UW Adds Engineering Technology Program To Northeast Schools

By

At its meeting last week, the University of Wisconsin Board of Regents approved a new engineering technology program for northeastern Wisconsin.

Starting this fall, students can enroll to earn a Bachelor of Science in Engineering Technology through either UW-Oshkosh or UW-Green Bay.

John Koker, Dean of UW-Oshkosh’s College of Letters and Science, says Engineering Technology is different from an Engineering degree. Technologists, he says, are more hands on.

Stay informed on the latest news

Sign up for WPR’s email newsletter.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

“So where engineers will work on more theoretical design, engineering technologists work more on applications and making machines work,” says Koker.

Koker says area manufacturers were clamoring for technologists. He says they’ve had to recruit employees from outside of northeastern Wisconsin.

“It’s really meeting a demand from manufacturers and employers across this part of the state,” says Koker.

Koker says there will most likely be internship opportunities for students.

The collaboration includes the College of the Menominee Nation and the region’s technical colleges. The schools already offer some two-year engineering degrees which can be put toward the new four-year Bachelor’s degrees.

The new program offers three concentrations: electrical, mechanical, or environmental engineering.