Information and Electronic Warfare Systems is a business unit within BAE Systems North America. It is a major producer of aircraft self-protection systems and tactical surveillance systems for all branches of the armed forces.

With the help of Prof. Ann-Marie Hurley of the Mathematics Department, the Information Technology Certificate in Software Release Engineering track was customized to meet the specific needs of BAE employees. It consists of seven courses that will be provided over the next year and a half. According to Hurley, the coursework will prepare the participants to set up software libraries, develop software, write script and conduct network configuration management.

"The University's strong record in delivering high-quality information technology programs to the corporate sector, especially in high demand areas such as Oracle, Perl and Client-Server training, is one of the major reasons UMass Lowell's bid was accepted," said Catherine Kendrick, director of corporate and distance marketing development, CSCE.

BAE has the option to continue the program for a second round, as well as expand it to other locations, said Dr. Jacqueline Moloney, dean of CSCE. Information and Electronic Warfare Systems employs some 4,400 people at major locations in Nashua, Merrimack and Hudson, N.H., Lexington, Mass., Pomona, Calif., Yonkers, N.Y., and Manassa, Va.

The first course, "C Programming," was completed in the fall and the "C++ Programming" course begain in January. Credits earned through the certificate program can be applied towards a bachelor's degree in information technology.