WSU approves nation’s first graduate program in electric-vehicle engineering

2011 Chevrolet Volt

Wayne State University on Wednesday approved the United States’ first graduate program to train electric-vehicle engineers. The program, which will launch this fall, will offer a master’s degree in electric-vehicle drive engineering as the world’s automakers invest in research and development of electric-vehicles.

“It’s going to be a shot in the arm for Detroit and southeast Michigan in transforming the automotive industry,” WSU associate professor Jerry Ku said, who will direct the program.

The WSU Board of Governors approved the program, which is being developed in partnership with Macomb Community College and NextEnergy, a Detroit nonprofit agency that promotes energy technologies. The program was also kick-started with $5 million in federal money.

“The Department of Energy realized the importance of addressing this emerging need,” Grimm said. The program will be open to a couple hundred students at any given time, Michele Grimm, associate dean for academic affairs in the College of Engineering.”

To enroll for fall semester, students will have to apply by July 1. Students will be taught how to power, put together, design, develop and promote electric and electric hybrid engines.

– By: Omar Rana

Source: Detroit News