The United States is undertaking a new era of infrastructure
improvements that highlight a critical need for engineers and scientists.
Universities like South Dakota Mines train the
next generation of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM)
professionals who are required to create innovative solutions to the multiple
infrastructure challenges of the modern world.
Engineers are the backbone of the labor force that drives
infrastructure improvements – from roads
to water systems to the electric grid to cybersecurity and more. The latest
wave of infrastructure investment in the United States requires creative and
well-rounded problem solvers who can build the 21st century
infrastructure needed to maintain America’s role in the global economy.
Engineers are also critical for creating types of resilient structures that will
survive the increasing number of extreme weather events. The US Bureau of Labor
and Statistics predicted a growing demand for engineers across the
board before the latest
wave of investments, a plan that will further increase the need for
well-rounded engineers
“For
America to remain globally competitive, we need resilient transportation,
energy sources, communication networks, and other vital infrastructure. Mines scientists
and engineers are proud to answer the call by seeking creative solutions to
these pressing challenges,” says Mines President Jim Rankin.
According to the American Society of
Civil Engineers,
the recent infrastructure improvements authorized by Congress includes $110
billion to upgrade roads, bridges, and major projects; $66 billion for
passenger and freight rail improvements; $46
billion for resilience to help states and cities prepare for
droughts, wildfires, and climate change; $39 billion for public transit
improvements; and $17 billion to increase efficiency on ports and waterways.
“Students at
Mines are learning to build the infrastructure of tomorrow’s America,” says Jim
Stone, Ph.D. head of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at
Mines. “These critical infrastructure improvements require expertise from
traditional infrastructure-focused disciplines such as Civil/Environmental
Engineering along with Construction Engineering Management, as well as
skillsets drawn from Mechanical, Electrical, Industrial, and Computer/Science
Engineering disciplines. Obtaining an engineering degree from Mines ensures
you’ll have a well-prepared ‘toolbox’ ready to deploy in the infrastructure
workforce.”
Scientists at South Dakota Mines help lead
cutting-edge research and development projects in healthcare, energy,
transportation, communications, and more. Mines researchers have landed more
than $63 million in research funding over the past four years from
organizations like the Department of Defense and the National Science
Foundation. Mines has a track record of turning research on campus into local
start-up companies, which, in turn, are creating high-paying jobs.
“These numbers show that research is an industry.
The funded research at Mines makes a big difference in the local economy, not only
with a direct impact, but for years to come with spin-off companies we develop
from research investments,” says Mines President Rankin.
The American Institute of Physics reports that congressional research
funding includes a large range of focus areas, including clean energy, energy
transmission and storage, critical minerals, cyber security, wildfire preparedness
efforts, water and environmental protection, and much more. All of these focus
areas have research components at South Dakota Mines.