New Professional Master’s Degree in Engineering Debuts
Jan. 23, 2020 - The Samueli School of Engineering has launched a new master of engineering professional degree aimed at early to mid-career professionals or new graduates who are interested in pursuing industry jobs or starting their own business. The full-time, three-quarter-long program will sharpen students’ workplace skills with advanced specialized training, entrepreneurship and leadership courses, and team-oriented capstone project experience.
“We initiated this program in response to the expressed needs of our industry partners,” said Gregory Washington, dean of the Samueli School. “Our master of engineering degree is focused on the areas and disciplines that pertain to the grand challenges of the day and will accelerate students’ potential in industries such as electronics, aerospace, automotive, biomedical, manufacturing, robotics, security, defense and construction.”
A master’s degree gives students the opportunity to gain a deeper technical understanding in the subject they choose. The program offers four concentrations – biomedical engineering, civil and environmental engineering, electrical engineering and computer science, or mechanical and aerospace engineering – and specialization options within each discipline.
The program features courses that will sharpen students’ workplace aptitude and provide basic knowledge of product conception, development and launch. Students will acquire integrative knowledge of systems, as well as hands-on training and experiences. The capstone project, as opposed to a thesis, provides the opportunity to work on real-world problems with faculty and industry partners.
Fadi Kurdahi, professor of electrical engineering and computer science and associate dean of graduate and professional studies, serves as faculty director of the new program. “Our goal is to educate students in the foundation, skills and practices of engineering in different concentrations, and to instill skills that go beyond purely technical education, preparing them to become leaders − whether technical managers in large companies or entrepreneurs starting their own enterprises.”
Admission to the program is open now through March 15, and the inaugural class will begin in fall 2020. For more information, see http://meng.eng.uci.edu.
– Lori Brandt
