Mandatory PETSA Training

Did you know that students who have not completed the PETSA training will not be allowed to register for spring semester classes? Almost 2,000 Missoula College students still need to complete the training. 

The PETSA training is for ALL students at ALL campuses of the University of Montana (including distance learners).

You can direct any questions to PETSA@umontana.edu.

Time to Think About Spring Semester!

It’s hard to believe, but registration for Spring 2013 is right around the corner! Here’s what you need to know:

• Registration for Spring 2013 begins October 22nd

• To register on time, set up your advising appointment now

• ACE Department Students (CAD, Computer Support, IT, Electronics Tech, & Energy Tech) should contact Beth Shirilla to set up an appointment with their advisor

• Bring the following to your appointment:

1. Your unofficial transcript
2. Your program checklist
3. Program flow chart or any other advising materials you may have from previous semesters

To contact Beth to set up an appointment, stop by Griz House 8E (the office immediately opposite the front door), call 243-7916 or email beth.shirilla@umontana.edu.

2012 Tech Fair

Programs from Missoula College's Applied Computing & Electronics Department were highlighted at The University of Montana Tech Fair. Some of the student projects on display included the Human-Powered Vehicle; winning CAD Technical Drawings from Bike Rack, Recycling Center, & Building Footprint contests; and the Sustainable Computing Research Project (Physical Sciences undergraduate award winning poster).

The Tech Fair showcases campus technologies and support services vital to the success of UM students faculty and staff. Thanks goes out to Professors Layton, Varsa, Shen, and Gallagher; graduate Andrew Machain; Administrative Associate Beth Shirilla; and Energy Technology student Zac Rambo and Nathan Ferro for staffing the event.

Pictured below: Department Chairman Tom Gallagher and Energy Technology Graduate Andrew Machain (left) and the Battery Doctor's portable solar power station prototype (right)

Additional credential for 2-year IT program students

IT students - Did you know that in the process of completing your 2-year degree, you also complete the credits required for a Computer Support Certificate? All you have to do to claim this certificate is submit a graduation application once those courses are complete. Since you only have to pay the graduation fee once for any degree you get at UM, you’re getting an extra credential to add to your resume and make you more employable for FREE! Ask Beth (beth.shirilla@umontana.edu) or your advisor for more info.

Graduation Application Deadline: October 1

The Registrar’s Office has decided to extend the deadline for December 2012 graduation applications until October 1, 2012. October 1 is also posted as the last day the registrar will be accepting May 2013 graduation applications.

Long-time Faculty Member & Friend Steve Rice Passes

Retired Electronics Technology Professor Steve Rice passed away Saturday, September 1, 2012 due to complications from cancer. Professor Rice served as a faculty member at The University of Montana College of Technology for nearly 27 years. He was a tremendous teacher known for his "hands-on" approach in instructing students. As Director of the Electronics Technology Program, he mentored many individuals in the design and construction of electronic circuits. He supported career technical education as a means for individuals to gain jobs. Thanks to the tutelage of Professor Rice, his students were always well-qualified in their trade. His teaching practices reinforced a "student-centered" approach to education. He was always an advocate for the student.

In addition to his successful teaching career, Professor Rice excelled in research. He was a member of the innovative and highly-publicized UM research team which taught bees to detect land mines. Professor Rice was credited as the chief architect for the "Electronic Beehive", a key component in the success of the project. The team was able to transfer the technology from its UM research into the highly successfully private company Bee Alert Technologies. 

Steve was a dear friend and colleague.

Energy Technology Program Powers Roots Fest

Energy Technology Students, Alumni, and Faculty joined forces in providing renewable electricity for the arts show at the Missoula River City Roots Fest. Dr Brad Layton, Energy Technology Program Director, organized a group of students and alumni in putting this event together. Energy Technology Alumni, Andrew Machain's portable solar generation system provided electricity for art show vendors. The student solar car from the Shell Eco-marathon was an "attention-grabber" at the event.

Autumn 2012 Admissions Deadline

Missoula College has a rolling admission policy. There are no application deadlines and students may apply to the college at any time. However, many of our academic programs fill quickly. Early application is recommended to reserve a spot in the program of your choice.  Both math (ALEKS) and writing (eCompass) placement exams are required in order to be admitted to programs in the Department of Applied Computing and Electronics.  Competed applications must be processed and placement exams must be completed by August 10 in order to be admitted to ACE programs for fall semester (January 10 is the deadline for spring semester).  Student applications processed after August 10 will be accepted, but students will be placed into a pre-program status for the period of one semester (assuming all prerequisite courses have been completed). Additionally, students need to complete the ALEKS math placement exam and the eCompass writing placement exam. Please see specific details on your program’s website or speak with your program director or advisor if you have any questions. 

IT Student's Research in Green IT Wins Award

IT student Lance Pellerin recently completed work on a research project examining the use of cloud computing and desktop virtualization in minimizing the carbon footprint of the information worker. This Green IT research project utilized remote desktop technologies and thin-client computing devices in a shared server environment for office information workers at the University. Lance's research earned him first place in the physical sciences poster session at the 2012 University of Montana Undergraduate Research Conference. Lance, having completed his A.A.S. degree in Information Technology, will continue his education by pursuing a bachelor's degree through UM's Davidson Honors College.  Lance's faculty advisor was Associate Professor Tom Gallagher.

