THE DARTMOUTH COLLEGE BACHELOR OF ARTS IN ENGINEERING SCIENCES

1. THE DARTMOUTH COLLEGE BACHELOR OF ARTS IN ENGINEERING SCIENCES Eric W. Hansen Thayer School of Engineering, Dartmouth CollegeHanover, New Hampshire 03755-8000 eric.hansen@dartmouth.edu

2. Overview • Motivation • Program structure • Outcomes

3. U.S. Engineering A.B. Programs (partial list) • University of Arizona • * Dartmouth • Harvard • Johns Hopkins • Lafayette • Rice • * University of San Diego • ** North Carolina State (Benjamin Franklin Scholars Program) • Texas Tech • Yale * Combined A.B.-B.S. or A.B.-B.E. program ** Double major in engineering and a liberal arts discipline

4. Engineering at Dartmouth — history • Founded 1867 by Gen. Sylvanus Thayer; early emphasis on engineering with liberal arts • Mid-1960s • Interdisciplinary faculty of engineering sciences • Broad, common core • Liberal arts A.B. in engineering sciences before professional B.E. • Mid-1990s • Curriculum revised to reflect greater breadth of engineering • Expanded interdisciplinary “modified majors” • Today, engineering sciences major is second most popular science major, seventh overall. 65 graduates/year.

5. MacLean Engineering Sciences Center — 2006 • Will add 64,000 square feet for research and project labs, classrooms, and offices.

6. Characteristics of the Dartmouth environment • Quarter system — four ten-week terms per year • Students take three courses per term • Sophomore summer • Foreign study in sophomore or early junior year • Declare major at end of sophomore year

7. Engineering at Dartmouth — Undergrad program • A.B. in Engineering Sciences — liberal arts degree • Bachelor of Engineering (ABET) — one year post-A.B., can be accelerated using free electives in A.B. program B.E. Program (9-11 courses) Engineering Sciences (9-10) Free Electives (5-9) Foreign Language (3) Mathematics & Science (7) Humanities & Social Science (7-10)

8. Engineering philosophy Build specialization on a broad, interdisciplinary foundation.

9. Biotech, Chem Engg Solid, Fluid Mechanics Gateway courses (choose 2 from different groups) Environmental Engg Digital, Analog Electronics Elective core (choose 2) Materials, Thermodynamics, Controls Discrete/Probabilistic Systems Intro to Engg Lumped Systems Distributed Systems & Fields Common core Prerequisites(3 math, 2 physics, 1 chem, 1 CS) Implementation Specialized electives (engs, math, science)

10. Introduction to Engineering (Engs 21) • Early immersion in design and problem solving (late freshman or early sophomore year). • Student groups given a general theme, must develop practical device that meets a real-world need. • Structured problem-solving approach • Stresses teamwork, communication, need assessment, patents & markets, as well as technical expertise • Demonstrate prototype at end of course • Carries through to design projects in other courses

11. A recent Engs 21 project: the GyroBike™ Gyroscopic effect of a spinning disk in the front wheel facilitates learning to ride a bike, without training wheels. Now patented, seeking to license. Watch a movie: http://www.dartmouth.edu/~gyrobike/kids.htm

12. Systems core (Engs 22 & 23) • Provides early foundation in interdisciplinary thinking.. • Allows students to make a more informed choice about eventual engineering specialty. • Bridge basic science and more specialized engineering courses. • Understanding one kind of system enables understanding of other systems. • Effective use of faculty time and course credits. • Avoid teaching the same fundamentals in multiple introductory courses — good for a small faculty. • Efficiently package “old knowledge” so curriculum can include more “new knowledge”.

13. Modified majors • Elected by 38% of current engineering sciences majors. • Major consists of six courses in engineering, four in a modifying subject. • Biology (biotech, premed) • Chemistry (chemical engg) • Computer science (computer engg) • Environmental science (environmental engg) • Studio art (architecture, product design) • Economics (business) • Engineering physics major — 5 courses in engineering, 5 in physics. • Majors modified with science merge well with B.E. program.

14. Engineering for nonmajors • Minor in engineering or other major modified with engineering • Minor in materials science — offered jointly with physics and chemistry • Technology courses for nonmajors • Everyday technology • Technology of sailing • Materials, the substance of civilization • Technology and the future of healthcare (2) • Biosecurity and homeland security (2) • Nanotechnology • Bioinformatics • Product design • Technology and society

15. Postgraduate education of A.B.s • Bachelor of Engineering program (ABET) — 63% of A.B.s continue • Admission is automatic for A.B. graduates • Up to one year post-A.B., but frequently accelerated • Thayer’s Master of Engineering Management — engineering and business (elected by 30% of B.E.s) • Other graduate programs • M.B.A. (23%) • M.S. and Ph.D. (16%) (Dartmouth and elsewhere) • J.D., M.D., other (8%)

16. Career outcomes Looking at cohorts 10 and 20 years after graduation. • A.B. graduates • 44% in engineering and technology fields, 46% in business or consulting, 8% in law, medicine, education (including higher ed) • 28% in management after 10 years, 60% after 20 years • B.E. graduates • 50% in engineering and technology, 41% in business or consulting, 8% in law, medicine, education • 20% in management after 10 years, 55% after 20 years

17. Summary • A.B. in engineering sciences has been the basis undergrad engineering education at Dartmouth since mid-1960s • Preparation for subsequent engineering education and entry into profession • Liberal arts degree for other career paths • One-third liberal arts; one-half math, science, engineering; free electives • Common core of design and systems thinking • Enables foreign study, varsity athletics, performing arts, other extracurriculars.