Development of new programs in engineering technology education driven by community needs

A program in Safety and Fire Engineering Technology at the University of Houston-Downtown was developed in response to community needs and requests for personnel training by area fire departments. The four years Bachelor of Engineering Technology program is designed to prepare professionals to assess and reduce the loss potential in industrial settings with respect to fire, floods, tornadoes, explosions and hazardous material accidents. Managing risk and compliance with federal US laws and regulations relative to occupational safety is an increasingly important job activity in modern society. Computer usage and use of distance learning technologies are essential components of the program. Simulation programs for training students in management of hazardous situations and also in management of operations for safety are used. The software is implemented in the existing computer graphics facilities of UHD´s Engineering Technology Department. This curriculum provides for diversification of professional goals in the fields of security management, calamity management, and criminal justice as applied to industrial safety. With this broad scope, the program should attract students from many industrial sectors, for example the insurance field. The Engineering Technology Department at the University of Houston-Downtown also offers two other unique and distinct degree programs leading to 4 years Bachelor of Science degrees with specialization in Process and Piping Design and Structural Analysis and Design. These programs provide intensive and focused instruction in real world applications.