HUNTSVILLE – Designed to meet the needs of students seeking a career in applied engineering, the University of Alabama in Huntsville is launching a bachelor’s program in engineering technology.
The program will bridge the gap between engineering theory and technical application – preparing students for highly skilled technical jobs, the university said.
“One of the exciting things about this program is that we have a strong group of students who are currently working in industry on fascinating topics such as the Space Launch System and other cutting-edge research technologies,” said Dr. Alisa Henrie, clinical assistant professor of engineering technology at UAH. “These students partner with traditional students who do not yet have industry work experience, providing unique peer mentoring opportunities.”
According to Henrie, the program is designed to help meet the growing demand for qualified workers in North Alabama and surrounding regions as industries such as aerospace and aviation, automotive, and metal and advanced materials manufacturing expand.
“Our program is focused on supporting the advancement of manufacturing and technology-driven industries in North Alabama,” she said. “To assure that we are helping meet their workforce needs, we will rely on the advice of our advisory board of local industry and professional partners.”
The program allows students to have a career and an education. Required courses are offered at least once a year and can be taken remotely or in a hybrid format.
The hybrid format provides students with the opportunity to meet in the classroom each week but access at least half of the lectures and supplemental material online. Nearly every course is accelerated, so courses are completed in seven weeks instead of 14.
The goal is for students to have the most valuable learning experience possible in the shortest amount of time, the university said.
Graduates will gain the skills and knowledge to enter a variety of fields including test and evaluation, design, manufacturing, operations, service, maintenance and sales.
Students will work in teams to learn vital business skills such as project management, budgeting, resource allocation, time management, schematics, rapid prototyping, design and communication.
The lab is designed with resources that all students, both on-campus and remote, can utilize. It includes a 3D printer, electrical circuit analysis equipment, a laser cutter and soldering stations.
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