WHICH IS RIGHT FOR YOU... ENGINEERING OR ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY?

Be WISE (Behrend Women in the School of Engineering)

Engineering: Turning Ideas into Reality

Focus on Computer Engineering

Gadgets & Gizmos (EET)

The Ghost in the Machine: Software

Planes, Trains, & Automobiles(MET)

The Possibilities of Plastic (PLET)

Engineering versus Engineering Technology . . . Which is right for you?

For additional information, see the SEET website at http://www.pserie.psu.edu/academic/engineering/eng_or_eng_tech.htm or contact the School of Engineering and Engineering Technology at 814.898.6153

Be WISE (Behrend Women in the School of Engineering)

WISE women make wise leaders. And the Women in the School of Engineering FIG is definitely a wise choice. This FIG brings together women in all the engineering and engineering technology degrees. Learn how women use their natural aptitude for math and science along with their innate ability to multi-task. Add that to the “wow factor” you get from engineering. If you have ever wanted a career that satisfies both your analytical mind and your desire to make life better, then engineering is it, and this FIG is for you. All women interested in majoring in engineering or engineering technology are strongly encouraged to register for this FIG!

Be WISE FIG Students Are Enrolled In The Following Courses:

Freshman Seminar: PSU 007 Be WISE (1 credit) This seminar brings together women in all the engineering and engineering technology degrees to help women aspiring to careers in engineering develop a strong cohort for the duration of their career at Behrend.  Learn how women use their natural aptitude for math and science along with their innate ability to multi-task.  This course will introduce women to the various engineering and engineering technology majors available to them and will assist them in getting connected to the engineering department.  Career opportunities in engineering will be discussed as well as a discussion of current events.

Linked course (Only non-technology majors will be enrolled in this linked course): BDENG 100S Introduction to Engineering Design (3 credits)

Introduction to the engineering design process and computer-based tools used by engineers. Students work in groups of three to design, build, and test their own battery-powered car with cruise control. This project requires use of basic principles from various engineering disciplines and helps students in selecting an appropriate engineering major. Applicable to all engineering majors except computer engineering, software engineering, and technology majors.

AND/OR

Linked Course (All Be WISE participants will be enrolled in this class): ENGL 015 Rhetoric and Composition (3 credits)*

Instruction and practice in writing expository prose that shows sensitivity to audience and purpose.

*Enrollment in the linked course for Be WISE is dependent on the score earned on the English proficiency examination administered as part of the Freshman Testing program. For more information, please contact the Division of Undergraduate Studies at 814-898-6260.

Are you a problem-solver that likes to make things work better? Do you like applying science, math, and common sense to make things that benefit people in many different ways? Are you a visionary that likes taking ideas and creatively turning them into reality? Then engineering may be the major for you. Come with us as we explore the fascinating engineering options available to Penn State students and learn the day-to-day activities involved in an engineering career. This FIG is for all engineering majors except computer engineering, software engineering, and engineering technology majors.

Engineering: Turning Ideas into Reality FIG students will be enrolled in the following courses:

Freshman Seminar: BDENG 100S Introduction ton Engineering Design (3 credits)

Introduction to the engineering design process and computer-based tools used by engineers. Students work in groups of three to design, build, and test their own battery-powered car with cruise control. This project requires use of basic principles from various engineering disciplines and helps students in selecting an appropriate engineering major. Applicable to all engineering majors except computer engineering, software engineering, and technology majors.

Linked Course*: MATH 140 Calculus with Analytic Geometry I (4 credits)

Functions; limits; analytic geometry; derivatives, differentials, applications; integrals, applications.

OR

MATH 041 Trigonometry and Analytic Geometry (3 credits)

Straight lines; circles; functions and graphs; graphs of polynomial and rational functions; exponential and logarithmic functions; trigonometry; conic sections.

*Enrollment in a linked course for Engineering: Turning Ideas into Reality is dependent on the score earned on the mathematics proficiency examination administered as part of the Freshman Testing Program. For more information, contact the Division of Undergraduate Studies at 814-898-6260.

Computers are becoming smarter and faster with each passing year. Everything today relies on computers from your cell phone to household appliances, from car engines to microwave ovens. If that thought doesn’t make you nervous than computer engineering may be the right field for you. If artificial intelligence, computer architecture, operating systems and networks, and software applications make you “byte”, then you’ll fit right into this FIG.

Focus on Computer Engineering FIG Students are enrolled in the following courses:

Freshman Seminar: Focus on Computer Engineering (1 credit)

This course will offer greater insight into the field of computer engineering and how it differs from computer science and other engineering disciplines. Also to be explored are employment outlooks, internship opportunities, and professional societies.

