Resource and Energy

Engineering Program on the Rise

In fall 2023, the College of Engineering launched a first-of-its-kind undergraduate degree program in resource and energy engineering (REE) aimed at educating students in multiple sources of energy, along with the economic issues and government policy that affect energy delivery.

Two years later, the program has grown to around 50 students and began offering upper-level courses this fall, with its first cohort set to graduate at the end of 2026. It has claimed its own footprint on campus and enjoys strong support from industry.

Unprecedented growth is forecast in energy demand for the next 25 years, and thanks to the new REE program, UTA students will be well-prepared to make the best decisions for how to efficiently meet that demand.

“The program adopts a systems approach to energy transition, extending beyond traditional oil and gas,” says Kendra Wallis, director of undergraduate curriculum development for the program. “Our industry partners are enthusiastic about it and are actively exploring ways to offer students opportunities to develop the skills they'll need in the workforce.”

The REE program recently moved into three offices and three lab spaces in the Engineering Complex South on campus. One lab is dedicated to the Blaze Raycers, a new solar-powered car team; another is for hands-on teaching of energy thermodynamics mass transfer, heat transfer, and phase change; and the final lab is for running computer simulations. This expanded lab space increases opportunities for students to do research and prepare for internships.

“We're mentoring our students and preparing them to be very successful when they graduate,” says Chris Boyer, program director. “There's demand for our students in the workforce. We had seven students doing internships last summer, and we could have filled even more positions if we'd had more students who were ready. This demand shows the need in the industry for the program.” ₪