Presented to the M膩noa Faculty Senate by the Committee on Academic Policy and Planning (CAPP) for a vote of the full Senate on March 13, 2019, a resolution supporting the proposal for an undergraduate certificate in earth and planetary exploration technology.听 Approved by the M膩noa Faculty Senate with 42 votes in favor of support; 6 votes against; and 2 abstentions.
RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE PROPOSAL FOR AN UNDERGRADUATE CERTIFICATE
IN EARTH AND PLANETARY EXPLORATION TECHNOLOGY
WHEREAS, the global space industry is currently worth $335 billion and growing; and
WHEREAS, a general issue in space mission development projects is that engineers do not understand the fundamental science that underpins space missions, while scientists do not understand the technological constraints under which engineers must work to design a successful mission; and
WHEREAS, an undergraduate certificate program in Earth and Planetary Exploration Technology (EPET) will seek to close this gap by providing a coherent body of classes through which students majoring in the physical sciences and engineering disciplines can obtain a formal qualification in the science and technology that underpins the human exploration of the solar system via orbiting spacecraft, planetary landers, and planetary rovers; and
WHEREAS, this proposal supports the goal of the Hawai驶i Innovation Initiative to create more high-quality jobs and diversify Hawai驶i鈥檚 economy; and
WHEREAS, the faculty proposing this certificate have raised over $100 million in extramural funds to support their research in planetary science, primarily from NASA and the Department of Defense, have collectively served on 25 NASA instrument/mission science teams, regularly serve on NASA panels, and are at the forefront of research on planetary exploration; and
WHEREAS, this certificate will utilize only existing and approved resources present at the University of Hawai驶i at M膩noa; and
WHEREAS, there is demonstrated interest in this certificate from 麻豆传媒M膩noa undergraduate students and anticipated interest from professionals working in the community who wish to upgrade their knowledge and skills, desire a certificate only, and will not enroll in a degree program; and
WHEREAS, the proposed certificate will provide enhanced training not currently provided in the University of Hawai驶i System; therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED, that the M膩noa Faculty Senate recommends approval of the proposal to establish an undergraduate certificate in Earth and Planetary Exploration Technology at the University of Hawai驶i at M膩noa.
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