Research Opportunities

An important goal of the University of Central Florida is to develop excellence in key areas of graduate study and research. UCF is dedicated to teaching and research, to scholarship and the transmittal of that scholarship to students. Graduate students work one-on-one with faculty mentors in studios, libraries, and laboratories, where students and faculty engage in creative research for the benefit of society.

Faculty members at UCF successfully compete for research support, attracting more than $32 million annually from private and public sources. Of this, more than $14.7 million was funded by the federal government in 1995-96, primarily from the Department of Defense. A locally based company, Lockheed Martin, is the largest source of private funding.

Companies have invested in UCF's graduate programs by providing distinguished professorships and endowed chair opportunities for faculty engaged in research and by providing resources to educate graduate students through mechanisms such as the Lockheed Martin funding of the UCF Academy for Mathematics and Science in the College of Education and the Industrial Fellows Program in the College of Engineering.

The university has several nationally and internationally recognized research institutes. The Florida Solar Energy Center (established in 1975 and located adjacent to the campus of Brevard Community College in Cocoa, FL), the Center for Research and Education in Optics and Lasers (CREOL, founded in 1986), and the Institute for Simulation and Training (IST, founded in 1982) conduct a significant amount of the total research for the university. These institutes actively involve graduate students in their research activities and assist in supervising their graduate theses and dissertations. These three institutes account for more than 50 percent of all sponsored research funding at the university. For more information about sponsored research at UCF, visit the Office of Research and Graduate Studies website.

Other organized research units also complement the activities of the academic departments. A few examples include the Center for Economic Education, the Florida-Canada Linkage Institute, the Florida-Eastern Europe Linkage Institute, the Institute for Social and Behavioral Sciences, the Center for Applied Human Factors in Aviation, the Phillips Institute for the Study of American Business Activity, the Institute of Statistics, the Center for Executive Development, and the Small Business Institute.

In addition, UCF is situated next to the Central Florida Research Park, where many companies provide research opportunities for students. For those students who may find it difficult to commute to campus, courses are provided through distance-learning opportunities. Students may be employed with companies providing real-world research, while pursuing a graduate degree through distance learning at the same time.

Central Florida Research Park

The objectives of the Central Florida Research Park are in keeping with the legislative action which enabled its creation: "to encourage and promote the establishment . . . of research and development activity combining the resources of . . . institutions of higher learning, private sector enterprise involved in pure or applied research, and state or federal governmental agency research."

The ultimate goal of university-related research parks is to establish an academic/industry community resulting in a unique approach to the creation of a more effective cooperative academic/industrial endeavor. The university and officials of the Central Florida Research Park believe that the potential for the establishment of close ties between the university and industry will create an attractive environment conducive to the location of research-oriented industry in the park. This activity will enrich and support the academic, teaching, and research programs of the university. The university, in turn, as a community of scholars, reservoir of knowledge past and present, and creator of new knowledge and discovery, can provide the necessary expertise and human resources to enhance the research and development activities required and planned by park residents.

Totally planned to provide a campus-like environment for business adjacent to UCF, the Central Florida Research Park consists of more than 1,000 acres of land. Businesses that desire a "university relationship" can purchase or lease land in the Research Park on which to construct a facility or can lease space for office, office/lab, or light manufacturing activities.

The Institute for Simulation and Training (IST) is located in the Research Park. The Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division (NAWCTSD) and the Army Simulation, Training and Instrumentation Command (STRICOM), the focal point of the nation's simulation and training industry, have their headquarters in the Research Park. More than $700 million in federal contracts is granted by the Army and Navy each year.

Currently more than 80 companies are located in the Research Park pursuing activities in simulation and training, lasers, optical filters, behavioral sciences, diagnostic test equipment, and oceanographic equipment. Approximately 5,500 employees currently work in the Research Park including many students and faculty.

Research Park tenants are involved with the University of Central Florida through sponsored research, using faculty as consultants and using graduate and undergraduate students for intern programs and part-time employment. Research Park tenants can also contract with the university for the use of the library computer resources and laboratory facilities. Cooperative projects range from technical research to developing business plans and employee training programs.

Research Facilities

Sponsored Journals and Publications

Quill
Quill is a select club on the UCF campus that was organized in 1982 to recognize and honor faculty of the university who are authors of one or more books. Criteria of eligibility have been set up by the faculty, and there is an induction of new members at the annual meeting.

Scroll
Scroll is a select club on the UCF campus that was organized in 1987 to recognize and honor faculty of the university who have shown sustained research activities. Criteria of eligibility based on a significant number of peer-reviewed articles in international and national journals have been set up by the faculty. Evaluation of nominees is done by a faculty committee and new members are inducted annually.

