Building a Comprehensive Training Program for Developing and Sustaining the Ocean Acoustics Workforce
Abstract
AbstractEducation in ocean acoustics, a national naval responsibility, is critical at all levels and necessitates programs that create a pipeline of personnel with the specialized acoustics training necessary to meet current and future national workforce needs. Education and training programs serving traditional students through formal university degrees and programs, as well as distance education and professional development opportunities, including certificates, micro-credentials, and digital badges which provide flexibility to non-traditional students, will ensure the workforce remains adequately trained as new research and technology advance. Here we propose a three-component education infrastructure designed to improve ocean acoustics training at the University of NewHampshire (UNH), in the Northeast region, and the nation so as to more comprehensively serve the entirety of those requiring training. The three components are specifically designed to serve: 1) residential university students seeking formal degrees and graduate certificates, 2) nonresidential students seeking formal degrees and graduate certificates, and 3) non-traditional students, in particular naval personnel, seeking professional development opportunities in ocean acoustics. The development of distance education capabilities directly supporting the ocean acoustics curriculum will benefit all of these populations through access to courses and inclusions of technical practitioners in class cohorts. In addition, targeted efforts to assure a diverse and inclusive student population is achieved will be a focus for these programs. Investment in ocean acoustic education is the emphasis of the proposed effort, however, other UNH programs of naval interest in, e.g., mechanical engineering, ocean engineering, ocean mapping, oceanography, and marine robotics, will also be advanced which will impact naval workforce needs.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- May 05, 2021
- Source ID
- N000142112442
Entities
People
- Jennifer Miksis-Olds
Organizations
- Office of Naval Research
- United States Navy
- University System of New Hampshire