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Program Description
The Interdisciplinary Business with Engineering Studies major provides students with an interdisciplinary program containing both business and engineering course content. The major includes a set of core courses in both business and engineering/engineering technology that should enable a graduate to function effectively in a technical business environment. In addition, a student will be able to choose, from a selection of modules, a set of courses or electives designed to enable a student to function in a specific business or technical area. The modules provide an entry-level set of skills that will help graduates provide immediate value as an employee. The modules includes Accounting/Finance, Supply Chain Management, Technical Sales, Product Design & Manufacture or a school approved selection of coursework.
In addition to completing the broad-based core in business, science, and engineering, students acquire the ability to work as members of a team toward successful attainment of a common goal, preparing them to work in businesses or to further their study in graduate school. The program develops written and oral communication skills from an early stage and culminates in a capstone course sequence consisting of a project that stresses communication, strategic product development, and product realization.
What is Interdisciplinary Business with Engineering Studies?
Do you have an aptitude for business, yet are fascinated by engineering? Sometimes choices have to be made—but this is not one of those times. Penn State’s unique B.S. in Interdisciplinary Business with Engineering Studies degree program allows you to combine your interest in both business and engineering in a way that creates multiple career pathways within technology and technical organizations. The breadth of experiences offered by Interdisciplinary Business with Engineering Studies is reflected in the diverse career paths possible in the industrial, service, and academic sectors. Graduates typically enter the business side of technical companies in positions such as technical/industrial sales, technical business/product development, technical support, junior-level product or brand management, production planning, operations analysis, operations/production management, and project management.
You Might Like This Program If...
- You’re interested in both business and engineering and don’t want to limit your education to one or the other.
- You’re looking for a versatile degree program.
- You envision working on the business side of a technical organization or in a tech-rich environment.
Entrance to Major
Entry to the Interdisciplinary Business with Engineering Studies (IBE) major requires successful completion of 5 entry-to-major courses: ACCTG 211, ECON 102, ENGL 15 or ENGL 30H, MATH 110 or MATH 140, STAT 200 or SCM 200. Each course requires a C or better grade for successful completion.
Degree Requirements
For the Bachelor of Science degree in Interdisciplinary Business with Engineering Studies, a minimum of 127 credits are required:
| Requirement | Credits |
|---|---|
| General Education | 45 |
| Electives | 0-1 |
| Requirements for the Major | 111-113 |
30 of the 45 credits for General Education are included in the Requirements for the Major. This includes: 9 credits of GN courses; 6 credits of GQ courses, 6 credits of GS courses, 9 credits of GWS courses.
Per Senate Policy 83.80.5, the college dean or campus chancellor and program faculty may require up to 24 credits of coursework in the major to be taken at the location or in the college or program where the degree is earned.
Requirements for the Major
Each student must earn at least a grade of C in each 300- and 400-level course in the major field.
To graduate, a student enrolled in the major must earn a grade of C or better in each course designated by the major as a C-required course, as specified by Senate Policy 82-44.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Prescribed Courses | ||
| BA 241 | Legal Environment of Business | 2 |
| BA 242 | Social and Ethical Environment of Business | 2 |
| CHEM 110 | Chemical Principles I  | 3 |
| EDSGN 100S | Introduction to Engineering Design | 3 |
| Prescribed Courses: Require a grade of C or better | ||
| ACCTG 211 | Financial and Managerial Accounting for Decision Making | 4 |
| CAS 100 | Effective Speech | 3 |
| CMPSC 121 | Introduction to Programming Techniques | 3 |
| ECON 102 | Introductory Microeconomic Analysis and Policy | 3 |
| ECON 104 | Introductory Macroeconomic Analysis and Policy | 3 |
| EGT 120 | Introduction to Graphics and Solid Modeling | 3 |
| ENGL 202C | Effective Writing: Technical Writing | 3 |
| FIN 301 | Corporation Finance | 3 |
| MATH 140 | Calculus With Analytic Geometry I | 4 |
| MGMT 301 | Basic Management Concepts | 3 |
| MGMT 410 | Project Management | 3 |
| MGMT 475W | Strategic Product Development | 3 |
| MGMT 476 | Product Realization Capstone | 3 |
| MIS 204 | Introduction to Management Information Systems | 3 |
| MKTG 301 | Principles of Marketing | 3 |
| SCM 301 | Supply Chain Management | 3 |
| Additional Courses | ||
| PHYS 211 | General Physics: Mechanics | 4 |
| or PHYS 250 | Introductory Physics I | |
| PHYS 212 | General Physics: Electricity and Magnetism | 4 |
| or PHYS 251 | Introductory Physics II | |
| Additional Courses: Require a grade of C or better | ||
| EE 211 | Electrical Circuits and Power Distribution | 3 |
| or EET 101 | Electrical Circuits I | |
| EMCH 211 | Statics | 3 |
| or MET 111 | Mechanics for Technology: Statics | |
| EMCH 213 | Strength of Materials | 3 |
| or MET 213 | Strength and Properties of Materials | |
| ENGL 15 | Rhetoric and Composition | 3 |
| or ENGL 30H | Honors Rhetoric and Composition | |
