<p>“The good senator” was referring to what UA will have for its science students once all four phases of the SEC are completed. Its only half done.</p>
<p>^^^</p>
<p>I realize that, but the 3rd phase will be complete (2011??) at a time when many current and future engineers will be able to use it. So, at that point, how good will the facilities be?</p>
<p>If the order of phases was done correctly, then the last phase wouldn’t necessarily be adding the most important aspects, it seems like it should be perhaps adding more classrooms, offices, and maybe improving on existing labs in buildings that will be destroyed. The way Phase IV appears, it looks like it’s incorporating part of an existing building.</p>
<p>Mom, I was responding to “Osdad”, who seemed dubious about the coming impact of the SEC.</p>
<p>^^^</p>
<p>Oh yeah…</p>
<p>But, I still would like to see a listing of what each phase contains and how that “measures up” to what other oublic (or private) engineering schools have (such as Purdue, Auburn, Mich, Iowa St, Cal Polys, Penn St, VT, etc)</p>
<p>Also, when will Phase III be complete? I heard 2011, but I don’t know if that’s the latest.</p>
<p>I read that it will be ready for classes in early 2012. </p>
<p>I have assumed that the final two phases would be mostly devoted to Engineering, since the majority of the first two phases have gone to Chemistry, and Biology, Chemical Engineering, and Computer Engineering. The planned demolition of the huge but old engineering building south of the Ferguson Center will also necessitate another huge engineering building to take its place, so I imagine that the final two phases will be its replacement.</p>
<p>I think that “soon to be demolished” building will only be partially demolished because there’s something in it that is difficult to move and is still needed. So, I think the 4th phase will be built around it (whatever it is…LOL).</p>
<p>BTW…it’s north of the Ferg…LOL</p>
<p>I still would like Bama to give some specifics of what the buildings contain (or will contain) in comparison to what other schools have, so people will know the quality of the facilities.</p>
<p>why did I say South? I meant North lol. thx for correcting! I agree that UA needs to do a better job of telling its story, especially in relation to these new buildings. This is such a dramatic increase in physical space and quality for the sciences at UA. Hopefully, Chuck Karr in Engineering will begin to tell that story. He is actually acompanying Nick Saban on his Caravan around the state to increase awareness among UA alumni and supporters about UA academics. I think they have him joining Saban at these talks cause he looks and sounds like a very smart, but folsky jock. He will be in Atlanta in early May at an alumni meeting. Ill try to go and ask him.</p>
<p>*This is such a dramatic increase in physical space and quality for the sciences at UA. *</p>
<p>Exactly! Yet, Bama just mentions the space without referencing what’s in these buildings and how that compares to what other good engineering schools have. And, just mentioning the square footage doesn’t mean anything to people because we don’t have a frame of reference to know whether that’s a normal amount or a really large amount.</p>
<p>Just curious… does anyone know if the renovations/upgrades include a wind tunnel? Both UVa & VT have wind tunnels, Maryland has a tank (so awesome!). How can they have aerospace without an effective wind tunnel? We also need to find out what aero research they are working on. UVa is working on the scramjet, VT the Mars Rover, and both universities have a joint program with Rolls Royce.</p>
<p>Naval Academy isn’t an option for S. He has a metal bar in his chest that won’t come out for two more years. This also takes Embry Riddle off the list.</p>
<p>We are well aware that UVa & VT won’t be sending $$ our way. We are in the donut hole. S will get a few small scholarships specific to EC’s, but we don’t expect anything from the schools here in VA. They simply don’t have to. We are prepared to pay in state tuition. He can go oos IF he receives scholarship funds from that school to bring the cost to the VA state tuition. That makes Alabama a viable option. Depending on the timing of his internship we will try to plan a trip this summer.</p>
<p>I would suggest contacting the College of Engineering directly about your question. Perhaps you could even speak with Chuck Karr, the College Dean, or his Assistant. If your child is a potential student at UA, you have every right to learn more about the coming improvements to UA engineering via the new buildings. Just give them a call, and say you wish to speak with someone in the college who can give you some details.</p>
<p>I think if engineering hears from several families requesting such info, they’ll get the big hint that they haven’t provided enough info on their website.</p>
