Engineers help solve problems and make our lives better by designing and producing things
that benefit people. They apply mathematical and scientific principles to find solutions to the many
challenges our society faces. For instance, engineers might design a new hospital or
highway system. They might develop a new material or invent an engine that reduces
pollution. They might devise a new food processing system, develop a new medicine, or find a
way to make an expensive drug more economical.
The possibilities are limitless.
enn State offers one of the broadest ranges
of engineering majors you’ll find anywhere.
Why is that important to you? Most students
begin engineering without a definite idea of which
major fits their skills and talents best, or even what
each major offers. A wide variety of choices ensures
that when you are ready to apply for your major
during your second year, you can find the one that
is right for you.
Engineering—a major with many opportunities
to make a difference
“As you look at brochures and information from engineering
schools, like this one from Penn State, you see laboratories
and complicated equipment. As you look at course offerings,
you see calculus, chemistry, and esoteric subjects like mass
and heat transfer or structural analysis. And you might wonder, ‘Is an engineering degree too limiting or narrow?’
2
Penn State College of Engineering
“The simple answer is, ‘No!’ As a lawyer with an engineering
degree from Penn State, let me tell you why. Engineering is a
good foundation for a broad range of careers. Your options
are limited only by your skills and imagination. Computers
and graphic design. The Internet. Ecology. Bioengineering or
medical engineering. Business management. Law. Advising
venture capitalists on the business value of technology. And
of course, practicing as an engineer in industry, academia,
or government.”
—James W. Gould, Esq., B.S. in Chemical Engineering, 1968, Penn State;
J.D. 1974, University of Pennsylvania; patent lawyer
To learn more about engineering careers and choosing an engineering
school to meet your needs, visit the American Society for Engineering
Education website: www.engineeringk12.org
To learn more about Penn State Engineering, visit:
www.engr.psu.edu/future
Aerospace Engineering*
814-865-2569
www.aero.psu.edu
Aerospace engineers develop leading-edge
technology and integrate it into high-performance aircraft and spacecraft. They design,
analyze, and test flight vehicles and their
components, including rocket and turbine
engines. With knowledge of aerodynamics,
propulsion, structures, controls, and information technology, graduates also have the broad
understanding needed to serve as architects of
sophisticated vehicle systems. Graduates work
for a wide range of manufacturing, service, and
software companies, government agencies, and
research laboratories.
Architectural Engineering*
814-865-6394
www.engr.psu.edu/ae
Architectural engineers are involved in the
planning, design, construction, and operation
of buildings and building systems. Graduates
typically work for architectural engineering,
consulting engineering, and construction firms.
They engineer building solutions enhancing the
clients’ ability to carry out their mission. Green
and high-performance design are currently the
focus of the profession.
Bioengineering*
814-863-6614
www.bioe.psu.edu
Bioengineers (also known as biomedical
engineers) design and develop solutions for
biological and medical problems. Bioengineering
is an interdisciplinary program that emphasizes
integration of engineering principles with
For more information on each major, go to: www.engr.psu.edu/future/academics/majors
the life sciences. Bioengineers develop new
medical devices, design diagnostic and therapeutic tools, and model physiological systems.
Graduates have a wide variety of career options
either working in the heath care or pharmaceutical industries, or pursuing further studies in
medicine or the engineering sciences.
Biological Engineering*
814-865-7792
www.abe.psu.edu
Biological engineering helps students prepare
for career opportunities in the diverse areas
of biological and food processing systems,
bio-energy, off-road machinery development,
protection of natural resources, and structural
design. Demand is increasing for more abundant supplies of nutritious, high-quality food
at affordable prices, while the environmental
impact of materials production and processing
needs to be considered. Students in the Biologi-
Penn State College of Engineering 3
college of engineering | Majors
Majors in the College
of Engineering
college of engineering | Majors
cal Engineering major select the Biological and
Food Engineering option or the Agricultural
Engineering option.
