UTICA, NY – SUNY Polytechnic Institute (SUNY Poly) recently received a $10,000 SUNY Innovative Instruction Technology Grant, which will facilitate the development of four upper-level Civil Engineering Technology (Civil ET) courses in a HyFlex Model, allowing for them to be taken online or in-person.

“A goal of the Civil ET program at SUNY Poly is to create course accessibility for our students,” said Program Coordinator Mark Mattson, P.E. “Specifically, the program has a long-term goal of developing a bachelor's completion option so that upper division coursework is accessible via an in-person or online modality, and HyFlex fits perfectly with this goal. Given the state’s need for qualified civil engineers, HyFlex allows for increased student flexibility, especially those limited in mobility due to family responsibilities, work commitments and/or financial limitations. Making these courses available in multiple modalities encourages students in partner community college programs to continue their education to obtain a four-year degree. Ultimately, this grant will help SUNY Poly educate engineers to help meet the needs of the expanding construction and engineering workforce.”

The HyFlex model will be implemented by Office of Distance Learning Director Rick Shelton, in collaboration with four Civil ET program instructors, including Mattson, Dr. Asif Ahmed, P.E., Mike Pimpinella, P.E. and Mark Arner, P.E.. Civil ET courses that will be offered through a HyFlex model beginning in the Spring 2024 semester include CTC 340 Transportation Analysis, CTC 415 Construction Estimating and Scheduling, CTC 422 Design of Steel Structures and CTC 426 Design of Earth Structures. Courses including CTC 224 Statics and Strength of Materials and CTC 320 Structural Analysis are already offered as HyFlex.