Institutes and Centers

Center for Applied Human Factors in Aviation (CAHFA)

The Center for Applied Human Factors in Aviation (CAHFA) has as its mission the enhancement of safety in the nation's airspace system through applied human factors research, systems design, and training strategies. Chartered in 1990, CAHFA is a research consortium established between UCF and Charter partner Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach, Florida. CAHFA's professional staff maintains offices on both campuses. The complementary strengths of the two universities are combined to create a research resource that is without peer for solving a vast assortment of aeronautical human factors problems. CAHFA research initiatives are targeted to significantly reduce human factors_related accidents and incidents by determining the efficacy of and by developing strategies for achieving improvements in human performance.

Center for Economic Education

The Center for Economic Education strives to increase public knowledge of economic principles and their applications in daily life. Researchers at the Center develop, collect, and distribute economic educational materials. They also consult with and provide instruction to area schools (K-12), community colleges, and community organizations. Instruction focuses on the principles of economics and their use in making rational economic decisions. Affiliated with the National Council on Economic Education and the Florida Council on Economic Education, the Center also conducts research in economic education.

Center for Executive Development

The Center for Executive Development (CED) of the College of Business Administration at UCF is committed to providing contemporary and relevant management and executive development programs. Utilizing the resources of the school faculty, visiting executives, leading educators, and other distinguished guests, the Center provides training and seminars in topics covering the spectrum of business topics and issues. Over 5,000 participants are served by the Center annually. Programs last from one day to over two weeks in duration, as well as several longer term certificate and degree programs. Examples of current programs include: Management Development Series 2000 ("mini MBA" certificate program), Human Resource Development Training, Annual Accounting Conference, Lessons in Leadership Speaker Series, TEAM-Net® (a computerized decision-making system), and customized international programs.

Academic Program
The Center coordinates the Executive MBA Program. This program has been designed to meet the needs of individuals who seek an advanced-level learning experience and value the opportunity of learning with colleagues facing similar leadership and managerial challenges. Qualified applicants complete eleven courses in "lock-step" fashion over a seventeen-month period, meeting every other Friday and Saturday from 8 to 5. Two off-campus residencies are included. Further, an international component will be offered in 1998 as an elective to interested students midway through the academic schedule. Admission to the EMBA Program requires at least five years of full-time, progressive managerial experience in addition to university academic requirements. Professional or senior public service work is considered the equivalent of managerial experience.

Center for Research and Education in Optics and Lasers (CREOL)

CREOL is the State University System of Florida's Center of Excellence for research and education in optical and laser sciences and engineering. CREOL was established in 1986 to bring together diverse disciplines into a cohesive program in optics and lasers. Research activities at the Center are integrated with the academic programs to ensure involvement of both students and faculty. CREOL has 28 faculty positions devoted to lasers and optical sciences and engineering, of which 21 have been filled by scholars from around the world. CREOL faculty are among the best in the laser/optics fields—half hold the rank of Fellow in major national and international societies associated with optics (e.g., Optical Society of America [OSA], the International Optical Engineering Society [SPIE]). The faculty serve in major leadership positions in these societies, including service on the boards of directors and as officers of the societies. In a typical year approximately 50 percent of the faculty are asked to chair, co-chair, or serve on organizing committees of major national and international conferences dealing with their research specialties. The faculty and students of CREOL typically produce over 150 scholarly works per year. CREOL is located in a modern 82,000-square-foot research facility.

Research Program
CREOL research projects reflect the interdisciplinary nature of the faculty and their diverse interests, and is supported by federal, state, and industrial research grants. Faculty and students pursue joint research projects with industry and government laboratories. Current research activities include: laser propagation, laser/material interactions, nonlinear optics, integrated and guided-wave optics, infrared systems, optical signal processing, laser development, detector technology, ultra-fast phenomena, modern x-ray optics and lithography, laser plasma, nonlinear optical spectroscopy, diffractive optics, thin film optics, free electron lasers, photonics, optoelectronics, semiconductor optical device integration, growth of nonlinear and laser host materials, solid state and diode pumped lasers, laser-aided material processing and manufacturing, glass processing and characterization, optics manufacturing, and much more. The research facilities include fifty laboratories equipped with over $10 million of state-of-the-art optics equipment.

Academic Program
The academic program involves students from various science and engineering departments and reflects the diverse interests of the faculty and students. Degrees in Optical Science and Engineering, Optical Physics, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Physics are available at the master's and doctoral levels. More than 25 specialized courses in electro-optics and lasers as well as advanced electrical engineering and physics courses are taught regularly. Graduate assistantships are available with stipends ranging from $12,000 to $15,000 for twelve months. Exceptional students will be considered for assistantship enhancements of up to $4,000 through the Litton Foundation. Prestigious National Science Foundation (NSF) Graduate Traineeships are available for exceptional Ph.D. students for up to $22,500 per year including tuition. NSF programs require that applicants be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.

