Research Energy

Driven in part by the renewed interest of industry, the Swanson School of Engineering is preparing the next generation of engineering leadership across several energy disciplines: nuclear energy, mining, and electricity. Read the article

For information, please contact Don Shields at 412-624-8120 or send an e-mail to .

Learn more about the our energy certificates:

Undergraduate Certificate in Mining Engineering

Undergraduate Certificate in Nuclear Engineering

Graduate Certificate in Nuclear Engineering

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Energy Programs Unite Industry, School in Partnership for Education and Research
(Excerpt taken from the Swanson School of Engineering 2007 Annual Report)

With fuel prices soaring and demand for power outpacing suppliers at an alarming rate, energy is a topic at the forefront of many academic disciplines, not to mention popular culture.

Fortunately for students at the Swanson School of Engineering, the University of Pittsburgh is ahead of the curve.

Driven in part by the renewed interest of industry, the school is preparing the next generation of engineering leadership across several energy disciplines: nuclear energy, mining, and electricity.

“Everything we’re doing in power and energy is being driven by industry—mainly because companies in these fields have, over the past few decades, not invested in workforce development, not invested in their infrastructure, and not invested in their technology,” explains Don Shields, director of corporate relations.

To enhance its programs and ensure they meet the needs of a field that is rapidly evolving, the school has partnered with several corporations to develop curricula, provide funding, and, in some cases, teach the courses. Westinghouse Electric Co. provides expertise in nuclear energy; CONSOL Energy in mining; KEMA and Allegheny Power in electricity. More may appear in future years; as Shields puts it, “We are branching out and pitching to other companies all the time.”

In addition to supplying a workforce, Pitt’s role is to help with research and development and create new technologies as energy suppliers improve infrastructure and meet the demands of their markets. Research grants have been established with the Department of Energy, the National Energy Technology Laboratory, and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

Larry Foulke segued into his role as director of the school’s nuclear engineering program just a few months after retiring from the Bettis Laboratory, a West Mifflin, Pa., company that develops advanced naval nuclear propulsion technology. In the fall of 2006, he taught Introduction to Nuclear Engineering to 72 Pitt undergraduates. At least seven courses are in the works for graduate-level students.

“They were largely stimulated by the fact that Westinghouse is hiring very aggressively,” says Foulke. “Over the next two years, they expect to hire 1,500 people in anticipation of the worldwide business in building new plants.”

The school’s plan with nuclear engineering, as with the other energy-related programs, is to offer certification programs instead of full degrees in each discipline. Rather, students’ degrees would be in existing majors such as mechanical engineering, the idea being that a broader education will be more valuable after graduation.

Shields emphasizes the importance of the role that industry partners have in shaping the programs, which also have earned the support of the Heinz Endowments.

“They are very important to our region because they’re physically located here,” Shields says of the companies. “They can’t be outsourced to India. It’s important for the Pittsburgh region. We are a leader in education, a pioneer in research, and a partner in regional development. And we’ve hit all three things with this initiative.”

 

Facility Research

• Institutes and Initiatives
• Centers
• Laboratories
• Machine Shop