
Expansion continues for the College of Engineering at The University of Texas Permian Basin, with the addition of two more degrees. The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) has given approval to UTPB to offer Bachelor of Science degrees in both Chemical and Electrical Engineering.
The two new Engineering programs represent UTPB’s continuing investment in the Permian Basin energy industry. Graduates of these programs will be uniquely qualified for success in the rapidly growing job market and can be expected to meet industry, employer and community demands for skilled engineers.
“The long term strategy for our Engineering program is to significantly increase the number of high quality engineers ready to serve in the most important energy producing regions in the world,” said Sandra Woodley, president of UTPB. “Chemical and Electric engineering will allow us to build a comprehensive College of Engineering that can meet the growing needs of our region and beyond.”
“The addition of Chemical and Electrical Engineering programs to the existing Mechanical and Petroleum programs at UTPB exhibit a strong commitment by the University of Texas system to build and develop a first class engineering school in the Permian Basin, the heart of America’s energy industry,” said Jim Woodcock, owner and chairman of Hy-Bon Engineering Company, Inc. “The continuing growth of the energy industry demands an ongoing supply of engineers to fill the needs. The addition of these new schools coupled with the completion of the new engineering building will assist in supplying these engineers.”
Engineering has been a growing component of the university culture since 2008 with the establishment of the Mechanical Engineering and Petroleum Engineering in 2011. Both were part of the College of Business and Engineering until August, 2017 when the College of Engineering was formed.
The new Chemical and Electrical Engineering programs are part of the newly established College of Engineering and will provide a strong focus on a rigorous and collaborative academic environment that demands excellence, encourages innovation and supports ground-breaking discovery. The new engineering programs also align with UTPB’s goal of promoting practical and environmentally sound practices among its students, faculty, staff and alumni.