College of Engineering creates co-ed Boot Camp in Systems Engineering with Lockheed Martin
LUCERO FIERRO | October 3, 2018
The University of Texas at El Paso has partnered with Lockheed Martin Aeronautics to create a Systems Engineering Boot Camp, a dynamic learning experience for undergraduate and graduate students
The department of Industrial, Manufacturing and Systems Engineering (IMSE) in the College of Engineering initiated the Systems Engineering Boot Camp in spring 2017 with a cohort of 25 students. The camp progressively teaches students systems engineering processes while giving them the freedom to sandbox applications. This means students are allowed to experiment with engineering approaches and avoid harming a complex over-arching project.
“This is a course that Lockheed Martin specifically developed to teach the best and most effective work actions and behaviors, both for the engineers and for the company,” said Eric D. Smith, associate professor of industrial, manufacturing and systems engineering. “Students need to know this course is credited towards their degree.”
The boot camp welcomes Lockheed Martin engineers twice a year for two-week periods (Maymester and Wintermester) where they help teach the course along with IMSE clinical associate professors Oscar Mondragon, Ph.D. and associate professors Eric D. Smith, Ph.D. This allows students to deeply ingrain knowledge of the development of industry practices and services.
“The environment grants access to two special elements that Lockheed Martin brings to UTEP; the training material which our own Lockheed Martin systems engineers are exposed and certified Lockheed Martin systems engineers whose lectures and experiences contain a wealth of knowledge in the industrial applications of systems engineering. Both elements together increase the successful application and advocacy of good systems engineering,” said Justin C. de Baca, a UTEP alumnus and Lockheed Martin systems engineer.
Additionally, students enrolled in the boot camp will be able to complete their training by getting involved in rich opportunities that will help them develop a strong set of skills before going into the workforce. This is a project-based course where students will learn and develop the necessary skills to work in a multidisciplinary team, manage effective meetings and to perform technical peer reviews.
“We want to make sure that not only our collaboration is strong, but that students are really learning as much as they can,” Mondragon said.
This unique opportunity resulted from the collaboration between the Research Institute for Manufacturing Engineering Systems (RIMES) center and Lockheed Martin. Due to the success of the program, a second classroom session might soon be available for more students.
Learn more about the boot camp’s curriculum.
