TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The University of Alabama College of Engineering recently announced it will offer a new construction engineering minor effective immediately.

UA engineering students will be required to complete 21 hours of construction engineering coursework, including an approved construction internship or a co-op providing on-the-job experience, prior to graduation.

“Construction engineering is a growing market in which many of our civil engineering students pursue employment, and we’re excited to now offer a concentrated minor to enhance their civil engineering degrees,” said Dr. Ken Fridley, professor and head of civil and environmental engineering.

“We expect engineering students from other related disciplines, including mechanical and industrial engineering, to enroll in the new minor as well,” said Fridley.

“Alabama is unique in that we have a large group of construction firms that are continually hiring and looking for more educated construction graduates,” said Thomas Doster III, chairman of Doster Construction Co. Inc.

“This program needs the support of everyone that looks to universities for their future employees,” explained Doster.

In 1837, The University of Alabama became the first university in the state to offer engineering classes and was one of the first five in the nation to do so. Today, the College of Engineering has about 1,800 students and more than 95 faculty. It has been fully accredited since accreditation standards were implemented in the 1930s.