Dirty Little Secrets About Professors”

 Dr. Douglas A. Wicks

School of Polymers and High Performance Materials

The University of Southern Mississippi

Hattiesburg, MS 39406

Abstract

Within the last 10 years something has dramatically altered in the scientific world. American science finds itself thrown into a global environment, with impact on and competition from many countries around the world. It is an environment of sharing in the generation, dissemination and exploitation of data. The major impact of the new environment is rapid advancement of scientific knowledge, far exceeding any period in history. Looking back over several generations on the impact of a much slower rate of change gives a hint to what a ride we are in for. How should the US education system react to this? What is the impact going to be on students? Professors? How do they work together to be prepared for the unknown that we are facing.