Over 300 colleges and universities in the United States offer bachelor’s-degree programs in engineering that are accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET). ABET examines the credentials of the engineering program’s faculty, curricular con- tent, facilities, and admissions standards before granting accreditation. It may be wise for you to find out the accreditation status of the engineering program you are planning to attend. ABET maintains a Web site with a list of all accredited programs; visit www.abet.org for more information. According to ABET, accredited engineering programs must demonstrate that their graduates, by the time of graduations, have
- an ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science, and engineering;
- an ability to design and conduct experiments, as well as to analyze and interpret data;
- an ability to design a system, component, or process to meet desired needs;
- an ability to function on multidisciplinary teams;
- an ability to identify, formulate, and solve engineering problems;
- an understanding of professional and ethical responsibility;
- an ability to communicate effectively;
- the broad education necessary to understand the impact of engineering solutions in a global and societal context;
- a recognition of the need for and an ability to engage in lifelong learning;
- a knowledge of contemporary issues; and
- an ability to use the techniques, skills, and modern engineering tools necessary for engineering practice.
Therefore, these are the educational outcomes that are expected of you when you graduate from your engineering program. Bachelor’s-degree programs in engineering are typically designed to last four years; however, many students take five years to acquire their engineer- ing degrees. In a typical engineering program, you will spend the first two years studying mathematics, English, physics, chemistry, introductory engineering, computer science, humanities, and social sciences. These first two years are often referred to as pre-engineering. In the last two years, most courses are in engineering, usually with a concentration in one branch. For example, in a typical mechanical engineering program, during the last two years of your studies, you will take courses such as thermodynamics, mechanics of materials, fluid mechanics, heat transfer, applied thermodynamics, and design. During the last two years of your civil engineering studies, you can expect to take courses in fluid mechanics, trans- portation, geotechnical engineering, hydraulics, hydrology, and steel or concrete design. Some programs offer a general engineering curriculum; students then specialize in graduate school or on the job.
Many community colleges around the country offer the first two years of engineering pro- grams, which are normally accepted by the engineering schools. Some engineering schools offer five-year master’s-degree programs. Some engineering schools, in order to provide hands-on experience, have a cooperative plan whereby students take classes during the first three years and then may take a semester off from studying to work for an engineering company. Of course, after a semester or two, students return to school to finish their education. Schools that offer coop- erative programs generally offer full complements of classes every semester so that students can graduate in four years if they desire.
