MIDDLETOWN, Pa. — Penn State Harrisburg’s School of Science, Engineering, and Technology is now enrolling students in its new master’s degrees in civil engineering and mechanical engineering.
The programs were developed following a needs assessment that included input from companies in the region. In addition to providing professionals and recent graduates with the necessary skills to advance their careers, the programs will create an environment to better serve technology, research and human resource needs in central Pennsylvania.
With the addition of these programs, Penn State Harrisburg will now offer master’s-level studies in all three of the major engineering disciplines offered at the college — electrical, civil and mechanical. The college also has undergraduate programs in these three disciplines.
“We are pleased to add civil and mechanical engineering master’s degrees to our graduate offerings at Penn State Harrisburg,” said Rafic Bachnak, director of the School of Science, Engineering, and Technology. “Because we have undergraduate degrees in civil and mechanical engineering, the master's programs will provide a path to advanced study for our students. The addition of these programs enhances our master's-level engineering offerings and provides more discipline-specific options, and enhances our efforts to maintain strong connections with local companies in this region by meeting their professional workforce needs.”
The civil engineering master’s program is designed to meet the needs of working professionals in central Pennsylvania in the vital area of sustainable infrastructure with specialties in structural, transportation and water-resources engineering.
In addition to coursework, students will have the opportunity to work with faculty members to develop a research project for presentation at a regional or national conference. The program also features research and teaching labs devoted to the study of soils and construction materials to complement the academic experience.
The mechanical engineering master’s program will provide students with an educational foundation that prepares them for leadership roles in engineering research and product design/development.
Students will learn to read, interpret and critically assess literature in specialized fields of mechanical engineering, and then conceive, develop and conduct original research leading to useful applications in materials, manufacturing, thermo-fluids, control systems and design areas. Additionally, students will be mentored to prepare research proposals and technical reports, present research work in seminars, and publish in peer-reviewed journals.
Along with enhanced research capabilities, both programs offer flexible schedules ideal for working professionals, as well as internships and opportunities to work with faculty on research through assistantships and part-time positions.