Chemical Engineering*
814-865-2574
www.che.psu.edu
Chemical engineers are involved in a wide
range of high-technology industries that
produce new pharmaceuticals and high-value
chemicals, manufacture microelectronic devices, develop high-performance plastics and
alternative fuels, purify therapeutic proteins,
and design artificial organs. Chemical engineering is unique in its focus on the processes
involved in making new products or treating the
environment, drawing extensively on a strong
foundation in the chemical, physical, and biological sciences.
Civil Engineering*
814-867-0470
www.engr.psu.edu/ce
Civil engineers design and develop facilities
that serve human and environmental needs, as
well as ensure public safety. Graduates pursue
a range of careers including design and con-
4
Penn State College of Engineering
struction of buildings, bridges, transportation
systems, and water and wastewater systems.
They play a large role in civil works planning
and in the management and rehabilitation of
infrastructure. Civil engineers are also involved
in devising solutions for flood control and environmental contamination problems.
Computer Science and
Computer Engineering*
814-865-9505
www.cse.psu.edu
Two computer-related majors—Computer
Science and Computer Engineering—are
offered in the College of Engineering. Computer
scientists focus on software design, while
computer engineers specialize in hardware
design. Graduates of both programs develop
new computer systems, evaluate their performance, investigate computer communication
requirements, and work on artificial intelligence
and robotics.
Electrical Engineering*
814-865-7667
www.ee.psu.edu
Electrical engineers design electrical and electronic systems and their components. Graduates pursue careers in a wide range
of fields, including communications, electronics,
computers, and power generation. Some electrical engineers design systems and circuits for
instrumentation control panels and consumer
electronics, while others develop signal processing software and hardware for the latest
in audio and video applications. They also
design software for artificial intelligence,
computer vision, and medical imaging, and
design systems that make space vehicles and
exploration possible.
Electro-Mechanical
Engineering Technology**
814-865-2952
www.sedtapp.psu.edu
Electro-Mechanical Engineering Technology
graduates work in various industries on systems, machines, and products that have electrical, computer, and mechanical components.
This four-year degree program emphasizes
a breadth of knowledge related to typical
manufacturing, production, and assembly plant
processes. It is offered at Penn State Altoona,
Penn State Berks, Penn State New Kensington,
and Penn State York.
This interdisciplinary honors program helps
graduates prepare to work in a diverse range of
fields, including mechanics, materials, energy
conservation, power, electronics, computing,
sensors, biomaterials and medicine, robotics,
and nanotechnology. Many students continue
their studies in graduate programs (engineering, science, medicine, business, law) and
ultimately work in research and development of
new materials, devices, sensors, and machines;
design of innovative systems and processes;
academia; and a wide range of professions.
Engineering Technology
814-865-2952
www.sedtapp.psu.edu
Engineering technology education focuses on
“hands-on” engineering applications. A variety of
two- and four-year engineering technology programs are offered by the College of Engineering at
various campuses throughout Penn State.** Twoyear degrees are available in: Biomedical Engineering Technology, Building Engineering Technology, Electrical Engineering Technology, Materials
Engineering Technology, Mechanical Engineering
Technology, Plastics Engineering Technology, and
Surveying Engineering Technology. Four-year
degrees are offered in Electrical Engineering Technology, Electro-Mechanical Engineering Technology, Mechanical Engineering Technology, Plastics
Engineering Technology, and Structural Design and
Construction Engineering Technology.
General Engineering
814-865-2952
www.sedtapp.psu.edu
The General Engineering program provides students
with a broad engineering foundation plus a specialization in a technically and professionally relevant
topic. Students work as part of a team toward a
common goal, which prepares them for employment
or graduate school. Students choose either the
Applied Materials option at Penn State DuBois, the
Alternative Energy and Power Generation option at
Penn State Hazleton, or the Multidisciplinary Engineering Design option at Penn State Brandywine,
Penn State Abington, or Penn State Great Valley.
Industrial Engineering*
814-865-7601
www.ie.psu.edu
Industrial engineers design, plan, and control
many types of systems in manufacturing and
service sectors. These systems involve the
productive and efficient integration of people,
machines, materials, energy, and information.
