Some LSU graduate students now have the opportunity to earn a doctorate degree here in Baton Rouge and at a prestigious Chinese university at the same time. The new dual physics doctorate program — conceived by physics professor Ward Plummer and finalized by College of Basic Sciences Dean Kevin Carman this summer — links the University with the Institute of Physics in Beijing. “The program will give students the international experience of dealing with science in two different countries,” Plummer said. “The idea is that students would start [class work] there for a couple years and come here [for research]. Or vice versa.”Plummer said the program’s first student will arrive soon from China. He said LSU is also trying to work out a partnership with Nanjing University in China.Stacia Haynie, vice provost for academic affairs and planning, helped develop the program and work out details for LSU administrators. “This partnership will build an incredible intellectual exchange between our students and faculty and those of the Institute of Physics in Beijing,” Haynie said in an e-mail to The Daily Reveille.This “intellectual exchange” mainly centers on facilities, Plummer said. Students from China will get to utilize the University’s technology as well as advanced technology offered across the U.S., while LSU students will get to experience the technology China has to offer. He said Chinese science traditionally puts emphasis on building devices, while American science focuses on innovation and creativity. “If we can do this together, everybody wins,” Plummer said. “This has been a gigantic step forward.” Two members of Plummer’s research team, physics professors Jiandi Zhang and Rongying Jin, accompanied Plummer and Carman on their trip to China in July to finalize paperwork for the program. Allowing students to experience a different culture and earn two degrees at once, the program will give students an advantage when they graduate, Plummer said.Plummer said he expects the program to involve about 10 students. The program will be funded by the Institute of Physics and individual researchers students will work beside. Plummer wants to eventually expand the program to include dual doctoral programs with Chinese universities for engineering, biology and other science departments, as well. This isn’t the first connection the University has made with China. The Modern Chinese Commerce and Culture Initiative — or “China Initiative” — is a cooperative effort among the E.J. Ourso College of Business, the College of Arts and Sciences and the LSU Honors College. It is designed to provide University students with knowledge of the Chinese business and cultural environment and foster U.S.-China relations. Special courses like Mandarin Chinese, politics of China and Chinese marketing are available for students to take, as well as opportunities to study abroad.————Contact Kyle Bove at [email protected]