Tag: geophysics

Michigan Tech’s GMES Department Receives State-of-the-Art Software from PE Limited

MOVE, a geologic modeling software, provides a full digital environment for best-practice structural modeling to reduce risk and uncertainty in geological models.

Michigan Technological University’s Department of Geological and Mining Engineering and Sciences (GMES) has received a generous donation from PE Limited, a global leader in petroleum engineering software. The $2,764,444.11 contribution consists of ten licenses for the state-of-the-art MOVE suite. This innovative software will be critical in advancing education and academic research by enabling cutting-edge structural modeling and minimizing risk in geological models.

GMES will install the MOVE software in a computer lab and integrate it into the curriculum, transforming structural geology education for undergraduate and graduate students. Courses like GE3050 Structural Geology, a requirement for GMES undergraduates, and graduate-level classes will leverage this powerful tool to enhance learning outcomes. Furthermore, MOVE will play a vital role in academic, non-commercial research on tectonics and structural geology, including mapping Michigan’s iconic Keweenaw Fault and other complex systems in the Upper Peninsula.

Dr. Aleksey Smirnov, Chair of the GMES Department, believes in the donation’s transformative impact. “This generous donation from PE Limited is a game-changer for our department,” said Dr. Aleksey Smirnov. It empowers our students and researchers to work with industry-leading tools, elevating their education and research to the next level.”

Since its founding in 1990, PE Limited has been developing software solutions for the oil and gas industry. PE Limited supports accredited universities offering advanced geology and petroleum engineering programs through its educational licensing program, fostering the next generation of industry innovators.

Learn more about the MOVE suite and its role in shaping geologic modeling excellence.

Recognizing Excellence: A Tribute to Fall 2024 GMES Outstanding Awardees

Sananda Ray received the Outstanding Graduate Teaching Award, recognizing her teaching performance for Computational Geosciences (GE3250) in the spring 2024 semester. Sananda is a Ph.D. candidate in geophysics with plans to graduate next year under the guidance of her advisor, Radwin Askari. She joined us in the summer of 2021 from Cooch Behar, India. She shares some of her insights on MTU in this Q&A. View her publications at this link.

Jhuleyssy Liesseth Sánchez Aguilar has been awarded the Dean’s Award for Outstanding Scholarship, which recognizes her exceptional academic performance. Jhuleyssy expects to complete her MS in geological engineering this month, December 2024, under the guidance of her advisor, Snehamoy Chatterjee. She is firmly committed to inspiring the next generation of geologists and engineers. She joined us in the spring of 2023 from Cajamarca, Peru, as part of the Fulbright Perú and Newmont ALAC programs.

Sananda and Jhuleyssy pose for a photo in celebration of their accomplishments.

The GMES Department is honored to recognize such outstanding students! A certificate of recognition for these awards will be presented at the Graduate Research Colloquium Banquet held this spring. While these awards are not monetary, the recipients should feel honored by the recognition of their accomplishments. Way to rock, ladies!

Sananda Ray is pictured presenting her research poster at the American Geophysical Union (AGU) Fall Meeting in 2023.
Jhuleyssy Liesseth Sánchez Aguily defended her geological engineering master’s research on December 2nd, 2024.

Small but Mighty: GMES Department at Michigan Tech Earns AGU Bridge Program Recertification

The Michigan Technological University campus before sunset on a summer evening, as seen from the vantage point of Mont Ripley’s front yard with purple lupins in the foreground.
MTU campus before sunset on a summer evening, as seen from Mont Ripley’s front yard.

We are thrilled to announce that the Department of Geological and Mining Engineering and Sciences (GMES) at Michigan Technological University has been awarded recertification in the prestigious American Geophysical Union (AGU) and Inclusive Graduate Education Network’s (IGEN) Bridge Program. This recognition underscores our commitment to fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive community in the Earth and space sciences.

The AGU Bridge Program plays a crucial role in broadening participation in geosciences by supporting underrepresented students as they pursue graduate studies. Through this partnership, our department continues to create an environment where all students can thrive, innovate, and contribute meaningfully to the field.

What does recertification mean? Recertification is a testament to the strength of our program and the dedication of our faculty, staff, and students. Acceptance decisions were based on a rigorous external review, annual reports, and evaluations by Bridge Program staff. These assessments highlighted the strengths of our application and offered valuable feedback to guide us in planning for the next five years.