Workforce Report Released - Demand for Electronics Technical Professionals Strong

A workforce report completed by Applied Computing & Electronics faculty affiliate, Peter Rahn details high demand in the local region for individuals with the skills and knowledge to support  control systems, industrial automation equipment, and instrumentation. Energy efficiency enhancements in commercial and residential buildings; a revitalized wood products industry; precious metal extraction; food production; biomedical industry; fossil fuel extraction; and automated industrial manufacturing facilities all reported a need for electronics technical professionals. Forty-two regional entities were interviewed for the report. The report describes employment prospects for graduates from the UM Electronics Technology Program to be strong. The complete report is available at http://ace.cte.umt.edu/eet/2012rahneetreport.pdf

Autumn Registration Begins - April 9

Registration for Autumn Semester courses begins April 9. All students are required to obtain a registration PIN from an advisor. Advising appointments can be made by directly through your advisor or by contacting Beth Shirilla 243.7916 | beth.shirilla@umontana.edu

Advisor Contact Information:
Computer IT Program
Penny Jakes 243.7804 penny.jakes@umontana.edu
Rhonda Tabish 243.7808 rhonda.tabish@umontana.edu
Steve Stiff 243.7913 steven.stiff@umontana.edu

Energy Technology
Brad Layton 243.7865 bradley.layton@umontana.edu
Tom Gallagher 243.7814 thomas.gallagher@umontana.edu

Computer Aided Design
Krisztian Varsa 243.7811 krisztian.varas@umontana.edu

Electronics Technology
Tom Gallagher 243.7814 thomas.gallagher@umontana.edu
Steve Stiff 243.7913 steven.stiff@umontana.edu

Grant Myhre Talks About Shell Eco Marathon on Montana Today

Grant Myhre, one of the team members competing in the Shell Eco Marathon next week in Houston, TX talks about the project with Monte Turner on Montana Today.  See the video here: http://www.nbcmontana.com/Grant-Myhre-3-19-12/-/14594424/14386646/-/vxovij/-/index.html

UMCOT Students Prepare for Shell EcoMarathon

A team of students representing The University of Montana College of Technology are diligently preparing for the 2012 Shell EcoMarathon to be held in Houston Texas March 29^th – April 1^st. The team is comprised of students representing all three campuses with Environmental Studies majors and Welding majors joining the Energy Technology students. This is the first such entry from the UMCOT, but they have hopes to place well in the solar division, which requires that teams collect more energy than they consume during the six-mile race. “We could not have gotten this far without some major space donations from local businesses,” says Energy Technology Program Director, Bradley Layton. “We are extremely fortunate to live in a community that has a true sense of unity. We have also benefitted from the resources available to us at the Montana Enterprise Center.” Stay tuned for more news as the project progresses…

Welding student Jesse Sedler clears the frame he welded and helped design for launch

 

NPR: Is U.S. Energy Independence Finally Within Reach?

Rising gas prices have been the big energy story of the past several weeks. But many energy experts say that's a sideshow compared with the really big energy event — the huge boom in oil and natural gas production in the U.S. that could help the nation reach the elusive goal of energy independence.

Read or listen to full story at : http://www.npr.org/2012/03/07/148036966/is-u-s-energy-independence-finally-within-reach

ACE Department Looking for Work Study Student

Are you approved for work study for this spring semester?  Do you have solid computing skills?  We are looking for someone to work 15-19 hours per week supporting both our department and the Health Professions Department.  Check out the job listing on the student job site here: http://www.umt.edu/studentjobsapp/ViewJob.asp?id=9647 and apply through the website or send your resume to beth.shirilla@umontana.edu.

Electronics Technology Students Tour Research Facility

Students from the Electronics Technology program recently completed a tour of the research facilities at the UM Center for Biomolecular Structure and Dynamics.


Highlighted in the tour was the robotics equipment used in the research center. X-ray crystallographers, crystallize proteins and visualize their 3-D structure from diffraction data obtained by exposing these protein crystals to high intensity X-ray beams (Top Figure). The 3-D image of the protein enables understanding of their biological function, and also is used to design new drugs against diseases. The Crystal Gryphon, is a small & fast robot for setting up crystal plates that we use in our lab to crystallize proteins (Bottom Figure). Essentially the robot consists of two arms each capable of x, y and z axis motions. The side arm on the right delivers the protein to the plates and the middle arm dispenses the crystallization solution. The protein arm dips its needle into the protein solution, withdraws the requisite amount, often just a minute drop (in the order of 1/1000 of an ml), and then dispenses them into 96 wells on to the plate below. The second robot that has 96 dispensing needles does the same, but dispensed in one motion. The plates are then set in incubators to obtain protein crystals.




The robotic arm has three degrees of freedoms, horizontal, x,y and vertical z axis, but permits only one motional degree at a time, to ensure precision and accuracy. The arms have sensor that detect liquid levels and also floor levels so that they can draw correct amounts of liquid and not touch the plates. It is equipped with motion sensors that stop the robot if it detects human movement near the needles to ensure no accidents occur. The robot is controlled solely by a computer powered by an i7, 3.4 GHz Strong Arm processor and a 64 bit robotic control software communicates via fiber optics to the robot, ensuring very high operating baud rate. Thus the overall design of the robot accommodates of precise motions with minimal human interference and is rated to perform for at least ten years of continuous use.

Dr. Layton to Give Keynote Presentation at STEM Summit in Bellevue, WA

The second annual STEM Summit (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math):Integrating STEM into Today’s Classroom to Develop Tomorrow’s Leaders will be held on Thursday, February 9th, and Friday, February 10th, 2012 at Bellevue College in Bellevue, WA.

This two-day Summit will introduce you to K-20 best practices in education focusing on innovative teaching and learning in STEM. Attendees will be examining curriculum for incorporation of best practices in STEM teaching and learning.

Dr. Layon's keynote presentation will focus on Energy Technology Education in Efficiency To Engender Energy Independence:Science & Math Lay the Foundation for the Next Generation of Energy Technology Leaders.

 Dr. Layton is an Assistant Professor for the Department of Applied Computing and Electronics at The University of Montana College of Technology.

Dr. Layton received his Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, with concentrations in soft-tissue mechanics and the molecular structure of collagen. His dissertation topic was Remodeling of Heterogeneous Extracellular Matrices of the Diabetic Nerve: Models and Experiments. He received his Masters in Science in mechanical engineering from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor and his Bachelors in Science in mechanical engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA.