Graduates work in a variety of industries such as
manufacturing, aerospace, health care, transportation, and theme parks. They design manufacturing and service processes, develop automation
for high productivity, ensure product quality,
design jobs that conform to the capabilities and
limitations of the human operator and ensure the
workers’ health and safety, and analyze the design
supply chain systems. Industrial engineers enjoy
working with people as well as making systems
work better.
Mechanical Engineering*
814-865-2519
www.mne.psu.edu
Mechanical engineers integrate principles of
energy and mechanics to design machines
and products. Graduates pursue careers in
many industries, from large automotive,
aerospace, utilities, and manufacturing companies to small, high-tech firms specializing in
robotics, computer software, nanotechnology,
and biomedical technology. Some mechanical engineers design vehicles, including cars,
trucks, heavy equipment, buses, and aircraft.
Others specialize in rotating equipment, such
as pumps, compressors, and blowers, or the
design, manufacturing, and packaging of electronics and consumer products.
Penn State College of Engineering 5
college of engineering | Majors
Engineering Science*
814-865-4523
www.esm.psu.edu
college of engineering | Majors
Nuclear Engineering*
814-865-2519
www.mne.psu.edu
Nuclear engineers apply principles of nuclear
science to meet energy needs and benefit humankind. Graduates work in a broad spectrum
of industries, including electrical utility, medical,
and aerospace. Nuclear engineers design, service, and maintain nuclear power plants. They
develop radiation detection and measurement
methods and devise facilities to store, monitor,
and dispose of radioactive waste. Nuclear engineers also design medical imaging equipment
and power systems for deep-space probes.
Surveying Engineering*
570-675-9213
www.wb.psu.edu/surveying
Surveyors integrate knowledge of boundary law,
measurement science, mapping, photogrammetry, image analysis, geographic information
systems, and satellite positioning to measure
and map the Earth’s surface. Graduates work in
both the public and private sectors supporting
several industries, including civil, construction,
and transportation engineering, environmental
science, and real estate transfer. Surveyors
6
Penn State College of Engineering
specialize in establishing air, land, and water
boundaries, and writing descriptions of these
boundaries for deeds, leases, and other legal
documents. The program is offered exclusively
at Penn State Wilkes-Barre.
Engineering Majors in
the College of Earth and
Mineral Sciences
Energy Engineering
814-865-3437
www.eme.psu.edu/eneng
As the world’s thirst for energy continues to
grow, there is a high demand for a well-trained
workforce to develop, utilize, and manage
conventional, unconventional, and renewable
energy sources in an environmentally safe and
economically feasible way. The Energy Engineering major, along with basic engineering skills,
integrates skill sets in the physical sciences and
social sciences (economics, policy, and management) to ensure successful career opportunities
in all energy areas.
Environmental Systems Engineering*
814-865-3437
www.eme.psu.edu/envse
Environmental systems engineers are concerned with the impact of industrial activities
on the environment and the choice of costeffective remediation strategies. Graduates
design engineering systems to address critical
environmental engineering problems of the basic
industries such as those dealing with the extraction, conversion, and utilization of energy and
mineral resources. Environmental systems engineers are involved in industrial operations, land
reclamation, groundwater protection and remediation, and control of atmospheric pollutants.
Materials Science and Engineering*
Options in:
Ceramic Science and Engineering
Electronic and Photonic Materials
Metals Science and Engineering
Polymer Science and Engineering
814-865-5765
www.matse.psu.edu
Materials engineers work with ceramics, metals,
plastics, and composites to create new materials
that improve everyday living. Graduates find
in the oil and gas industries, where they manage the construction and optimized operation
of oil and gas fields, or design wells, tanks, and
transportation systems. Petroleum engineers
also develop new technologies to maximize oil
and gas recovery.
Minors
Mining Engineering*
814-865-3437
www.eme.psu.edu/mnge
Major in Information
Sciences and Technology
* This program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation
Commission of ABET, Inc., www.abet.org.
Mining engineers oversee exploration, design,
planning, and operation of highly technical
complexes that provide mineral and energy
resources essential to building infrastructure
and prosperity for society. Aspects of geology,
engineering, and management are integrated
to ensure minerals availability. Mining engineers work in all stages of the industrial cycle
and in government. The challenges of mining
involve high-tech methods to make tomorrow’s
mines more productive, safer, and environmentally sensitive.