Our renewed partnership extends through December 31, 2029. Along with the recertification, we’ve committed to:
– Mentorship Training—Faculty involved in the Bridge Program will undergo mentorship training to ensure we continue providing our students with the highest level of support.
– Student Support Through Graduation—We pledge to support all current and future students admitted through the Bridge Program, even beyond the duration of our partnership.

These new requirements align with the Bridge Program’s evolving practices and reinforce the shared mission to empower underrepresented students in geosciences.

This recertification is a significant milestone for a small department within a large engineering school. It reflects our ability to maintain high standards and our passion for cultivating an inclusive and supportive academic community. We are proud to stand alongside other Bridge Program institutions in advancing diversity and equity in the geosciences.

This achievement would not have been possible without the hard work and dedication of the GMES faculty and staff, as well as the incredible students who make our department so vibrant and inspiring. Together, we are shaping the future of Earth and space sciences! Are you ready? Apply now.

GMES Alumni Spotlight with Walter Rathbun, BS Geological Engineering ’08

GMES Alumni Spotlight Q&A: 

Walter Rathbun, B.S. Geological Engineering 2008
Hometown: Grand Rapids, Michigan
Dad to Paxton (10) and Twyla (6)

Walt and his kids are sitting on rocks in the sand.
Walt and his kids are camping on the west coast of Vancouver Island in 2022.

Walt Rathbun, P.Eng. (BC), graduated from Michigan Technological University in 2008 with a B.S. degree in geological engineering, following a family legacy of connection to Michigan Tech. His career has spanned internships at Cleveland Cliffs and Rio Tinto, roles in mining consulting focused on large-scale earth structures, and his current work in land development with Lewkowich Engineering Associates on Vancouver Island. MTU’s rigorous, hands-on education prepared him for industry challenges, particularly seismic engineering and geotechnical assessments. Walt fondly recalls the vibrant campus community and the invigorating walks through snowy Houghton, where he dreamed of his future. Of all his accomplishments, being a dad to Paxton and Twyla is likely the one he cherishes most.

Q: Why did you choose MTU?

A: My parents met at MTU, and Houghton was always a special place for my family growing up. When deciding on a university, MTU felt most like home, and my brother and sister felt the same.

Q: What has your career path been like since you graduated?

A: My career started with internships with Cleveland Cliffs Michigan Operations and Rio Tinto’s Bingham Canyon in Salt Lake City.  I followed that up with a job working for a boutique mining consulting firm working on the design and operational support for pit walls, waste dumps, and tailings storage facilities in Northern Alberta and Northeastern BC, where I had the privilege of working with some of the brightest engineers and geoscientists in western Canada.  I worked on the design of Canada’s 3rd largest earthen dam (at that time) for Shell Canada Energy, with the firm after my departure eventually being bought out by Stantec.  From mining, I transitioned to working in land development on Vancouver Island.  I work for Lewkowich Engineering Associates, based in Nanaimo, BC, on Vancouver Island.  I work on assessments to prepare land for new homes, roads, bridges, subdivisions, and small dams.  That usually involves some combination of slope stability assessments, liquefaction assessments, retaining wall design, and ocean flooding assessments.

Walt stands at Tilden Mine wearing a hardhat and seismic equipment, with a rugged landscape in the background.
Walt at Tilden Mine, circa 2007.

Q: How did your time at MTU prepare you for your industry/career?

A: MTU is a genuinely unique engineering institution, finely tuned to all types of learning and personal growth, in relative isolation, next to moody Lake Superior in one of the most remote areas of the lower 48.  The learnings most applicable to the industry were my field geology and field geophysics courses.  All the academics and theory you can flex with mean nothing if you don’t know how to apply it. More importantly, you should be able to communicate your findings clearly and concisely when left to your own devices (or a Brunton compass). You have to be a little crazy, but the good kind of crazy, to want to go to MTU. MTU’s close ties to North America’s mining and cultural history partially led to my hiring at the mining consulting firm— the person who hired me told me he had admired fellow MTU alums at a past job.  I continue to be amazed in my career, once you graduate, you will find, even across the continent, MTU’s reputation precedes itself.  And if they haven’t heard of MTU, I can only assume it sounds like MIT to some.  

