ACKNOWLEDGEMENT This dissertation would not have been possible without the guidance and the help of several

individuals who in one way or another contributed and extended their valuable assistance in the preparation and completion of this study. First and foremost, my utmost gratitude to Dr. Nilo L. Rosas, President of the Philippine Normal University whose sincerity and encouragement I will never forget. Dr. Rosas has been my inspiration as I hurdle all the obstacles in the completion this research work. Dr. Norma J. Manaloto, former Head of the Department of Educational Management,Measurement and Evaluation, who until her day of retirement had kind concern and consideration regarding my academic requirements. Dr. Alice D. Dioquino, for her unselfish and unfailing support as my dissertation adviser; Engr. Alex A. Santos, co-adviser to Dr. Dioquino, for his patience and steadfast encouragement to complete this study; Dr. Danilo K. Villena, Head of the Department of Education Management and Measurement, for the moral support despite his just being newly appointed; Dr. Angelita D. Romero, Dean of the College of Education, for the insights she has shared; Dr. Florentina L. Gorospe, Dr. Jose Rizal Sanchez and Dr. Rebecca C. Nueva-Espa?a for their inputs especially in the curriculum part of this study. They have shared valuable insights in the relevance of the study to basic education not just in the technology sector. The staff of the PNU President s Office especially Ms. Didi, Vic and Noel for being accommodating to our queries likewise the secretary of the Educational Management Department Chair and her student assistant for all the help. Dr. Generosa Eligio, Principal of the CLSU Science High School and Engr. Donald Mateo of the Bureau of Post Harvest Research Extension, Nueva Ecija, for their expertise. Despite the distance, they have painstakingly e-mailed the information I needed. The UST ME graduates namely the Andaya group and Emas group for the literature such as catalogues and journals needed that came all the way from Nueva Ecija; Allan Valera of Santo Tomas E-Services Providers for the assistance on how to use the software needed for my presentation; The Administrators of the Faculty of Engineering University of Santo Tomas, for their untiring effort in encouraging the teaching staff to pursue professional growth. Likewise the staff of the Dean s Office for their relaying every communication sent in my behalf. Mr. Edwin G. Antonio of the UST CAD-Engineering for re-editing the electronic version of this dissertation for consistent pagination prior to printing of the required number of hard copies. Alex Roland Realco, Jr. of the Mechanical Engineering Laboratory I for helping out in sorting and compilation of the printed copies. My colleagues and staff in the Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering and Civil Engineering Departments for the use of facilities in the ME Lab, consultations in EE and moral support from CE. Mechanical Engineering students who in one way or another were assistance especially when the system broke down during the course of usage. Last but not the least, my family and the one above all of us, the omnipresent God, for answering my prayers for giving me the strength to plod on despite my constitution wanting to give up and throw in the towel, thank you so much Dear Lord. Acknowledgement ________________________________________ Note: This is a reprint of my doctoral dissertation acknowledgement. I would like to thank all people who have helped and inspired me during my doctoral study. I especially want to thank my advisor, Prof. Kenneth L. Shepard, for his guidance during my research and study at Columbia University. His perpetual energy and enthusiasm in research had motivated all his advisees, including me. In addition, he was always accessible and willing to help his students with their research. As a result, research life became smooth and rewarding for me. I was delighted to interact with Prof. Yannis P. Tsividis by attending his classes and having him as my co-advisor. His insights to analog circuit design is second to none. Besides, he sets an example of a world-class researcher for his rigor and passion on research. Prof. Nowick, Dr. Kosonocky, and Prof. Weng deserve a special thanks as my thesis committee members and advisors. In particular, I would like to thank Dr. Kosonocky for hiring me as an intern at IBM T. J. Watson Research Center. The associated experience broadened my perspective on the practical aspects in the industry.

All my lab buddies at the Columbia Integrated Systems Laboratory made it a convivial place to work. In particular, I would like to thank George Patounakis for his friendship and help in the past five years. All other folks, including (just a list of names including all folks in CISL *smile*), had inspired me in research and life through our interactions during the long hours in the lab. Thanks. My deepest gratitude goes to my family for their unflagging love and support throughout my life; this dissertation is simply impossible without them. I am indebted to my father, Lan Sang, for his care and love. As a typical father in a Chinese family, he worked industriously to support the family and spare no effort to provide the best possible environment for me to grow up and attend school. He had never complained in spite of all the hardships in his life. Although he is no longer with us, he is forever remembered. I am sure he shares our joy and happiness in the heaven. I cannot ask for more from my mother, Kam Fung, as she is simply perfect. I have no suitable word that can fully describe her everlasting love to me. I remember many sleepless nights with her accompanying me when I was suffering from asthma. I remember her constant support when I encountered difficulties and I remember, most of all, her delicious dishes. Mother, I love you. I feel proud of my sister, Chun, for her talents. She had been a role model for me to follow unconsciously when I was a teenager and has always been one of my best counselors. I would regret my doctoral years at Columbia University if I did not join Columbia Cantonese Christian Fellowship (CCF). Joining CCF was not only a turning point in my life, but also a wonderful experience. I cherished the prayers and support between me and them, and the friendships with my Christian brothers and sisters. I treasured all precious moments we shared and would really like to thank them. The list includes (just a list of names including all folks in CCF *smile*) Furthermore, Rev. Peter Mui and Prof. Ada Mui have always been a constant source of encouragement during my graduate study. They are like my spiritual father and mother who drew me close to the Lord. I admire the persistent and meticulous attitude of Rev. Mui. Despite her hectic schedule as a professor in the School of Social Work, Prof. Mui is always available to chat with me and cheer me up. Apparently, she is an angel from God shedding light on secular issues from a spiritual angle. Prof. Paul Cheung, the former Dean of Engineering at the University of Hong Kong, and Prof. Omar Wing, professor emeritus of Columbia University, have been my teachers and mentors for many years. They offer advice and suggestions whenever I need them. Besides, they have set a role model of a typical Chinese teacher who cares and loves their students as if they were their own kids. Thanks Prof. Cheung and Prof. Wing. My one year stint at Motorola Semiconductors opened my mind and motivated me to attend graduate school. I thank Dr. Lawrence Law for hiring me to his team; his friendship and technical guidance are valued. Furthermore, I am grateful to come across several life-long friends at work. Thanks Albert Au, Harman Ng, Joseph Ng, and Dickson Yeung. The generous support from Croucher Foundation is greatly appreciated. In retrospect, I am amazed by the confidence from the trustees. I am sure my application was not the most outstanding one, but they still granted me the scholarship. Without their support, my ambition to study abroad can hardly be realized. Besides, I would like to acknowledge National Science Foundation as my research was supported in part by them under Grant CCR-0086007. Last but not least, thanks be to God for my life through all tests in the past five years. You have made my life more bountiful. May your name be exalted, honored, and glorified.