I’m trying to decide on a program. One is offered by a Polytechnic. What is a polytechnic means to you? Could you please tell me what is your first impression if you see a resume with PhD in engineering from a Polytechnic? Your input would be appreciated.
Wouldn't it depend in which country? Where I live, if I tried to conceptualise a ploytechnic, I wouldn't think that it has the authiroty to grant doctoral degrees, it is like a technical college, directed at granting professional technical education, not research. But the term could be different in other countries, or could mean that historically this institute began as a poly, but became a "real" university, as it happened with some UK institutions. The bottom line is not how the word polytechnic sounds, but whether or not: - This instution and doctoral programme are accredited; - What is the reputation of that particular institute.
To paraphrase Bruce Willis in Pulp Fiction, "We're American; our names don't mean s***". Polytechnic University (New York) is a fine school that offers the PhD. And I see they now have an online MS .
I would agree with this. Polytechnics in the UK have largely morphed into universities. Their twins in South Africa ("technikons") remain, awarding the DTech degree based upon research. In the U.S., a polytechnic is a university.
What used to be Technikons really no longer exist, in concept or name. They were non-degree-granting institutions until about a decade ago. Now they have become degree-granting universities or institutes of technology.
Dear "Testing": Greetings. I had intended to point out that not all "polytechnics" are actual "polytechnics" (e.g., in the USA, a proper college/university might call itself a "polytechnic" just to be cute <g>), but "Floyd_Pepper" beat me. I was also going to use Polytechnic University (http://www.poly.edu/) as an example of a cute US institution, but "decimon" beat me. Lets see if I can beat anyone. <g> I was recently reading a letter to the editor in a well respected UK electronics magazine. The letter discussed polytechnics. The writer seemed to be of the opinion that polytechnics, while useful, were definitely not up to proper university standards. I mention this to preface my suggestion that you carefully evaluate the prestige of any polytechnic you might be considering, if you consider prestige important. N.B. The writer was definitely discussing undergraduate degrees, though I doubt he would have looked kindly upon graduate degrees from a polytechnic. <g> Cordially, Richard Kanarek
Polytechnic University has an interesting history as probably do most older (for the US) schools. Brooklyn Poly. I think it interesting that not long ago NYU had a school of Engineering and Science. And that a school the size of PU (did anyone think of that?) is so little known. And for the libertarians - Murray Rothbard used to teach there.
I realize that "polytechnic" has a complicated history in Europe and other non-US countries. In the US, it really just means a university that concentrates (mainly) in the engineering and mathematical sciences. The ones that come to mind are: Polytechnic in Brooklyn, Cal Poly (Pomona and San Luis Obispo) Rennselaer Polytechnic in Troy New York All of these are comprehensive universities, though you may find it difficult or impossible to do a masters in english at RPI.
I was accepted and almost matriculated at Polytechnic University for undergrad here in Brooklyn. It is just a matter of minutes from my house. In fact, I have a cousin that goes there. I think it is definitely a pretty reputable school for science, technology, and engineering. It is ranked nationally according to US News. The only reason why I didn't go there because I was offered more scholarship money with lesser C.S. degree requirements at the school that I graduated from.
So does anyone think that getting a PhD from an accredited university but has a "Polytechnic" in the name, would limit my future options in any way, assuming all else are equal? I would sincerely appreciate responses from the regular and senior members on the board.
Like many have said, it sort of depends, if it from one of these: . California Polytechnic State University . Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute . Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University . Worcester Polytechnic Institute Definitely not, especially if you plan to live and work in the US. Other places and schools it could be different.
In Britain, previously polytechnics offered instruction, mainly in practical fields but were unable to confer degrees. Instead a central agency examined and granted degrees. As others have posted, these polys have morphed into universities, some highly regarded (eg: Oxford Brooks), other less so. "http://education.guardian.co.uk/universityguide2004/story/0,14612,1223955,00.html" Only Anglia Polytechnic University retained polytechnic in its name. APU includes the well- regarded, late CCAT so it is not surprising that it ranks 9th in "Crafts, design studies and fine art" in the Guardian League Tables and 16th (out of 65) in Music. Overall, APU was ranked a not-so-great 79 out of 119 institutions.
Worcester Polytech (located in Worcester, Massachusetts) is a very good school. Sometimes, it seems to live in the shadow of MIT, but a PhD from Worcester Polytech is a very big deal around this part of the country. Jack
