General Engineering Program

College of Engineering and Architecture

Many new college students are undecided on the particular branch of engineering in which they wish to enroll and want to explore different areas. The purpose of the general engineering program is to give new students the opportunity to become better acquainted with the engineering profession and its various disciplines, and to prepare them academically for entry into a specific engineering curriculum.

The Program

After deciding on a major, students may transfer to whatever discipline in engineering they choose. The transfer should be made within the first year of residence at North Dakota State University. In order to transfer to a specific major, a minimum grade point average of 2.0 is required except for the following majors which requires a 2.3: computer engineering, electrical engineering, industrial engineering and management, manufacturing engineering. Mechanical engineering requires a 2.8 GPA. The engineering programs available at NDSU are listed below. Specific fact sheets describing these engineering majors are available from the Office of Admission.

 

Engineers are employed in every major industry in every state, in small and large cities and in rural areas. Engineers work in manufacturing, infrastructure engineering for buildings and public facilities, and in scientific research and development services. Many engineers work in the construction, transportation, telecommunications and utilities industries. Federal, state, and local governments are major employers of engineers. For example, federal engineering employers are the U.S. Departments of Defense, Transportation, Agriculture, Interior, and Energy and in the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Most engineers in state and local government agencies work in highway and public works departments. Many engineers are self-employed as consultants.

Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering - The agricultural and biosystems engineering (ABEN) program prepares men and women for careers requiring application of physical, biological, and engineering sciences to problems that involve living systems. Agricultural and biosystems engineers solve problems relating to the production, handling, and processing of biological materials for food, feed, fiber, fuel, the preservation of natural resources, environmental quality and the design and production of machine systems. Agricultural and biosystems engineering integrates engineering topics, engineering design and biological sciences in a single program with two concentrations; agricultural engineering and biosystems engineering. A major in agricultural and biosystems engineering can serve a broad range of career interests.

 

Civil Engineering - Civil engineers plan and design the infrastructure that supports modern living. This includes planning and design for airports, canals, harbors, roads, bridges, railroads, water and wastewater treatment facilities, water supply and solid waste disposal facilities. Civil engineers are often involved with architectural projects by providing structural system and foundation designs for buildings. In addition to consulting engineering firms, civil engineers are commonly employed with cities, state departments of transportation and federal agencies such as the Corps of Engineers.

 

Computer Engineering - The rapid advances in computer technology are largely a result of the research, development and design efforts of computer hardware engineers. Computer engineers apply engineering principles and methods to the design and development of the digital systems hardware and software, including the interface between them and the other physical devices that comprise a system. Computer engineers work for manufacturing, telecommunications and advanced technology companies.

 

Construction Engineering - Construction engineering deals with the planning, design and management of construction projects, such as buildings, highways, bridges, airports, railroads, dams and reservoirs. Construction engineers are involved in the design of permanent and temporary structures, cost estimating, project scheduling and control, materials procurement and selection of equipment. Construction engineers must be well versed in engineering design and management principles, business practices, financing and economics and human behavior.

 

Electrical Engineering - Electrical engineers design, develop, test and supervise the manufacture of electrical and electronics equipment. Some of the equipment includes electric motors, machinery controls, automobiles, aircraft, radar and navigation systems and power-generating and transmission devices used by electric utilities. Electrical engineers specialize in areas such as power systems engineering or electrical equipment manufacturing. Electrical engineers can specialize in areas such as communications, signal processing, control systems or aviation electronics. Electrical engineers work in a wide variety of manufacturing and engineering companies.

 

Industrial Engineering and Management- Industrial engineers are involved in the design and implementation of better, more productive systems in both a manufacturing and a service environment. Industrial engineers design, install, fabricate and integrate systems that include people, materials, information, equipment and energy necessary to accomplish the desired function. Industrial engineers often are responsible for productivity improvements, supply chain optimizations, project management, feasibility studies for new technologies and applications, lean and just-in-time implementation, health care management, and logistics and systems integration and engineering. Whether it's streamlining an operating room, managing a worldwide supply chain, manufacturing and designing automobiles, or solving logistics problems, industrial engineers are involved in the process. The main areas of employment are in manufacturing, service and consulting.

 

Manufacturing Engineering - Manufacturing engineers design, direct and coordinate the processes and systems for making virtually every kind of product - from beginning to end. Manufacturing engineers apply scientific principles to the production of goods to make products better and at less cost. They are key team members in production of a wide range of products: automobiles, airplanes, tractors, electronics, surgical instruments, toys, building products, foodstuffs, sports and recreational equipment. In all cases, manufacturing engineers design the processes and systems to make products with the required functionality, to high quality standards, in ways that are environmentally friendly, and available when and where customers prefer at the best possible price.

 

Mechanical Engineering - Mechanical engineers research, develop, and design machinery, test tools, engines, machines and systems that function safely and reliably. From huge turbines and internal combustion engines to miniature robots, mechanical engineers are involved in their design and manufacture. Mechanical engineers also design technology for heating, ventilating and refrigeration systems, as well as material handling systems, elevators and escalators needed in modern buildings. Mechanical engineers also design the tools that other fields of engineering need to perform their work. Mechanical engineers often work for consulting firms, manufacturing firms and various government agencies.

Advising

The industrial and manufacturing engineering department provides advisement to students interested in the general field of engineering, but who have not yet declared a specific discipline. Students who want to begin in general engineering are placed in pre-industrial engineering and management (IEM). This designation of Pre-IEM does not mean students are admitted to industrial engineering and management as a major field of study. Rather, it is intended for initial placement into the College of Engineering and Architecture.

Sample Curriculum

*Each department has an introduction course. These are 1 credit courses with the exception of electrical and computer engineering which is 3 credits.

**Students who are not prepared for Math. 165 - Calculus I or Math. 166 - Calculus II may need to take Math. 103 - College Algebra and/or Math. 105 - Trigonometry depending on their math placement exam results or transfer course work.

This sample curriculum is not intended to serve as a curriculum guide for current students, but rather an example of course offerings for prospective students. For the curriculum requirements in effect at the time of entrance into a program, consult with an academic adviser or with the Office of Registration and Records.

Contact Information

College of Engineering and Architecture

Office of the Dean
North Dakota State University
Engineering Administration 203
Fargo, ND 58105

Tel: (701) 231-7494
Fax: (701) 231-8957
Email:Gary.Smith@ndsu.edu
Web: www.cea.ndsu.nodak.edu

Office of Admission

North Dakota State University
124 Ceres Hall
Fargo, ND 58105

Tel: (701) 231-8643
Fax: (701) 231-8802
Email: NDSU.Admission@ndsu.edu
Web: http://www.ndsu.edu/prospective/students/

(12/08)