<p>I think the right person to contact is…
<a href=“mailto:kwhitaker@eng.ua.edu”>kwhitaker@eng.ua.edu</a> Dr. Kevin Whitaker, associate dean for academic programs in the College of Engineering</p>
<p>If he’s not the right person, he could probably tell you who is. </p>
<p>I would ask…</p>
<p>What does each phase of the Complex contain?</p>
<p>What do the older engineering buildings contain? </p>
<p>How do Bama’s Eng’g facilities compare to what other fine engineering programs have (perhaps name some colleges)? </p>
<p>Why isn’t there more specific info on the website?</p>
<p>I’ll bite… 
If I can get in touch with someone next week I’ll let you know what I find out. I was on another AL schools website about 5min and found what type of facilities their aerospace had and their 5 main research projects. Very easy to find. I did a copy and paste to my son and sent in an email for him to follow up. Now he’s interested in looking there. That’s what happens when you let people know what you are doing.</p>
<p>Engineers want to get their hands dirty, they want to get busy and do something. If we can’t readily tell from your website what you are studying and the facilities you are doing it in… one wonders what the heck you are doing? I’m sure it’s something pretty interesting, but WE don’t know and my son is spending this weekend on the other schools site.</p>
<p>I’ll make the call.</p>
<p>Peace.</p>
<p>^^^</p>
<p>I wonder if you might get better detailed info if you email them. On the phone a person might just speak in general terms.</p>
<p>Engineers what to get their hands dirty, they want to get busy and do something. If we can’t readily tell from your website what you are studying and the facilities you are doing it in… one wonders what the heck you are doing? I’m sure it’s something pretty interesting, but WE don’t know and my son is spending this weekend on the other schools site [finding out what those engineering schools specifically have].</p>
<p>Ha ha! put that in the email!!!</p>
<p>^ Something to think about M2CK.<br>
I’m not looking for a ‘gotcha’ at all. I sincerely want to hear about the wonderful plans they have and what they are working on. That is something that is really important to my son. What he gets his hands on while he’s there is going to make the difference. What can he learn that’s not in a text book and the facilities they have to support that research.</p>
<p>LOL…</p>
<p>I wasn’t meaning to imply a gotcha either…just letting them know that on other college’s engineering websites, such detailed info is available. Perhaps including a few links would let them see what you mean. :)</p>
<p>I think it is great that you are challenging them to show what they have for your son!</p>
<p>^ while you’re in there - keep in mind that the same lack of info is apparent in the Computer Science major within engineering. UA’s Comp Sci. website is very weak as far as real information, facilities etc. We still have not determined exactly how it fits into the new building(s), hardware/software used etc., major focus areas etc. Almost seems like it was put into Engineering as an afterthought.</p>
<p>There’s something ironic about the Comp Sci department and a weak website.</p>
<p>^^^</p>
<p>Yes. </p>
<p>And that’s why I’m always surprised when I visit the websites of some schools with top programs and their websites are ugly, boring, and also don’t give much info.</p>
<p>It’s like those that are in charge haven’t noticed the irony!</p>
<p>For those who’d like to make the right person know of this…</p>
<p>David Cordes, PhD
<a href=“mailto:cordes@cs.ua.edu”>cordes@cs.ua.edu</a>
Professor and Department Head, Department of Computer Science
Director, Freshman Engineering Program
The University of Alabama
Tuscaloosa, AL 35487-0290
205-348-6363</p>
<p>^ I know - it’s not that it’s poorly designed at all, but it’s dry - very dry. Many (many!) of the other Comp Sci. websites we’ve looked at over the past year are compelling/engaging. Doesn’t need to be flashy at all but you need to be able for the prospectives to see “hey! look at all the cool real-life stuff you can be doing.”</p>
<p>It made DSs college search more complicated than it needed to be. The colleges on his final decision list all looked (from the web) like they had more fascinating programs or that the university put more emphasis on the departments. When we visited they all came across as quite similar. I know that many Engineers and Comp. Sci people are multi-talented artistically, musically etc. The creativity is there, just need to see it.
Maybe that can be a project for DS once he gets his feet wet at UA.</p>
<p>The departmental presentation at U Days was much better - did not consider attending for Comp. Sci. until then.</p>