VCU to Offer State’s First Doctoral Program In Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering
Anne Buckley
University Public Affairs
(804) 828-6052
albuckley@vcu.edu
Joan Izzo
VCU School of Engineering
(804) 827-3984
jlizzo@vcu.edu
10/4/2012
Virginia Commonwealth University has received state approval to offer a doctoral degree in mechanical and nuclear engineering, the first such program in Virginia to prepare graduates to address technical challenges from both engineering disciplines.
The State Council of Higher Education for Virginia has approved the program, which will be offered beginning in the spring of 2013, and is the only doctoral program in Virginia incorporating nuclear engineering.
It reflects VCU’s decision to create an advanced degree program that responds to industry demand for graduates with skills in both mechanical and nuclear engineering for employment in critical fields such as power generation, alternative energy, nuclear medicine and national defense and homeland security.
The new program, which will be taught by faculty from the Department of Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering in the VCU School of Engineering, offers an unprecedented approach to prepare engineering researchers with broad, interdisciplinary training bridging two complementary fields.
“I applaud VCU for being the first school in the commonwealth to offer this program that will prepare students for the in-demand, highly skilled, good-paying jobs in the energy industry,” said Gov. Bob McDonnell.
“The new program in mechanical and nuclear engineering at the VCU School of Engineering fits perfectly with the goals of the landmark Top Jobs higher education legislation, passed two years ago in Virginia,” he said.
“In keeping with our strategic plan, the new VCU School of Engineering doctoral program in mechanical and nuclear engineering is additional evidence of VCU’s commitment to attracting highly motivated and well-prepared students with an interest in leading in the STEM-H fields,” said VCU President Michael Rao, Ph.D.
In response to a growing national interest in nuclear energy, the VCU School of Engineering added a master’s degree in mechanical and nuclear engineering in 2007.
J. Charles Jennett, Ph.D., interim dean of the VCU School of Engineering, said, “The cutting-edge program will build on VCU’s existing strengths and expertise in mechanical and nuclear engineering to answer the increasing need for engineers and scientists trained in both disciplines.”
“Graduates of this program will possess the knowledge and skills needed to solve a broad range of engineering challenges with both mechanical and nuclear engineering elements,” he added.
For more information on this program contact Karla M. Mossi, Ph.D., director of graduate studies, VCU Department of Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering at kmmossi@vcu.edu.
- About VCU and the VCU Medical Center
Virginia Commonwealth University is a major, urban public research university with national and international rankings in sponsored research. Located in downtown Richmond, VCU enrolls more than 31,000 students in 223 degree and certificate programs in the arts, sciences and humanities. Sixty-eight of the programs are unique in Virginia, many of them crossing the disciplines of VCU’s 13 schools and one college. MCV Hospitals and the health sciences schools of Virginia Commonwealth University comprise the VCU Medical Center, one of the nation’s leading academic medical centers. For more, see www.vcu.edu.
- About VCU Engineering
Virginia Commonwealth University School of Engineering, located in Richmond, Virginia, opened in 1996 and houses three state-of-the-art engineering facilities, the School offers more than 300,000 square feet of the highest quality classrooms and laboratory space. Driven to be the national model for innovation in engineering and research, the School offers BS, MS, and PhD degrees in mechanical, nuclear, biomedical, electrical, computer and chemical and life science engineering, and computer science. Interdisciplinary research opportunities are offered through the Center for Nanomaterials and Characterization, the Institute for Engineering and Medicine, the C. Kenneth and Dianne Harris Wright Virginia Microelectronics Center, and the da Vinci Center for Innovation. For more, see www.egr.vcu.edu.