USD's Engineering programs in Electrical Engineering, Industrial and Systems Engineering and Mechanical Engineering were developed to meet the increasing demands of industry for broadly educated engineers capable of meeting the current and future challenges of changing technology in a global economy and society.
The Engineering Programs combine USD's tradition of providing a high-quality liberal arts education with engineering coursework that provides both the laboratory intensive, hands-on experiences that allow graduates to make immediate contributions and the technical background needed to allow graduates to continue to learn and adapt to changing problems and technologies.
The first two years of the programs share a common core of math, science and engineering courses that prepare students for study in almost any field of engineering - this allows entering students to wait more than a year before deciding which field is right for them.
Completing the University Core Requirements ensures students that they have knowledge and understanding of the world and society beyond their area of technical expertise. By satisfying these requirements students receive a dual Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Arts (B.S./B.A.) degree. In addition to the University Core Requirements, all engineering degrees require students to take courses in economics, communications and engineering ethics. These requirements often mean that students will want to choose certain courses to fulfill options within the university core. Electrical Engineering, Industrial & Systems Engineering and Mechanical Engineering are professional programs accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission (EAC) of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET).
All USD Engineering programs require approximately 150 semester hours of study. While the Engineering Programs are designed to be completed in nine semesters, students may be able to complete either program in four years with a combination of prior preparation, AP credit, and Intersession or summer study.
The Electrical, Industrial & Systems, and Mechanical Engineering programs each ensure these student outcomes for their graduates:
(a) an ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science, and engineering
(b) an ability to design and conduct experiments, as well as to analyze and interpret data
(c) an ability to design a system, component, or process to meet desired needs within realistic constraints such as economic, environmental social, political, ethical, health and safety, manufacturability, and sustainability
(d) an ability to function on multidisciplinary teams
(e) an ability to identify, formulate, and solve engineering problems
(f) an understanding of professional and ethical responsibility
(g) an ability to communicate effectively
(h) the broad education necessary to understand the impact of engineering solutions in a global,
economic, environmental, and societal context
(i) a recognition of the need for, and an ability to engage in life-long learning
(j) a knowledge of contemporary issues
(k) an ability to use the techniques, skills, and modern engineering tools necessary for engineering practice.
In addition to the (a) through (k) outcomes, the Electrical Engineering program has:
(l) an ability to apply knowledge of probability and statistics to applications in electrical engineering.