Dr. Layton now serves as the Director of Energy Technology Program at The University of Montana College of Technology. He is currently facilitating the coordination of face-to-face and online learning opportunities and innovations. Dr. Layton also has a research interest in nanoscale biomechanics and has several publications in this field. He has received research funding from The National Science Foundation, NASA, The Keck Foundation, and the United States Department of Agriculture. His current passion is educating his students and the general public about the threats of energy dependence and the opportunities available for adopting sustainable energy technologies.

In his spare time Dr. Layton enjoys bicycling and hiking with his family. As a former member of the United States National Rowing Team, he now very much appreciates the opportunities he has to kayak and actually see where he is going!

For more information on the summit, please see http://www.coeforict.org/events/stemsummit/

REAP Application Process Open

The 2012 Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) has been announced in the Federal Register. Applications are now being accepted for the Renewable Energy Systems, Energy Efficiency Program, Feasibility Study and Energy Audit programs.  The 2008 Farm Bill created several energy-related funding programs for USDA Rural Development. The Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) and several other programs are designed to provide access to capital to incentivize the implementation of energy efficiency and renewable energy practices in rural small businesses and agricultural operations.

The MT allocations are less than last year and are as follows:
Small Grants (<$20,000) - $71,000
Large grants (>$20,000) - $72,000
REAP Guarantees - $469,644

Additional funds are available from the National Office reserve on a first come first served basis for the loan guarantee funds and on a competitive basis for the grant funds. In 2011 Montana funded $113, 414 in small grants, $158,298 in large grants, and $153,232 in Loan Guarantees. We hope to do better in 2012.

Application information can be obtained from any Rural Development Area Office or by visiting our website at: http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/MT_reap.html

Energy Technology Students Awarded a KRELF Grant

We recently received the news that our KRELF application was recently accepted by the review committee. Funds will be used to purchase solar cells, batteries, a motor and other components to build a vehicle to compete in the 2012 Shell EcoMarathon in Houston. The team of students represents all three University of Montana campuses, with students from Environmental Sciences, Energy Technology and Welding all collaborating to build a competitive vehicle.

REVIT Training - January 16

REVIT is a building information modeling (BIM) software product created by AutoDESK. It has been described as the revolutionary architectural design tool for all new construction. The Computer Aided Design program is sponsoring a week-long REVIT training beginning January 16th. Interest within the community has been high and registration will be limited to the first 20 applicants. Course instruction will be delivered by BIM guru Eugene O'Day. All students entering the class are expected to possess a strong background in CAD as the delivery will be paced for the intermediate/advanced user. For further information contact Krisztian Varsa krisztian.varsa@umontana.edu | 406.243.7920

New Interactive Map Launched for the PV industry

The US Department of Energy recently launched an interactive career map to help those considering entering the field of sustainable energy technology.

The map assists the user in understanding the inter-relatedness of various occupations within the various fields of sustainable energy technology.

Layton Gives talk on Thermoeconomics at ASME International conference in Denver, Monday November 14, 2011

Professor Layton traveled to Denver in mid-November to present his paper, entitled "Application of Game Theory to Thermoeconomics." During the presentation, Layton attempted to impress upon his audience that the rate at which we are currently converting chemical, nuclear, and short-wave radiant energy into thermal energy energy is clearly unsustainable. While the global rate is 200 megajoules per person per day, the average North American's rate is 1200 megajoules per day. By contrast, each person converts only 10 megajoules per day metabolically. He also introduced a relationship between information and entropy that he has been examining for the past few years and postulated that humanity entropicizes its immediate environment at a rate 10²² greater than the background entropy generation rate of the universe and noted that we can no longer escape our own entropy as evidenced by much of the thaw that is occurring in Greenland exacerbating the Fukushima disaster of March 2011, which in turn led to further entropization of the Pacific ocean. Layton was also dismayed by the unwillingness of many of the able-bodied conference participants to boycott the escalators in the conference center.

Layton fielding technical questions at the conclusion of his talk, demonstrates some of the strategies he practices to stay physically fit, keep organic material out of landfills, reduce loads on municipal waste management, and enrich the soil in his own backyard. Photo courtesy of Leila Aboharb.

Biomimicry Design Challenge

Students in the CAD Program are currently competing in the first annual Biomimicry Design Challenge. The Challenge is a global design competition (nearly 40 international teams!) in which students will apply the principles of biomimicry to improve energy efficiency and ultimately reduce greenhouse gas emissions. In biomimicry, designers are inspired by organisms, systems, or processes of the natural world. For more information, Janine Benyus of the Biomimicry Institute presents Biomimicry In Action.

Over the course of the semester, students enrolled in Technical Drawing and AutoCAD II will generate ideas, draw hand sketches, ,and produce 3D models to prepare for their presentation to the judges at the Biomimicry Institute. This competition is exciting for the College of Technology because the home of the Biomimicry Institute is in Missoula so we consider ourselves the hometown favorite. Recently, Technical Drawing students completed the first round of ideation which resulted in a variety of excellent ideas and designs. The students will pick one design and then hone the project. Cheer us on as we head for the deadline of December 21st!

Janine Benyus describes Biomimicry in the following TED talk:

Energy Technology OSHA Training

Montana Department of Labor and Industry Safety and Health Bureau Chief Bryan Page inspects Energy Technology student Chris Marmorato as he dons a safety harness as Energy Technology student Timothy Cardarelli looks on. On November 3rd and 4th, seventeen Energy Technology students and alums participated in the ten-hour OSHA safety training course.

And here is the happy group of trainees after a well-delivered ten-hour session!

I.T. Students Tour Local Data Center

The Washington Corporation hosted a group of I.T. students on a tour of their newly renovated corporate data center. The data center located here in Missoula centralizes I.T. services for all companies in the Washington Corporation global operations group. Thanks to Tim, Andy, Chris, and Drew at Washington Corporation for providing this great opportunity to our students.

