ENGR_SCI - Engineering Science Major (B.A.)

The bachelor of arts in engineering science

The B.A. degree provides a flexible and interdisciplinary engineering experience for students who wish to broaden their learning horizons across disciplines in Trinity's liberal arts curriculum. The B.A. is different from the ABET-accredited B.S. degree in that it requires integration of engineering studies with significant study in such cognate areas as economics, international studies, environmental science, neuroscience, or public policy and law. Consequently the B.A. provides a strong background for students who wish to pursue careers in public service, management, or entrepreneurship, for example. Its mission is to educate students able to develop and convey solutions to multidimensional problems that require scientific, technological, global, and social perspectives with the following objectives:

• Trinity engineering graduates gain balanced background training in mathematics, science, engineering, and a broad spectrum of liberal arts curricula.

• Trinity engineering graduates integrate study of engineering subjects with depth of study in at least one cognate area chosen in consultation with faculty advisers.

• Trinity engineering graduates apply their broad liberal arts education and firm foundation in engineering fundamentals to diverse fields of endeavor.

General requirements for engineering degrees—B.S. and B.A.

• No more than one engineering or concentration/cognate elective course with a grade lower than C- will be counted toward the engineering major.

• Computer programming proficiency by course (C- or better) or examination. The courses that satisfy this requirement are: ENGR 110, 301L, 323L, 357, CPSC 115, 215.

• At least eight course credits in arts, humanities, or social sciences, including at least two courses chosen to achieve depth in one subject area within these disciplines.

• The Writing Intensive Part II requirement is fulfilled by one of the following courses: ENGR 200, 212L, 221L, 301L, 303L, 305L, 323L, 362L, 431L, 483, or 484.

Bachelor of arts in engineering science

• Basic mathematics/science core: MATH 131, 132; PHYS 141L, 231L, plus two elective courses (approved in advance by the department chair) chosen from mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology, neuroscience, or computer science.

• Engineering core: ENGR 200, 221L (or 212L), 225, 232, plus three engineering electives (at least two must be above 100 level and at least one at 300 level, excluding ENGR 116, 341, and 342).

• ENGR 483: A one-semester senior capstone design project that integrates engineering with subjects from a chosen cognate area.

• Four additional courses from a cognate department or program: chosen in consultation with the faculty adviser; these courses must achieve depth of study in the cognate area (e.g., chemistry, economics, psychology, environmental science, music).

Environmental science pathway: The B.A. elective pathway in environmental science introduces engineering students to the fundamentals of environmental science fieldwork and methods, and provides a broad understanding of the natural environment and the impact of human behavior. It requires completion of a one-semester senior capstone design project with an environmental engineering component.

ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

AP/IBO credit: AP/IBO credit is accepted, when equivalent, for the basic mathematics/science core and the arts/humanities/social science requirements for both the B.S. in engineering and the B.A. in engineering science degrees. Incoming students should consult with the department chair.

Study away: Engineering majors are encouraged to study away for one semester in the junior year. Students who plan to study away must contact the engineering department chair as early as possible, even before major declaration, to develop an individual four-year course plan.

Honors: To be eligible for honors for the B.S. in engineering degree the student must: (1) earn a grade point average of at least 3.5 in all engineering courses (not including independent studies); (2) earn an overall GPA of at least 3.3; and (3) earn a grade of B+ or higher on the engineering senior capstone design project. To be eligible for honors for the B.A. in engineering science degree the student must: (1) earn a grade point average of at least 3.5 in ALL math, science, and engineering courses that could fulfill a requirement for the B.A. (not including independent studies); (2) earn an overall GPA of at least 3.3; and (3) earn a grade of B+ or higher in ENGR 483.