Beginning this fall, the College of Engineering and Technology will offer a new doctoral degree in modeling and simulation and a master's degree in materials science and engineering. The doctoral program - the first Ph.D.-level program of its kind in the world - will give students the opportunity to gain hands-on experience at the university's Virginia Modeling, Analysis and Simulation Center in Suffolk, one of the College of Engineering and Technology's enterprise centers.

"This program was developed in response to the explosion of simulation technology and the immediate need to prepare simulation practitioners and researchers in state-of-the-art modeling and simulation paradigms and practice," said William Swart, dean of the college.

In the fall 1998 semester, Old Dominion began offering master of science and master of engineering degrees in modeling and simulation. The master's in modeling and simulation is one of only three such programs in the United States.

Both the Ph.D. and master's programs in modeling and simulation are designed to train new researchers in modeling and simulation as well as offer expertise to those already working in fields such as oceanography and business.

Completion of the 48-credit-hour modeling and simulation doctoral program will require three years of study beyond the master's degree.

The materials science and engineering degree is a 30-credit-hour program that offers courses in mechanical engineering, electrical and computer engineering, chemistry and physics.

"Materials science and engineering is an important area for a large number of industries involved in the microelectronics, optoelectronics, plastics, compositions and ceramics fields," said Swart.

Many regional firms, from small industries to Fortune 500 companies, as well as government laboratories, provide an excellent opportunity for high-technology jobs and research funds in the area of materials science and engineering, added Swart.

Students enrolled in the materials science and engineering program will have the opportunity to gain hands-on research experience at laboratories such as the Applied Research Center at the Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility and the NASA Langley Research Center, as well as at companies such as Motorola and IBM.

More than 14 faculty have extensive teaching and research experience in the area of materials science and engineering.