Q: What’s it like to return to the campus now? Have you noticed any changes?

A: My parents are now retired, live in Houghton, and are active in the community.  They keep me updated on changes for the most part, but I’m still surprised every time I’m back by how many changes there are.  The hockey team has seen a lot of success from where the team was during my time as a student, which is exciting to see.  I’m also a big fan of the rock garden outside Dillman. I miss the EERC tree only a little bit, but I also love the new Husky statue.

Q: What is the most impactful memory of your time here?

A: It’s hard to pick just one.  What I cherish the most are my memories of walking home from campus, biting cold air and fresh snow crunching under my feet, my mind exhausted and stressed about an exam/project but churning with new learnings after late nights in the computer lab.  MTU is a place where I felt most alive with the possibilities of just what my education meant and where it might lead me, which was where my mind was often on those cold walks.  What resulted when I left was beyond my wildest imaginings.  

Walt stands in the back row of a group photo featuring the shovel dipper interns at Kennecott Utah Copper, surrounded by his colleagues and set against an industrial backdrop.
Walt is in the back row in the shovel dipper interns’ picture at Kennecott Utah Copper, where he interned in the summer of 2008.

Q: What is your favorite activity when you return to campus?

A: In the summer months, soaking up whatever beach time I can get.  The Great Lakes are second to none on this planet and should be cherished.

Q: What advice would you give someone just starting at Tech as a Husky?

A: Turn your life into an experiment.  You’ll be surprised what you can do when you challenge yourself and dare to dream big!

Q: What role did the community or extracurricular activities play in your overall experience?

A: I was active in the geology club, water polo club, and Nordic skiing at MTU. The strong sense of community is part of what makes MTU so unique, and as a student, the intensity of MTU’s rigorous academics is best balanced with as much fun and active play as you can reasonably cram into your free time.  

Q: Looking back, what opportunities do you wish you had taken advantage of here?

A: I Nordic-skied extensively on the tech trails during my last two years at MTU, but I wish I had taken more time to enjoy those facilities throughout my time there. We have reasonably wet, heavy snow in the Pacific Northwest. I miss both the perfect snow conditions and the world-class trails at Tech.

Walt is standing outdoors, focused as he downloads data from a small device attached to his headlamp, illuminated by soft light in the background.
Walt is downloading data from an underground drainage gallery with vertically drilled pressure sensors attached to data loggers at Kennecott Utah Copper.

Q: What networking opportunities did you take advantage of as a student?

A: I always attended the career fair, even just to practice with a mock interview. I also had the opportunity to fly to the SEG conference in New Orleans one year and the SME conference in Salt Lake City. At the SME conference, an employee of the eventual firm I worked for in Vancouver pointed out that the Denver office manager was an MTU Alum.

Q: What is your current position’s unexpected benefit/skill set? What did you not realize at first was a part of what you do?

A: My seismic design skillset.  My first introduction to seismic engineering was more straight to the source, I think, compared to most engineers, with Plate Tectonics and Global Geophysics with Dr. Diehl, rock mechanics with Dr. Gregg, and Dr. Waite’s Volcano Seismology courses serving as my introductions to stress/strain tensors. However, I first learned some of the methods we now use when working on the surface in mining in Northern Alberta and Northeast BC.  One doesn’t think of these areas traditionally as seismically active, but when dealing with earth structures of that size and the potential life-safety/environmental consequences of a failure, a tiny burp of an earthquake (or even no earthquake at all, as seen with recent tailings dam disasters) can have disastrous consequences.  It is paramount to understand the stress regime and how realistically that could change on a given site when subjected to strain, whether soil or rock.  

Q: Did you have on-campus employment while a student? If yes, what did you do?

A: I was all over the place.  I worked for a bit at the campus cafe in Wads.  I also worked in the paleomagnetism lab, baking cores and making magnetic hysteresis plots for Dr. Jimmy Diehl and, for a short time, taking much smaller rock fragments for testing with Dr. Aleksey Smirnov.   I was also active as a lifeguard, teaching swim lessons and volunteering to referee intramural water polo.

Q: Any other comments?A: Lets go, yous Huskies! (Imagine the Yooper accent!)

Walt and his kids are camping on the west coast of Vancouver Island in 2022, gathered around their campsite with a scenic coastal backdrop of trees and ocean.
Walt and his kids are camping on the west coast of Vancouver Island in 2022.