Students Compete in Programming Contest

Students from the Information Technology program competed in the Montana State ACM Programming Contest held Saturday, September 24. Shawn Dennis, Larry Mee, and Ray Naranjo represented the UM-COT campus in this annual event hosted at Montana State University in Bozeman. This group of students competed with Computer Science students from UM , MSU, Montana Tech, & Carroll College. Each team had 5 hours to solve 5 problems. "It was a wonderful opportunity for our students" states Instructor Rhonda Tabish, faculty advisor for the UM COT Programming Team.

Further information can be found on contest website http://www.cs.montana.edu/paxton/contest/

Changes on the Horizon for Montana Two-year Colleges

The Montana University System is undergoing a major transformational change for two-year colleges. This effort, known as College!NOW is funded through the Lumina Foundation for Education and has received national recognition.

Deputy Commissioner John Cech has provided a comprehensive update of the accomplishments of College!NOW since January 1, 2011, and an overview of the five community listening sessions planned for October (Billings, Great Falls, Butte, Helena, and Missoula) focusing on the rebranding and renaming of Montana’s five Colleges of Technology.

Sessions in Missoula will take place on Thursday, Oct 13 from 7:15-8:30am Doubletree-100 Madison-UM Room; 9:00-10:15am-UM Main Campus-32 Campus Dr-University Ctr. Theatre-3rd Floor,5:00–6:15 pm-COT Campus-909 S. Ave. West-HB 11

The first College!NOW newsletter is available at http://www.umt.edu/president/docs/CollegeNOW_enews_FINAL.pdf or on the website: http://mus.edu/2yr/COLLEGEnow/news/CollegeNow_eNews.html

Energy Professor Directs Rowing Instruction

Professor Brad Layton is slated to deliver two session on rowing techniques on the ergometer through UM Campus Recreation Fitness Programs. The sessions are slated for Wednesday, September 21 12:00-1:00pm and 4:30-5:30pm. Brad is a former US Rowing Team member and Rowing National Champion

Student Wins Undergraduate Research Award

Department of Applied Computing & Electronics student Clayton Anderson recently completed a research project involving variable power states in computing labs on the COT East campus. Clayton's research, entitled "Energy Usage Study of Student Computing Facilities at the University of Montana" won the best oral presentation in the category of Physical Sciences at 2011 UM Undergraduate Research Conference. Associate Professor Tom Gallagher was Anderson's faculty mentor. Using power management software, a MS Windows GPO provided by Energy Star, routine schedules, and regular idle periods between classes Anderson's plan applied to the 6 computer labs on the COT East Campus would save the University of Montana approximately 9,684 kWh or 6.82 metric tons of CO2 annually. Clayton and all the other winners were honored at the Mansfield Library undergraduate research exhibition and each received a $100 gift card to the UM Bookstore.

Energy Interns Complete Solar Installation

UM Energy Technology students Ryan Parks and Robert Holter interned with Simple Power’s owner Mark Dickson and crew Brad Stevens, Jona Malo, Lyle Pilon, and Mike McCraken to install the Montana’s largest PV array to this point. The array weighs in at 70KW of output and is located on a private ranch near Choteau Montana. The grid tie array utilizing Sanyo panels and Fronius inverters is not only the largest in the state but it is the first in the area to use the German manufactured Solar Linea (by Conergy) rack system. According to owner Mark Dickerson “the install went very well, the crew worked well together and the installation came together with few problems in the field showing the benefit of having time to think through the design and implementation of project anticipating most all of the problems prior to starting. The system has gone through the final commissioning process and has an output of 105% of the expected rated output, and the new owner is very satisfied stating “I feel like we really have done something here!”

MS Network Administrator Academy

The College of Technology will be hosting a Microsoft Networking Academy beginning June 15. The course is taught by Dianne Burke, a faculty member from the Applied Computing and Electronics Department. The course starting next week is one of a three-part series in MS Windows Server 2008. View the entire schedule and get an application here.

Human Powered Vehicle Challenge

University of Montana students, primarily in the Energy Technology program, competed in the West Division of the Human Powered Vehicle Challenge in Bozeman, MT. This was the first year that UM joined the competition. Captained by Marty Lamb, who graduated from the Energy Technology program the same weekend, the team won the award for sustainablity. Read the whole Missoulian article here.

Addional Sections: ITS 210 & ITS 280

Due to increased enrollment, additional sections of ITS 210 Network O.S. - Desktop and ITS 280 Computer Repair and Maintenance have been added to the Autumn 2011 schedule.

Missoula 2011 Commuter Challenge

The faculty & staff from the Applied Computing and Electronics Department (ACE) will be competing in their first annual Commuter Challenge during the week of May 1st – 7th. In the face of rising gas costs and concerns of global warming, the Missoula community takes to the sustainable streets every May to prove their ability to get out of their cars and into alternative transportation! This year, ACE will help to promote sustainable practices on campus and across the community by biking and carpooling to the College of Technology. Join the Ace Department in our effort to reduce our carbon footprint and increase awareness!

CAD Bike Rack Design Finalists

Congratulations to Mike Eidum, Kyle Scharfe, and Mic Smith. All were finalists in the AutoCAD Bike Rack Design competition held Autumn Term. Designs were assessed in the areas of feasibility, sustainability, design character, and technical drawing quality. Mic placed third with commendations for feasibility and sustainability. Kyle second with commendations for design character and feasibility. Mike's design placed first and was chosen as the overall best technical drawing earning a gift card to the UM bookstore. Congratulations to all participants and finalists.

