Academic Programs: Science, Engineering, and Technology

Baccalaureate

  • The Civil Engineering program at Penn State Harrisburg is designed to provide the basic undergraduate education required for private and public service in civil engineering, and/or continue formal education. Emphasis is placed on the fundamentals of civil engineering principles and design techniques. The program requirements allow for flexible scheduling, enabling students to focus on one of following concentration areas: construction, environmental, general, and structural. Study through these areas may lead to opportunities as structural designers for buildings and infrastructures, project engineers for construction projects, or representatives for owners or contractors. Employers include consulting firms, contractors, industry, and governments.

  • This program is designed to prepare students for employment as computer scientists in engineering, scientific, industrial, and business environments as software developers, programmers, and systems analysts. While most students will enter the job market directly upon graduation, graduate school in computer science or related areas is also an option. Selection of electives can be tailored for students pursuing this path.

  • The Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering is designed to provide a solid background in electrical engineering sciences. It also provides an opportunity for students to pursue interests in electrical and electronic circuits, including digital circuits and VLSI and its fabrication, microprocessors and their applications, electromagnetics, communications, control systems, and digital image processing and computer vision. Through a senior capstone design project, the curriculum emphasizes written as well as verbal communication and a teamwork approach among students to attain a common goal.

  • The Bachelor of Science graduate with a major in Electrical Engineering Technology (E E T) is an engineering technologist who can bridge the gap between scientific advancement and practical electrical devices and systems. Research in all fields of electrical engineering has produced an abundance of new knowledge in recent years. Many of these advanced scientific achievements have been unused due to the shortage of engineering technologists specifically educated to convert scientific information into practical devices and systems.

  • The Environmental Engineering major at Penn State Harrisburg is under review for possible changes. Students interested in this program are encouraged to contact the Program Chair to learn about appropriate alternatives.

     

     

     

  • The two options and the variety of the course offerings in Mathematical Sciences provide concentrations in various areas such as actuarial science, management science/operation research, statistics, teaching, and preparation for graduate studies. The secondary education option in this program has been recognized by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM)

  • The goal of the Mechanical Engineering program is to provide students with the necessary training and education for them to become technical leaders for various industrial, commercial, consulting, and governmental organizations. Mechanical engineers apply the principles of force, motion, energy, and thermal fluids to design tools and processes needed for the human, material, and economic benefit of society. As such, the program is firmly based on the understanding and application of scientific and engineering principles. Technical communication in oral and written form is also emphasized. Graduates are expected to demonstrate understanding of their social, cultural, and ethical responsibilities to a global society. Graduates learn and then demonstrate proper use of engineering materials and methods that are safe, environmentally considerate, aesthetically pleasing, and fiscally responsible. Potential work-related duties include development and construction of machines and mechanisms; development, instrumentation, and control of manufacturing processes and procedures; design of mechanical systems for heating and cooling; development of energy management procedures; and renewable energy alternatives.

  • The goal of the Mechanical Engineering Technology program is to provide students with the necessary training and education so they can provide high-level technical support to a variety of industrial, commercial, consulting, and governmental organizations. The emphasis of the program is in the application of scientific and engineering principles. Technical communication in oral and written form is also emphasized. Graduates are expected to appreciate the ethical and societal responsibilities of a technologist, the concepts of Continuous Quality Improvement, and the continuing impact of globalization of design, manufacturing, and marketing of technical goods and services. Graduates are trained to deal with choice of materials and methods that are safe, environmentally and aesthetically acceptable, and economically competitive. Typical responsibilities that may be assigned to graduates are the development and evaluation of machines and mechanisms; development, organization and supervision of manufacturing processes and procedures; the instrumentation, control and testing of a process; quality control; technical marketing and sales; design of mechanical systems for heating and cooling; and energy management.

  • The Bachelor of Science (B.S.) curriculum is designed specifically for students who have education goals relating to scientific theory and practice and who require a high degree of flexibility to obtain their educational objectives. After completing foundation courses in calculus, chemistry, physics, and the life sciences, students will select additional science courses from designated areas.

  • The program in Structural Design and Construction Engineering Technology (SDCET) provides the basic education required for the structural engineer and construction profession. Students learn the basic general engineering concepts needed for this major with emphasis on the fundamentals, structural design principles, and construction techniques through required course work.

Minor

  • A grade of C or better is required for all courses in the minor.

    Requirements for the Minor: 18-21 Credits

Master's

  • The program is professionally oriented and designed to prepare students for employment in industry or government. Courses emphasize practical concerns and the relevant theoretical background. The program will provide appropriate background for diverse tasks such as developing scientific and engineering applications, developing system software, developing safety or security critical systems, solving computationally hard problems, and developing distributed applications. While not intended as preparation for subsequent entrance to a Ph.D. program, this goal is not precluded. After specific course requirements are met, students may select appropriate electives to suit their individual interests within the program. Anticipated areas of interest include software engineering, systems programming, computer network and security, and artificial intelligence.

  • The Master of Professional Studies (MPS) in Engineering Management degree program is a graduate professional degree program that integrates engineering with business and management principles. The program will provide engineers with business and management perspectives and enhance their capabilities in the management of major projects, business initiatives, policies and other activities in both the public and private sectors. Furthermore, it highlights the importance of technology strategy, intellectual properties management, and offers an environment for personal and professional networking that could hold significant future dividend.

  • The program is designed to provide a broad, advanced education in the engineering sciences with some specialization permitted in the area of the student’s major interest. It is offered specifically to permit practicing engineers to pursue advanced studies through evening classes while in full-time employment in industry. Courses offered for the program are all established and authorized by the resident departments at the University Park campus.

  • The Master of Engineering in Environmental Engineering program is intended for the engineer who desires a part-time graduate environmental engineering program. Potential students who do not have an undergraduate engineering degree, but hold a baccalaureate degree in a related scientific field such as chemistry, microbiology, or environmental science may be admitted to the program but will need to take prerequisite undergraduate courses. This degree program complements the Environmental Pollution Control graduate programs (M.E.P.C. and M.S.) offered by the same faculty.

  • The Master of Engineering degree with a major in Electrical Engineering offers an education in the advanced aspects of electrical engineering with the following areas of concentration: electronic communication systems, control systems, VLSI, computer engineering, and power systems.

  • The Environmental Pollution Control (EPC) program is interdisciplinary, dealing with all aspects of preventing and controlling air, water, and solid-waste pollution and disposal.

    The Environmental Pollution Control program is directed toward undergraduates from various majors with appropriate backgrounds in biology, chemistry, mathematics, and physics. Courses are structured so that a degree can be earned on a part-time or full-time basis. Graduates have a wide range of employment opportunities available due to the advanced technical competence they can gain through the program.

  • The Master of Science in Electrical Engineering degree program is designed to provide support for industrial research needs, as well as to offer an avenue for Penn State Harrisburg BSEE graduates to continue their education in the south central Pennsylvania region.  The program is accessible to engineering professionals who wish to pursue advanced studies without giving up their current employment. 

  • The Environmental Pollution Control (EPC) program is interdisciplinary, dealing with all aspects of preventing and controlling air, water, and solid-waste pollution and disposal.

    The Environmental Pollution Control program is directed toward undergraduates from various majors with appropriate backgrounds in biology, chemistry, mathematics, and physics. Courses are structured so that a degree can be earned on a part-time or full-time basis. Graduates have a wide range of employment opportunities available due to the advanced technical competence they can gain through the program.