Petroleum and Natural Gas
Engineering*
814-865-3437
www.eme.psu.edu/pnge
Petroleum engineers are involved in the production, transportation, evaluation, and storage
of oil and natural gas. Graduates pursue careers
College of Information
Sciences and Technology
814-865-8947
www.ist.psu.edu
The College of Engineering offers eleven
minors to complement degree programs.
For more information, go to: www.engr.psu.
edu/future/academics/minors
* * This program is accredited by the Technology Accreditation
Commission of ABET, Inc., www.abet.org, at each campus where the
option is offered as designated.
Penn State established the College of Information Sciences and Technology to develop
leaders for the digital global economy. Information technology professionals organize and
present data in meaningful ways. Some develop
information technology systems using state-ofthe-art tools and techniques, while others focus
on the organization and retrieval of information
using existing software tools. Information
technology professionals are employed in
virtually every segment of society, where they
determine information needs, design and manage information systems, and measure system
performance. Penn State offers four- and twoyear degree programs in Information Sciences
and Technology at various campuses throughout Pennsylvania.
Penn State College of Engineering 7
college of engineering | Majors
work in many industries, including aerospace,
automotive, biomedical, chemical, electronics,
energy, and telecommunications. Materials
engineers help make automobiles safer, the
environment cleaner, computers smaller, and
communication faster.
f you are admitted to Penn State’s College of Engineering,
you will probably follow a common first-year program. This
is a real advantage: It gives you time to explore a wide
variety of areas and learn more about different fields and your
own strengths and interests before choosing a major during your
sophomore year. An important goal of our curriculum is to educate
world-class engineers—graduates who are not only strong in
their fundamental engineering knowledge, but also aware of the
world, with strong communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and
leadership skills.
8
Penn State College of Engineering
A Typical First-Year Student Semester Schedule
(COURSE CREDITS)
Calculus I
4
English Composition
3
Chemical Principles and lab
(or basic computer programming)
4
Introduction to Engineering Design
3
Elective in arts, humanities, or
social and behavioral sciences (optional)
3
Engineering first-year seminar
1
Total credits 15–18
Your hands-on education begins in the first year, with engineering design,
first-year seminars, and interactive physics and math classes designed
just for engineers. Other classes you might choose during your first several semesters include product dissection or enigmatic engines, which will
help you learn technical skills you’ll need in your career. At Penn State,
most baccalaureate engineering majors require four years to complete
(except Architectural Engineering, a five-year program). Students usually
take five or six courses each semester. In addition to your engineering
classes and labs, you’ll take electives in the arts, humanities, and social
sciences to meet Penn State’s General Education requirements. You may
participate in the Engineering Professional Internship Program. With
internships, you gain one semester (or more, if desired) of career-related
experience to complement your education. A cooperative education program is also available.
Your First Year
1
The objective of the first year is to help you make the transition to university life, introduce you to engineering design and how engineers solve
problems, and provide a strong foundation in science and math for your
future work. You will probably take several of your General Education electives, chemistry and/or physics, calculus, and two engineering courses:
> Introduction to Engineering Design, a hands-on design course
where you learn CAD (computer-aided design) programs, teamwork,
and participate on a client-sponsored design project.
> A first-year seminar, a small class of about twenty-five students,
in which you can learn more about different engineering careers
and some of the current technologies that engineers are developing.
A complete list of seminars and descriptions can be found at
www.engr.psu.edu/fys.
Penn State College of Engineering 9
Sophomore Year
2
Students begin the course work leading to specific engineering disciplines
during this year. You will take introductory courses in engineering fundamentals, such as mechanics (statics, dynamics, strength of materials),
circuits, thermodynamics, or computer programming, as well as continue
to build your foundation in math and science with advanced calculus and
chemistry or physics courses. You will select a major during your sophomore year. If you choose to enroll in the Cooperative Education Program
(Co-op), you will learn job-hunting skills and obtain career-related employment. You may also participate in a professional internship to complement
your education, if desired.
