The PRC has embarked to reform systems packaging education to become one of the most comprehensive, system-level and global microsystems packaging education programs in the world. Its approach is revolutionary and includes an integrated and systematic approach to education that places emphasis on microsystems packaging from fundamental to system-level and from classroom theory to hands-on experience. PRC's educational reforms have included the development and implementation of revolutionary curriculum and degree programs, leading of international academic conferences and colloquia, publication of premier comprehensive texts and teaching materials never-before available in the field.

The Center prepares students at all levels from B. S. and M. S. to Ph.D. and offers conferences and workshops for engineers in field. Students enrolled in degree programs are given a cross-disciplinary engineering education with an industry perspective. Programs include practice-oriented experiences such as research teaming, industry internships, co-ops, and specialized coursework involving equipment and laboratory exposure. In addition to the engineering training, students are mentored in business, communication and leadership skills.

Pre-College Outreach
The PRC recognizes that recruiting well-prepared students into any engineering program, including electronics packaging, is a "pipeline" issue. The roots of this endeavor reach further back along the educational path than the freshman year. The PRC is committed to improving the awareness of pre-college students and teachers of electronics careers. In this way, the PRC education program seeks to serve another critical constituency by creating a larger pool of potential students.
The PRC partners with existing Georgia Tech pre-college programs such as the Center for Education Integrating Science, Mathematics, and Computing (CEISMC) in order to address pre-college pipeline issues. CEISMC sponsors a coordinated set of programs at the pre-college level designed to insure the best possible preparation for Georgia students in science, math and technology. Current CEISMC partners include educational and political leaders in the Georgia Initiative in Mathematics and Science (GIMS), the Georgia Partnership for Excellence in Education, and the Georgia Coalition for Science, Technology and Mathematics Education. Examples of programs currently under the CEISMC umbrella include FutureS cape, a career awareness program for female middle and high school students, and Georgia Industrial Fellowships for Teachers (GIFT) -- a program that provides opportunities for Georgia middle and high school educators to explore firsthand the applications of math and science in "real world" environments.

Admission Requirements
The Packaging Research Center at Georgia Institute of Technology is the nation's foremost Research Center dedicated to next generation of Microelectronic Systems Packaging referred to as System-on-a-Package or SOP. It offers a multidisciplinary research environment for students majoring in Electrical & Computer Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Chemical Engineering as well as in Physics, Chemistry and Management. The center has developed the most comprehensive system level microelectronic packaging curricula by providing cross-disciplinary and hands-on system level courses and research in SOP packaging from electrical design (Electrical Engineering) to materials processing (Materials Science and Chemical Engineering) to thermal and reliability (Mechanical Engineering).

Undergraduate Admission Requirements
Prospective students who wish to do research at the PRC must be accepted by one of the above-mentioned schools at Georgia Tech. Deadlines for Admissions to Georgia Tech for the fall semester is January 15th for foreign nationals and May 1st for US citizens . The average GPA for year 1999 - 2000 was 3.78. Students are required to take the SAT or the ACT. The average scores for year 1999 - 2000 for SAT was 1304 and ACT 31(verbal) and 32(math). For foreign nationals, a minimum TOFEL score of 600 is required for a paper based exam or 250 for a computer based exam.

Graduate Admission Requirements
Prospective students who wish to do research at PRC at the graduate level must apply and be accepted by one of the above mentioned graduate schools at Georgia Tech. Admission into the PRC is highly competitive. Requirements for admission to the various schools vary depending on their respective criteria. Typically, for Electrical Engineering a GRE score of Q+A > 1400 and a V > 500 is expected. TOEFL score > 550 is required for foreign nationals (not having English as their primary language). To apply for admission students are required to submit a complete application, including three letters of recommendation, a biographical sketch listing accomplishments and career objectives, and official transcripts from all schools attended after high school. A good academic record is essential and a proven aptitude for research is desirable. Students who are offered admission will have the opportunity to work with one of the 35 PRC faculty from one of the above mentioned schools. Since PRC faculty gets funding from the PRC, the most qualified students can expect to get Graduate Research Assistantships (GRA).