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Engineering Science

University Park, College of Engineering (E SC)

PROFESSOR JUDITH A. TODD, Head of the Department of Engineering Science and Mechanics, P. B. Breneman Department Head Chair

Engineering Science is a multidisciplinary honors program that emphasizes enhanced understanding and integrated application of engineering, scientific, and mathematical principles. The program is unique because it provides a broad foundation in the sciences and associated mathematics that underlie engineering and provides students the opportunity to obtain a depth of knowledge in an area of their choosing through technical electives and an honors thesis. The curriculum is designed for students who seek to link the engineering disciplines with science. In addition to taking core courses in mathematics, physics, chemistry, and biology, students study thermodynamics, heat transfer, electromagnetics, solid and fluid mechanics, electrical devices, materials science, and failure analysis . During the senior year, all students select a focus area of study, complete a capstone project and write a thesis that integrates the scientific principles of research, design and analysis and applies them to engineering. Focus areas of study include, but are not limited to, electrical, mechanical, civil, bioengineering, and materials and are typically interdisciplinary. Hence, Engineering Science students achieve both depth and breadth in engineering and science, are able to function across disciplines, and graduate well prepared for advanced studies as well as professional employment.

The specific program objectives are tied to the mission of the program as described above. They target the major outcomes expected of Engineering Science students and are flexible and readily adaptable to meet changing constituent needs.

The expected accomplishments of Engineering Science graduates in the first several years following graduation are:

  1. Participate in lifelong learning activities including, but not limited to, masters, doctorate, medical, and law degrees, continuing education, leadership development, management training, and global involvement/awareness.
  2. Engage in practice in a wide variety of fields including, but not limited to, electrical systems, electronics, mechanical systems, materials development, forensics, biomaterials, medicine, law, and business.
  3. Research, develop, design and/or utilize new products, processes, materials, devices, systems, and/or tools.
  4. Communicate findings and best practices at conferences and meetings, by filing patents, in technical publications (journals, reports, memoranda), and to the general public.
  5. Use state-of-the-art tools for the benefit of society.
  6. Participate in and promote the value of diversity in society.
  7. Encourage and foster future generations of engineers through mentoring, service, and outreach.

Enrollment is limited to students who have demonstrated that they can benefit from the advanced courses of the curriculum. A minimum grade-point average of 3.0 is partial demonstration of such competence. Qualified students can participate in the integrated undergraduate program to streamline the process of earning B.S. and M.S. degrees.

For the B.S. degree in Engineering Science, 131 credits and a 2.50 grade-point average are required. This baccalaureate program in Engineering Science is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, Inc., 111 Market Place, Suite 1050, Baltimore, MD 21202-4012; telephone 410-347-7700; or www.abet.org (Opens New Window).

Scheduling Recommendation by Semester Standing given like (Sem:1-2)

GENERAL EDUCATION: 45 credits
(27 of these 45 credits are included in the REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MAJOR)
(See description of General Education in this bulletin.)

FIRST-YEAR SEMINAR:
(Included in REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MAJOR)

UNITED STATES CULTURES AND INTERNATIONAL CULTURES:
(Included in GENERAL EDUCATION course selection)

WRITING ACROSS THE CURRICULUM:
(Included in REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MAJOR)

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MAJOR: 113 credits
(This includes 27 credits of General Education courses: 9 credits of GN courses; 6 credits of GQ courses; 3 credits of GS courses; 9 credits of GWS courses.)

PRESCRIBED COURSES (65 credits)
CHEM 110 GN(3)[1], CHEM 111 GN(1), EDSGN 100(3), MATH 140 GQ(4)[1], MATH 141 GQ(4)[1], PHYS 211 GN(4)[1] (Sem: 1-2)
MATH 220 GQ(2-3), MATH 230(4), MATH 251(4), PHYS 212 GN(4), PHYS 214 GN(2) (Sem: 3-4)
E E 210H(4), E E 340(3), E SC 312(3), E SC 407H(3)[1], E SC 414M(3)[1], E SC 433H(1), M E 302(4) (Sem: 5-6)
E SC 404H(3)[1], E SC 410H(3), E SC 411H(3), ENGL 202C GWS(3) (Sem: 7-8)

ADDITIONAL COURSES (21 credits)
Select 1 credit of First-Year Seminar (Sem: 1-2)
ENGL 015 GWS(3) or ENGL 030 GWS(3) (Sem: 1-2)
CAS 100A GWS(3) or CAS 100B GWS(3) (Sem: 3-4)
E SC 261M(3) or CMPSC 201 GQ(3) or CMPSC 202 GQ(3) (Sem: 1-2)
ECON 002 GS(3), ECON 004 GS(3), or ECON 014 GS(3) (Sem: 1-2)
E MCH 110H(5)[1] or E MCH 210(5)[1]; E MCH 112H(3)[1] or E MCH 212(3)[1] (Sem: 3-4)

SUPPORTING COURSES AND RELATED AREAS (27 credits)[32]
Select 3 credits from the department Foundational Elective List (Sem: 1-2)
Select 12 credits from the department Foundational Elective List (Sem:5-6)
Select 12 credits from the department Technical Elective List (Students may apply 3 credits of ROTC or 3 credits of co-op experience.) (Sem: 7-8)

Integrated Undergraduate/Graduate Study - B.S. Engineering Science-M.S. Engineering Science

Engineering Science students, because of the flexibility of the curriculum and their strength in fundamentals, have a unique opportunity to take advantage of the ESM Integrated Undergraduate Graduate (IUG) program. Application for IUG status may be made in the fifth or subsequent semesters.

ITJG status permits students to take on the rigors and research challenges of graduate study at Penn State, coordinating and combining them with their baccalaureate studies. Because some credits earned as an undergraduate may be applied to both degree programs, the time required for completion of integrated undergraduate/graduate studies is normally less than that required to complete separate degree programs. The actual time required is determined by the individual student's objectives, needs, and diligence.

Integrated Undergraduate/Graduate Study - B.S. Engineering Science-M.S. Engineering Mechanics

Engineering Mechanics students, because of the flexibility of the curriculum and their strength in fundamentals, have a unique opportunity to take advantage of the ESM Integrated Undergraduate Graduate (IUG) program. Application for IUG status may be made in the fifth or subsequent semesters.

IUG status permits students to take on the rigors and research challenges of graduate study at Penn State, coordinating and combining them with their baccalaureate studies. Because some credits earned as an undergraduate may be applied to both degree programs, the time required for completion of integrated undergraduate/graduate studies is normally less than that required to complete separate degree programs. The actual time required is determined by the individual student's objectives, needs, and diligence.

[1] A student enrolled in this major must receive a grade of C or better, as specified in Senate Policy 82-44.
[32] Three credits in engineering science, 2 credits in engineering design.

Last Revised by the Department: Summer Session 2006 (E SC); Summer Session 2005 (Integrated B.S./E.Sc.-M.S./E.Mch. & Integrated B.S./E.Sc.-M.S./E.Sc. AND Program Description)

Blue Sheet Item #: 34-04-028 (E SC); 33-04-176, 33-04-177 (Add Integrated B.S./E.Sc.-M.S./E.Mch. & Integrated B.S./E.Sc.-M.S./E. Sc.)

Review Date: 01/17/06

UCA Revision #1: 8/3/06
UCA Revision #2: 7/27/07

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