Teams of business-engineering-telecom students seeking 'real-world' projects from campus units

Michigan State University campus departments and administrative units, as well as several small businesses and nonprofit organizations in the mid-Michigan area, may have the opportunity to get some free technology-related help this fall from teams of MSU students. As part of their final course in a new degree specialization, the undergraduate students are required to work in cross-functional teams, on a real-world IT (information technology) problem - all they need now are some volunteer "clients."

The new specialization in Information Technology Management is available to students enrolled in bachelor's degree programs in the Eli Broad College of Business, the College of Communication Arts and Sciences, and the College of Engineering.

Professor Brian Pentland, who is teaching the "capstone" course in the specialization at the Broad School, says businesses or nonprofit organizations that need help with IT-related projects such as developing a web site, redesigning a work process to make better use of information technology, or choosing a software package, may be surprised at the level of expertise his students can offer. "Each student team will be comprised of students who have relative strengths in computer science, telecommunications and business. As part of earning their specialization in this interdisciplinary program, they have to apply their combined skills in a real-world project."

Pentland says he is open to considering a wide range of projects for his student teams, but emphasizes that the project must be hands-on and have a relatively well-defined outcome that can be achieved by three students in 12-13 weeks. For more information, visit the web site at http://www.bus.msu.edu/itmp/capstone/.

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