Autumn Term Registration and Advising

Autumn Term 2011 registration for COT students begins April 6th. Students will need an advising PIN to register. Drop-in group advising sessions are scheduled for Applied Computing & Electronics students:
Wednesday, March 23 from 2 – 3 in HB04
Monday, March 28 from 12 – 1 in HB05
Tuesday, March 29 from 12 – 1 in HB04

Online advising forms are available at http://ace.cte.umt.edu/students/advising.html Please come prepared by completing the requirements checklist for your program of study prior to attending advising sessions. You should have a pretty good idea which courses to enroll.

Individualized advising with a faculty member is available by appointment. Please contact Jenny Gorsegner/Miranda Stroud (243.7916) for further details.

Brown Bag Webinar: Spatial Data Sets

Students and faculty attended the "brown bag" webinar entitled Introduction to Spatial Data Sets. The webinar was produced by ESRI and hosted Thursday by the Department of Applied Computing & Electronics. ArcGIS software was used to graphically represent statistical data sets from practical research. Examples included studies involving obesity rates in children, incidents of pirating off the Somalian coast, wealth distribution in the State of New York, graffiti locations and gang related activities, and crime pattern in Lincoln, NE. Spatial data is based upon physical location. Spatial Statistical Tools allow us to assess patterns, trends, and relationships.

UM Biomass Gasifier Generates Electricity

Faculty member Brian Kerns and Energy Technology student Mike Bergman demonstrate the use of biomass gasification to generate electricity in the Blackfoot valley. The mobile UM Biomass Generator was utilized to generate electricity to the grid from slash piles located on the Paws Up Ranch. All electricity was donated to the Missoula Electric Coop. The UM Biomass Generator is a demonstration project created through Brian's research. Mike Bergman is completing an internship through Alternative Energy Technologies. See complete coverage courtesy of the Missoulian
http://missoulian.com/news/local/article_125cccf4-3fd6-11e0-b619-001cc4c03286.html

Elluminate Training Improves Online Learning

Faculty from the Applied Computing and Electronics and the Applied Arts and Sciences departments participated in a training to learn about Elluminate, a technology that allows lectures to be shared via the Internet with students in online courses. Participating faculty included Dr. Bradley Layton, the Energy Technology program director as well as Energy Tech adjunct instructors Beth Baker and Greg Guscio. Penny Jakes, who teaches Cisco Networking courses for the Computer Technology program, and Dr. Colin Henderson, who leads the Anatomy and Physiology classes at the College of Technology, also participated. The training was offered by the Applied Computing and Electronics department and c0-facilitated by Tom Gallagher and Jenny Gorsegner. Their hope is that more faculty will adopt innovative teaching technologies and create better courses for online students.

Additional Seats Open in Computer and Energy Courses

Additional sections of first year classes have been added to the Spring 2011 schedule. New class sections include: CRT 112 Operating Systems and CSCI 110 Introduction to Programming. Available seats can also be found in CSCI 172 Introduction to Computer Modeling, ITS 150 CCNA I (Cisco Networking), and NRG 102 Introduction to Energy Systems II.

Network Administrator Academy Resumes

We're pleased to announce the next professional development course offering in the Network Administrator Academy Series. Dianne Burke (MSCE) will be leading the course Windows Server 2008 - Applications Infrastructure. It will cover file services (NTFS and Share permission), the distributed file system and namespace implementation, windows print and fax services, the Internet Information Services v7 role (IIS7) and options to secure hosted web sites, terminal services implementation (including Terminal Services Web Access and the Terminal Services Gateway), and high availability technologies (including Storage Area Networks, internet SCSI, and Hyper-V).

The Network Administrator Academy prepares I.T. professionals for the Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist credential. Prospective students should have a working familiarity with Microsoft Windows Servers. This course is slated to meet February 16th - May 4. Further information is available online at http://ace.cte.umt.edu/it/NetAdminAcad.pdf. To register for the course contact Mary Opitz 406.243.7812

Computer Support - Now Accepting New Students

Spring term 2011 is quickly approaching. We are currently accepting applications for new students in the Computer Support C.A.S. program. Complete details on this program are available at http://ace.cte.umt.edu/cs/

Application can be made through Enrollment Services / Admissions Office COTAdmissions@umontana.edu | Phone: 406-243-7882 / 800-542-688

Sustainability Workshop Series

The Missoula Sustainable Business Council (SBC) will be producing the Sustainability Shot event series "designed to provide attendees with a concentrated shot of information to energize their efforts to become more sustainable businesses or consumers". The first event Ten Ways to Reduce Your Energy Costs will be delivered by Russ Hellem from the local business Energetechs. Full details of this event series can be found at the SBC website: http://www.sustainablebusinesscouncil.org/

UM Day of Dialogue 2010

The University of Montana's annual Day of Dialogue will take place October 28. Everyone is welcome at this free event. Two sessions will be held at the College of Technology. The first will be presented at 12:10 in HB06. Led by Sue Bradford, "Why Does Dialogue Matter in a College Education?" will explore the role of dialogue on a university campus. The second session, also led by Sue Bradford will begin at 2:10 in HB06. This session, "Tapping the Strength of America's Diversity," will explore how cultural diversity contributes to society. Campus-wide there will be a variety of sessions and displays. More information can be found at: http://www.umt.edu/dod.

Spring 2011 Registration

Registration begins today for spring 2011. Be sure to meet with an advisor or come to a group advising session. Group advising takes place every Monday at 10am and every Thursday at noon. We will meet in HB06. For individual advising appointments, please call Jenny at 406-243-7916. If you are a distance student (or would prefer a different advising format), you can be advised over the phone or via email. See http://ace.cte.umt.edu/students/advising.html for more information.

E-Waste Recycling Event - October 10 & 11

LG and Vann's Electronics are partnering in providing a free e-waste recycling event for the Missoula community. More information can be found on the event's Facebook Site. Volunteers are still needed. Organizers have requested all volunteers register at http://signupgenius.com/go/2010183 E-Waste is a significant issue in our country. To learn more about the problem of e-waste and solutions, see the Electronics Takeback Coalition website. Thanks Vann's for providing this opportunity!

