutions, by establishing innovative new models for graduate education and training in a fertile environment for collaborative research that transcends traditional disciplinary boundaries. It is also intended to facilitate greater diversity in student participation and preparation, and to contribute to the development of a diverse, globally-engaged science and engineering workforce.
See the NSF IGERT Homepage
Why interdisciplinary?
In the last 10 years, there has been a growing realization that the
really big problems in science are not going to be solved within one
discipline. The big complex problems, like those affecting the
environment or advances in information technology, will require expertise
from many areas.
--Jim Teeri, Director, IGERT National Recruitment
Program.
The issues that surround most 'real life' problems and their complex solutions are multifaceted and complex. For example, policy decisions must be informed by science; social values and economics affect whether or not a solution is desirable or feasible. IGERT programs seek to train researchers who will recognize cross-disciplinary issues and communicate with professionals from other disciplines to find creative interdisciplinary solutions for these problems.
What's special about an IGERT education? Why would I want to
be an IGERT student?
IGERT programs focus on problem-centered training, delimited not by the
boundaries of an academic discipline, but by the demands of solving a
problem. The INTELLIGENT DIAGNOSTICS IGERT seeks to identify new approaches to address prevalent sociological problems related to aging civil infrastructure. IGERT programs combine interdisciplinary science with practical
experience, giving their students deep knowledge in their disciplines as
well as a combination of technical, professional and personal skills that
enables them to be leaders and creative agents for change in their
fields. Other benefits include:
- A sizeable stipend ($30,000 per year).
- Support for tuition and fees.
- Funds for research equipment and supplies.
- Research assistanceship and teaching assistanceship opportunities.
- Opportunities for international experience.
- Internships in industry and government.
- Work with similar-minded graduate students from different disciplines on similar research topics.
- Great post-IGERT career and employment options.
What are the employment and career opportunities after IGERT?
A major objective of NSF's IGERT program is to train students in areas where industry, government and academic institutions are experiencing a shortfall. The INTELLIGENT DIAGNOSTICS IGERT seeks to create graduates to prepared for academia to work in areas that will revitalize and save the nation's infrastructure. As an IGERT Fellow you will have an opportunity to sample different aspects and to participate in internships to understand the industry perspective. This makes it easier to decide which career environment is right for you.
How long does it take?
Usually four to five years, but this depends on whether you enter the program with a BS or an MS and on you!
Who are the IGERT students?
To meet just a few IGERT students and see what they're doing, click here.
Who are the IGERT faculty?
To meet just a few of the faculty participating in the INTELLIGENT DIAGNOSTICS IGERT, click
here.
What kind of student should apply to an IGERT program?
Someone who:
- Wants to be an engineering for the future-- more flexible, more collaborative, more adept at linking issues in the life, earth, and social sciences, and more able to solve the global issues that face us today.
- Has demonstrated strong interest and motivation in the areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
- Has completed a bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline.
- Is a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
How do I apply to be an IGERT Trainee, and what is the deadline?
IGERT application process for the Northeastern University INTELLIGENT DIAGNOSTICS IGERT Fellowship Program requires that applicants be accepted into a PhD or MS / PhD program and then be evaluated for an IGERT Fellowship. See our application pages for more information. We begin review of candidates for the Fall 2008 on March 17, 2008. It is best to have all application materials submitted before February 15, 2008 to ensure admission into the relevant PhD program.
What are the requirements to be accepted into the INTELLIGENT DIAGNOSTICS IGERT program?
Criteria that used to select INTELLIGENT DIAGNOSTICS IGERT Fellows includes:
- Academic ability and the potential to successfully complete the Ph.D.
- Evidence of creative thinking and resourcefulness in scholarly work.
- Research activities and interest of the candidate that support the Intelligent Diagnostics IGERT research/education objectives.
- Evidence that the candidate's doctoral research contributions will be enhanced by IGERT Programming, thus we anticipate that Fellows will be in the early years of their doctoral training rather than the later years.
We consider students from any engineering program, physics, mathematics, or computer science.
Can I apply if I am not a U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident?
Sorry, but no. Please apply instead to a traditional graduate educational program by contacting the department most closely allied to your research interests. If you are accepted to a department affiliated with the INTELLIGENT DIAGNOSTICS IGERT program, you may participate in IGERT coursework and activities.
How does the program fit in with home departments and their requirements?
IGERT Fellows will be admitted into a disciplinary program and must meet this program's admissions and PhD exam requirements. Some departments allow for interdisciplinary research focus.
Is IGERT just for Ph.D. students?
Students must be in pursuit of the PhD to be IGERT Fellows. Other students may participate in INTELLIGENT DIAGNOSTICS IGERT activities.
I only want a master's degree. Is that possible?
You can participate in INTELLIGENT DIAGNOSTICS IGERT activities, but you are not eligible to receive a fellowship.