Ask and Answer with GMES Student Sananda Ray, Ph.D. Geophysics, 2025

GMES Student Spotlight Q&A:
Sananda Ray, Ph.D. Geophysics, 2025
Home City: Cooch Behar, INDIA
Advisor: Dr. Radwin Askari

Sananda’s publications.

Sananda Ray is pictured with Volcán de Fuego, Guatemala, in the summer of 2022 when she had an opportunity to join the field group led by Dr. Greg Waite and geology Ph.D. candidate Gustavo Bejar Lopez.

Get to know our students. Sananda Ray is a Graduate Research Assistant. She loves photography (she took the image of the Northern Lights!), traveling, family, friends, and volcanoes, to name a few. Her favorite class so far at MTU has been Volcanic Seismology with Dr. Greg Waite. Sananda says the best place to eat off-campus is the Ambassador. She has excellent taste in pizza and graduate programs!

Q: Why did you choose to attend MTU?

A: When looking for PhD positions, the program and the project aligned with my research goals. 

Q: Do you have a favorite class or professor so far?

A: Dr. Greg Waite and Volcanic Seismology.

Q. What is your research about?

A: My research focuses on experimental geophysics. I generate and analyze long-period events—commonly observed in volcanoes—using a controlled laboratory setup to bridge the gap between theoretical models and real-world geological observations.

Q: What is your favorite off-campus place to eat? 

A: The Ambassador in downtown Houghton.

Sananda Ray is pictured presenting her research poster at the American Geophysical Union (AGU) Fall Meeting in 2023.
Sananda photographed the Northern Lights over the Portage Canal.

GMES Student Spotlight Q&A: Konraad VanDyke, B.S. Geology ’25

GMES Student Spotlight Q&A: Konraad VanDyke, B.S. Geology 2025
Hometown: Kalamazoo, Michigan

Konraad VanDyke, a Geology major from Kalamazoo, chose Michigan Tech for its unique geology. He enjoys Petrology with Professor Chad Deering and is active in campus groups like the Undergraduate Student Government and Geology Club. Outside class, he explores local history and hikes and embraces winter through snowshoeing and skiing. Keep reading to learn more about Konraad’s reflections on being a current student.

Konraad standing in an old shovel bucket from a coal mine in Germany. The bucket currently sits at the Cliff shafts.

Q: Why did you choose to attend MTU?

A: The geology of the surrounding area.

Q: Do you have a favorite class or professor so far?

A: Professor Chad Deering with Petrology

Q: Are you in any clubs or groups on campus?

A: USG (Undergraduate Student Government), AIPG, SME, Geology Club

Q: What advice would you give to a future Husky?

A: Pay attention in class and chase what you enjoy endlessly. 

Q: What about MTU would you change, if possible?

A: Lately, I have liked better winters with more snow and colder temps.

Q: What local activities do you enjoy outside of MTU?

A: Hiking, exploring, and meeting the locals and old timers who saw the area when some old mines were in operation. 

Q: What is your favorite on-campus place to eat? Off-campus? 

A: Either the Hut in Calumet or Hilltop in L’anse

Q: How do you survive winter?

A: By embracing and enjoying it by hiking, snowshoeing, and skiing. 

Q: Have your post-graduation plans changed since coming to MTU? If so, how and why?

A: They have not changed but focused more on mineral exploration.

A thin section highlights pyroxene (black in the middle) within basalt.


GMES Student Spotlight Q&A: Aimee Zimmerman, PhD Geophysics 2027

GMES Student Spotlight Q&A: Aimee Zimmerman, MS Geophysics 2024, PhD Geophysics 2027
Hometown:
Mill Hall, Pennsylvania

After finding a strong sense of belonging, Aimee Zimmerman relocated to Michigan Tech to pursue her Master of Science in Geophysics in 2022. Two years later, her passion for her research led her to continue her academic journey, and she is now working toward a Ph.D. with graduate student advising from Dr. Greg Waite. Aimee wants to know how an earthquake stresses a volcanic eruption. She monitors volcanic activity worldwide using thermal satellite imaging to determine if earthquakes and seismic activity can tell us something about volcanoes. She offers her perspectives on MTU below. 

Popocatépetl is one of the volcanoes Aimee is studying.

