High school seniors can earn engineering college credits with new pilot
Photo caption: UL Lafayette Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering Department Head Dr. Magdy Bayoumi; David Thibodaux STEM Magnet Academy Principal Jeff Debetaz; UL Lafayette College of Engineering Associate Dean Dr. Burke Huner; UL Lafayette College of Engineering Dean Ahmed Khattab, Ph.D.; Pugh Family Foundation Chair Nick Pugh; David Thibodaux STEM Magnet Academy Instructor Tod Hansen, M.S.
By Leigh Guidry
The Lafayette Parish School System is partnering with the University of Louisiana at Lafayette to offer a dual-enrollment engineering option beginning this fall.
Qualifying high school seniors at David Thibodaux STEM Magnet Academy can earn college engineering credits as part of this program in the university’s College of Engineering.
“We have a number of hard-working, high-achieving engineering and technology students who are prime candidates for this unique opportunity, which will center on learning experiences on the UL Lafayette campus,” Principal Jeff Debetaz said.
The first dual-enrollment course offered will be an introduction to computer engineering (EECE 140), and students will earn both high school and university credits upon completion of the lecture course and lab requirement.
“We are working to not only accelerate the educational process for these high-performing students, but also to build a bridge between their high school and university experiences,” College of Engineering Dean Ahmed Khattab said. “The College is planning to add more engineering courses for high school students for dual-enrollment opportunities.”
The first course introduces students to the fundamentals of digital design, which is the foundation of designing smart systems, Electrical & Computer Engineering Department Head Magdy Bayoumi said.
“The course will challenge the imagination and curiosity of the students through hands-on projects that we are using in our daily life,” Bayoumi said. “This partnership will showcase the best of both institutions. These students will be provided with opportunities to move closer toward a number of promising career paths through this program.” Also part of the project team are Pugh Family Foundation Chair Nick Pugh, David Thibodaux instructor Tod Hansen, and UL Lafayette College of Engineering Associate Dean Burke Huner.