Manufacturing jobs have become a major staple in the state economy, and our department, joining forces by the College of Engineering and The University of Alabama, is doing what it can to supply a pipeline of workers. In an effort to promote and expand on this growing field, we are embarking on adding a manufacturing systems engineering degree to our repertoire and opening a state-of-the-art advanced manufacturing research and education center. This new manufacturing facility is part of an initiative oriented to develop a premier hub for multidisciplinary research and education in intelligent and advanced manufacturing systems and processes.
Our new manufacturing systems engineering bachelor’s degree program is to debut in fall 2022, and will have a distance learning option for people interested in earning the degree who work or are not local. This new program supports UA’s mission by advancing the city, state, nation and world socially and intellectually through education and research. Several new classes will be added to the UA catalog in the coming semesters including 15 one-hour modular, elective courses like basics of robotics, flexible manufacturing systems, industrial robotics, introduction to industrial management, industrial robotics and more, which can lead to skill certification through industry partners. This new manufacturing systems engineering B.S. program will provide graduates the skills and knowledge for successful careers in manufacturing systems and processes, which include practical applications ranging from manufacturing processes to cyber-physical systems.
