The Engineering School recently created a program with Central Virginia Community College that will allow certain CVCC students to go on to earn a bachelor's degree in engineering science from the University without having to leave the Lynchburg area.
The program, Providing Undergraduate Connections to Engineering Education, is set to start this year, meaning that students would begin coursework in conjunction with the University in 2009.
James Groves, assistant dean for research and outreach in the Engineering School, said students will complete two years of study at CVCC to earn an associate's degree in engineering, the equivalent of two years in engineering here at the University. If the student's GPA is strong enough after graduation, he or she will then transfer to the University program without leaving the Lynchburg area, Groves said.
Students will take third- and fourth-year classes until they complete the program and acquire a B.S. in engineering science. Classes will be taught by adjunct faculty or asynchronously, a system by which students can take the classes online, Groves said.
Engineering School Dean James Aylor said the engineering science degree provides students with more flexibility because it allows some specialization in certain courses.
Students in the program must specialize in two of three minors: mechanical, electrical or materials science engineering, Groves said. By 2009, 32 students are expected to enter the University portion of the program, Groves said.
Groves added that because participating students will be taking classes part-time, he expects them to finish in six years rather than four.
President of CVCC Darrel Staat said the program was created because of the large demand for engineers in the Lynchburg area.
"The purpose is to fill the need that is being generated by manufacturing in the Lynchburg area," Staat said. "All manufacturing companies are in strong competition with each other."
AREVA, a company in Lynchburg specializing in the nuclear power industry, is looking to hire 800 engineers within the next five years, said Stan Shoun, vice president for workforce development and continuing education of CVCC.
AREVA is putting $600,000 into the program, allotting $200,000 each year for three years.
Staat said businesses will pay for students' books, fees and tuition. Businesses in the Lynchburg area will also offer students jobs while they're enrolled in the program and will likely make job offers after they've graduated. Salaries are expected to start at $50,000 or $60,000, and students "end up with a degree from a very, very credible institution," Staat said.
Staat said he believes the program will generate great benefits for those involved.
"I think it will be absolutely phenomenal for the students," Staat said. "It will allow businesses to continue grow as they want to and need to."
Groves said the program will have many positive impacts on the University as well.
The program is "going to infuse more technology into teaching," Groves said. "It will increase the number of engineers from U.Va. As a result, we believe we will enhance the reputation of the school."
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