Ph.D., Michigan State University, Adult and Continuing Education, Industrial Training, 1991
Master's, Western Michigan University, Educational Leadership, Industrial Training
Bachelor's, Western Michigan University, Major 1: Group Science, Major 2: Physical Geography
Professional Summary
Prior to coming to EMU he was employed by the Casting Division of Textron, Inc., a large, multi-national conglomerate. At Textron, he held positions of Division Manager of Training and Development, Quality Manager, Inspection Superintendent, Pattern Shop Superintendent, Quality/Process Engineer, and Budget Analyst.
Interests and Expertise
Research and Product Development
Manufacturing Process Engineering
Foundry Engineering
Quality Management and Engineering
Statistical Process Control
Quality Systems and Audits
Engineering Cost Analysis
Courses Taught
CADM 122 Engineering Graphics I
FMGT 432 Senior Seminar in Facility Management
MFG 203 Industrial Operations
QUAL 420 Industrial Quality Control
MFG 636 Analysis of Manufacturing Processes
MFG 641 Materials of Industry
MFG 649 Manufacturing Process Planning
QUAL 550 Advanced Statistical Process Control
QUAL 552 Quality Planning
QUAL 553 Geometric and Surface Texture Tolerancing
QUAL 555 Quality Audits
EM 547 Management of Research,Development and Technology
COT 705 Technology Design, Development and Transfer
Selected Publications
D. Fields, Statistical Tools for Continuous Improvement, HFG, LLC, Southfield, MI 1999.
D. Fields & W. Tucker, Manufacturing Process Engineering, Ypsilanti, MI 1993. (for General Motors Corporation)
D. Fields, A Study of Factors Associated With the Transfer of Statistical Process Control Training to Shop-floor Applications, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 1991. (Ph.D. Dissertation)
D. Fields, Manufacturing Processes, Beal & Assoc., Ypsilanti, MI, 1989. (for Ford Motor Company)
Patents / Awards / Grants
COT Outstanding Faculty award in 1996
Dr. Fields is the director of the Center for Product R&D. He has been a faculty member at EMU since 1986. He implemented EMU's master's degree in quality and several cooperative programs with community colleges. He served in the U.S. Army as a Military Police Lieutenant with the 101st Airborne Division and in the Army Reserve and National Guard as an Engineering Corp Executive Officer and Infantry Company Commander.