Expanding Publication Library Through Integration of Coursework and Independent Studies

Many students in technology programs are required to take "Introduction to Research" courses within their respective programs globally.Within the College of Technology (COT) at Purdue University Northwest (PNW), an emphasis is placed on offering this as a core course in a Master's student plan of study.Furthermore, both graduate and undergraduate students are offered independent study courses in which students are encouraged to work with industry and write a paper highlighting advancements in their respective fields of study.As PNW aims to become a principal metropolitan university, the COT is focused on providing opportunities for students to learn research and for faculty to expand their publication library.When appropriate, faculty members encourage and guide students to engage in research with the industry.These various projects have led to short term benefits for PNW graduates, the industry, and faculty advisors.With greater emphasis on creating publishable research papers or independent projects, this could lead to long term benefits.This paper will exhibit the benefits of offering publishable papers for those that work with industry as final projects in "Introduction to Research" courses as well as independent research courses.These benefits include: 1) Increased employment opportunities through industry collaboration, 2) Better preparedness of graduate students entering the workforce or continuing in academia, 3) Greater student confidence in their future ability in the field, 4) Strengthening career skills such as critical-thinking and problem-solving, and 5) More expandable publication libraries for faculty teaching these courses.This paper will investigate case studies of such papers and demonstrate the benefits gained from them.