Penn State Behrend Offers Unique New Engineering Program
Electrical and Computer Engineering Technology program designed to meet emerging industry needs
In a move that reinforces its mission to provide strong design-oriented undergraduate engineering programs, the School of Engineering and Engineering Technology at Penn State Erie, The Behrend College, announces its new Electrical and Computer Engineering Technology (ECET) program, formerly known as Electrical Engineering Technology (EET). The updated program offers two options—electrical engineering technology, which is based on the previous major, and computer engineering technology, which is a new addition to the college and reflected in the name change—and is the only program of its kind within the Penn State system.
“This is an important step in maintaining technically current degree programs at Penn State Behrend,” said Robert Weissbach, associate professor of engineering and program chair. “This program is unique to Penn State Behrend and will play a significant role in fulfilling the college’s commitment to serve the needs of industries in Northwestern Pennsylvania.”
According to Weissbach, the curriculum change was based on the region’s need to have access to graduates with added computer knowledge in addition to graduates with a traditional electrical background. “Since there is an increasing demand regionally for graduates with a computer background, we felt that placement would be strengthened by providing a computer option,” he added.
The four-year ECET degree will prepare students for a range of careers, including electrical and electronic systems design, microprocessor applications, electrical testing, instrumentation and control, computer programming, plant engineering, quality control, management, and technical sales and service.
The new program will be phased in, allowing students who will complete their entrance-to-major process in spring 2007 to select ECET. The Electrical Engineering Technology option will provide a specialty education in control theory plus communication and power systems, while the Computer Engineering Technology option will teach software development, embedded computer systems and networking.
As was the case with the previous EET program: Both options require applied mathematics, physics, electrical and electronic circuit analysis and design, microprocessors, instrumentation, and quality control; Students in both options must complete a capstone design project involving an actual design or manufacturing problem, which is often sponsored by industry; Students must complete a minimum of 128 credits to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in ECET.
The School of Engineering and Engineering Technology at Penn State Behrend offers three associate and seven baccalaureate degree programs, as well as one minor. Each program is accredited by either the Engineering Accreditation Commission (EAC) or the Technology Accreditation Commission (TAC) of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET).
Students have access to 11 student chapters of honorary and professional organizations, such as the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), Society of Plastics Engineers (SPE), Society of Women Engineers (SWE) and National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE). Beginning in fall 2006, the School of Engineering and Engineering Technology and the Black School of Business will be housed in the Research and Economic Development Center (REDC), making Penn State Behrend the only college in the country to house its engineering and business schools under one roof.