What students, faculty, and recent graduates say about Engineering Science at Principia.

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Fascination with functionality

"Putting things together, pulling things apart, and putting them back together," the desire to do this is what prompted one student to opt for the engineering science major. But, he adds, "I realize it's more than just building or putting things together. Engineers make big decisions. There is a business side of engineering."

"I have always worked with my hands, figuring things out, so I thought it would be an ideal major," says a senior whose interest in engineering science began as he learned about his father's construction career. "The science classes are difficult," he adds, "but I find it all really interesting." One student, with an engineering science and math double major, says his interest in engineering science began when he realized he was "good with electrical stuff." On the academic side, he's always been interested in math and physics. "I think everyone has a natural curiosity to see how things go together," says a professor. "In engineering, more than in any other field of study, you can make use of your ingenuity and the principles of science to meet the human need."

"I have always been interested in mechanical engineering," says a junior, "but I thought I wouldn't be able to pursue that area at Prin. Then I found out about the 3+2 Cooperative Program, and now I'm here." He adds, "I will have the small school experience along with the big school experience."

The building blocks of the major

A sophomore says his engineering science major is ideal and that "I don't like physics by itself. I like combining chemistry and physics and everything together." Principia's engineering science major allows for this combination of interests. A professor describes the basics of the major: "Students spend three years at Principia College and two years at a university with an accredited engineering program. Three universities currently endorsing Principia's 3+2 Cooperative Program are Washington University in St. Louis, the University of Southern California, and Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville. At Principia the student gets the basic pre-requisites like math, chemistry, physics, computer science, and other electives as would be standard in most acceptable engineering programs. Then each student chooses an area of concentration. The major also includes a significant component in social sciences and other courses to allow the student a broadly-based education. The engineering science degree comes from Principia, and the bachelor of engineering from the university where the student will specialize in something like civil, mechanical, environmental, aeronautical, or chemical engineering."

From theory to application

"The Principia faculty has created ways to let you experiment with some of the things you work on theoretically in classes," says another student, "like the solar car project. Things come together and you can see it from both sides, theoretical and experimental." A sophomore engineering science major says that before Principia, his experience with engineering science had been mostly theoretical, but in the major he's applying what he's learning. Currently he works part-time in the Media Services Department "running the movies on weekends, working with lights, sound, acoustics." He adds, "It's the practical application of what I have been studying all this time."

"I can't think of another place where I could get so much attention from my science professors. It's something that helps me a lot, in understanding all the physics, math and chemistry," remarks a major who came to Principia from Mexico City. A professor adds, "You are guaranteed close contact with your professors, in and out of class, and you can be sure of hands-on access with equipment in the laboratory. In the engineering seminar we have several different hands-on projects."

Liberal arts and engineering unite

"The hardest thing for me is comprehension of all the different things you have to know," says another engineering science major. "There's physics, calculus, and chemistry. And you have to take computer science, too. It's rigorous." A junior adds that engineering science majors often have to overload, or take more credit hours than many students, in order to complete the core classes and electives, as well as courses for their major. But, he adds, "I like the fact that I'm getting a dual degree. I'm getting math and science, and I'm also going to get a bachelor of mechanical engineering degree at my next school. I also like the fact that I'm getting a liberal arts education."

"Being at Prin is helping me get a global view with all the different classes that I take," says a sophomore. "Even though I take a lot of classes in the sciences, I also take other classes like literature, philosophy, sociology. I get a wider view of everything."

A broad base for future opportunities

"I have developed a much broader sense of the scientific world," says a major who is thinking of Cal Poly, or another school in California, to complete his 3+2 engineering science program. He adds, "I have learned a lot more information to work from." A sophomore who says of his major, "It takes a lot of time," adds that "it gives you all the branches of engineering. . . . It really gives you choices in the future." Another sophomore, who is from Ghana, says he wants to be a civil engineer, working on the architectural and design side of construction. Sometimes people ask him if he will work here or in Ghana after graduation, and he answers: "There are lots of projects going on back home, and I think with my engineering science major from Prin I'll be able to help out. But I must say, there's a lot to do here too." Another international student considering Washington University to complete his 3+2 program says, "When I go out from Prin and finish my engineering science program, and when I begin working or going to graduate school, that good science foundation will be important."