Industrial Affiliates Program
CREOL has established an industrial affiliate program to facilitate strong cooperative relationships with industry. The program provides businesses and manufacturers with the benefits of cutting-edge research and with access to the expertise and facilities of CREOL. Faculty members are teaming with Florida-based small businesses to help them compete for federally sponsored Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) programs. The program provides industry with effective ways to contribute to and sustain the research and teaching in laser and electro-optical technology.

Research Experience for Undergraduate Students
Summer undergraduate fellowships are available through the Research Experience for Undergraduates Program in Optics and Lasers. Students receive a $3,300 stipend and a housing allowance, with funds provided jointly by the National Science Foundation and CREOL. Ten students per year are selected from around the United States to participate in an 11-week research project. The program encourages talented students, particularly minorities and persons with disabilities, to pursue graduate studies in optics and lasers.

Dick Pope, Sr., Institute for Tourism Studies

The Dick Pope, Sr., Institute for Tourism Studies is dedicated to improving the quality of the tourism product and increasing the benefits of tourism accruing to the industry, the state and local community. To this end, the institute is involved in a variety of programs in the fields of research and public awareness.

The research includes the collection, development and dissemination of information relevant to the tourism and hospitality industries in the areas of marketing, consumer behavior and visitor satisfaction, feasibility, economic, motivational, and forecasting. Some of the institute's patrons include tourism promotion agencies at the state and local levels; tourism development commissions; professional associations; and private enterprises such as attractions, hotels, motels, food-service establishments, ground and air transportation companies, travel agencies and tour operators, and other related businesses.

The institute devotes significant efforts to increasing public awareness of the tourism industry in Florida and elsewhere, and of the contribution of the industry to the social and economic welfare of the general public.

Florida-Canada Linkage Institute

The Florida-Canada Linkage Institute is hosted by the University of Central Florida for the state of Florida. The institute's purpose is to create and foster educational, commercial, cultural, and social ties between Canada and Florida.

Florida-Eastern Europe Linkage Institute

The Florida-Eastern Europe Linkage Institute (a Class II state-mandated activity) is a statewide effort hosted by the University of Central Florida in partnership with Lake Sumter Community College, and is designed to create and foster educational, commercial, cultural, and social exchanges between the countries in central and eastern Europe and the state of Florida. The institute, funded and administered through the Office of Academic Affairs and located in the College of Health and Public Affairs on the main campus of the University of Central Florida, promotes the development of linkage through expanded public/private dialogues on cooperative research and technical assistance, cultural exchanges, the enhancement of language training, and student/faculty exchange programs.

Institute of Government

The Institute of Government, an affiliate of the Florida Institute of Government, is housed in the College of Health and Public Affairs and provides training and technical assistance to federal, state, and local government agencies and intergovernmental associations. Training workshops, certification programs, conferences, seminars, applied research projects, citizen surveys, strategic planning, and organizational development programs are among the services offered by the institute.

Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC)

Created by the Florida legislature in 1974, the Florida Solar Energy Center is the largest and most active state-supported renewable energy and buildings research institute in the United States. FSEC functions as the energy research institute of Florida and is one of the research institutes of the University of Central Florida. It is located on a 20-acre research complex on UCF's Cocoa campus, 35 miles east of the main campus in Orlando.

FSEC employs a staff of 150. Of that number, approximately 75 are professionals with expertise in engineering and energy research, buildings science, energy analysis, policy analysis, and education and training. The remainder of the staff comprises technical and clerical support personnel and university student assistants.

FSEC annually receives $3 million in operating funds from the state of Florida. The institute also contracts to perform research for external sponsors. The value of these contracts and grants ranges from $5 million to $8 million annually. Total funding from 1975 to 1996 exceeds $70 million.

FSEC has gained national and international respect for its program activities in:

• Photovoltaic systems, applications, and cells
• Energy and building systems
• Indoor air quality
• Advanced HVAC systems
• Solar thermal systems
• Hydrogen energy from renewable resources
• Pollutant detoxification
• Photoelectrochemical processes
• Alternative fueled vehicles

Institute for Simulation and Training (IST)

The Institute for Simulation and Training (IST) is an internationally recognized research institute that focuses on technology advancement in training systems, education, and simulation and modeling. IST was established in 1982 at the University of Central Florida and is located in the Central Florida Research Park, adjacent to the UCF campus. The Naval Air Warfare Center Training System Division (NAWCTSD) and the Army Simulation, Training and Instrumentation Command (STRICOM) are also located in the Research Park. Additionally, more than 150 training and simulation companies maintain a presence in the Orlando area, a designated Center of Excellence for Simulation and Training technology.

