Enhancing a Comprehensive Training Program for the Ocean Acoustics Work Force
Abstract
SummaryEducation 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. A three-component education infrastructure plan designed to improve ocean acoustics training at the University of New Hampshire (UNH), in the Northeast region, and the nation to more comprehensively serve the entirety of those requiring training was proposed to the ONR STEM office under solicitation N00014-20-S-F005. The three components are specifically designed to serve: 1) residential university students seeking formal degrees and graduate certificates, 2) non-residential 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 inclusion of technical practitioners in class cohorts. In addition, targeted effortsto assure a diverse and inclusive student population will be a core 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. The supplemental option funds proposed here will enhance the base ocean acoustics STEM program with additional faculty support to add new ocean acoustics-related courses, establish a new Education Partnership Agreement with the Naval Surface Warfare Center Panama City Division, and provide support for UNH-Navy partner/consultant internship participants.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Jun 09, 2021
- Source ID
- N000142112626
Entities
People
- Jennifer Miksis-Olds
Organizations
- Office of Naval Research
- United States Navy
- University System of New Hampshire