The Colorado State University/Adams State University mechanical engineering program has received federal support. US Senators for Colorado Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper secured $1,100,000 to help launch the new degree.
Matt Nehring, Ph.D., director of the Adams State School of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, said the federal funds will primarily be spent on lab renovation and lab equipment in Porter Hall, the Adams State STEM building. “We have committed to replicating all components of the CSU Mechanical Engineering curriculum so that students on the Adams State campus will have the same educational experiences as their Fort Collins counterparts.”
Christian Puttlitz, Ph.D., head of the Department of Mechanical Engineering at CSU, agrees. “The goal of the program is to replicate the experiential learning mechanical engineering experience that students have on the Fort Collins campus. At the core of this experience is the world-class labs and equipment CSU students use and have access to for their engineering projects.” The federal dollars will ensure the Adams State facilities match the CSU-Fort Collins mechanical engineering labs and equipment and therefore provide an equal academic experience for students at the rural institution.
Starting in Fall 2022, students can enroll in the Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering program on the Adams State campus. The first two years of the program will be taught by Adams State faculty, and the second half, which includes the senior design capstone project, will be taught by CSU faculty in-person on the Alamosa campus. Adams State will also offer an associate’s degree linked to the successful completion of the two years of lower-division courses.
The funding was part of a $121 million for Colorado projects in the Fiscal Year 2022 (FY22) omnibus funding bill. “This investment will help meet the needs of rural students and strengthens the local economy,” Bennet said.
For more information visit CSU/ASU mechanical engineering degree.