"We are very pleased to receive support from PPG to help us establish this unique engineering program, with an emphasis on preparing students to effectively address the $276 billion annual cost of corrosion to the U.S. economy," said Dr. George K. Haritos, dean of the UA College of Engineering. "The funding will be used to support outreach efforts to build student interest in this newly approved curriculum."
The U.S. Department of Defense has provided most of the funding to UA for this new program of study. Dr. Haritos said the major will consist of an engineering core with concentrations on a strong corrosion science foundation, effective corrosion engineering principles and corrosion management components.
Scientists from PPG's coatings research facilities near Pittsburgh will act as adjunct professors for some courses in the new corrosion engineering program. Locally, the company operates a chemicals manufacturing facility in Barberton.