Degree Program
Engineering OverviewESE Students Get Hands-On Industry Experience
in Meeting the Electrification Challenge
Robert A. Kruse, GM Executive Director, Global Vehicle Engineering, Hybrids, Electric Vehicles and Batteries (left) and Prof. Ann Marie Sastry, Director of the ESE Program (right foreground) with current and prospective students at a recent ESE mixer.
The Energy Systems Engineering Program's first strategic partner, General Motors, has collaborated with us on a number of initiatives that are building a electric vehicle workforce unmatched by any other region. The launch of a summer internship program in 2008 resulted in a 60% hiring rate of our ESE engineers to work full time on electric drive vehicles at GM. In 2009, GM announced its enrollment of 50 of its full time engineers to take the ESE degree online, building skills in batteries, power electronics, and electric machines in addition to infrastructure and policy understanding. The summer program in 2009 has grown by 50%, with additional UM faculty engaged with GM managers in co-mentoring students on projects of strategic importance to GM, the region and nation. Building on core automotive needs, the ESE-GM collaboration has branched to train ESE students on key issues concerning grid and infrastructure readiness for the coming launch of the Chevy Volt, and subsequent models. The engagement of GM leadership in the program has been unprecedented - GM leaders have lectured as part of ESE courses, and also conducted reviews of ESE interns. Spanning several divisions at GM, the current program boasts participation of over 20 GM engineering leaders involved in training and mentorship.
Sastry and Kruse also serve as co-Directors of the GM/UM Advanced Battery Coalition for Drivetrains, a research center located in Ann Arbor dedicated to integration of advanced Lithium Ion batteries into electric vehicles.