Lafayette College Engineering Programs: A Blend of Technical Expertise and Liberal Arts
For more than 150 years, Lafayette College has distinguished itself with its exceptional engineering programs, seamlessly merging a world-class technical education with the expansive perspective of a liberal arts college. This unique approach equips students with not only technical prowess but also the critical thinking, communication, and cultural understanding necessary to thrive in an increasingly interconnected world.
Bachelor of Science Degrees: Specialization and Innovation
Lafayette College's engineering division, housed in the state-of-the-art Acopian Engineering Center, offers five distinct Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degrees:
- Chemical Engineering: Ranked among the nation's best colleges for women in chemical engineering by Washington Monthly.
- Civil Engineering: Also recognized as a top college for women in civil engineering by Washington Monthly.
- Electrical and Computer Engineering: Preparing students for the rapidly evolving fields of electronics, computing, and information technology.
- Mechanical Engineering: Consistently lauded as one of the best colleges for women in mechanical engineering by Washington Monthly.
- Integrative Engineering: A groundbreaking program with focus areas in Bioengineering, Environment & Energy, and Robotics. Notably, Integrative Engineering has earned ABET accreditation, marking the first new B.S. engineering program to be accredited at Lafayette in over 100 years.
These B.S. programs emphasize hands-on projects and research opportunities, effectively preparing students for careers in industry or further studies in graduate school. Approximately 20% of graduates pursue advanced degrees at top universities, often with full funding.
Bachelor of Arts in Engineering Studies: Bridging Disciplines
Lafayette also offers a distinctive Bachelor of Arts (A.B.) degree in Engineering Studies. This interdisciplinary program is designed to cultivate "bridge builders between communities, translators across sectors, and future managers and leaders who understand engineering as a liberal art." Students gain a solid foundation in engineering fundamentals while engaging in substantial coursework in the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences.
The A.B. program requires students to choose a language of concentration from Lafayette's extensive offerings, including Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Russian, and Spanish. Students develop an in-depth cultural understanding of countries or regions where the language is spoken. Other languages may be pursued with the program chair's approval. The International Studies major requires 8-12 credits.
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Graduates of the Engineering Studies program possess a unique skillset that allows them to navigate the complex cultural, political, economic, environmental, and technical dimensions of engineering and technology. With a remarkable 95% job placement rate and salaries among the top 10 of all majors at the college, these students are highly sought after by employers across various sectors.
Global Engagement: Study Abroad
Lafayette Engineering has been a worldwide leader in offering fully integrated study abroad programs for well over two decades. Engineers with proficiency in a second (or third!) language and an understanding of foreign cultures are well prepared for engineering and technical positions overseas, or with American companies that have international branches.
Commitment to Diversity
Lafayette has consistently been above the national average for undergraduate women in engineering for the last 10 years, with three of five B.S. degrees. In rankings announced Aug. 25, Lafayette College has been named America’s fifth best college for women in chemical engineering and sixth best college for women in mechanical and civil engineering. The rankings were compiled by Washington Monthly, a publication based in the Washington, D.C. area covering public affairs.
Career Development
The Gateway Career Center provides a personalized, four-year career-development program that helps students prepare for life after graduation. NASA aerospace engineer E. Research by Katherine Twiggar ’28, Prof.
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