School of Engineering

Manhattan has been educating engineering students for more than 115 years. The curricula are constantly evaluated to prepare students for the engineering world of today and tomorrow.

The engineering curricula have been designed with two premises in mind: one, that sound undergraduate engineering education must establish fundamental concepts at the expense of specialization; and two, that first-line engineering research, development or design requires post-collegiate specialization and advanced study through graduate work or industrial training, together with continuing self development.

The engineering curricula are four-year programs that lead to bachelor of science degrees in chemical engineering, civil engineering, computer engineering, electrical engineering, or mechanical engineering. Despite the apparent division of engineering study into these five curricula, there is only one core engineering curriculum designed to offer the fundamental education required for all engineering students.

All students must complete ENGL 110. International students may be required to successfully complete ENGL 095 or ENGL 106 before enrolling in ENGL 110. Students graduating from an American high school may be required to complete ENGL 106 before enrolling in ENGL 110. Neither ENGL 095 nor ENGL 106 will count towards degree credit in any engineering program.

The curriculum for the first year is common to all branches of engineering. In order to enable a student to test his or her interest in one of the major engineering disciplines, he or she takes designated courses from this discipline in the sophomore year. The specific curriculums of the different engineering majors are detailed in under each of the individual programs. 

In general, each curricula offers four areas of study:

1. Humanities and Social Science Studies: Courses in this area comprise about one fifth of the entire curriculum and are conducted throughout the four years. This sequence aims to develop foundations for the fuller life of the student as a person. Courses in history, literature, philosophy, social sciences and religious studies blend humanistic and religious knowledge with the scientific and technological growth of the student so that he or she may progress as a more complete person toward a satisfying professional life.
2. Mathematics and the Basic Sciences: Approximately one quarter of the entire curriculum provides a thorough grounding in mathematics, at least through differential equations, and the basic sciences of chemistry and physics. These subjects are essential to all engineering students as the foundation of the engineering sciences. All students are required to pass a mathematics proficiency examination prior to taking Calculus I.
3. The Engineering Sciences: Fundamental concepts in engineering sciences provide a comprehensive foundation for all engineering disciplines. Topics such as statics, dynamics electrical circuits, materials science, and thermodynamics integrate and build on principles introduced in mathematics, chemistry and physics. Engineering science enables students to develop the competence to apply essential principles to synthesize and design engineering systems. The Engineering Science curriculum is under the direction of the Dean of Engineering.
4. The Major:   Although significant specialization is postponed until after the bachelor's degree, concentrations in Chemical, Civil, Computer, Electrical, or Mechanical Engineering are offered as a major, comprising about one half of each curriculum. Each student is able to concentrate on one aspect of the engineering sciences in greater depth and to develop proficiency in engineering design.

Engineering Education at Manhattan

The foundation of the engineering curriculum includes: (1) the study of science representing the current state of human knowledge of the physical world and its behavior; (2) the study of mathematics, the language and tool that engineers use to describe the physical world; (3) breadth of study in the humanities and social sciences, the basis for making ethical and moral engineering decisions; (4) development of the ability for independent learning and critical thinking; and (5) development of skills in written, verbal, and graphical communication. 

In an age of revolutionary advances in science and technology, continual re-examination of trends in engineering education becomes imperative. Accordingly, Manhattan's engineering faculty members, in consultation with a distinguished group of engineers and industrial leaders assembled from engineering-related organizations, called the Manhattan College Engineering Consultors, examine and evaluate the engineering programs. These regular reviews re-emphasize the importance of humanities, social sciences, business, communications, team work, mathematics, and sciences as underpinning engineering education. Therefore, the engineering curriculum is planned to provide the sound and broad education required in all branches of engineering.

Please note that: The programs in Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Environmental Engineering and Mechanical Engineering are accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission (EAC) of ABET, Inc., 111 Market Place, Suite 1050, Baltimore, MD 21202-4012, telephone: (410) 347-7700.  The undergraduate environmental engineering program is being phased out and no new students are being admitted.

Updated: May 11, 2009