General Engineering

Our time has already seen the rapid development of a broad range of technological, scientific and engineering innovations which shape the way in which contemporary society functions.  The pace of these developments will become even faster and more global in this century.  The Bachelor of Arts in General Engineering is designed to provide students with the fundamental engineering principles needed to understand the basics of, and to work with, modern technology, innovations and engineering practices.

The B.A. degree with a major in General Engineering is intended for undergraduate students who desire a background in engineering and technology yet have neither the desire nor the intention to become professional engineers.  These students may, for example, plan to pursue graduate or professional study in architecture, business, law (e.g. intellectual property, patent law) or medicine.  They may wish to work in areas which relate to engineering and technology such as public policy or to thrive in the global industrial economy.  The Bachelor of Arts in General Engineering is a true liberal arts degree with a concentration in engineering.

The distinctive features of the Bachelor of Arts in General Engineering include:

• Breadth.  Course requirements for the Bachelor of Arts in General Engineering encourage breadth.  Approximately 17% of required credits are in mathematics or statistics, 12% in the natural sciences, 20% in humanities and/or social sciences, 8% in international studies (language or other) and 30% in engineering, with the rest being free electives.
• Flexibility.  This program is designed to allow students, in consultation with their advisor, the flexibility to choose a program of study which develops their interests.  The engineering concentration and the humanities and social science requirements may be departmentally based or may follow a creative theme designed by the student and his/her advisor.  Students are encouraged to minor in any area of their choosing.
• Interdisciplinary Study.  The distribution requirements are ideal for students who seek to understand areas at the interface between technical fields (such as robotics, nanotechnology and biomaterials) or the connections between a technical area and a discipline in the humanities or social sciences (for example environment issues and international trade or ethics and biotechnology).
• International Dimensions of Engineering.  Students are required to develop some knowledge of the international dimensions of engineering.  They can do this by studying abroad or by taking a combination of language and other classes which develop an understanding of the culture, technology or society in a foreign country.

This degree is not an engineering degree, and is not suitable for employment as a professional engineer.  This program is not accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology.  Students desiring careers as professional engineers should complete a B.S. degree in one of the engineering disciplines offered by the Whiting School.