Junior Year
3
Your third year will focus on fundamental courses in your major, such as
Electronic Circuit Design (for Electrical Engineering) or Structural Analysis
(for Civil Engineering). You may wish to pursue a minor (such as Bioengineering, Engineering Leadership Development, or Environmental Engineering) or take courses from another area of interest. As a Co-op student, you
begin to alternate between semesters of course work and engineering employment with companies throughout the world. You also have the choice of
completing a professional internship related to your engineering education.
10
Penn State College of Engineering
Senior Year
4
You can choose courses to develop a focus in your major or those that
will give you a broader background. In many majors, you will complete a
capstone design project, where you’ll work on a team with students from
other majors and an industry sponsor to develop a solution to a problem
your sponsor presents. Your team will prototype your solution and prepare a formal presentation to the company, just as you might expect to
do after graduation. Other exposure to design elements may include case
studies, simulations, field visits to industry, and ongoing projects. As a
Co-op participant, you complete employment assignments that provide a
year of professional engineering experience before you graduate. As an
internship student, you have the option of completing one semester of
professional engineering experience before you graduate.
An Office Just for You
When you arrive on campus, one of the first
places you should stop is the Office of Student
Services, a center created to provide engineering students with information, advising, and
career counseling. Here you will find the offices
of the Engineering Advising Center, the Engineering Cooperative Education and Professional
Internship Program, Global Engineering Education Program, Multicultural Engineering Program, and the Women in Engineering Program.
Engineering Advising Center
The staff here will be your academic advisers
before you enter a major and a central source
for information and advice. The Engineering
Advising Center has an open-door policy, and
students can either make appointments or
drop in. Advisers will help you choose a course
schedule that meets graduation requirements,
assist you in scheduling classes, and answer
questions. In addition to the center advisers,
faculty representatives from each College of
Engineering major offer academic advice. And
you may choose to be assigned a faculty adviser
in your intended major at any time.
Engineering Career Resources
and Employer Relations
The Engineering Career Resources and Employer Relations office serves as a comprehensive
career development resource for all undergraduate and graduate students in the College
of Engineering at all Penn State campuses and
for engineering students in the College of Earth
and Mineral Sciences.
The staff provides information and advising to
help students with the following skills:
—writing strong résumés, curricula vitae,
and cover letters
—improving their professional image
—developing a network of professional contacts
—using eCareer, the college’s electronic job
search system, to search for engineering
co-op, internship, research, and full-time
positions, for which they may earn
academic credit
—using social media effectively in a job search
—assessing and comparing job offers
—sharpening interview skills
—presenting themselves effectively at oncampus career fairs, informational meetings,
and networking events, many of which the
office sponsors or co-sponsors
Each year, more than 75 percent of graduating
engineering students indicate they have completed short-term professional work experiences—including co-op, internship, and research
positions—with large and small companies and
organizations across the country and around
the world. These experiences offer students the
valuable technical, professional, and communication skills they need to succeed in today’s
workforce, making them among the most highly
recruited students in the country.
For more information, visit the Engineering
Career Resources and Employer Relations website at www.engr.psu.edu/career.
Penn State College of Engineering 11
Multicultural Engineering Program (MEP)
Looking for a supportive academic environment? Penn State’s Multicultural Engineering
Program (MEP) is the place! MEP offers individual and group studying, tutoring, and Internet
access through the Academic Excellence Center.
In our Peer Mentoring Program, first-year students are matched with upperclass students for
additional support in majors and college life in
general. In addition, a first-year seminar, Success 101, is offered every fall semester to help
you make the transition from high school and
prepare for the engineering profession.
Build leadership skills and establish strong networks with corporate contacts through student
organizations like the National Society of Black
Engineers (NSBE), the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE), and the American
Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES).
12
Penn State College of Engineering
These are just a few ways to enhance your Penn
State experience. Don’t miss out on being a part
of MEP from the start! Check us out for yourself
at: www.engr.psu.edu/mep
Women in Engineering Program (WEP)
WEP will help you get a head start on your
academic career through WEPO, our Women in
Engineering Program Orientation, where you’ll
meet students like yourself: active, inquiring,
and ready to begin a successful engineering
career. At the WEP office, you’ll discover leadership and service opportunities, tutoring and
study groups, peer and industry mentors for
career development, and answers to questions
on how to set and meet your personal and professional goals.
