Program Objectives

Engineering Program Mission Statement

The mission of the Hope College Engineering Program is to provide engineering students with a solid foundation in engineering and the underlying mathematics and sciences within the framework of a liberal arts education and to contribute to the education of other Hope College students.

The professional practice of engineering requires an understanding of analytical methods, design techniques, social and economic influences and an appreciation for cultural and humanistic traditions. Our program supports these needs by offering each engineering student the opportunity to acquire a broad yet individualized technical and liberal education. At the core of the curriculum is a sequence of mathematics, physics and engineering courses that foster analytical and design skills applicable to a range of engineering disciplines. Elective courses, design projects and undergraduate research opportunities allow students to pursue specific areas of interest. Hope's strong liberal arts core curriculum provides engineering students with critical thinking skills, proficiency in a foreign language and exposure to a diversity of views and cultures. Graduates of the program are prepared to begin a professional career or continue study in graduate school.

Engineering Program Objectives:

To educate engineers within the context of a liberal arts college that emphasizes small classes and attention to individual needs, the Engineering Program has established the following Educational Objectives:

1. Hope engineering graduates will obtain the education and background necessary to begin a successful career in engineering practice and/or gain entry into engineering graduate school.
2. Hope engineering graduates will be competent in methods of analysis, including an understanding of mathematics, science and engineering principles appropriate for engineers to use in practice.
3. Hope engineering graduates will have the ability to select and use current engineering techniques to solve problems. This includes designing and conducting experiments, using computer software tools, and interpreting data.
4. Hope engineering graduates will have the skills needed to design a process, component, or system that meets desired needs. This includes the ability to handle ambiguous constraints, generate alternative ideas, and deal with economic, social, and ethical criteria.
5. Hope engineering graduates will be capable of working effectively in multidisciplinary teams and communicating ideas to others.
6. Hope engineering graduates shall posses an awareness of the societal context of engineering. This includes recognizing the social, political, economic and environmental impacts of engineering decisions and technology.
7. Hope engineering graduates will display an appreciation of cultural diversity, an awareness of the international nature of engineering practice, and to be able to work in a global environment.
8. Hope engineering graduates future professional activities will be enriched by the opportunity for specialization or study in a secondary area of interest while an undergraduate. Some examples are having completed dual major, or fulfilling a departmental minor.
9. Hope engineering graduates shall be able to formulate career goals having been informed via interactions with business and industry while an undergraduate.
10. Hope engineering graduates will advance to careers having had an opportunity to become involved in research.
    

The engineering program views itself and its students as participants in the liberal arts community. As such, the engineering students at Hope are full liberal arts majors. In addition, the engineering faculty contribute to the general education of non-majors via regularly offering a:

• Science and Technology course and laboratory that provides non-engineering students with an understanding of technology and an awareness of the importance of technology to society.
• First Year Seminar which is a small discussion-driven class that seeks to develop the ability of new college students to think critically and express their thoughts on open-ended issues.