Photo: A graduate student under UT-Oak Ridge National Laboratory Governor’s Chair for Advanced Composites Manufacturing Uday Vaidya works on a specialized machine at the Fibers and Composites Manufacturing Facility, one of several research spaces at UT devoted to advanced manufacturing.
Photo by Shawn Poynter

Advanced manufacturing is playing an ever-increasing role in the world’s economy, and UT is answering the call with research and innovation.

The importance of this new method of production is reflected in additional classes devoted to the field as well as ongoing research. Seven of the prestigious UT–Oak Ridge National Laboratory Governor’s Chairs, as well as others throughout the university, are dedicated to studying advanced manufacturing or the materials that support it.

With that solid foundation, UT will begin offering a graduate certificate in advanced manufacturing in January.

Students will be able to choose two courses from six electives, in addition to required courses in mechanics of materials and in advanced manufacturing. The goal is to have around 10 students in the inaugural semester, building up to 50 or so within three to five years.

If the program meets those marks, it may become a full master’s degree program.

Read the full article at news.utk.edu