Online Engineering Program Is Accepting Fall Applications

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- State University of New York Chancellor John R. Ryan has announced that the world's first completely online Bachelor's in Electrical Engineering (BEE) program is being offered this fall by the University at Buffalo's School of Engineering and Applied Sciences and by the engineering schools of Binghamton University and Stony Brook University.

The deadline for fall semester applications is Aug. 31. Students may apply at http://le.suny.edu/bee.

"New York State needs more engineers and I am pleased that SUNY is able to answer that call," said Ryan. "SUNY leads the nation and the world in offering online degrees and for-credit courses, enabling anyone, anytime, anywhere in the world access to our outstanding faculty. SUNY very much appreciates the continuing generous support of the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, which makes programs like this possible."

The BEE initiative first was announced by SUNY in 2005 in conjunction with the receipt of a $300,000 grant from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation to support creation of the online program.

It is SUNY's first online program offered by multiple campuses.

The program allows students to complete electrical engineering courses online, work toward a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering and work anytime, anywhere to complete the degree requirements.

"Giving more students more opportunities to learn in ways that meet the needs of their professional and personal lives has to be a priority of higher education," said Harvey G. Stenger, Jr., Ph.D., dean of the UB School of Engineering and Applied Sciences. "I am glad to see that the BEE program is working to meet those needs."

"Talented and dedicated faculty from three SUNY campuses have collaborated in the development of a new and innovative online program. The new program will be of great benefit to many students who cannot attend traditional courses, and new educational techniques will emerge that will

improve engineering education for all students," said Charles R. Westgate, Ph.D., dean of the Thomas J. Watson School of Engineering and Applied Science at Binghamton University.

"This program will have far-reaching impact on engineering education in the U.S. and the world and will provide SUNY with a leadership position in engineering education," said Yacov Shamash, Ph.D., vice president of economic development of Stony Brook University, and dean, College of Engineering and Applied Sciences.

The Alfred P. Sloan Foundation is a philanthropic nonprofit institution, established in 1934 by Alfred Pritchard Sloan, Jr., then president and chief executive officer of the General Motors Corporation. The foundation's programs and interests are divided into five main areas: science and technology; standard of living and economic performance; education and careers in science and technology; selected national issues; and the civic program. The Alfred P. Sloan Foundation has provided more than $4.5 million to support the distance learning efforts of the State University of New York since 1994.

The University at Buffalo is a premier research-intensive public university, the largest and most comprehensive campus in the State University of New York.