Idaho State University to expand Idaho Falls engineering programs

Undergraduate engineering students in the Idaho Falls area will have access to three additional programs at Idaho State University – Idaho Falls beginning in fall 2008, the College of Engineering has announced.

The College of Engineering will extend its electrical, civil and mechanical engineering Bachelor of Science programs to University Place. The programs will continue to be offered at ISU's main campus in Pocatello.

Lyle Castle, Ph.D., dean of academic programs at ISU – Idaho Falls, said the move is a logical one for both the university and Idaho Falls, headquarters of the Idaho National Laboratory and home of the new Center for Advanced Energy Studies.

“Engineering is moving into Idaho Falls because of a natural synergy,” said Castle, an Idaho Falls resident. “We see offering these programs as a way to strengthen the College of Engineering, strengthen Idaho State University, and serve the community and Idaho National Laboratory all at the same time.”

Approximately 550 students are enrolled in College of Engineering degree programs.

Courses that involve access to fixed laboratories and the university's small nuclear reactor will still require travel to Pocatello.

“We want to make sure that both Pocatello and Idaho Falls are served by ISU,” said Richard Jacobsen, Ph.D., dean of the College of Engineering.

The university will continue to offer its existing undergraduate computer science and nuclear engineering programs at University Place, Jacobsen said.