Technical
Emphasis
Technical
Emphasis areas consist of 21 to 22 credits within one
of several well-recognized engineering fields.
The
purpose of defining technical emphases is NOT to imply
that BSE students are receiving a degree within that particular
engineering discipline. Instead, the sequence of closely
related courses defining the emphasis area provides a
coherent program within which engineering, mathematics
and basic science fundamentals can be applied to a specific
and coherent field of study.
The
courses within these more traditional engineering fields
have been selected to reinforce and build upon the basic
fundamentals introduced in the core engineering, mathematics
and basic science requirements.
There
should be no expectation that completion of these courses
is comparable to completing a degree within that discipline.
In fact, there is no recognition within the degree program
that identifies the specific technical emphasis completed
by the student. Consequently, there is no additional program
criterion that must be met as part of the BSE degree program.
The
specific courses within an existing engineering program,
however, have also been identified as necessary in preparation
for a Masters of Engineering in that discipline, thereby
meeting one of the educational objectives of the BSE program.
Each
Technical Emphasis includes at least one laboratory experience.
In addition, the appropriate 3 credit Design Implementation
core requirement for the area is identified. The
titles of the technical emphases reflect the general engineering
field of study, i.e. Mechanical, Civil, Chemical, Materials,
etc. The course requirements defining appropriate Technical
Emphasis in various disciplines are available.
Directed
Electives
Within
the BSE program described above there remain approximately
19 elective credits for completion of the degree.This
provides students with significant flexibility to pursue
studies suitable for career paths that reflect the student's
own interest, which will in turn lead to ultimate job
satisfaction. However, these credits cannot consist
of a set of miscellaneous and unrelated courses. Instead
the elective credits must be used to complete a coherent
program of study. This is best accomplished through the
completion of a university recognized Minor, Certification
or a 'self-defined' program. University Minors require
a minimum of 16 semester credits (see pages 61 though
69 of the University Catalog given in Appendix B). Certificate
programs generally require more coursework, ranging from
21 to 25 semester credits (see pages 59 to 60 of the University
Catalog given in Appendix C).
Students
do have the option to define, with the advice of MTU faculty,
a alternative yet coherent program of study, but this
self-defined set of courses must be approved by the BSE
Governance Committee (see Section I-E). In should be noted
that the advantages of completing the Minor or Certification
option is that these programs are pre-approved (i.e.,
do not need prior approval from the BSE Governance Committee)
and will be properly designated on both the student degree
transcript and the diploma. Self-defined programs of study
will not be so designated. Choice of Minors or Certifications
and the basic curricular template for an on-campus baccalaureate
degree program are available from advisors.
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