Labry School of Business & Technology:
Engineering Science Program
The Cumberland University Engineering Science Program is designed to prepare engineers for careers in technology and business. The curriculum is based on the three traditional stems: mathematics, science and design. It strongly emphasizes, however, the drivers of growth in the 21st century -- computing, simulation and gaming, communications, bioscience and biotechnology. Moreover, every student in the program will learn the basic business concepts and practices that are key to the conversion of modern engineering to the public good. Cohort groups are used to teach teamwork and present real-world problems to the students.
Learning Model: The learning model is based on three modes of instruction: the traditional lecture, individual study and group activities. The professor plays a key role in all three by lecturing, always being available for individual assistance and by being an "engaged guide" to group activities led by students. Cohort groups of 5-10 students are formed on the first day of the program and re-constituted periodically each year so that students get the valuable experience of working with many different people and styles. Finally, the learning of computing languages, programming, simulation and gaming are largely an individual responsibility and of such importance that they begin on the first day of the freshman year. The student is expected to gain the experience and a depth of ability that will enable the use of the computer and computing as the primary design and analysis tool of the profession.
Curriculum Design: The curriculum has five components -- General Education Core (GEC), Basic Sciences and Mathematics, Engineering Sciences, Computing and Simulation, and Design and Business.
Expectations of Performance: Success in the Cumberland University Engineering Science Program is built upon hard work by both the students and the faculty -- they will work closely from the beginning. The successful student is one who is motivated and committed to exploration and learning. Students are encouraged to try and should expect to make mistakes, but also to persevere. Success in higher mathematics is important, but help is available from both the mathematics faculty and the engineering faculty.
Cohort Challenges: Students will enjoy the Cohort Challenges, and they are in many ways the focal point of the Cumberland Engineering Science Program. The first Cohort Challenge begins on the first day of class in the freshman year, and there will be at least one Challenge each semester. They are designed to teach but also to expand the students' horizons, confidence and abilities. Some Challenges will be simple; others will be difficult. Some will be executed on campus, but many will require the students to go out and work in the places where engineering is applied. Students will visit industries, as at least one Cohort Challenge will provide an opportunity to visit a governmental research laboratory such as the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, the National Institutes of Health, the Argonne National Laboratory or the Idaho National Engineering Laboratory. One Challenge will give students the chance to visit a foreign country as part of the Engineering Science Program.
Learning Model: The learning model is based on three modes of instruction: the traditional lecture, individual study and group activities. The professor plays a key role in all three by lecturing, always being available for individual assistance and by being an "engaged guide" to group activities led by students. Cohort groups of 5-10 students are formed on the first day of the program and re-constituted periodically each year so that students get the valuable experience of working with many different people and styles. Finally, the learning of computing languages, programming, simulation and gaming are largely an individual responsibility and of such importance that they begin on the first day of the freshman year. The student is expected to gain the experience and a depth of ability that will enable the use of the computer and computing as the primary design and analysis tool of the profession.
Curriculum Design: The curriculum has five components -- General Education Core (GEC), Basic Sciences and Mathematics, Engineering Sciences, Computing and Simulation, and Design and Business.
Expectations of Performance: Success in the Cumberland University Engineering Science Program is built upon hard work by both the students and the faculty -- they will work closely from the beginning. The successful student is one who is motivated and committed to exploration and learning. Students are encouraged to try and should expect to make mistakes, but also to persevere. Success in higher mathematics is important, but help is available from both the mathematics faculty and the engineering faculty.
Cohort Challenges: Students will enjoy the Cohort Challenges, and they are in many ways the focal point of the Cumberland Engineering Science Program. The first Cohort Challenge begins on the first day of class in the freshman year, and there will be at least one Challenge each semester. They are designed to teach but also to expand the students' horizons, confidence and abilities. Some Challenges will be simple; others will be difficult. Some will be executed on campus, but many will require the students to go out and work in the places where engineering is applied. Students will visit industries, as at least one Cohort Challenge will provide an opportunity to visit a governmental research laboratory such as the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, the National Institutes of Health, the Argonne National Laboratory or the Idaho National Engineering Laboratory. One Challenge will give students the chance to visit a foreign country as part of the Engineering Science Program.
