When Emerging Technologies Cross Academic Boundaries: Collaboration or Competition?

Abstract

Institutional barriers associated with disciplinary boundaries created by departments can prove particularly challenging to the approval and implementation of new academic credentials. This paper will utilize a case study technique to analyze the proposal and approval pathway of a certificate focused on medical device cybersecurity in an engineering technology department at a mid-western urban university. From inception through implementation, the paper will examine existing academic boundaries that may be crossed by emerging technologies. The challenges of the process can illuminate the hurdles of collaboration and inform readers who seek to implement other academic courses or programs in emerging areas.