The UK Stanley and Karen Pigman College of Engineering Paducah campus is offering professional development training for practicing engineers. The courses are developed and taught by UK engineering faculty and are designed to provide practical, industry-focused professional continuing education for practicing engineers. Courses can be taken individually or packaged together to earn a professional development certificate. Upon completion, a professional development certificate will be provided. All courses are available via asynchronous on-line delivery. In person group training is available upon request. Please contact Jeffrey Seay (jeffrey.seay@uky.edu) for more information about scheduling and group pricing. Discount pricing is available for currently enrolled UK Students.
The UK College of Engineering Certificate in Sustainable Engineering is a practical, industry-focused program taught by UK Faculty and designed to equip practicing engineers with the tools to integrate sustainability into real-world decision-making. This certificate bundles a series of targeted courses covering climate fundamentals, sustainability metrics, heat integration, and responsible engineering practices—bridging technical rigor with actionable insight. Participants will learn how to quantify environmental impacts, identify efficiency opportunities, and apply engineering judgment to balance economic, environmental, and societal considerations. Whether you are looking to strengthen your professional credentials, meet continuing education requirements, or lead sustainability initiatives within your organization, this certificate delivers immediately applicable skills grounded in engineering practice. Courses can be taken individually to earn professional development hours or complete any 4 to earn your professional certificate.
Certificate Instructor: Prof Jeffrey Seay Jeffrey Seay | Stanley and Karen Pigman College of Engineering
SUS 101 - Introduction to Concepts in Sustainability for Practicing Engineers
This course provides a practical foundation in sustainability principles tailored for engineers, focusing on the integration of environmental, economic, and societal considerations into technical decision-making. Participants will explore core concepts such as resource efficiency, systems thinking, and life cycle perspective. The course emphasizes how engineers can apply these principles directly within design, operations, and process improvement.
https://uk.catalog.instructure.com/browse/engineering/courses/introduction-to-concepts-in-sustainability-for-practicing-engineers
SUS102 - Waste Plastics: Engineering, Health, and System-Level Challenges
This course examines the global challenges associated with plastic production, use, and disposal, with an emphasis on engineering solutions. Participants will explore the environmental and human health implications of plastic waste, including microplastics, as well as current and emerging recycling and recovery technologies. The course highlights the role of engineers in developing practical, scalable solutions to address plastic waste.
https://uk.catalog.instructure.com/browse/engineering/courses/waste-plastics-engineering-health-and-system-level-challenges
SUS 103 - Climate Change Fundamentals for Practicing Engineer
This course introduces the scientific and engineering basis of climate change, focusing on greenhouse gas emissions, energy systems, and climate modeling. Participants will learn how to interpret climate data, evaluate uncertainty, and understand the implications for engineering design and infrastructure. The course connects global trends to actionable insights for engineering practice and risk-informed decision-making.
https://uk.catalog.instructure.com/browse/engineering/courses/climate-change-fundamentals-for-practicing-engineers
SUS 104 - Sustainability Metrics Engineers Should Know
This course equips engineers with the quantitative tools needed to evaluate sustainability performance across processes and systems. Key metrics include energy, water, waste, and greenhouse gas intensity, along with broader considerations such as safety, ethics, and social impact. Participants will learn how to apply these metrics in decision-making and communicate results effectively to stakeholders.
https://uk.catalog.instructure.com/browse/engineering/courses/sustainability-metrics-engineers-should-know
SUS 105 - Heat Integration and Thermal Pinch Analysis for Practicing Engineers
This course introduces heat integration and pinch analysis as powerful tools for improving energy efficiency in process systems. Participants will learn how to identify energy recovery opportunities, design heat exchanger networks, and reduce utility consumption in existing and new facilities. The course emphasizes practical application, enabling engineers to achieve both economic and environmental benefits through improved thermal system design.
https://uk.catalog.instructure.com/browse/engineering/courses/heat-integration-and-thermal-pinch-analysis-for-practicing-engineers
The UK College of Engineering Certificate in Chemical Process Safety is a practical, industry-focused program taught by UK faculty and designed to strengthen core competencies in identifying, evaluating, and managing process hazards in chemical and industrial systems. This certificate bundles a series of targeted courses covering risk assessment, process hazard analysis (PHA), safety relief systems, flammability, and chemical reactivity hazards—integrating foundational principles with real-world application. Participants will learn how to apply structured methodologies such as LOPA and HAZOP, evaluate layers of protection, and design inherently safer systems while meeting regulatory and industry expectations. Whether you are seeking to enhance your professional credentials, meet continuing education requirements, or improve safety performance within your organization, this certificate delivers immediately applicable skills grounded in engineering practice. Courses can be taken individually to earn professional development hours or complete any 4 to earn your professional certificate.
SAF 201 – Introduction to Risk Assessment for Chemical Engineers
This course provides a practical foundation in identifying and evaluating risk within chemical and industrial systems. Participants will learn how to apply risk matrices, semi-quantitative methods, and Layer of Protection Analysis (LOPA) to support informed decision-making. The course emphasizes the distinction between hazard and risk, enabling engineers to prioritize and manage process safety effectively.
https://uk.catalog.instructure.com/browse/engineering/courses/introduction-to-risk-assessment-for-chemical-engineers
SAF 202 – Introduction to Safety Relief Valve Sizing for Practicing Engineers
This course develops core competency in the design and evaluation of pressure relief systems for chemical processes. Participants will learn how to size relief devices for liquid, vapor, and two-phase flow scenarios, while accounting for real-world factors such as backpressure and piping losses. The course emphasizes practical application of industry standards, enabling engineers to design systems that protect both personnel and equipment.
https://uk.catalog.instructure.com/browse/engineering/courses/introduction-to-safety-relief-valve-sizing-for-practicing-engineers
SAF 203 – Process Hazard Analysis: Methods, Leadership and Regulatory Compliance
This course provides a comprehensive framework for conducting effective process hazard analyses in industrial settings. Participants will gain hands-on understanding of methodologies such as HAZOP, What-If, and FMEA, while also developing the leadership and facilitation skills required for successful PHA teams. The course emphasizes documentation, regulatory alignment, and implementation of recommendations to ensure meaningful risk reduction.
https://uk.catalog.instructure.com/browse/engineering/courses/process-hazard-analysis-methods-leadership-and-regulatory-compliance
SAF 204 – Chemical Reactivity Hazards
This course focuses on identifying and managing hazards associated with reactive chemical systems, including runaway reactions and incompatible materials. Participants will learn how to interpret calorimetry data, evaluate reaction kinetics, and apply layered protection strategies to prevent incidents. The course emphasizes real-world case studies and practical tools for managing reactivity risks in both batch and continuous processes.
https://uk.catalog.instructure.com/browse/engineering/courses/chemical-reactivity-hazards
SAF 205 – Flammability Fundamentals for Engineers
This course provides a practical, engineering-focused introduction to the science and application of flammability principles used to identify, evaluate, and control fire and explosion hazards in industrial systems. This course explores the conditions required for combustion, including fuels, oxidizers, ignition sources, and confinement effects. Real-world industrial examples and engineering applications are integrated throughout the course to connect theory with practical process safety decision-making.
https://uk.catalog.instructure.com/browse/engineering/courses/flammability-fundamentals-for-engineers
