Engineering Science

Get the best of both worlds—the specialized training of an engineering degree with the breadth of knowledge and experience that comes with a liberal arts education.

Now, you can study engineering without sacrificing the benefits of a liberal arts education—broad-based intellectual exploration, strong written and verbal communication skills, the ability to work on a team, and plenty of practice problem solving in a variety of disciplines.

Four Ways to Study Engineering at Principia

Option I—Complete a four- to five-year program with Principia College and the University of North Dakota
Option II—Complete a three-year program at Principia and transfer to either Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE) or Missouri University of Science and Technology (MST) or University of Minnesota (UMN)
Option III—Complete a three-year program at Principia and transfer to any university of the student’s choice: this could include the University of North Dakota
Option IV—Complete a stand-alone four-year program in Engineering Science at Principia: this may be completed with coursework taken entirely at Principia.

Overview

Upon completion of programs I or II above, you'll receive two degrees:

B.S. in Engineering Science
B.S. in Mechanical, Civil, Electrical, or Chemical Engineering with ABET certification

You are not required to complete both degrees in order to major in engineering. You may complete only Principia's B.S. in engineering science, but it is not ABET*-accredited.

*ABET is the recognized accreditor for engineering programs. This accreditation assures that programs meet the quality standards established by the profession.

What sets Prin apart?

At Principia College, you’ll gain proficiency in Engineering Science with an emphasis on using the technical skills you gain to help others. The other main advantages of studying engineering at this small liberal arts college is that you will:

Enter the competitive field of engineering with strong communication and writing skills.
Have invaluable access to faculty, and be mentored beyond graduation.
Have the opportunity to join the solar car team—building a car and racing head-to-head against other larger universities in national and international competitions.
Go on engineering field trips and attend guest lectures by visiting engineers.
Take part in Engineering Week.
Have internship opportunities at a variety of companies and organizations.
Develop confidence and independence to prepare for project and design initiation.
Gain transferable skills, including critical thinking, problem solving, communication, design, and application.

Solar Car Team Takes Second Place

A Hands-On Engineering Degree

Meet Paige Cooley

Mission Statement

The ENGR Dept will prepare students to effectively apply engineering principles to meet the evolving needs of society. As a diverse group of outward-looking learners, we serve and better our communities. Our student body typically includes students from all over the world.

The ENGR Dept 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. Our program develops lifelong learning skills, ethical decision making, and service to our communities and the world.

Program Educational Objectives

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

Successfully practice engineering in professional settings, using modern engineering tools, techniques and the principles of mathematics and engineering science or be fully prepared to succeed in their pursuit of advanced degrees in engineering or related STEM fields.
Use clear, concise oral and written skills to present problem solutions, adapt to change, and communicate effectively in teams.
Work effectively alone and on diverse teams, applying ethical leadership principles to innovation, technological and professional activities.
Contribute 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.
Continue growing professionally through activities such as ongoing education, certification, professional development activities, and community service.

Student Learning Outcomes

The student learning outcomes for Principia College’s BS in Engineering Science are:

An ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics.
An ability to apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors.
An ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences.
An ability to recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgments, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts.
An ability to function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives.
An ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions.
An ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.

After Principia

Our graduates have engaged in engineering activities, including the following:

Summer work at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Graduate work at University of Michigan
Working for Holder Construction in Atlanta, Georgia
3D CAD, CAM design, NX software, and technical marketing for Swoosh Technologies & Solutions
Helping Allegion PLC save money through new design and machining skills
Working for Boeing on hydraulic systems for the T-7A Red Hawk training fighter jet
Protecting vehicles during transportation for Ford Motor Company

Enrollment & Graduation Data

BS in Engineering Science Graduation Data

Our Engineering Science program began in the fall of 2015. In 2019 our first cohort of students graduated from this program. The table below lists the number of declared Engineering Science majors, as well as the number of BS degrees awarded, through spring semester 2022. Note that students do not typically declare a major until the second semester of their sophomore year.

Engineering Science Enrollment & Graduation History

Academic Year	1^st - 3^rd	4^th	5^th	Total Undergraduates	BS Degrees Awarded
2018-2019	12	6	6	24	7
2019-2020	4	8	2	14	2
2020-2021	4	11	2	17	2
2021-2022	11	3	6	20	8

Faculty

Study-Abroad Programs

Principia study-abroad programs are open to all majors, and you’re encouraged to apply to any abroad program that interests you—even if the abroad isn’t in your major/minor. Your passport to international learning starts here—Principia College Study Abroad.

Course Catalog

Find complete course listings and program requirements in our Course Catalog.