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Session 1566

Development of an Extended Campus Mechanical Engineering Program

Vincent R. Capece, William E. Murphy, G.T. Lineberry, and Bonita Lykins University of Kentucky

Abstract

The University of Kentucky College of Engineering is currently in the process of establishing mechanical and chemical engineering programs in the Purchase Area region of western Kentucky. These extended campus programs being developed are unique because they are located on a community college campus 255 miles from the main Lexington campus, and they are the direct responsibility of the Lexington campus College of Engineering dean. The motivation for developing these programs was to provide engineering graduates and further engineering educational opportunities for local industries in the area. The programs were initiated after Kentucky’s Council on Higher Education passed a resolution, based on a needs assessment, directing three educational institutions (University of Kentucky, Murray State University, and Paducah Community College) to cooperate in establishing ABET-accredited undergraduate programs in mechanical and chemical engineering in the western Kentucky region, with the University of Kentucky designated as the degree-granting institution. This paper will provide an overview of the development of the extended campus program in mechanical engineering, including a description of the extended campus concept, the role of distance learning, comparative programs state-wide and nationally, and efforts toward ABET accreditation.

I. Introduction

In November 1995 Kentucky’s Council on Higher Education passed a resolution directing three educational institutions to cooperate in establishing ABET-accredited undergraduate programs in mechanical and chemical engineering in the western Kentucky region. The University of Kentucky (UK) was designated to be the degree-granting institution, with Murray State University (MuSU) and the University of Kentucky responsible for the upper division courses, and the University of Kentucky, Murray State University, and Paducah Community College (PCC) responsible for the lower division instruction. MuSU is a western Kentucky university with an accredited engineering technology program. The locations of these institutions are illustrated in Figure 1, which presents a map of the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

The genesis of the resolution was based upon employers in the Purchase Area region, also illustrated in Figure 1, reporting difficulties in recruiting and retaining engineers. It was felt that one cause for these difficulties was inadequate opportunities for employees to pursue undergraduate, graduate, and continuing engineering education in the region. Hence, the proposed programs are designed to prepare students for the local employment market, which is strongly linked to chemical,

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Capece, V. R., & Murphy, W. E., & Lineberry, G. T., & Lykins, B. L. (2000, June), Development Of An Extended Campus Mechanical Engineering Program Paper presented at 2000 Annual Conference, St. Louis, Missouri. 10.18260/1-2--8297