World's Longest Collagen Molecule

Monday September 27th, Dr. Bradley Layton presented an invited seminar to The University of Montana Chemistry and Biochemistry Department entitled "Nanomechanics of Collagen Evolution in Trichodesmium erythraeum" During the talk Dr. Layton described his work where he and a group of his students discovered what they call “the world’s largest fishing net.” An ancient marine cyanobacterium that is responsible for nearly half of the world’s nitrogen fixation and a large fraction of CO2 sequestration also has a gene that codes for a collagen molecule that is 10% longer than anything else seen in nature. Layton thinks that this gene may have been pirated into the bacterial genome by a marine virus just as fish were “getting big” 450 million years ago as a way to compete for space in the open ocean.

Related Paper:
Collagen’s Triglycine Repeat Number and Phylogeny Suggest
an Interdomain Transfer Event from a Devonian or Silurian
Organism into Trichodesmium erythraeum
J Mol Evol (2008) 66:539–554
http://www.springerlink.com/content/435460v80736254v/fulltext.pdf

UM Tech Fair - Wednesday 9/22

More than two dozen campus technologies will be on display at the Tech Fair from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 22, in the University Center Atrium at The University of Montana.

During the event students, faculty and staff can visit with technology support staff at tables, and a series of short presentations will be offered throughout the day.

Full details can be found at the event website: http://umt.edu/it/techfair/

Advising in the ACE Department

The Applied Computing and Electronics Department will be trying something new for Fall Semester 2010. In order to help students, we will offer group advising. One faculty member and Jenny Gorsegner will be available twice a week to assist you with your schedule for Spring Semester 2011. Registration for Spring Semester 2011 starts October 20, 2010. Get the classes you want by registering as soon as you are able. If you would like to participate in this, bring your advising checklist (available here), an unofficial transcript (available on Cyberbear), and show up at one of the following times:

1. Mondays 10am-11am in HB06
2. Thursdays 12pm-1pm in HB06

For Energy Students

Dear Energy Students,

I encourage those of you who are interested in "seeing what's out there" to consider applying or an internship through the Community College Institute program through the Office of Science of the US Department of Energy. To do so, please do the following:

Visit the URL: http://www.scied.science.doe.gov/scied/CCI/about.html. Here you will find information on:

1. Eligibility. In most cases, you must be a US citizen.
2. Choosing a lab. Some of these labs are relatively local, like the NREL in Colorado and Los Alamos in New Mexico. Working at some of the other labs will give you the opportunity to travel to other locations in the US.
3. Financial Info. The pay is actually not bad at $425 per week for your ten-week visit. This is a rate of $22,500 per year. Travel to and from the lab is reimbursed.
4. Key Dates. Online applications open on October 1, 2010 and close February 1, 2011.
5. How to Apply. As you can see, a good academic standing and a good recommendation letter are key to acceptance.

If you would like to work together with me to put together a strong application, please let me know by the end of Fall 2010 semester. However, I would recommend that you begin to work on this with the goal of a mid-October submission. I would also be happy to contact personnel at the lab of your choice on your behalf.

Good luck!

Brad Layton

Energy Technology Program Director

bradley.layton@umontana.edu

Welcome Back for Autumn Term 2010!

As we begin this new academic term, I'd like to welcome back all students pursuing certificates, degrees, and professional development through our department. I commend all of you on making the choice to educate yourselves. Welcome aboard to our new students and a warm welcome back to all returning students.

It's been a busy summer with lots of new developments to report. First off, I'm pleased to announce the hiring of Dr. Bradley Layton as our Energy Technology Program Director and newest tenure-track faculty member. Dr. Layton is a professional engineer formerly of Drexel University (Philadelphia) with stops at The University of Michigan and M.I.T. He brings a diverse background with strengths in both research and applied undergraduate teaching. His interests include renewable energy generation and human-powered vehicles. Welcome aboard Brad! We're excited to have you join us!

Another new face on our staff this year is Krisztian Varsa. Krisztian has a background in planning and design with a specialization in geographical information systems. He is a graduate of Cornell University with a Masters in Regional Planning and an undergraduate degree in Geography from the University of Delaware. Krisztian joins Pete Costello and Creg Diezinger in leading our Computer Aided Design program.

Dianne Burke is returning to teach courses in our Information Technology programs. Dianne is one of the top consultants in the area with specializations in network administration, security, and forensics. Wally Higgins is back leading courses in electronics and computer applications. Wally has a wealth of background from both the electronics and information technology fields.

Troy Savage, Bill Gillespie, and Leif Schneider will be leading online Energy Technology related courses for our Department. An interesting twist on distance learning is that it not only connects students from other regions, but also instructors! Troy will be delivering Power Systems Technology from Pasco, WA; Bill will lead the Project Management course from Spokane, WA; and Leif teaches Alternative Fuels from Portland, OR. It's not exactly Friedman's "Flat World,” but rather a phenomena we'll describe as the "Flat Northwest.”

On behalf of our Department's veteran team of faculty and staff: Steve Rice, Penny Jakes, Rhonda Tabish, Steve Stiff, and Jenny Gorsegner, we welcome you back to school whether you are in Missoula or Miami (yes we have a student here!). Here's to a productive semester!


Tom Gallagher
Department Chairman

Montana Energy Workforce Report Released

The report Opportunities for Energy Technology Program Graduates in Montana's Energy Industry has been released! It identifies six broad categories of job opportunities for graduates: (1) renewable installers, (2) wind farm developers/operators, (3) renewable component manufacturers/suppliers; (4) energy efficiency companies; (5) utilities/co-ops/power wholesalers, and (6) power plants/generators.