Take a WEP hands-on course or workshop to
build experience and skills. Assume a leadership role in one of our many service activities,
such as mentoring younger girls through Girl
Scouts and school programs or working for
Habitat for Humanity. Meet and network with
practicing engineers, including members of our
national advisory board.
To find out more, visit the WEP webpage at:
www.engr.psu.edu/wep
Programs to Fit Your Interests
Here are just a few of the special programs
and activities available to you as a Penn State
engineering undergraduate:
Teaching and Researching
as an Undergraduate
Penn State has some of the best engineering
professors and researchers in the world. As a
Penn State engineering student, you have the opportunity to work side-by-side with them through
special teaching and research programs.
If you are interested in a career as a university
professor, you can begin to develop your skills
through our Teaching Intern Program. Teaching
interns are part of a unique program pioneered
by Penn State that provides undergraduates
with teaching experience. Upperclass students
work with a faculty mentor, offering classroom
support, preparing and giving lectures, and
providing feedback on classroom presentations.
Teaching interns receive a weekly stipend and
learn teaching techniques and methods in a
special course.
Research opportunities that help you prepare
for the workplace or graduate school include
summer assistantships, year-round participation in research labs, and senior or honors
research theses. You may arrange research
projects independently with individual faculty
members or through your classes. Undergraduate students work on projects ranging from
designing neural networks to building robots
to developing keyboards for people with sight
impairments.
Whether you choose teaching, research, or
both, you will work with experienced mentors
who care about making your time rewarding
and productive.
International Programs
You can study and/or work in many countries,
including England, Spain, France, China, Turkey,
Japan, Australia, or Germany, as part of your
undergraduate curriculum. Additional programs
include concurrent degrees in engineering and
French, German, Spanish, or International Studies that provide opportunities to intern or study
abroad. Semester exchanges are also available
with Southampton University in England, the
University of Navarra in Spain, Tohoku in Japan,
Middle East Technical University in Turkey, or
the University of New South Wales in Australia,
to name just a few.
Visit www.engr.psu.edu/global to learn more.
Designing and Building
for National Competitions
Participating in national design competitions
can offer you hands-on engineering and project
management experience. Competitions also
provide experience in working on engineering
teams similar to those in industry. Student
teams design, build, and race concrete canoes,
hybrid electric vehicles, formula racing cars,
and human-powered submarines or helicopters.
Students also compete for best undergraduate
research paper and best student professional
chapter awards. Besides gaining invaluable
practical experience, you can travel, learn to
communicate your ideas clearly, and test your
skills against engineering students from across
the country.
Penn State College of Engineering 13
Getting Involved
Fulfilling Your Potential
Student chapters of engineering professional
and honor societies in each department are
student-run, so you have the freedom to try
out your ideas and develop leadership and
communication skills—and establish networks
for your professional future. In addition to
more than thirty discipline-specific student
organizations, all-college student activities
include Engineers Without Borders, the Society
of Women Engineers, Tau Beta Pi engineering
honor society, the National Society of Black
Engineers, and the Society of Hispanic
Professional Engineers.
Engineering offers many opportunities for you
to excel. In addition to the programs described
above, you may take advantage of honors
courses, senior capstone design projects and
theses. Academic minors enable students to
pursue more technical depth or to broaden their
technical and nontechnical skills. Minors include
Nanotechnology, Environmental Engineering,
Engineering Leadership Development, and Engineering Entrepreneurship.
Engineering students also participate
in campuswide or community interest
organizations, musical and theatrical
productions, and intramural and varsity
sports teams.
14
Penn State College of Engineering
At the University level, students with excellent
SAT scores and high school grades are encouraged to apply to the Schreyer Honors College.
Schreyer Scholars enroll in small honors
classes and seminars, work closely with honors
advisers, and conduct independent study and
research.
