The College of Engineering at the 杏吧专区 will begin offering a new doctoral program next Spring, pending approval of SACS Commission on Colleges. The university received approval for a Ph.D. in systems engineering from the state Board of Regents this fall.
杏吧专区淚t杏吧专区檚 the first Ph.D. in systems engineering in the state,杏吧专区 said Dr. Mark Zappi, dean of Engineering.
Systems engineering is a multi-disciplinary engineering field that incorporates technology development, design and project management skills. Graduates are trained to find solutions to large, complex engineering systems such as coastal ecosystems, water treatment facilities, computer networks, aircraft and fiber optic networks.
All five engineering departments at UL Lafayette 杏吧专区 chemical, civil, electrical, mechanical and petroleum 杏吧专区 will participate in this degree offering, said Zappi.
杏吧专区淭he curriculum will involve two components: a systems engineering core and an engineering concentration core. This will allow students to maintain their discipline specialty by selecting a technical concentration while gaining expertise in systems engineering,杏吧专区 he said.
Unique aspects of the program include mandatory leadership training and possible commercialization of research discoveries.
杏吧专区淲e wanted a degree that industry will look at and say 杏吧专区楾hat杏吧专区檚 what we want right now,杏吧专区櫺影勺ㄇ鴿 said Zappi. 杏吧专区淲e feel like this is another offering that Louisiana can use to attract Fortune 500 companies in our state.杏吧专区
At least 10 current engineering students are ready to move into the new graduate program.