Institute for Interdisciplinary Science (i4) | St. Edward's University in Austin, Texas

“To harness the benefits of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, we should not view emerging technologies as mere tools that are completely under our conscious control, nor as external forces that cannot be guided. Instead, we should seek to understand how and where human values are embedded within new technologies, and how these can be shaped to enhance the common good, environmental stewardship and human dignity.”
Klaus Schwab, Shaping the Fourth Industrial Revolution, World Economic Forum.

The mission of the Institute for Interdisciplinary Science (i4) is to build capacity in interdisciplinary sciences, informatics, and emerging technologies as we increase students’ readiness for the 4th Industrial Revolution. The Institute is an educational and professional framework that fosters cross-sector partnerships and interdisciplinary collaborations. To this end, the Institute (i) coordinates on-campus interdisciplinary events that challenge us to explore complicated problems with cross-disciplinary approaches; (ii) organizes cross-sector cooperative agreements with public and private entities around the Austin, TX area and beyond; (iii) exposes STEM majors to the postgraduate landscape by networking them with employers and graduate programs through guaranteed internships; (iv) funds faculty and student professional development by offering awards to faculty and micro-credentialing tuition awards to students; and (v) catalyzes faculty advancement, interdisciplinary collaborations, and innovative research through the presentation of research opportunity awards.

Together, these activities facilitate the preparation of students for the 4th Industrial Revolution, which is a recently embarked era where biological, digital, and physical systems coalesce to connect people, objects, and disciplines. The consensus among world leaders and prominent academics is that interdisciplinary education, industry-academia cross-talks, data science and informatics, and the development of adaptive STEM graduates who can innovate in a climate of change are pivotal for success in the 4th Industrial Revolution.

The Institute for Interdisciplinary Science (i4) is among the Top 10 Reasons for Hilltop Pride

We Prepare Next-Level STEM Graduates

"STEM graduates who can adapt and innovate in a climate of change are pivotal for success in the 4th Industrial Revolution. Our National Science Foundation-funded Institute for Interdisciplinary Science (i4) focuses on increasing students’ readiness for this global revolution brought on by smart technology. The institute builds skills in interdisciplinary sciences, informatics and emerging technologies. Students can tap into paid summer research internships, tuition awards for STEM courses not offered at St. Edward’s; events and keynote speakers; networking with employers and graduate programs; and more". Read the full story.

SEU to You

What is the 4th Industrial Revolution? Associate Professor of Computer Science Bilal Shebaro shares opportunities for internships, micro-certifications and events offered by the Institute for Interdisciplinary Science (i4 Institute) to prepare students for this very exciting time in which we live

Bilal Shebaro, PhD

Director of the Institute for Interdisciplinary Sciences (i4) and Associate Professor of Computer Science

bshebaro@stedwards.edu
512-428-1256
John Brooks Williams South 275

Andrea Holgado, PhD

i4 Leadership Team and Professor of Biological Sciences

aholgado@stedwards.edu
512-448-1415
John Brooks Williams North 219

Charles Hauser, PhD

i4 Leadership Team and Associate Professor of Bioinformatics

charlesh@stedwards.edu
512-233-1671
John Brooks Williams South 277

Paul Walter, PhD

i4 Leadership Team and Associate Professor of Physics

pauljw@stedwards.edu
512-637-5636
John Brooks Williams South 274

Rebecca Thompson, PhD

i4 Leadership Team and Assistant Professor of Chemistry

rthomps7@stedwards.edu
512-637-1985
John Brooks Williams North 113

Jackie DeMuynck

i4 Project Assistant

jdemuync@stedwards.edu
512-428-1299
John Brooks Williams South 276

For more information about i4 programs please email i4_institute@stedwards.edu

OVERVIEW

The Institute for Interdisciplinary Science (i4) is currently coordinating PAID summer internships for NSCI students interested in working at non-profit or for-profit partners sites. These 8 week in-workplace or "remote" training opportunities are designed to expand the preparation of STEM students as they engage in research and development (R&D) projects in a high-paced and competitive setting. Additionally, these experiences allow students to learn about the professional expectations from an employer regarding job responsibilities, firm deadlines, budgetary constraints, and technical knowledge needed for a particular R&D project.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

For participation in the Summer 2022 program applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents who are currently enrolled at St. Edward’s University in the School of Natural Sciences and will be entering their junior or senior year in Fall 2022. At this time i4 cannot accept applications from graduating seniors (May 2022).

INTERNSHIP INFORMATION

Pay: $5,000 total (for 320 hours of work over an 8 week period at 40 hrs per week, subject to applicable taxes based upon your employment status with St. Edward's University )
Travel and Lodging will be provided for non-local internships and lodging on a limited basis for local internships.
Internship Dates: 8 weeks during Summer 2022 (TBD).
Application Deadline: The internship application will be available in Feb. 2022.

Summer 2022 Call for Industry Partners, see: Call for Industry Partners.

Summer 2022 Internship Guidelines, see: Internship Guidelines.

Summer 2022 Internship Industry Partners and Projects, see: i4 Partners info. (available Feb. 1st, 2022).

Internship Application will be available on Feb. 1st, 2022.

OVERVIEW

The Institute for Interdisciplinary Science (i4) is currently offering tuition awards for specialized training and micro-credentialing to NSCI undergraduates. These tuition awards will aid in the transition to the 4th industrial revolution workplace, allow St. Edward’s students to stay on pace with emerging technologies, and train future employees for the sophisticated STEM labor market.