Special options include the Integrated Undergraduate/ Graduate Program available for select
majors that enable students to complete a master’s degree with one additional year of study
beyond the bachelor’s degree.
Programs Focusing on Your
Engineering Education
Undergraduate education is a priority at Penn
State. What that means to you is that a great
deal of time, energy, and resources are directed
toward ensuring that a Penn State engineering
degree continues to be one of the best in
the world.
.
The Leonhard Center
The Leonhard Center for the Enhancement of
Engineering Education drives innovations in our
undergraduate programs that ensure Penn State
delivers world-class engineering education.
The Leonhard Center, the first education and
research center in the country concentrating exclusively on undergraduates, involves
students and faculty in enhancing the current
curriculum and developing new courses and
projects. These changes are designed to keep
your engineering degree relevant and valuable
to you and to your future employers.
Departments in the College of Engineering have
undertaken major initiatives to enhance their
undergraduate programs through partnerships with the Leonhard Center. These efforts
include the creation of design classes, the use
of industrial case studies, and the integration
of ethics education into numerous engineering
classes. Current initiatives focus on preparing
our engineering students to succeed in the global
workplace they will enter upon graduation.
The Learning Factory and Center
for Engineering Design and
Entrepreneurship
The Learning Factory is a design laboratory
and shop built just for our students. Whether
you have an assigned project for a course or a
competition in your club or organization, you
can conceptualize and then prototype a product,
machine, or system with the equipment there.
Students also enjoy the walk-in facilities offered
by the college’s Center for Engineering Design
and Entrepreneurship, which features flexible
meeting and wireless classrooms, design studios, a fabrication and assembly design shop,
and a testing laboratory.
Sample Enrollments, by Department*
> Aerospace Engineering, 218
> Architectural Engineering, 382
> Bioengineering, 130
> Biological Engineering, 82
> Chemical Engineering, 365
> Civil Engineering, 390
> Computer Science and Computer Engineering, 375
> Electrical Engineering, 453
> Engineering Science, 105
> Industrial Engineering, 461
> Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering, 916
*University Park fall 2012 enrollment
Penn State College of Engineering 15
Choosing Where to Live
Bringing or Buying a Computer?
Engineering is an exciting but demanding curriculum. You may find it helpful to live in one
of several specialized housing options for
engineering and science students—the First
Year in Science and Engineering House (FISE),
Engineering House (E-House), the Engineering
and Applied Science Interest (EASI) House, or
the Women in Science and Engineering (WISE)
Interest House. Schreyer Scholars live in Atherton and Simmons Halls.
If you plan on bringing your computer or buying
a new one, the College of Engineering has
specific hardware and software recommendations at www.ecs.psu.edu/PSU_COE_COMP_
RECOMMENDATION.htm. You’ll also find recommendations for calculators for your classes.
All of these options offer networking, seminars,
and counseling combined with dorm life. More
important, you can find peers who have the
same classes and a wide variety of interests,
and can become part of ready-made study and
social groups. More information can be found
online at www.engr.psu.edu/future/
WhyPSUEngr/SpecialLiving.aspx.
16
Penn State College of Engineering
Getting Financial Help
Grants, scholarships, loans, and work-study
programs are available to you through the College of Engineering, the University, and private
sources. The College of Engineering awards
more than 1,000 scholarships totaling more than
$2 million to engineering students each year.
All incoming engineering students who submit
the Free Application for Federal Student Aid
(FAFSA) are automatically considered for scholarships and financial aid assistance. This form
is available from your high school or the Penn
State Office of Student Aid and should be filed
early, before the March 1 deadline. More information is available from the Office of Student
Aid and online at www.engr.psu.edu/future/
WhatNext/FinancialAid.aspx.
Starting at Any Penn State Campus
You may decide to start your engineering
baccalaureate degree at one of Penn State’s
many campuses throughout Pennsylvania and
complete your degree requirements at the
University Park campus. Students interested in
any of the engineering majors can begin studies
at any Penn State campus. If you are interested
in a specific Penn State location, contact that
campus directly for more information. Students
may also find out more about Penn State colleges and campuses online at www.psu.edu/ur/
cmpcoll.html
Come Visit Us!