Q: Why did you choose to attend MTU?

A: I visited in the spring of 2022, and it immediately felt like home. The community was so welcoming and generous. I attended MTU for my Masters degree and was allowed to continue my education. I decided to stay for my PhD and continue the research I started in my Masters

Q: Do you have a favorite class or professor so far?

A: I have thoroughly enjoyed taking classes on natural hazards and their social dynamics. Learning about the discrepancies in dealing with hazards and how we can mitigate disasters has been extremely helpful. 

Q: Are you in any clubs or groups on campus?

A: I am a part of InterVarsity, a Christian student organization. I lead a small group discussion with other graduate students

Q: What advice would you give to a future Husky?

A: Don’t solely exist to do homework and take exams. College is so much more than just classes, so get involved and branch out. Say yes to things, and you never know who you’ll meet or what you’ll get to experience

Q: What local activities do you enjoy outside of MTU?

A: I love to go rock hunting when the weather is nice. I have a rock tumbler, so finding rocks that polish nicely is always fun. I also love to volunteer for things involving my church. I am involved in the children’s ministry, so I get to spend time every week with pre-schoolers as they learn more about God 

Q: What is your favorite on-campus place to eat? Off-campus?

A: The cafe in the library has amazing coffee, and the yogurt parfaits are also great. Off-campus, my favorite is The Ambassador. The pizza is my favorite up here, and they have such a fantastic atmosphere

Q: How do you survive winter?

A: I love to read, so cozying up on my couch with a good book and a cup of tea is the only way I get through the cold nights. I also love going to hockey games, which makes weekends super fun.

Q: Have your post-graduation plans changed since coming to MTU? If so, how and why?

A: Yes. I never considered going into teaching at the college level, but I was given the opportunity to be a teaching assistant for an introduction to geology lab. I loved seeing the students grasp the material after explaining things to them. 


GMES Alumni Spotlight: Marine Foucher

After a former supervisor shared an announcement for a PhD position focused on studying the Earth’s magnetic field, Marine Foucher became intrigued. In the fall of 2013, Marine made it official and became a Husky, learning what she was so interested in studying Earth magnetism and geophysics. Dr. Aleksey Smirnov’s advising proved successful when, in 2018 she defended her doctoral thesis to committee members Dr. Greg Waite, Dr. Thomas Oommen, and Dr. Elisa Piispa. It’s always great to hear from alumni/ae who continue to make a difference in their fields! Keep reading to learn Dr. Marine Foucher’s perspectives.

View Dr. Foucher’s publications.

Marine enjoying the breathtaking French Alps with the Mont Blanc towering in the background. Photo taken on a 2019 hike along part of the iconic Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc (UTMB) path.

Q: Why did you choose MTU?
A: A former supervisor shared an announcement for a PhD position focused on studying the Earth’s magnetic field, which I was very interested in.


Q: What has your career path been like since you graduated?
A: I worked outside of academia for a couple of years (COVID!) until I found a postdoctoral position. I am now a visiting professor of Environmental Sciences and Geographic Information Systems in the Natural Resources Management department at New Mexico Highlands University.



Q: How did your time at MTU prepare you for industry/career?
A: I conducted research in the lab and on the field, managed labs as well as students and their research projects, taught classes, participated in many outreach activities, attended classes, conferences, and workshops, and interacted with people of various fields and different backgrounds.


Marine field work in Westfjord, Iceland. Photos courtesy of Dr. Elisa Piispa.

Q: What’s it like to return to the campus now? Have you noticed any changes?
A: It is weird and it reminds me that I miss it there. There is another elevator now! I hope it works better than the other ones.


Q: Most impactful memory of your time here?
A: I still hold all the connections I have made.


Q: What is your favorite activity when you return to campus?
A: Catching up with Brittany and the other members of the GMES department, meeting the new students, looking at the atrium view, walking around campus and by the waterfront.


Q: What advice would you give someone just starting at Tech as a Husky?
A: Try all the winter outdoor activities you can (including the polar bear plunge), find the one(s) that will make you happy, and do them. Do not hesitate to contact the staff, professors, and other students for help.


Q: What role did the community or extracurricular activities play in your overall experience?
A: A massive role, especially as a foreigner. Having a family/community and things to do is extremely important when you are far from home, no matter how fun your job is.

