Education

Rensselaer's IGERT program takes a revolutionary new approach to Ph.D. student education. Here, you will be trained in a well-balanced, structured but flexible program—a different culture, so to speak—encouraging you to converse, interact, aid, and work with people from other disciplines.

Rensselear's IGERT program takes a revolutionary new approach to Ph.D. student education. Here, you will be trained in a well-balanced, structured but flexible program.

But make no mistake, we have not diminished the primary focus of the traditional Ph.D. education; rather, we have enhanced it by placing research in a broader context. Now, you’ll get the opportunity to conduct research in an interdisciplinary and entrepreneurial environment, acquiring the skills needed to navigate the complexities of the process.

In our IGERT program, graduate education will encompass four interrelated skill sets:

knowledge and learning;
communication;
teamwork and professionalism; and
innovation and entrepreneurship.

The table below summarizes the skills to be acquired by students.

IGERT Interrelated Skills Sets	Skills Acquired by Students
Knowledge and Learning	Disciplinary knowledge, research methodologies, and techniques Interdisciplinary knowledge and experience for improved research results Ability to critically analyze and evaluate information Effective use of the literature through libraries, data bases, archives Capability for continued professional development
Communication	Ability to transmit and understand information Ability to prepare appropriate written documents and oral presentations for a range of audiences Ability to present coherent arguments and clearly articulate ideas
Teamwork and Professionalism	Understanding of group dynamics associated with leadership, membership, and peer-to-peer interactions Ability to listen, give, and receive feedback Ability to set appropriate goals, milestones, and division of labor Appreciation of the impact ethics, backgrounds, and professional conduct have on problem-solving Understanding of the broader implications/context of research relative to technological advancement, and economic/environmental concerns
Innovation and Entrepreneurship	Understanding the commercialization of research Initiative, self reliance, and thoroughness Ability to develop useful ideas Ability to turn an idea into a commercial venture with a realistic business model Training to look to the future Ability to innovate, both radically and incrementally

Education

Rensselaer's IGERT program takes a revolutionary new approach to Ph.D. student education. Here, you will be trained in a well-balanced, structured but flexible program—a different culture, so to speak—encouraging you to converse, interact, aid, and work with people from other disciplines.

IGERT Interrelated Skills Sets

Skills Acquired by Students