Georgia Tech and KAIST Partner to Offer Dual Degrees

Electrical and Computer Engineering Focus of New Program

The Georgia Institute of Technology and the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) have announced dual degree programs in electrical and computer engineering (ECE). The new programs will be offered at two campus locations: Georgia Tech’s main campus in Atlanta and at KAIST in Daejeon, Republic of Korea.

All lectures at KAIST will be presented in English to better serve a growing number of students from overseas. Undergraduate students may earn either a bachelor of science degree in electrical engineering or computer engineering from Georgia Tech in tandem with the bachelor of science degree in electrical engineering from KAIST. While in the dual undergraduate degree program, students spend two years each at both Georgia Tech and KAIST. For the master’s dual degree program in ECE, students spend two semesters each at both institutions. Participating students must satisfy the graduation requirements established by both universities in order to earn degrees from both institutions.

“One of the goals in our strategic plan is to support Georgia Tech’s objective to become a global university,” said Gary S. May, professor and Steve W. Chaddick School Chair of Electrical and Computing Engineering.  “We feel that these dual degree programs will help prepare our students to become leaders who will contribute to cultural, political, educational, economic and high-tech concerns in their home countries. In addition, collaborations between the two institutes will create opportunities to educate students who possess the skills for excelling in a dynamic global environment.”

Georgia Tech students participating in the dual bachelor’s degree program will spend their first and fourth years in Atlanta and their second and third years at KAIST. KAIST students spend their first two years in Daejeon and the final two in Atlanta. For the dual master’s program, Georgia Tech students will complete their first year at Georgia Tech and second year at KAIST, while KAIST students will complete the first year at KAIST and second year at Georgia Tech.

“KAIST’s proximity to many governmental research facilities, funding agencies and headquarters of many high- tech companies provides a rich resource for student internships and faculty research collaboration opportunities.” said Sung Kyu Lim, ECE associate professor and KAIST dual degree program director. “In addition, KAIST is near the National Research Foundation of Korea, which is comparable to our National Science Foundation. This symbolizes the strategic importance of KAIST as the leading national research institute in Korea.”

Key areas of interest at KAIST and local industries are information technology, biotechnology and nanotechnology. With approximately 8,000 students, KAIST is home to one of the top science and engineering programs in South Korea and Asia.  

The new programs, pending final approval by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, are scheduled to start in Spring 2011 for the dual BS and Fall 2011 for the dual MS. In addition, since costs for the new degree programs will primarily be covered by tuition, they will be revenue neutral.

The application deadline for the inaugural class is October 1, 2010, for the dual BS and December 1, 2010, for the dual MS. For more information, you may e-mail the program director, Sung Kyu Lim, at limsk@ece.gatech.edu or call 404-894-0373.