| MATH 141 | Calculus with Analytic Geometry II | 3-4 |
| or MATH 210 | Calculus with Engineering Technology Applications | |
| SCM 200 | Introduction to Statistics for Business | 4 |
| or STAT 200 | Elementary Statistics | |
| Select 3 credits from the following: | 3 | |
| Introduction to Digital Systems | ||
| Digital Electronics | ||
| Engineering Economy | ||
| Introduction to Work Design | ||
| Quality Control and Quality Improvement | ||
| Select 3 credits from the following: | 3 | |
| Engineering Analytics | ||
| Special Topics | ||
| Engineering Thermodynamics I | ||
| Thermodynamics | ||
| Select 3 credits from the following: | 3 | |
| International Trade and Finance | ||
| International Finance | ||
| International Business Operations | ||
| International Management | ||
| Global Marketing | ||
Other 300-400-level international business course | ||
| Supporting Courses and Related Areas | ||
| Select one module from School Approved List of Modules 1-5. Except where noted, courses taken to satisfy General Education requirements may not be used to satisfy module requirements. | 15-16 | |
General Education
Connecting career and curiosity, the General Education curriculum provides the opportunity for students to acquire transferable skills necessary to be successful in the future and to thrive while living in interconnected contexts. General Education aids students in developing intellectual curiosity, a strengthened ability to think, and a deeper sense of aesthetic appreciation. These are requirements for all baccalaureate students and are often partially incorporated into the requirements of a program. For additional information, see the General Education Requirements section of the Bulletin and consult your academic adviser.
The keystone symbol appears next to the title of any course that is designated as a General Education course. Program requirements may also satisfy General Education requirements and vary for each program.
Foundations (grade of C or better is required and Inter-Domain courses do not meet this requirement.)
- Quantification (GQ): 6 credits
- Writing and Speaking (GWS): 9 credits
Breadth in the Knowledge Domains (Inter-Domain courses do not meet this requirement.)
- Arts (GA): 3 credits
- Health and Wellness (GHW): 3 credits
- Humanities (GH): 3 credits
- Social and Behavioral Sciences (GS): 3 credits
- Natural Sciences (GN): 3 credits
Integrative Studies
- Inter-Domain Courses (Inter-Domain): 6 credits
Exploration
- GN, may be completed with Inter-Domain courses: 3 credits
- GA, GH, GN, GS, Inter-Domain courses. This may include 3 credits of World Language course work beyond the 12th credit level or the requirements for the student’s degree program, whichever is higher: 6 credits
University Degree Requirements
First Year Engagement
All students enrolled in a college or the Division of Undergraduate Studies at University Park, and the World Campus are required to take 1 to 3 credits of the First-Year Seminar, as specified by their college First-Year Engagement Plan.
Other Penn State colleges and campuses may require the First-Year Seminar; colleges and campuses that do not require a First-Year Seminar provide students with a first-year engagement experience.
First-year baccalaureate students entering Penn State should consult their academic adviser for these requirements.
Cultures Requirement
6 credits are required and may satisfy other requirements
- United States Cultures: 3 credits
- International Cultures: 3 credits
Writing Across the Curriculum
3 credits required from the college of graduation and likely prescribed as part of major requirements.
Total Minimum Credits
A minimum of 120 degree credits must be earned for a baccalaureate degree. The requirements for some programs may exceed 120 credits. Students should consult with their college or department adviser for information on specific credit requirements.
Quality of Work
Candidates must complete the degree requirements for their major and earn at least a 2.00 grade-point average for all courses completed within their degree program.
Limitations on Source and Time for Credit Acquisition
The college dean or campus chancellor and program faculty may require up to 24 credits of course work in the major to be taken at the location or in the college or program where the degree is earned. Credit used toward degree programs may need to be earned from a particular source or within time constraints (see Senate Policy 83-80). For more information, check the Suggested Academic Plan for your intended program.
Career Paths
Interdisciplinary Business with Engineering Studies graduates have found early-career success in technical sales, new business development, technical support, brand management, production planning, purchasing, operations analysis and management, plant accounting, and project management. Penn State Behrend has a comprehensive support system to help you identify and achieve your goals for college and beyond. Meet with your academic adviser often and take advantage of the services offered by the Academic and Career Planning Center beginning in your first semester.
Careers
Employers of recent Behrend B.S. in Interdisciplinary Business with Engineering Studies graduates include Volvo Groups, Donnelly Mechanical, FMC Technologies, Harris Corp., Exxon Mobil, Barrington Research, Logistics Plus, General Electric, Tenneco, and Covestro.
Opportunities for Graduate Studies
Students who have both business and engineering education are well-prepared to continue their education in a master’s- or doctoral-level degree program, including Penn State Behrend’s master’s degree programs in Business Administration (M.B.A.), Manufacturing Management (M.M.M.), or Project Management (M.P.M.).
MORE INFORMATION ABOUT OPPORTUNITIES FOR GRADUATE STUDIES