The institute serves this simulation and training community by providing a wide range of research services and working with university faculty to help develop curriculum and degree programs in simulation and training disciplines. UCF is the first university in the nation to offer a master's degree track in simulation systems.

IST's research staff consists of scientists, engineers, and students. Program managers and principal investigators have complete freedom to tailor interdisciplinary research teams to specific research projects. Several faculty members and graduate students have presented award-winning papers at major conferences throughout the country.

IST researchers conduct basic and applied research for a broad range of training devices and programs. IST research areas include: simulation networking, visual simulation (including a Virtual Reality testbed), training systems effectiveness, artificial intelligence/expert systems, team training, computer graphics and animation, user interface design, computer architectures, simulation modeling, cognitive/information processing, database design and development, and instructional systems design. Laboratories, work space, and administrative offices comprise nearly 38,000 square feet of total floor space. Major laboratories include the Visual Systems Lab, Language Technology Lab, Communications Lab, Low Cost Flight Trainer Lab, Mathematics Simulation Lab, and Advanced Learning Technology Transfer Center.

In its role as a leader in the simulation and training community, the institute has undertaken a program of technology transfer. Included in this effort is the development of research projects with potential commercial applications, adaptation of military technology to civilian educational markets, and the communication of research results through seminars, publications, and workshops.

Institute of Statistics

The Institute of Statistics provides statistical consulting and analytical support to all areas of the university. The institute makes valuable contributions to research by supporting non-statistical researchers with statistical consulting assistance during the planning of experiments and investigations, analysis of data, and the evaluation of results. The institute also provides statistical support to various governmental agencies and private organizations.

Institute for Technical Documentation

The Institute for Technical Documentation offers a variety of services for client companies, including the development of original technical documentation, the translation of documentation written in foreign languages, and the development of seminars to assist clients in writing their own documentation.

The institute consists of a core of permanent professional staff, supplemented by university faculty, staff, and students, all of whom have demonstrated expertise in technical writing of documentation. These services are enhanced by the cooperative efforts of educators, engineers, foreign language experts, psychologists, and scientists who act as consultants to the institute.

Trained writers, established facilities, and continued contact with personnel in industry and research enable the institute to engage in a wide variety of documentation projects.

Small Business Development Center

The Small Business Development Center (SBDC) is part of a statewide organization designed to promote economic development by responding to the needs of the small business community. The SBDC, located in the College of Business Administration at the University of Central Florida, is responsible for a geographic area including Orange, Osceola, Lake, Citrus, Brevard, Volusia, Flagler, Seminole, and Sumter counties. Regional centers located at Brevard Community College, Daytona Beach Community College, and Seminole Community College assist small business in these areas. Assistance is provided through workshops and individual counseling in the following areas:

     Marketing          Franchising

     Personnel          Sources of Financing

     Bookkeeping        Product Innovation

     Business Tax       Business Plan Development

Small Business Institute

Business schools have for some years been interested in getting students out of the classroom and involved with real business problems rather than "textbook" situations. By sponsoring the Small Business Institute (SBI) program, the University of Central Florida does not only satisfy this need, but at the same time provides free professional help to small business people who are in need of managerial guidance.

The SBI program uses a team of senior-level undergraduate or graduate-level students who, under faculty supervision, provide management counseling and technical assistance to small business clients. Examples of these services are: general management audits, development of business plans, establishment of accounting systems, design of inventory systems, cost analysis, pricing strategies, and evaluation of alternative markets.

The major objective of the College of Business Administration at the University of Central Florida is to educate men and women for positions of productive responsibility in business and the professions. UCF's Small Business Institute program stresses analytic ability and the student's learning skills in recognizing and coping with change. At the same time, the program provides on the job experience and sound academic training for the student.

Space Education and Research Center (SERC)

The Space Education and Research Center (SERC) is an interdisciplinary organization that relies on faculty participation from all five colleges of the university. SERC's goal is to maximize space research opportunities for UCF faculty and students, while providing highly valued results to the space community. SERC's objectives are to:

• Facilitate the performance of research to advance space technology.
• Serve as a catalyst to advance educational opportunities and experiences.
• Provide researchers with access to the upper atmosphere and space.
• Upgrade UCF capabilities through training and development programs.
• Advocate UCF's contributions to commercial space services.
• Be an active participant in the international space community.

Other Centers

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