Mar 28, 2024  
Rensselaer Catalog 2017-2018 
    
Rensselaer Catalog 2017-2018 [Archived Catalog]

Engineering Science


Program Office:  School of Engineering, Office of Undergraduate Education

The goal of the BSES degree is to provide a program of study with a strong engineering foundation, but enough flexibility in the curriculum for students to focus on specific broader interests such as: pre-medicine, pre-law, management, energy, and the environment, where accreditation is not necessary. This program is not recommended for students interested in obtaining licensure as a Professional Engineer (PE).

Accreditation—This program does not meet the requirement of the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET for Professional Engineering Certification. It is a NYS approved degree.

Faculty—There are no faculty assigned to the Engineering Science Program. Students are assigned an adviser by the School of Engineering Office of Undergraduate Education closely related to their interests.

Degree Program Candidates—The program is suited best for those students who have clearly defined career goals better served by a more general degree in engineering and for whom professional licensure (or even practicing as an engineer) is not a goal (e.g. business administration, law, medicine, etc.). Because the degree is non-departmental, the program does not prepare the students for the conventional career opportunities available to students in departmental programs.

Outcomes of the Undergraduate Curriculum
Students who successfully complete this program will be able to demonstrate:

  • an ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science, and engineering.
  • an ability to design and conduct experiments, as well as to analyze and interpret data.
  • an ability to design a system, component, or process to meet desired needs within realistic constraints such as economic, environmental, social, political, ethical, health and safety, manufacturability, and sustainability.
  • an ability to function on multi-disciplinary teams.
  • an ability to identify, formulate and solve engineering problems.
  • an understanding of professional and ethical responsibility.
  • an ability to communicate effectively.
  • the broad education necessary to understand the impact of engineering solutions in a global, economic, environmental and societal context.
  • a recognition of the need for, and an ability to engage in lifelong learning.
  • a knowledge of contemporary issues.
  • an ability to use techniques, skills, and modern engineering tools necessary for engineering practice.

BS Engineering Science Requirements


The Bachelor’s Degree of Science in Engineering Science has six components: 1) core engineering and science courses that all engineering students currently take, 2) electives in core engineering to provide foundational knowledge in engineering, 3) humanities, arts, and social science courses that complement the students’ engineering interests, 4) science and engineering electives that broaden the degree, 5) free electives, and 6) a culminating design or research experience.

Students can be admitted to the BSES degree at the end of the freshmen year, and no later than the end of their sophomore year. Students must submit a plan of study and a short essay outlining their career goals. The plan of study must be approved before entering the program by a committee consisting of the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs, the Associate Dean of Undergraduate Studies, and two faculty members from different departments appointed by the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs, who serve three-year terms on the BSES curriculum committee.

Core Requirements (42 credits)


These courses must be taken by all BSES students and a GPA of 3.0 or higher must be achieved.

  • Professional Development I
  • Professional Development III

Foundation Electives (eight credits) - Choose two


HASS Credits (22 credits) - Follow Institute requirements


These courses are chosen to complement the student’s interests. For example, if the interest is in energy, there are several energy related STSS courses that should be taken.

Science, Engineering, Management, STS, or Economics Electives (40 credits) - 4000-level electives


Students can choose from a long list of courses, taking at least 24 credits from the School of Science and/or the School of Engineering. However, no more than 24 credits can be taken from the School of Engineering toward meeting this requirement. The following courses are examples of those which can be used to meet this requirement.

  • Two courses at the 2000 level from the School of Engineering or School of Science
  • Any 4000-level course in the School of Engineering or School of Science
  • Any 4000-level course in the Lally School
  • Any 4000-level course in ECON or STSS

Free Electives (12 credits)


These can be courses from any school in the Institute.

Culminating Design or Research Experience (4 credits)


Students must take either a Senior Capstone Design Course, Inventors Studio, or complete a faculty directed research experience of at least 4 credits that is evaluated based on a final written report of the research results.