Opportunities for M.S. in Technology/GTD Students

Because of the unique interdisciplinary program of study, which combines technology, social sciences, and international and comparative studies, students in the GTD program are able to choose elective courses and theses or applied project topics from a wide variety of areas, depending on their academic backgrounds and experiences, strengths and interests. For example, a student might choose to specialize in one of the areas of technology featured in the core; or, a student might pursue studies in the social science realm to understand the impact of technology on a particular aspect of society or part of the world. The majority of courses, including all of the technology courses, will be offered at ASU’s Polytechnic campus, with many of them in the evening to accommodate working professionals. However, students will also be able to take elective courses at ASU’s Tempe campus, depending upon their area of interest.

Students have a wide range of possibilities for their area of specialization and their choice of applied project or thesis research topic. Following are titles of applied projects and theses completed by GTD students between 2003 and 2005:

Theses:

• The Re-Enforcement of Traditional Gender Roles in the Technology Sector: A Case Study of Female Engineers in India
• Multilateral Aid Allocation and Patterns of Informational Marginalization in South America
• Turkey’s Investment Attractiveness in the Global Market: An Analysis of Foreign Direct Investment in Turkey
• A Study of Leader Attitudes on the Chobe National Park, Botswana
• The Effects of U.S. Science Parks on Regional Inventiveness

Applied Projects:

• Framework for Development of Contextual Information Storage and Search Mechanism
• Technology Solutions for Consulting Companies in Ecuador

ASU encourages students to apply for research grants and scholarships to support their research and projects and expand their international experience. Global Technology and Development faculty and students have applied for Fulbright scholarships and NSEP (National Security Education Program) grants. In 2005 a GTD student has been awarded a Fulbright to intern and study in Mexico. In 2002 a GTD faculty member was awarded a Fulbright to do research and teach in Turkey. For these and other programs, contact: Dr. Janet Burke, Lorraine W. Frank Office of National Scholarship Advisement, Irish Hall 222, Arizona State University, phone 480-965-5894, email janet.burke@asu.edu

GTD faculty are sometimes engaged in research projects domestically and internationally that involve technology and development, and students are encouraged to become involved in these projects. Faculty at ASU’s Polytechnic campus, for example, have worked on projects integrating technology into elementary education, researching technology and environmental issues, and in other areas, ranging from Maricopa County in Arizona to southern Turkey. Ongoing projects can provide opportunities for graduate research positions or internships.

Short-term study abroad trips are frequently planned for GTD students. For more information, visit the Academic Tours page.

For questions about the GTD concentration, please contact Dr. Gary M. Grossman at gary.grossman@asu.edu, or Dr. Mary Jane C. Parmentier at mj.parmentier@asu.edu.

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