AUBURN UNIVERSITY MOVES TO FOREFRONT

OF WIRELESS TECHNOLOGY
Cell phones are just the tip of the iceberg. Wireless information technology is here to stay -- in our homes, cars, hospitals and workplaces.

This fall, Auburn University's Samuel Ginn College of Engineering will launch the nation's first bachelor of wireless engineering degree program to provide students with the tools they need to join the wireless revolution.
The new degree program complements a larger initiative -- called the Information Technology Peak of Excellence -- centered in the Ginn College of Engineering. This effort is designed to capitalize and expand on existing strengths to move Auburn engineering into a leadership position across all segments of information technology -- from gathering, communicating, processing and analyzing information, to using it to make decisions and to take action. The emphasis will be on wireless communication.

The First Wireless Degree in the Nation
"We are thrilled to announce this degree program," says Larry Benefield, dean of the Ginn College of Engineering. "To ensure that the program addresses the full spectrum of industry needs, we worked closely with wireless industry representatives. I feel that we've created a degree that will be exciting and challenging for the students, and produce graduates ready to meet the fast-evolving demands of the workplace."
The new degree program is an interdisciplinary effort that involves faculty and programs in two departments -- Electrical and Computer Engineering and Computer Science and Software Engineering -- and offers three areas of specialization: hardware, software and networks.
It builds on existing broad-based programs in both departments to provide a solid foundation of electrical, computer, and software engineering fundamentals, as well as an introduction to wireless communication theories, devices, circuits, systems, networks, standards, management and applications. Through course options, students will be able to select areas of wireless specialization and will be exposed to cutting-edge research.
"Auburn faculty has been involved in information technology research since the early 1970s," explains Benefield. "Our engineers are on the front line of research in software and hardware for today's Internet and tomorrow's wireless, always-connected world. Our approach is comprehensive and is structured around four research centers."
Founded in 1974, the Alabama Microelectronics Science and Technology Center supports research on device and micro electro mechanical systems technologies. Emphasis at the NSF Center for Advanced Vehicle Electronics is on electronics manufacturing. The Center for Innovations in Mobile, Pervasive, and Agile Computing Technology specializes in software. The newest of the four centers -- the Wireless Engineering and Research and Education Center --supports efforts in the area of applications and systems.

Simaan To Head Wireless Center
This summer, National Academy of Engineering member Marwan Simaan will join the Auburn faculty as the Samuel Ginn Distinguished Professor of electrical and computer engineering and WEREC director. Simaan is currently the Bell of PA/Bell Atlantic Professor of electrical engineering at the University of Pittsburgh, and served as chair of the department from 1991-1998.
"The College of Engineering is excited to be able to attract Dr. Simaan to this leadership position," said Dean Larry Benefield of the appointment. "He comes to us with more than 30 years of academic, administrative and industrial experience. His research interests and competencies perfectly compliment those of the existing faculty."
Simaan called the appointment a tremendous honor and privilege. "I'm excited about the chance to take on such a wonderful new challenge," says Simaan. "Auburn is making a significant effort in the area of wireless technology and I look forward to working with the existing faculty as we build a program that I hope will set the standard for wireless IT programs nationwide."

A True Team Effort
According to Benefield, the college's information technology effort has been accelerated by an unprecedented $25 million gift from Auburn Engineering Alumnus Sam Ginn, who believes that wireless information technology will revolutionize the way we live. Additional support from Auburn University Peak's of Excellence program, as well as the efforts of the college's Wireless Engineering Technical Advisory Board -- comprised of industry representatives -- were also key to advancing the program.
"We believe our comprehensive approach to wireless IT research and education will catapult Auburn into a leadership position," says Benefield. "This fall, the students that enroll in the new degree program will become part of a true team effort that involves the university, the college, our alumni and industry, and is designed to provide students with an unparalleled opportunity for involvement in all aspects of this rapidly growing field."

submitted by Prof. Wayne Johnson