RSS FeedESM Celebrates 50 Years of Honors Education in Engineering
The Penn State College of Engineering is celebrating 50 years of honors education. In 1953 twenty-five students were invited to participate in the inaugural Engineering Science (E SC) program, with their selection being based upon outstanding academic achievement. The international scientific achievements of that time period, namely Sputnik and the hydrogen bomb, made clear the need for visionary and multi-talented scientists and engineers. The Engineering Science curriculum was created to prepare students for careers in research, development, and academics.
Thus, a broader training with emphasis on the physical sciences and mathematics was provided, along with an opportunity for in-depth independent study through a thesis project. Hence, it was 1956 when the first class of fourteen Engineering Science students graduated. The university formally certified the Engineering Science curriculum as an Honors program in 1962, one of the first such programs in the University. The Engineering Science honors major is administered through the Engineering Science and Mechanics department, which also happens to have celebrated its Centennial in 2006. The department celebrated both 100 years of service and 50 years of honors education with a gala on June 1-2 that had a picnic, recognition dinner, tours, speakers, and other special events.
Honors education provides high achieving students that exhibit intellect, uncommon curiosity, and dedication, with opportunities to enhance their undergraduate education that might otherwise not exist. In addition to recognizing achievement through fellowships and awards, it offers challenges and unique experiences that prepare qualified students to become leaders in their chosen professions. In 2005, Penn State’s Schreyer Honors College was ranked by Reader’s Digest as the number one honors college in the nation. The Schreyer Honors College was born from the University Scholars program, which was modeled after existing programs like Engineering Science. At Penn State, honors education enables students to select honors sections (small in size) of a wide variety of courses and complete an honors thesis. In addition, there are resources available to encourage students to study abroad, take internships, and gain laboratory experience. Such multifaceted experiences start students on a lifetime journey of learning and discovery. Approximately half the E SC honors students are also in the Schreyer Honors College.
While the foundation of the E SC program is as strong as ever, the curriculum is evolving to meet societal needs. As we introduce new opportunities to explore nanotechnology and develop new links between engineering and the biological, life and medical sciences, the curriculum is fast becoming a suitable pre-med option. More details on the E SC program can be found at www.esm.psu.edu. A typical E SC graduate will take 40 honors credits (out of a total of 131) and write a thesis based on independent research and design work supervised by a faculty advisor. By selecting the thesis topic, technical electives, and foundational electives, each student tailors the Engineering Science honors program to their individual interests. Fifty years of honors education has served both the students and the College of Engineering well.
Thus, a broader training with emphasis on the physical sciences and mathematics was provided, along with an opportunity for in-depth independent study through a thesis project. Hence, it was 1956 when the first class of fourteen Engineering Science students graduated. The university formally certified the Engineering Science curriculum as an Honors program in 1962, one of the first such programs in the University. The Engineering Science honors major is administered through the Engineering Science and Mechanics department, which also happens to have celebrated its Centennial in 2006. The department celebrated both 100 years of service and 50 years of honors education with a gala on June 1-2 that had a picnic, recognition dinner, tours, speakers, and other special events.
Honors education provides high achieving students that exhibit intellect, uncommon curiosity, and dedication, with opportunities to enhance their undergraduate education that might otherwise not exist. In addition to recognizing achievement through fellowships and awards, it offers challenges and unique experiences that prepare qualified students to become leaders in their chosen professions. In 2005, Penn State’s Schreyer Honors College was ranked by Reader’s Digest as the number one honors college in the nation. The Schreyer Honors College was born from the University Scholars program, which was modeled after existing programs like Engineering Science. At Penn State, honors education enables students to select honors sections (small in size) of a wide variety of courses and complete an honors thesis. In addition, there are resources available to encourage students to study abroad, take internships, and gain laboratory experience. Such multifaceted experiences start students on a lifetime journey of learning and discovery. Approximately half the E SC honors students are also in the Schreyer Honors College.
While the foundation of the E SC program is as strong as ever, the curriculum is evolving to meet societal needs. As we introduce new opportunities to explore nanotechnology and develop new links between engineering and the biological, life and medical sciences, the curriculum is fast becoming a suitable pre-med option. More details on the E SC program can be found at www.esm.psu.edu. A typical E SC graduate will take 40 honors credits (out of a total of 131) and write a thesis based on independent research and design work supervised by a faculty advisor. By selecting the thesis topic, technical electives, and foundational electives, each student tailors the Engineering Science honors program to their individual interests. Fifty years of honors education has served both the students and the College of Engineering well.