Academic program news
UDM launches new Architectural Engineering Program
Beginning Fall Term 2010, University of Detroit Mercy's College of Engineering & Science will offer a Bachelor of Architectural Engineering (B.A.E), providing engineering students a more comprehensive understanding of architectural design. This new degree is like no other in the state, as students will take the same set of classes as first year architecture students and also be required to take a co-op assignment.
Graduates of the program will work in areas related to building planning, design and construction. The specialty of building electrical and mechanical systems is in particular demand. As energy prices go up, and as the country places stronger emphasis on sustainable practices, there is a need to make new buildings that are green, and renovate older ones to be more efficient. This program comes at a crucial time for Michigan because the economy needs to diversify into areas with green jobs.
"Co-op graduates from our program will be equipped to design and renovate buildings to be more energy efficient," says Alan Hoback, chair of Civil, Architectural & Environmental Engineering at UDM.
Students will take courses in all three areas of architectural engineering: structures, construction, and mechanical and electrical systems. In their last two years at UDM, the students will specialize their coursework in one of these areas.
"As we enter the College of Engineering & Science's 100th year of educating engineering leaders, we are launching another innovative degree program designed with and for architectural professionals, complimenting UDM's strong programs in both civil engineering and architecture," explains Leo E. Hanifin, dean of the College of Engineering & Science.
"I can see a strong demand for graduates of UDM's unique program," says Steven R. Berlage, vice president and general manager, Turner Construction Company. "In today's economy, this degree will better prepare students to be more successful in their careers."
The students in this program will get cooperative education employment in their off-terms. These co-op jobs will give the graduates of the engineering programs a full year of experience before they graduate. They will help the students decide which specialty of architectural engineering that they would like to focus on, improve their resumes, and provide an income that students use to pay for tuition and living expenses.
Current Civil Engineering student, Erin Brady, says, "The co-op program is a wonderful opportunity to get job experience in the field. I was able to put money toward school and also determine which specialty I would want to study." Merit and need-based scholarships are available.
This program supplements other engineering programs at UDM including: Civil & Environmental Engineering, Mechanical & Manufacturing Engineering, and Electrical and Computer Engineering. All engineering programs at UDM have received notoriety for their innovative curriculum and their involvement of students into real projects.
The B.A.E. program just received a $100,000 gift from University engineering alumnus Warren Loranger. The gift will be used to renovate space into a new design studio built specifically for the program.
For more information, visit the BAE program web site.
UDM partners with Engineering Society of Detroit and Ford Motor Co. to offer Advanced Electric Vehicle programs
University of Detroit Mercy's College of Engineering & Science in conjunction with Engineering Society of Detroit (ESD) are introducing a new Advanced Electric Vehicle (AEV) graduate certificate program this summer. The curriculum emphasizes core electric and hybrid vehicle engineering expertise, such as power electronics, power flow, energy management and system architecture. Courses will be taught at the ESD Headquarters, 20700 Civic Center Drive in Southfield.
Ford Focus EV. Photo from green.autoblog.com
The program was designed to educate and retrain traditional automotive engineers, providing them with the skills and expertise to develop the next generation of advanced electric and hybrid vehicles.
"UDM has created seven new courses that are directly responsive to the educational needs of the automotive and defense ground vehicles industries," says Leo E. Hanifin, dean of the College of Engineering & Science. "The competencies achieved by these courses will enable teams from automotive OEMs and suppliers to develop the electric and hybrid vehicles that will keep the global leadership of the auto industry for this critical segment of the world's transportation future right here in southeastern Michigan," says Hanifin.
The AEV program provides engineers with the technical and systems knowledge needed to be effective contributors to the development of world-class advanced electric vehicles. Courses include:
- Introduction to AEVs,
- Electric Drives/Electromechanical Energy Conversion,
- Controls Modeling & Design for AEVs,
- Systems Engineering for AEVs,
- Innovation and Systems Architecture for AEVs,
- Energy Storage Systems/Battery Technologies and
- Power Electronics for Electric Vehicles.
The summer schedule for the program is available online.
This program is an extension of UDM's recent partnership with Ford Motor Company to retrain Ford engineers to develop advanced electric and hybrid vehicles. As vehicle electrification plans expand, the automotive industry's need for electric vehicle savvy engineers also is growing, creating increased demand for electrical, mechatronics, systems and controls engineering education. Ford and UDM have collaborated to create a new graduate-level curriculum focused on key engineering skills for the development of electrified vehicles.
The UDM program will supplement Ford's internal electrical engineering training courses as the company retrains its own employees to deliver the company's aggressive electric vehicle product strategy. The course series, which began in January 2010, is designed to advance the knowledge and capabilities of technological team members in the automotive and defense ground vehicle industries.
Approximately 125 Ford engineers will participate in the program over the next several years.
For more information about either of these Advanced Electric Vehicle programs at UDM, contact Duane Spytman at 313-993-1128 or spytmada@udmercy.edu.
Other new areas of study
To learn more about other academic areas of study that the College of Engineering & Science has recently developed, visit the following links:
