Starting next fall, students interested in engineering can choose to study one of the new four-year engineering technology majors at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford.

The new majors, mechanical engineering technology and energy engineering technology, will focus on hands-on, practical applications and prepare students for the same jobs as those with engineering degrees since they will take similar classes in math and engineering.

Dr. Matt Kropf, associate professor of engineering, designed the new majors, which he says involve more hands-on learning and application than traditional engineering degrees. Graduates from engineering technology programs compete for the same jobs as graduates from an engineering degree, including designing and fabricating, managing automated machinery, overseeing industrial processes or developing new ones.

Students in both new majors will be exposed to a spectrum of mathematics, engineering and science broad enough for them to enter a variety of engineering fields.

Hands-on learning will take place in a brand new, 40,000-square-foot building devoted to science, technology and engineering. The new building, which is set to open in Fall 2022, will feature unique spaces to spark students’ creativity.

To teach the new classes required for both majors, Pitt-Bradford plans to hire three new engineering faculty in the next year with more to come as programs grow.

The new majors are part of a suite of options Pitt-Bradford has for studying the environment and energy. Other programs include a two-year associate of science in petroleum technology; bachelor’s degrees in environmental science, environmental studies, and energy science and technology; and minors in biology, chemistry, environmental science and geology.

For more information on either program, contact Kropf at 362-5197 or mmk230@pitt.edu or visit https://www.upb.pitt.edu/academics/majors-minors.