Marine field work at La Cienega volcano, New Mexico. The Sangre de Cristo Mountains in the background. Photo courtesy of Dr. Jennifer Lindline.

Q: Looking back, what opportunities do you wish you had taken advantage of during your time here?
A: I wish I had started cross-country skiing my first winter, not my second. And I wish I knew how much fun ice fishing was before my last year. Professionally, I wish I would have explored collaborations with professors from other fields.

Marine’s field work in the Westfjord, Iceland. Photos courtesy of Dr. Elisa Piispa.

Q: What networking opportunities did you take advantage of as a student?
A: Blueberry farm fall semester GMES get-together, Spanish y cerveza, workshops, and summer schools organized by other universities/labs where you meet people from all over the world in the same field.

Q: What is your current position’s unexpected benefit/skill set? What did you not realize at first was a part of what you do?
A: I am now a UAV pilot and the lead person in charge of my university’s ESRI organizational account and GIS needs. I also work with additive manufacturing. I was also surprised to learn I have to do other people’s work for them or teach them their jobs (even though I have never held a position like theirs).

Marine at the Candelaria Nature Preserve, in Albuquerque NM

A Legacy of Giving: How the Wickstrom Family Supports Michigan Tech Students Across Generations

Michigan Tech’s legacy resonates deeply across generations for some families, and the Walter Wickstrom ’37 family is a perfect example.

Although none of Walter’s three children—Betty Wickstrom Kendrick, Jean Wickstrom Liles, and Phil Wickstrom—are Michigan Tech alums or live nearby, each has established scholarships in memory of their father. They credit Michigan Tech with laying the foundation for their family’s success. In 2021, Betty created the Walter William Wickstrom Memorial Annual Scholarship to support the Department of Geological and Mining Engineering and Sciences students.

“My father attended Michigan Tech during the Depression. I established this scholarship in his name because I want to brighten the day for current students,” says Betty Wickstrom Kendrick. She treasures the thank-you letters she receives and is continually impressed by the students’ stories, learning how the scholarships have made a tangible difference. To date, she has impacted the lives of twenty-eight undergraduate students directly.

One of the recipients shared how even a small scholarship can make a meaningful impact: “Receiving the Wickstrom Scholarship helped ease the financial pressure and allowed me to cover some of my essential expenses, like textbooks and lab fees. It’s made a noticeable difference and reminded me that there are people who believe in my potential and want to help me succeed.”

The Wickstrom family’s generosity continues to make a lasting impact, providing opportunities for future generations of GMES students to thrive and succeed, just as Walter Wickstrom did many years ago.

The latest eight to receive Betty’s gift in Fall 2024.

Pictured L to R: Avery Spalding, a junior in geology from Midland, Michigan.
Zeke Martin is a junior in geology from Alanson, Michigan.
Carlee Erhardt is a junior in mining engineering from Mt Pleasant, Michigan.
Luke Mariuzza is a senior in geological engineering from Ishpeming, Michigan.
Stephanie Wiegand is a senior in geological engineering with a minor in mining from Caspian, Michigan.
Jacob Ojala is a geological engineering junior from Hancock, Michigan, with a minor in aerospace.
Lucas Maxon is a mining engineering junior with a minor in mineral processing from Iron Mountain, Michigan.
Not pictured: Anton Smirnov, a senior in geology from Houghton, Michigan

SME Features Michigan Tech in Magazine Series on US Mining Schools

Quincy Mine

The Society for Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration (SME) featured Michigan Tech in Part 3 of its series on U.S. mining engineering schools, published in the September 2024 issue of Mining Engineering Magazine, the society’s official publication. The profile spotlighted the mining-related degree programs Michigan Tech’s Department of Geological and Mining Engineering and Sciences (GMES) offered.

The article included Q&A sessions with Aleksey Smirnov, GMES professor and department chair; senior mining engineering student Alice Schmaltz; and recent graduates Emily Voght (B.S. Mining Engineering, 2022) and Jacob Maxon (B.S. Mining Engineering, 2023).

In his interview, Smirnov highlighted Michigan Tech as the only U.S. college to offer mining and geoscience-related programs within a single department. He emphasized the University’s proximity to active mining projects, hands-on learning opportunities in mine safety, critical minerals, and data analytics, and the strong industry connections that provide students with internships and job prospects.