The best way to learn if Penn State engineering
is right for you is to come for a visit. Tours are
offered year-round. To schedule a visit, or for
information on scheduled programs like Spend
A Summer Day, please visit www.engr.psu.
edu/future/visit
Associate Dean for
Academic Programs
814-863-3750
Advising Center
School of Engineering, Design,
Technology, and Professional Programs
(associate degree and technology programs)
814-865-2952
814-863-1033
Other Penn State Contacts
Engineering Career Resources
and Employer Relations
Undergraduate Admissions Office
814-863-1032
International Programs
814-863-9899
Multicultural Engineering Program
800-848-9223
Women in Engineering Program
814-863-1080
814-865-5471
Office of Student Aid
814-865-6301
University Park Housing
Assignment Office
814-865-7501
Schreyer Honors College
814-865-2060
This publication is available in alternative media on request. The Pennsylvania State University is committed to the policy that all persons shall have equal access to programs, facilities, admission, and employment without regard to personal
characteristics not related to ability, performance, or qualifications as determined by University policy or by state or federal authorities. It is the policy of the University to maintain an academic and work environment free of discrimination, including
harassment. The Pennsylvania State University prohibits discrimination and harassment against any person because of age, ancestry, color, disability or handicap, genetic information, national origin, race, religious creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender
identity, or veteran status and retaliation due to the reporting of discrimination or harassment. Discrimination, harassment, or retaliation against faculty, staff, or students will not be tolerated at The Pennsylvania State University. Direct all inquiries
regarding the nondiscrimination policy to the Affirmative Action Director, The Pennsylvania State University, 328 Boucke Building, University Park, PA 16802-5901; Tel 814-865-4700/V, 814-863-1150/TTY.
Produced by the Penn State Department of University Publications U.Ed. ENG 13-21
Fall 2012 data
Students
—38,455 undergraduate students at the
University Park campus
—9,387 undergraduates in the College
of Engineering
—6,800 engineering undergraduates
at University Park (18 percent women)
(Current enrollment can be found online
at www.engr.psu.edu/AboutCOE/enrollment.aspx)
—2,587 engineering undergraduates at
other Penn State campuses
—The middle 50 percent of students
offered admission to University Park for
fall 2012 had total (verbal, math, and
writing) SAT scores ranging from
1750 to 2000
—22 percent of the University’s Schreyer
Honors College students are engineering
majors
—More than 800 unique companies
come to the University Park campus specifically to recruit Penn State engineering
students each year
—The College of Engineering was
ranked second in the number of
bachelor’s degrees awarded in
2011 by the American Society of
Engineering Educators.
—8 engineering technology associate
degree majors
—Engineering students have participated
in study abroad programs in 50 countries
—Engineering library and advising center
Faculty
—Dual-degree and honors programs
—25:1 student/faculty ratio
at University Park
—89 percent of undergraduate
engineering courses are taught by
full-time faculty
—353 full-time tenured/tenure track
faculty at University Park
—Average engineering class size:
35 students
Academics
—13 College of Engineering undergraduate majors at University Park
—5 engineering majors in the College
of Earth and Mineral Sciences
—11 engineering minors
—6 engineering technology baccalaureate
degree majors
—Undergraduate program ranked no. 16
in the nation by U.S. News & World Report
in 2012
Research
—Undergraduate research opportunities
in all majors
—Faculty bring research into
class discussions
—Penn State is among the top in the
nation in industry-sponsored science and
engineering research (expenditures of
$137.7million in 2011-12)
Location
—24 campuses throughout Pennsylvania;
18 campuses offer first two years of engineering baccalaureate degrees
—Approximately half of the first-year
engineering students start at the University Park campus, the other half at other
Penn State campuses, with most students
completing their engineering degree at
University Park
—State College is a safe, small town in
central Pennsylvania
Alumni
—More than 90,000 known, living
engineering alumni worldwide
—10 Penn State engineering faculty are
distinguished members of the National
Academy of Engineering
Learn more at www.engr.psu.edu