TIME magazine's cover article "Is America flunking science?"

Colleges and Universities A-Z Massachusetts Institute of Technology
1

<p>I don't know how popular TIME magazine is with MIT CCers but after reading that article it sounded very true to me.
Has anyone read it? The online version seems to be subscription-based.</p>

<p>As the title suggests, it goes on to say how other countries are catching up on US's science/technology prowess it had for the past many decades, especially research. MIT is mentioned briefly in the article, where people say it's no brainer to go to a investment/consulting firm rather than research after getting their degree even from places like MIT, because the pay and benefits are much better. Many students go to their home country after getting their education here because there it pays more and has more research opportunities, etc. Being a Korean, this sounds quite true, as I already know that many of my non-US-born friends decided already they'll go back to their home countries after getting their degree (be it engineering or other degrees)</p>

<p>Am I just being paranoid?</p>

<p>I really suggest you to read that article, especially MIT CCers.</p>

2

<p>There's a growth curve for technological advancements and it's most definitely not linear.</p>

3

<p>I ran into two '06 friends of mine today, and discovered that one is using her EECS degree to go to law school, and the other is using his EECS bachelor's/MEng degrees to go to a high-powered Chicago investment banking firm. Nothing like the prospect of cold, hard cash. ;)</p>

<p>Me, I'll be heading to graduate school in biology, and will most likely be so low-income next year as to be eligible for governmentally-subsidized housing on my stipend. It's all well and good that the president is promoting scholarships for low-income kids who want to major in science and math, but what about those of us who have already committed to a life in science... and in ramen noodles, apparently?</p>

4

<p>Ha this is kinda unrelated, but i just went to this science bowl in millwaukee and the key note speaker made this big deal about how china and korea and india are gonna be our future overlords because they have all the engineers (this was at the millwaukee school of engineering) and how the usa has a shortage and how the world will end and america will die if we dont all become engineers after graduating for msoe. yeah it was kinda dumb.</p>

5

<p>look in terms of research other universities will have a hard time catching up with the likes of MIT and Stanford or other US universities simply because they dont get the amount of funds these universities get.
Next basically US is not loosing out on science and research...its still top notch for that...the slack is seen in Engineering..in Engg. other countries like china,japan,Germany,korea and India are going strong...and well lets face it Engg's going to business jobs is a commonm trend in most countries..but still there are many people who want to go into research...I mean if an MIT engg wants to go to business there is no reason one should stop him just because he is from MIT. Everyone has their own priority.</p>

6

<p>I'm not sure about China, Japan, Germany, or Korea, but it surely doesn't pay more to become a researcher in India. I would ballpark the average salary to be around the equivalent of $15-20K (standard of living is much lower here!). </p>

<p>Lastly, with respect to the science/technology prowess, I would agree that these countries are catching up. I can't speak for China, Japan, Germany, or Korea, but, from my experience with the Indian and American education systems, I believe the article is only partly correct. Educationally, on the surface the Science and Engineering institutes are extremely advanced. The average curriculum covered in 11th and 12th grades here is equivalent to an advanced first and second semester university syllabus. The stuff they study in university is considerably more difficult, likewise. Thus one would expect advanced research and development. However, I suspect the contrary is occuring.</p>

<p>In India, at least, the syllabi are based off of a now outdated British system. Additionally, the emphasis is on memorization above true learning and understanding. Students blindly memorize tables, reactions, and circuit diagrams--often failing to understand their mechanisms and fundamentals. While I have encountered a number of people who do comprehend the how and the why, the overwhelming majority don't really bother. The problem is compounded by the system's inability to encourage out-of-the-box thinking and inquisitiveness. Creativity, I would say, is the fundamental element lacking in India, at least. The emphasis is on getting the job done (ie. passing the course or solving the problem), rather than learning or discovering. Without creativity and inquisitiveness, research and development are severely shunted. </p>

<p>Anyway, that's what I've observed in completing my twelveth standard in India. While I am satisfied with the advanced curriculum, I have to go through great lengths to truly learn--buying my own lab equipment :), MIT OCW, ordering US textbooks, etc...</p>

<p>It would be interesting to hear some accounts from international students at MIT. Maybe they could contributes some valuable insights, contrasting their educational experiences in their country to those acquired at MIT.</p>

7

<p>ha rote memorization is better than not knowing anything whatsoever! (the situation im in lol)</p>

8

<p>zking you an indian citizen at MIT right..which year?and from where?</p>

<p>contact me via PM</p>

9

<p>No, I'm a US citizen completing my senior year in Bangalore, India. Also, I'm not a current MIT student, I have, however, applied into the domestic pool for the Class of 2010. For more details, see the private message I sent you.</p>

10

<p>It's true.</p>

<p>I'm making plans to work in China after graduation for a few years, before heading back to the States for law school, if that's feasible. Being a pure engineer/scientist doesn't pay well anymore (I'm originally from the Silicon Valley; I've seen it go up and down), unless you go on to become some start up CEO or rise high up in some corporate ladder.</p>

11

<p>I recommend reading "The World is Flat" by Thomas Friedman.</p>

12

<p>^^ Good book!</p>

13

<p>My son is UROP'ing (that looks funny) in a CS lab. He said he's heard people in the lab talking about it and has bought his own copy. He got tired of waiting for his mom, dad and brother to finish and mail it.</p>

14

<p>is your son at MIT over30.</p>

15

<p>Yes. And deliriously happy there. He doesn't have much time to read anything but textbooks but is making an exception for this book based on recommendations from his lab and his mother!</p>

16

<p>in which year is your son right now and when did he start UROP'ing..i wanted to know this: is UROP only for juniors and seniors or is the paid version offered also to frehman and sophomores.</p>

17

<p>He's a sophomore and started his UROP this year, but you can start as a freshman. He felt he needed to get used to MIT (and the heavy workload) before he added on research. You can go here and learn all about UROP's. <a href="http://web.mit.edu/urop/%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://web.mit.edu/urop/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>Also, this is one of the MIT blogs that focuses on UROP's. <a href="http://melis.mitblogs.com/%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://melis.mitblogs.com/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

18

<p>.....Which brings me to a question I've been meaning to ask. What sort of background knowledge do you need before you can create a UROP? Assuming you have a keen interest in the area, but not much formal education within the field, can you create a UROP as a freshman? What type of prerequisites do professors require before hiring you? What level of education is necessary?</p>

19

<p>thanks for your reply
and zking thats exactly why i was asking this because see in other lab engineerings there are many jobs to do which are not that technical and you can just overview what the profss are doing but in comp sc. usually there are no such things to be done and you'd have to participate in the research so that's why i was specifically interested in over30's son's UROP</p>

20

<p>It really depends on the professor -- some labs like to hire UROPs who have taken a particular lab class already (ie sophmores/juniors), but many labs are happy to train UROPs who don't have any background.</p>

<p>Some departments participate in the "pre-UROP" program, where freshmen shadow experienced UROPs over IAP of their freshman year (and presumably gain enough experience to be hired for the spring term).</p>

<p>I know several people who started UROPs as freshmen.</p>