Linked Course: CSE 121 Introduction to Programming Techniques (4 credits)

Design and implementation of algorithms. Structured programming. Problem solving techniques. Introduction to a high-level block-structured language, including arrays, procedures, parameters, and recursion.

Do you have a fascination with how all your electrical gadgets and gizmos work from your Ipod to your Blackberry? Electrical Engineering Technology requires you to design, test, and produce future electronic products that are introduced into society at an ever increasing pace. This FIG will help you experience being instrumental in designing and maintaining electronics, computers, and electronic/computer-controlled systems. If you want to work in the field of electrical power generation and transmission, develop efficient lighting systems or work to improve communications systems, then this FIG is just right for you! This FIG is appropriate for Electrical Engineering Technology majors.

Gadgets and Gizmos FIG students will be enrolled in the following courses:

Freshman Seminar: Introduction to Electrical Engineering (1 credit)

This course will introduce students to the field of electrical engineering technology. Students will explore where and how electrical engineering technology is used in everyday life. Employment opportunities and expected job performance will be discussed.

Linked Course: ET 002 Engineering Technology Orientation (1 credit)

Introduction to computer methods for analyzing and solving engineering technology problems; microcomputer fundamentals, word processing, spreadsheet, and database software packages.

The Ghost in the Machine: Software

Are you addicted to Halo? Is computer animation something you enjoy? Can you get lost for hours in computer or web designs? Are you constantly asking, “How did they do that” as you play video games or explore a software package? If you can easily see yourself designing the next “Halo” or think that designing software for a huge corporation is awesome, then this FIG is for you. This hands-on FIG introduces basic programming and web design skills and teaches you how to explore software to control robot hardware! If you like hands-on, you’ll want to register for this FIG! This FIG is appropriate for software engineering majors.

The Ghost in the Machine: Software FIG students will be enrolled in the following courses:

Freshmen Seminar: Introduction to Software Engineering (1 credit)

This is a multi-purpose course that exposes students to the Penn State system and the services available to them, as well as introduces students to basic engineering concepts that are strongly related to software engineering. With help from software engineering faculty and upper-class students, FIG participants will discuss realistic design and development processes. Students will practice a variety of software tools, learn simple programming skills, and web designs. Students will learn how to exploit software to control robot hardware.

Linked Course: CSE 121 Introduction to Programming Techniques (4 credits)

Design and implementation of algorithms. Structured programming. Problem solving techniques. Introduction to a high-level block-structured language, including arrays, procedures, parameters, and recursion.

From the smallest toy to the largest airplane in the world, mechanical engineering technologists are involved in making ideas a reality. From the development and testing of prototypes, to production planning, machinery requirements, and assembly processes, METs are working to produce a useful and effective end product. If you have an interest in all stages of the development of machinery, if designing and perfecting automotive vehicles sounds like a dream job, if reducing air and noise pollution associated with cars and trucks makes you curious, or if you have an interest in rapid transit systems, then this FIG will put you on the right track! This FIG is for those students interested in Mechanical Engineering Technology.

Freshman Seminar: Introduction to Mechanical Engineering Technology (1 credit)

This course will cover what the field of engineering technology entails and how it differs from engineering; career opportunities, including the variety of engineering positions available upon graduation; internships while in school and part-time employment; professional registration and professional societies; and an overview of the history of engineering technology and the Technology Accreditation Commission and the Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technology (TAC/ABET).

Linked Course: METBD 050 Computer Applications for Technology (3 credits)

Programming spreadsheets, databases, and presentation software for solutions of technical problems; introduction to languages allowing creation of program macros.

Do you remember that commercial where the kid is bouncing a plastic ball that skips to someone receiving oxygen through a plastic mask after an accident? Can you think of a million ways that plastic could be used to benefit society? Do you have an interest in learning product design, choosing materials, tool design, and process techniques? Do you want to create products or packaging for commercial success? This FIG will introduce you to all of the opportunities in Plastics Engineering Technology.

The Possibilities of Plastics FIG students are enrolled in the following courses:

Freshman Seminar: Introduction to Plastics Engineering Technology (1 credit)

This course will cover what the field of engineering technology entails, and how it differs from engineering: career opportunities, including the variety of engineering positions available upon graduation; internships while in school and part-time employment; professional registration and professional societies; and an overview of the history of engineering technology and TAC/ABET.

Linked Course: PL ET 050 Plastics Engineering Technology (3 credits)

Programming, spreadsheets for the solution of technical problems, internet access for background and support information, formatting professional reports, creating presentations.

Updated November 8, 2006
Contact: FIGsBehrend@psu.edu