SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING
School Vision: To be defined by and known for:
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Strong design-oriented undergraduate programs characterized by close faculty/student interaction
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Research and scholarship that contribute to the knowledge in our fields, support our educational objectives, and serve the needs of industry
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Technical and educational outreach in support of our community
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Applied research centers focused on the critical technical needs of our constituents that can be met by the collective strength of our faculty
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Proactive processes to create paths to graduate education
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A unique, interactive environment that brings engineering and business together
Approximately 1,150 students, 44 faculty members
Seventh-largest of 21 engineering schools in Pennsylvania; 80 percent student retention rate.
Offering both engineering and engineering technology programs; accommodates diverse learning styles and expands career choices.
Over 95 percent of graduates are employed in field within one year.
Academic programs accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET).
Only engineering school with accredited programs to be co-located with an accredited school of business. Both are housed in the $30 million, 160,000-square-foot Research and Economic Development Center since July 2006.
Plastics Engineering Technology is one of only four ABET-accredited programs in the country.
Only accredited Software Engineering program in Pennsylvania and the only undergraduate software engineering program within Penn State.
At 10,500 square-feet, the plastics processing lab is the largest educational plastics laboratory in the country.
With Black School of Business, offers multidisciplinary courses in Small Product Realization and Entrepreneurship and Project Management for Engineers.
Penn State’s only Technical Sales business minor is offered at Penn State Behrend to increase job opportunities for engineers.
In 2005-06, the school received $1.09 million in research funding.
Research and outreach centers:
Hosts the annual School of Engineering Speaker Series for students and the public.
Senior students are required to present original design projects at the Richard J. Fasenmyer Engineering Design Conference held the last week of the spring semester each year. About one-third of these projects are industry sponsored.
Senior Plastics Engineering Technology students are required to have a research paper accepted for presentation at the Society of Plastics Engineers’ (SPE) Annual Technical Conference (ANTEC).
Annual School Car Competition pairs students at Diehl and Rolling Ridge schools with plastics engineering technology students; Plastics majors fabricate small cars based on designs created by their sixth-grade “clients;” the cars are raced on a track designed and built by mechanical and electrical engineering majors.
Offer classes as part of College for Kids summer program, including the highly successful Engineering MythBusters.
Supports annual Women in Engineering Day, Math Options, and Penn State’s Women in Science and Engineering Program to engage K-12 in engineering education.
Two Fellows of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME): Dr. William Lasher, Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering, and Kenneth Fisher, Associate Director of Research and Technology Transfer.
William Lasher is editor-in-chief, Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers Journal of Sailboat Technology, 2008-present.
Ken Fisher is recipient of ASME’s Ben C. Sparks Medal for eminent service to mechanical engineering technology education.
Dr. John Roth, associate professor of mechanical engineering, won the 2006 Outstanding Young Manufacturing Engineer Award from the Society of Manufacturing Engineers.
Dr. Ralph Ford, school director, is a Fulbright Scholar. In 2004, he spent six months teaching at Brno University of Technology in the Czech Republic.
Three spin-off businesses created by faculty; all employ students and graduates.
Recent graduate, Don Hackworth, a dual computer and electrical engineering major, was the third Penn Stater (and second Penn State Behrend engineering student) to win the JoAnne Day Student of the Year Award given statewide by the Pennsylvania Association of Colleges and Employers.
Most students complete an internship or co-operative education program prior to graduation.
Active student chapters:
American Foundry Society
American Society of Mechanical Engineers
ASM International
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
National Society of Black Engineers
Robotic Club
Society of Automotive Engineers
Society of Plastics Engineers
Society of Women Engineers
Tau Alpha Pi (Engineering Technology Honor Society)
Tau Beta Nu (Engineering Honor Society)
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