The EngiNet program at UB has increased significantly its enrollment during the past year as more engineers sign up to earn an advanced degree or receive professional development from the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS).

The number of students taking the distance-learning graduate courses through the UB program tripled over the past three semesters-from 21 to 63-through an increased emphasis on marketing.

More than 85 percent of the students are New York residents. Others live in California, Georgia, Indiana, Texas, Maryland, Pennsylvania and Nevada, and one student actually resides in the Dominican Republic-3,000 miles from Buffalo.

"You can build a distance-learning program like EngiNet and the students will enroll, but only if you offer what they want and actively target your market and recruit them," jokes Robert Barnes, EngiNet director and associate dean for external affairs in the engineering school.

That's exactly what the school has done.

The program offers a master's degree in four areas: civil, structural and environmental engineering; mechanical and aerospace engineering; electrical engineering, and industrial engineering.

Engineers also can audit or take courses for professional advancement and development.

Full-time UB faculty members develop, teach and videotape their courses-the videotaped lectures also will be available on CD ROM by mid-semester this spring-and provide handouts and other course-related materials to students once or twice a week via United Parcel Service. The faculty members also grade and return homework, and administer exams.

Some 65 SEAS faculty members participate in the EngiNet program.

A cooperative, distance-learning consortium of engineering schools at the SUNY university centers at UB, Stony Brook and Binghamton, EngiNet was initiated in 1994 for engineers who wanted advanced courses or a master's degree in engineering but could not attend classes on a campus.

Two years ago, each of the three schools began to develop and market its own programs. UB last year hired Marge Hewlett as corporate relations administrator to coordinate, oversee and market EngiNet to prospective students. Enrollment increased substantially.

"EngiNet is a wonderful option for engineers who aren't within easy commute of an on-campus program," Barnes points out.

For others, it's an alternative for those who can't attend on-campus classes because of work or family responsibilities, or whose jobs require frequent travel.

The 30-credit-hour master's degree requires eight three-credit-hour courses and a six-credit-hour thesis project, or an approved variation of these requirements.

On the average, EngiNet students take only one course per semester because they work full-time.

"If it weren't for the EngiNet option, many of these students wouldn't be able to earn an advanced degree or take courses for professional development," Barnes notes.

For more information on the EngiNet program, contact Hewlett at mhewlett@eng.buffalo.edu or visit the EngiNet Web site at http://www.eng.buffalo/EngiNet.