The report commissioned by The College of Technology through workforce development grant funding is a compilation of research and interviews of 36 employers in Western Montana, Northern Idaho, and Eastern Washington completed by Diana Maneta on special assignment as the Industry Liaison for the College. Research from these interviews estimate 150-250 job openings in the region over the next two years. Complete details can be found in the report available at
http://ace.cte.umt.edu/nrg/2010ManetaEnergyWorkforceReport.pdf

Students Pass NABCEP Certification Exam

Four Energy Technology students passed the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) Photovoltaic Enery Level Exam. Congratulations to these students for all their hard work!

Students Earn CompTIA A+ Credential

Eighteen Computer Technology students passed the CompTIA A+ Certification Exam during Spring Semester 2010. The students are now certified as Computer Support Specialists. Congratulations for all your hard work!

Diego Baccino Earns Outstanding Student Award

Diego Baccino, who is graduating this semester with a degree in Computer Technology, earned the Most Outstanding Student Award in the Applied Computing and Electronics Department at the College of Technology. His excellent academic record combined with his dedication to learning will be recognized in a ceremony on Friday, May 14 at 1:00 pm. Congratulations, Diego!

ETC Educators Conference

The 2010 Educational Technology Conference is slated for August 3-5. The three-day conference is powered by Blackfoot Telecommunications Group and hosted by The University of Montana College of Technology and Phyllis J. Washington College of Education and Human Sciences.

Presentations from all organizations (i.e., institutions of higher education, corporations, associations) interested in future technologies in K-8 classrooms, are requested on topics and key issues suggested in the track area descriptions. Proposals are currently being requested. The form is available on at http://ace.cte.umt.edu/tom.gallagher/etcproposalform.doc

General information and registration for the conference will be forthcoming in April.

Associate Professor Penny Jakes Opens New Lecture Series

Associate Professor Penny Jakes presented a lecture titled "Where's my BMW?" about her experience in South Africa. Penny was one of about 50 women who attended a Women in Higher Education conference held last October in South Africa. She recounted what she had learned in a new Brown Bag Lecture Series established by the Applied Arts and Sciences Department. Penny was the first presenter of this semester's series, which seeks to "provide an interdisciplinary forum that allows College of Technology faculty and staff to share experiences and exchange ideas that can be applied to our teaching or lives in the arts and sciences."

Former Mill Worker Finds Niche in Energy Technology

After 30 years at Stimson Lumber, Jim Roach returned to college to complete a degree in Energy Technology. Following graduation, Jim has successfully transitioned into a new career with Missoula Sustainable Building Systems. Read the complete story from the February 11th Missoulian Article

Summer Registration Begins

Registration for Summer begins this week. Student can register for summer classes through Cyberbear Further information can be found at the Continuing Education Summer Semester website http://www.umt.edu/xls/summer/default.aspx

Microsoft Server 2008 Training for Network Administrators

Networking Training for the working IT professional will be offered at the College of Technology through a series of courses leading to Microsoft Certification. Windows Server 2008 Applications Infrastructure Configuration will begin Monday, February 1. Content is geared toward practical application of Server 2008 features using a web-based lab-environment and Microsoft Official Curriculum. Classes are held 1 evening/week. Additionally, an instructor-led weekly online component is slated so students can study on their own time to facilitate the busy schedule of working professionals. Prospective students should have some background in the Microsoft networking environment and server technologies prior to participating in this non-credit training opportunity.

This course is the first in a series of three leading to the Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist credential, the cornerstone of Server 2008 certification. Courses are led by Dianne Burke, UM Faculty Member and MCSE.

For further details on these training courses please see http://ace.cte.umt.edu/programs/netadminacademy/session1.pdf

Registration contact for these coures is Mary Opitz (243.7812 - mailto:mary.opitz@umontana.edu ) at the UM COT Outreach Office

New Course Offering: Geothermal Energy

Spring 2010, Adjunct Professor Richard Bayless will be leading a new three credit, special topics course entitled Introduction to Geothermal Energy. The course will be delivered through the energy technology program and provides students with an introduction to sources of geothermal energy including the technologies used to generate electricity and provide space heating. After attending an October Geothermal Resources conference in Reno, Professor Bayless reports "The geothermal field is undergoing explosive growth". Pre-requisite knowledge for the course includes basic knowledge in the fields of science and algebra. The course fulfills three credits of the energy-related elective requirement for students pursuing the A.A.S. degree in Energy Technology.

Spring Entry Computer Support (Computer Technician)

We are currently accepting new students for the one-year Computer Technician Certificate of Applied Science Program. This program has a Spring entry and students have the benefit of completing a Montana University System credential and the CompTIA A+ Computer Suppport industry certification within one calendar year. All courses for the program count toward an A.A.S. degree in Computer Technology for those students interested in continuing. Job opportunities for individuals pursuing careers in computer support remain strong.

For further details contact Program Assistant Jenny Gorsegner at 243.7916 or Department Chair Tom Gallagher at 243.7814

Sequence of Courses
Spring 2010 (15 credits)
CRT 111 Fluency in Information Technology
CRT 112 Operating System Fundamentals
CRT 151 Networking Basics
M 095 (MAT 100D) Intermediate Algebra
WRIT 101 (WTS 101) College Writing I

Fall Term 2010 (12 credits)
BUS 103S Principles of Business
CRT 172 Introduction to Computer Modeling
CRT 210T Advanced Operating Systems
CRT 121 Introduction to Programming
CRT 285T PC Hardware Support
CRT 289T Professional Certification A+

Biodiesel Workshop Held at COT

The fundamentals of biodiesel will be presented in a workshop November 3 and 4 at the COT West Campus. The workshop, titled "The ABCs of Biodiesel," is presented by Montana State University - Northern's Bio Energy Center. Participants will learn the basics about biodiesel, including chemistry and lab-scale production. There will also be a biodiesel demonstration. To sign up, contact Jenny Gorsegner at (406) 243-7916.

