Engineering Science

Marie C. Farson, Associate Professor

Otho Matthew Otte, Assistant Professor

Faculty from other disciplines also support this program.

Mission Statement:

The Engineering department provides an inclusive, collaborative environment in which all students are supported in reaching their highest potential. Through experiential learning, teamwork and leadership opportunities, both in the classroom and through co-curricular activities, the program develops lifelong learning skills and ethical decision-making, and prepares students to effectively apply engineering principles to meet the evolving needs of society.

Program Educational Objectives:

Principia College’s Engineering Department is committed to graduating engineers who will be:

  • Practicing engineering in professional settings and/or obtaining advanced degrees in engineering or related STEM fields.
  • Exceptional communicators, employing clear, concise oral and written skills.
  • Exceling on a path of self-leadership/team-leadership by delivering on commitments as responsible, dedicated workers with a superior work ethic.
  • Applying ethical leadership principles to their technological and professional activities and innovations.
  • Contributing to the intellectual and financial growth of an organization through creative problem solving and ethical conduct, recognizing the broader implications of their engineering contributions on local, national and global levels.
  • Continuing to grow professionally by obtaining advanced credentials, professional licensure and certifications, as well as serving in their professional communities.

Principia College offers a Bachelor of Science major in engineering science in the following ways:

Option I Completion of a stand-alone four (4) year program in Engineering Science at Principia. This may be completed with coursework taken entirely at Principia.

1Option II – Completion of a four to five (4 - 5) year dual degree program with Principia College and the University of North Dakota.

2Option III – Completion of a three (3) plus two (2) year program, where three (3) years are completed at Principia, the student will then transfer and complete two (2) years at another institution - this could include either Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE), Missouri University of Science and Technology (MST), University of Minnesota (UMN), or University of North Dakota (UND). 

Successful completion of Option II awards the student a B.S. in Engineering Science from Principia College and an ABET accredited discipline specific degree in Chemical, Civil, Electrical, or Mechanical Engineering) from the University of North Dakota. This program with the University of North Dakota allows a student to remain on the Principia College campus up to five years.

The B.S. in engineering science may also be awarded to students who opt for Option III (students usually attend Principia for three years and then transfer for their last two years) and complete the requirements below and those for an engineering degree at another university, provided that the program at the other university is approved by the director of the engineering program and transfer credit is approved by the Registrar. Also, a student will need a waiver of residency petition approved by Principia College.

All engineering students must achieve a grade of "C-" or better in ALL required science (physics, mathematics, chemistry, and computer science) and engineering courses. For students participating in the University of North Dakota Dual Degree Program, all courses transferring to UND must have a grade of "C-" or better. To complete the Engineering Science Major, a student must earn a cumulative average of 2.000 or higher for the courses (required and elective, within the department or outside it, such as math and science) taken for that program.

For UND as well as SIUE, MST, UMN, or another university, students should consult the current university bulletin and their engineering advisor about the entrance requirements for the specific engineering program they wish to pursue. The acceptance of Principia’s dual degree students to the cooperating university’s program is not automatic. They must apply before or during their junior year. Each university has its own timelines.

The various types of engineering programs offered as part of the dual degree with University of North Dakota (Option II) are described below.

Mechanical Engineering

The Mechanical Engineering major prepares students at all levels to effectively apply modern engineering principles to the evolving needs of industry and society through focused efforts in manufacturing, materials science, mechanical design, thermal sciences, and aerospace applications. This major supports an accessible, collaborative, multidisciplinary research and learning environment that stimulates students and faculty members to reach their highest potential through hands-on education, leadership opportunities, and life-long learning. UND offers four optional concentrations within the ABET accredited Mechanical Engineering degree.

Civil Engineering

The Civil Engineering major is concerned primarily with fundamental civil engineering design and analysis in such areas as structures, geotechnical engineering, sanitary engineering, water resources, and transportation engineering. The required curriculum includes the fundamentals for each of these areas and provides an opportunity for additional learning experiences with technical electives and a major design experience.

Electrical Engineering

The Electrical Engineering major focuses primarily on areas like Applied Electromagnetics, Power and Energy Systems, Signal and Image Processing, Wireless Communications, and Unmanned Systems. The required curriculum includes the fundamentals for each of these areas and provides an opportunity for additional learning experiences with technical electives and a major design experience. UND offers a focus in Computer Engineering within the ABET accredited Electrical Engineering degree.

Chemical Engineering

The Chemical Engineering major prepares students to work in the chemical industry to convert basic raw materials into a variety of products, and deals with the design and operation of plants and equipment. These core principles build on the fundamentals of physical sciences and mathematics. A chemical engineer applies and uses principles of chemical engineering in any of its practical applications which include design, manufacture and operation of plants and machinery in industrial chemical (machines used to extract or convert industrial chemicals — example, crude oil) and related processes. This major in recent development has expanded to focus on new technologies such as fuel cells, hydrogen power and nanotechnology.

Other Engineering Options

Students who wish to obtain an engineering degree only from a second university (not a dual degree) should work with their engineering advisor and an advisor at the school from which they intend to graduate to match courses from our freshman and sophomore years to the requirements of the engineering school. After two years at Principia, these students would then apply to transfer their credits to that engineering school and obtain their engineering degree there. The decision to transfer Principia courses to the other school resides with the transfer institution. In addition, students may opt to complete a four-year B.S. major at the College (e.g., chemistry, computer science, mathematics, or physics) and then transfer to the university for two more years to complete an engineering degree.

1

There is an associated fee for summer laboratories for students who declare and decide to pursue this option (Option II). This associated fee will depend on when a student declares the major and also will be discussed and approved by a Principia advisor.​

2

Principia College has a memorandum of understanding and/or an articulation agreement with SIUE, MST, UMN, and UND. To transfer to an institution not listed, students need to discuss their intentions for this option with the preferred institution in mind by the end of their second year with the advisor and director of the engineering program.