Professionals Gain Antenna Training Online From the College of Engineering

Photo by Global Campus

Magda El-Shenawee, a professor of electrical engineering, writes on a lightboard in her online professional development course Introduction to Antennas.

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The College of Engineering at the University of Arkansas will offer two microwave antenna training courses that can be taken online at any time. Registration for the first course opens May 27. These on-demand courses, offered through the Global Campus, will focus on theory, design, fabrication and measurement of antennas.

Because the courses are offered 100 percent online, working professionals and industry leaders can save time and money by avoiding travel for training. The U of A Introduction to Antennas courses can be accessed online at any time. Partcipants must have a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering or physics, or equivalent knowledge, to register for the antenna training courses.

Course I focuses on a single antenna design and its performance characteristics; it costs $1,999. Course II, available soon, covers antenna arrays for electronic scanning and the array feeding network; it costs $1,499. Course I is recommended as a prerequisite for Course II.

Magda El-Shenawee, an electrical engineering professor, will teach both professional development courses.

“This unique course offers theory and software design training using the industry-leading High Frequency Structure Simulator package,” El-Shenawee said. “It is ideal for electrical engineers who want to learn about antennas to gain new expertise while having no prior knowledge of the subject.”

The course cost includes an electronic copy of the antenna textbook, unlimited access to the High Frequency Structure Simulator package while engaged in the course, videos of lectures and training, and other useful information. An experienced U of A engineer will fabricate the antennas designed by course participants, measure their performance in a U of A lab, and send the data to students to help them write their final project report.

Those who successfully complete the courses will receive certificates of completion.

“It also unlocks access to faculty expertise and antenna fabrication facilities at reduced rates for proof-of-concept work,” El-Shenawee said.

Video samples from the courses are available on the Introduction to Antennas website page. Those who do not have degrees in electrical engineering or physics but believe they have the background or experience needed to succeed in the course can contact Tara Dryer, director of training, corporate development and academic outreach, at tdryer@uark.edu to discuss options.

About the Global Campus: The Global Campus supports U of A colleges and schools in the development and delivery of online, distance and workforce education programs and courses. It provides instructional design services, technology services and assistance with marketing, recruiting and strategic academic development.

About the University of Arkansas: The University of Arkansas provides an internationally competitive education for undergraduate and graduate students in more than 200 academic programs. The university contributes new knowledge, economic development, basic and applied research, and creative activity while also providing service to academic and professional disciplines. The Carnegie Foundation classifies the University of Arkansas among only 2 percent of universities in America that have the highest level of research activity. U.S. News & World Report ranks the University of Arkansas among its top American public research universities. Founded in 1871, the University of Arkansas comprises 10 colleges and schools and maintains a low student-to-faculty ratio that promotes personal attention and close mentoring.