With the development of a new master’s in engineering degree, the UAB School of Engineering is responding to the need for a graduate program that enhances both the technical and business qualifications of the professional engineer. ?The UA System Board of Trustees recently approved the proposal, and it will be submitted to the Alabama Commission on Higher Education (ACHE).

The degree combines engineering and management/entrepreneurship courses and differs from the traditional master’s of science program in that a research component is not required.

The program instead will include a capstone project requiring use of technical and business skills to solve a real-world problem, said Linda Lucas, Ph.D., dean of the UAB School of Engineering. The new program would be a good fit for students with a bachelor of science interested in a fifth-year master’s degree, as well as professionals who want to return to school to pursue a course-driven master’s.

Faculty from the UAB School of Engineering and representatives from Birmingham-area engineering companies will develop the program, with a proposed implementation date of fall 2007. To support the schedules of working professionals, courses will be taught in day, night and weekend formats and through off-site and distance-learning formats.