The Two-Year Degree: A Happy Medium?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the occupation with the highest projected growth between now and 2016 is data networking and communications. The November 2009 Academic Connection feature from CertMag.com describes two-year degrees as a happy medium between an industry certification and a four-year degree for individuals aspiring to enter the workforce as an I.T. professional. Two-year degrees at local community colleges provide a well-rounded education at a great value. Read the complete article at http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/mediatec/cm1109/index.php?startid=14#/9/OnePage

UM DAY OF DIALOGUE

The University of Montana’s fourth annual Day of Dialogue will be held Thursday, Oct. 29. The free daylong symposium brings campus and community members together for presentations, performances, workshops and exhibits that encourage dialogue about diversity.

The College of Technology will host the panel discussion Challenges for Individuals in Non-Traditional Career Fields from 12:15-1:00 on the East Campus at 909 South Avenue West in room HB01. This presentation examines the challenges of individuals engaged in non-traditional career fields (i.e. women and minorities in STEM-related and industrial technology-related careers, men in health professions). A panel of professionals will discuss their personal experiences and the obstacles and challenges in the workplace and educational setting for those entering these careers. The panel discussion is organized by the Department of Applied Computing & Electronics and will involve faculty and staff from the Department of Industrial Technology and the Department of Health Professions.

Other symposium begins at 9:10 a.m. in the University Center Atrium with remarks by Vice President for Student Affairs Teresa Branch and Associated Students of UM President Matt Fennell. Participants then can select from more than 20 free educational sessions that begin at 9:40 and 11:10 a.m. and 1:10 and 2:40 p.m. on the third floor of the University Center.New this year is a 5:30 p.m. reception sponsored by ASUM. Following the reception at 6:15 p.m., a UM faculty panel will debate and discuss civil discourse in America.

A complete schedule of events is on the Day of Dialogue Web site at http://www.umt.edu/dayofdialogue.

Spring Schedule Advising

The Applied Computing and Electronics Department will be advising students in the coming weeks. Advising schedules have been posted in front of HB04 and HB05/HB06 or can be seen here. For advising, please see advisors during their open office hours or schedule an appointment through Jenny (243-7916). It is recommended that you bring a copy of your unofficial transcripts as well as advising material for your major. Go to Cyberbear for your transcripts. Advising checklists are available at the ACE Department Advising Center.

Demand for Electronic Engineering Technicians Remains Strong

The September 2009 Yahoo HotJobs feature Surprising Jobs that Pay $25 an Hour describes Electronic Engineering Technician as a frequently overlooked career field for individuals pursuing an associate degree. The article details job opportunities for individuals with two-year degrees in Electronic Engineering Technology. The article states "Companies that design, test, and sell electrical and electronics devices need professionals to staff their labs". According to a Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) 2008 study, the mean hourly wage for electronics engineering technicians in the U.S. was $25.96. The complete article can be found online at
http://hotjobs.yahoo.com/career-articles-surprising_jobs_that_pay_25_an_hour-983

Autodesk features ACE Faculty Member

UM faculty member Creg Dieziger is this week's featured expert for the AutoCAD Exchange series "Ask the Expert". In addition to serving as an adjunct faculty member for the Department of Applied Computing & Electronics, Creg is Senior Engineering Technician for Morrison-Maierle, Inc. Creg's feature can be found at http://autocad.autodesk.com/?nd=ask_the_expert&topic_id=28&moderator_id=480

Additional section of CRT 111 added to Autumn Schedule

A fifth section of CRT 111 Fluency in I.T. has been added to the Autumn 2009 Schedule. Section 5 (CRN 74917) will meet Tuesday and Thursday from 12:40 - 2:00 pm. This new section will be available to students by Monday 8/24.

Classes Begin August 31

Classes are filling up for Autumn Term, but there are still seats available. The new Computer Aided Design program is actively recruiting new students and there is still limited space available in the Energy Technology, Computer Technology, and Electronics Technology programs. New students can register by contacting New Student Services at 406.243.7882 or COTAdmissions@umontana.edu

NABCEP Entry Level Certificate of Knowledge Exam

The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) approved the Department of Applied Computing and Electronics at The University of Montana College of Technology as a provider of the Entry Level Certificate of Knowledge Exam. According to their website, NABCEP is a volunteer board of renewable energy stakeholder representatives that includes representatives of the solar industry, NABCEP certificants, renewable energy organizations, state policy makers, educational institutions, and the trades. They aim to develop voluntary national certification programs that will promote renewable energy, provide value to practitioners, promote worker safety and skill, and promote consumer confidence.

The University of Montana College of Technology will begin offering the course leading to this exam Spring Semester 2010.

Computer Aided Design Program Approved

The UM College of Technology has a new program beginning Fall 2009. A one-year certificate program in Computer Aided Design (CAD) was approved by the Board of Regents late last week. Students enrolling in this program will earn a Certificate of Applied Science in one year! This certificate program is housed in the Applied Computing and Electronics Department. New CAD classes offered this fall include: Graphic Communications, Computer Aided Design and Drafting, and CAD II. See the Program Requirements here. If you are interested in registering for these courses, visit http://www.cte.umt.edu/ and apply today. Students already enrolled at the COT are welcome to take these courses as well.

Students Earn A+ Certified Computer Support Credential

Ten Computer Technology students completed CompTIA A+ certification in the month of May. "We had eleven students attempt the certification process and ten passed." states Associate Professor Tom Gallagher, “ We’re really happy with the great success our students have had in earning this credential.” CompTIA (Computer Technology Industry Association) A+ certification validates the latest skills needed by today's computer support professionals. It is an international, vendor-neutral certification recognized by major hardware and software vendors, distributors and resellers. CompTIA A+ certification confirms a technician's ability to perform tasks such as installation, configuration, diagnosing, preventive maintenance and basic networking. The exams also cover domains such as security, safety and environmental issues and communication and professionalism.