Jan. 22, 2002

SMU SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING TO OFFER SERIES OF SEMINARS ON FORENSIC ENGINEERING

DALLAS (SMU) -- The SMU School of Engineering has announced plans to offer a series of five two-day seminars on forensic engineering that will benefit engineers, lawyers, builders, developers, permit and code inspectors, and a variety of other professionals who work in the real estate and construction industries.

The first seminar, titled “The Engineer as an Expert Witness,” will be held March 20-21 at the SMU School of Engineering’s facility at 1500 International Pkwy. in Richardson. This seminar will provide participants with the basic legal knowledge and information necessary to prepare and effectively present facts, reports and opinions in deposition as an expert witness.

“There is a large demand in Texas for expert witness training,” said Nick Manesh, director of continuing education for the Department of Environmental and Civil Engineering at SMU. “We don’t have enough engineers who are trained to help in the litigation process.”

Other seminars in the forensic engineering series include “Forensic Geotechnical Engineering” ( May 9-10), “Forensic Foundation Engineering” (Sept. 19-20), “Construction Inspection” (Oct. 24-25) and “Forensic Material Engineering” (Nov. 21-22).

Manesh said this is the first time such a seminar series has been offered in Texas. Participants can receive either Continuing Education Units (CEUs) or Professional Development Hours (PDHs).

For more information on the seminar series, or to register, call 214-768-1175, send a message to engr-pd@engr.smu.edu or visit the seminar series Web site at www.engr.smu.edu/ence/conted/index.html.