TUITION AWARD INFORMATION

This tuition award program provides three classes of tuition awards for certificates or micro-credentialing:

Up to $250
$251 to $1,000
$1,001 to $2,000

Applications for tuition awards for certifications and micro-credentials are accepted throughout the year. While multiple applications may be submitted, we will prioritize impacting as many students as possible during any single grant year. There is a cap of $2000 per academic year per student. Students typically receive feedback on their applications within two weeks.

All tuition award submissions must be associated to courses that grant certificates or micro-credentials and prepare students for the 4th Industrial Revolution. This tuition award is to be used for courses not offered at St. Edward’s University.

For tuition award categories and examples, see: CATEGORIES AND EXAMPLES

For tuition award applications and instructions, see: CALL FOR TUITION AWARDS

APPLY HERE to submit a tuition award application. Please allow the i4 Review Team at least two weeks to review, prior to the start date of the training)

OVERVIEW

The Institute for Interdisciplinary Science (i4) supports a funding mechanism for the distribution of Research Opportunity Awards (ROAs). The i4 Institute is excited to announce that it is now accepting Research Opportunity Award (ROA) applications with award amounts up to $15K for research projects that will end in August 15, 2022, or with award amounts up to $30K for research projects that will end in August 15, 2023. Our next round of proposal reviews will consider applications received up to March 21, 2022, and funds for accepted applications will become available for expenditures from the day of approval until application end date.

The ROAs provide opportunities to facilitate the incorporation of emerging technologies and interdisciplinary science in faculty research and co-curricular undergraduate experiences.

ROA Call for Proposals and Instructions, see: ROA CALL FOR PROPOSALS

ROA Frequently Asked Questions, see: ROA FAQs

APPLY HERE to submit an ROA application

OVERVIEW

The Institute for Interdisciplinary Science (i4) supports a funding mechanism for the distribution of Professional Development Grants (PDGs). The i4 Institute is excited to announce that it is now accepting Professional Development Grant (PDG) applications with award amounts up to $15K for projects that will end in August 15, 2022, or with award amounts up to $30K for projects that will end in August 15, 2023. Our next round of proposal reviews will consider applications received up to March 21, 2022, and funds for accepted applications will become available for expenditures from the day of approval until application end date.

The PDGs provide opportunities for faculty to expand or develop competencies recognized as key to success in educating the 21st century STEM workforce while preparing students for the 4th industrial revolution.

PDG Call for Proposals and Instructions, see: PDG CALL FOR PROPOSALS

PDG Frequently Asked Questions, see: PDG FAQs

APPLY HERE to submit a PDG application

OVERVIEW

The Institute for Interdisciplinary Science (i4) is currently offering Professional Development Certifications for specialized training and micro-credentialing to NSCI Faculty and Staff. These Professional Development Certifications will aid in the transition to the 4th industrial revolution workplace, allowing St. Edward’s Faculty and Staff to stay on pace with emerging technologies and therefore train students to be future employees for the sophisticated STEM labor market.

Applications for Professional Development Certifications and micro-credentials are accepted throughout the year. While multiple applications may be submitted, we will prioritize impacting as many Faculty and Staff as possible during any single grant year. There is a cap of $2,000 per academic year per Faculty or Staff member. Applicants typically receive feedback on their applications within two weeks.

All Professional Development Certification submissions MUST be associated with courses that grant certificates or micro-credentials and prepare Faculty and Staff for the 4th Industrial Revolution.

PDC Application Instructions, see: PDC CALL FOR APPLICATIONS

APPLY HERE to submit a PDC application

NSCI Senior Symposium 2021 - Keynote Speaker Address

Friday, March 5th, 2021 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm (Virtual Zoom Event)

Speaker: Dr. France A. Córdova, former NSF Director

Talk Title: "One Woman's Response to Challenges in Science Leadership"

Watch Dr. Córdova's keynote speech here

Documentary Screening "PICTURE A SCIENTIST" film

Watch Trailer

Watch Movie (SEU credentials required)

You can also scan this QR code with your mobile device's camera to watch it on your smartphone or tablet.

Global Health Challenges Symposium

September 25, 2020: 8:50am - 12 Noon, St. Edward's University

Speaker: Juliano Calil, MESM, PhD., Co-Founder and Chief Scientist, Virtual Planet Technologies

Talk Title: Using Virtual Reality in Climate Adaptation

NSCI Senior Symposium 2020 - Keynote Speaker Address

Friday, February 28, 2020 1:00 pm - 1:50 pm in Jones Auditorium

Speaker: Thong Nguyen, Tech Entrepreneur, Business Leader and TEDxMinneapolis Curator

Talk Title: Out of Our Minds: Creating Futures That Don't Exist Yet

Watch event in 360 View (for best results, watch with VR Goggles)

Documentary Screening and Panel Discussion: "Human Nature"

Thursday, November 7, 2019 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm in Jones Auditorium, St. Edward's University

INFO SESSIONS

Want to know more about i4?

The i4 Team is available to speak to faculty and students regarding upcoming i4 funding opportunities. These include Tuition Awards, Internships, and faculty Research Opportunity Awards (ROAs) and Professional Development Grants (PDGs) for tenured and tenure-track NSCI faculty. Please email us at i4_institute@stedwards.edu to schedule a meeting or presentation with us.