Webinar Wednesday Counseling the Engineering Bound Student

Webinar WednesdayAdmissions & Counseling

for the Engineering-Bound StudentOctober 2015

WEBINAR WEDNESDAYOctober 2015


Our Panelists

Brian Hussey (PM session)University of Aberdeen, UK

[email protected]

David Zutautas University of Toronto, [email protected]

Meghan DangremondTufts University, USA [email protected]

Alexandra (Aleka) Bilan (PM Session) Jakarta Intercultural School, [email protected]

FacilitatorAaron Andersen, University of British Columbia, [email protected]

mailto:[email protected]


Today’s Session•Engineering in the US

• Engineering in Canada

•Engineering in the UK

• A Secondary Perspective

• Questions for the Panel


Engineering in the US• 2 year programs• Liberal Arts options

• Engineering Science• Specialty programs: Engineering Psychology, Music Engineering• 3+2

• ABET Accredited Programs (abet.org)•3,600 applied science, computing, engineering, and engineering technology programs at over 700 colleges and universities in 29 countries worldwide.•Preparation for the “Fundamentals of Engineering” exam, leading to certification as a Professional Engineer (P.E.)


Program Variation

• Specificity vs. Breadth• Technical/Professional vs. Academic/Research• Size• “Vibe”• Access to research and internships• Flexibility of program transfer


Four Years in the Life

Introduction: 8 ClassesFirst Year Engineering: 2 ClassesFoundation: 8 ClassesConcentration Required: 8 ClassesConcentration Elective: 4 ClassesLiberal Arts: 6 ClassesFree Electives: 2 Classes


Admissions Process

• Math/Science Preparation• Testing• Extracurricular Involvement• Essays and Recommendations• Personality and Fit


Engineering as a Profession in Canada• Highly regulated:

•founding of Civil Engineers of Canada in 1887•Governments legislated oversight bodies starting in 1888•Current oversight bodies like Ordre des Ingenieurs du Quebec and Professional Engineers of Ontario created at start of 1920’s

• Engineers Canada (founded 1936) is national organization of the 12 provincial and territorial bodies oversees academic Engineering program accreditation


Structure of Engineering Programs

• 4 year professional bachelor level program • Very focused undergraduate program, not structured as part of a liberal arts degree• Full Range of graduate options from 1yr professional Masters to PHd• Some professional masters programs may be taken by non-engineering undergrads, however such program would not lead to licensure.


Hands on Experience

• Experiential learning is incorporated into all programs • Paid work opportunities are commonly available • Students often have job offers before graduating from their programs following work placements• International students are allowed to participate in paid work opportunities• International students may stay and work in Canada for up to 3 years following graduation http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/study/work.asp• Professional work experience hours are required to be licensed following graduation.

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/study/work.asp


Admissions• High academic proficiency in prerequisite subjects is essential• Key prerequisites subjects: Calculus, Physics, Chemistry• Acceptable courses satisfying these subjects depend on the individual curriculum• Students have option of a general first year of engineering or direct to engineering program depending on school.• Academic and supplemental information is normally required for the admissions process• There are some joint undergraduate/graduate program options. Application to graduate option occurs commonly after first year of the engineering program is completed.


Academic Preparation• Background – In Canada it is the norm that students have 2 years each of Physics and Chemistry in high school with the second year being taken in grade 12 (sr. year). Calculus is also taken in grade 12, often in combination with an additional math.• To be properly prepared students would be expected to have at least the equivalent of this level of preparation, therefore in:

• IB Diploma SL/HL Math, Physics, Chemistry (HL always preferred)• US Diploma two years of prerequisites, preferably AP Calculus, Chemistry and Physics• GCE Normally full A Level in Math, Physics, Chemistry. AS may be acceptable to satisfy prerequisites but GCSE/IGCSE/O-Level will not commonly satisfy prerequisite preparation.

• French Bacc. Scientific Stream


Engineering in the UK

•Degree structure

•Content

•Admissions


UK Undergraduate Degrees

In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, the majority of degrees are 3 years in duration with specialisation from the outset

In Scotland, the majority of degrees are 4 years offering an element of flexibility

Engineering can however be 3, 4 or 5 years in duration resulting in awards of:

• BSc (Bachelor of Science)

• BEng (Bachelor of Engineering)

• MEng (Master of Engineering)


What You Will Study

•Year 1 Your time will usually be divided between engineering, mathematics and option courses. You study several branches of engineering, followed by the first in-depth study of your preferred subject. For most of our programmes you can choose an option from the sciences or the arts.

•Year 2 You will study your chosen branch of engineering, supported by classes in mathematics. You will begin to apply your scientific and mathematical skills to real problem solving.

•Year 3 You will now be able to focus almost entirely on your chosen field of engineering. At the end of Year 3, you will have the option of completing one more year for a BEng (Hons) or studying for a further two years for an MEng (Hons).


What You Will Study

•Year 4 You will concentrate on specialist study and innovative coursework that will prepare you for your professional career. Increasingly you will spend time on individual or group design projects. These projects include working with students from other disciplines in our unique interdisciplinary design projects, initiated with support from the Royal Academy of Engineering.

MEng students will produce a substantial project that may involve working overseas or in industry.•Year 5 As in Year 4, you will have further opportunities to broaden and deepen your understanding of fundamental engineering concepts and also to develop your skills in applying this knowledge in a range of specialist areas (for MEng).


Time/Day Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday09.00 Economics 1 (lecture) Independent study Core course Maths for

Sci & Eng (tutorial)Economics 1 (lecture) Independent study

10.00 Core course Eng - Mech (lecture)

Core course Eng - Sustain (lecture)

Independent study Independent study Core course Eng - Elec (lecture)

11.10 Independent study Independent study Independent study Independent study Independent study

12.10 Core course Maths for Sci & Eng (lecture)

Core course Maths for Sci & Eng (lecture)

Independent study Core course Maths for Sci & Eng (lecture)

Core course Maths for Sci & Eng (lecture)

13.05 Sports & societies 14.00 Economics 1 (tutorial) Core course

Engineering 1 - Mechanical (laboratory)

Core course Eng - Mech (tutorial)

Independent study

15.00 Independent study Independent study Independent study



Example Science first year timetable BSc (Hons) Mechanical Engineering (Economics as the outside course)

Core

Core

Option


Undergraduate Applications

•All full-time undergraduate applications to the University are made through UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service) •One application for up to five courses •www.ucas.com

http://www.ucas.com/


Entry Requirements

IB & A-level•Higher Level or A-Level •Mathematics•Most Universities will also expect Higher Level or A-level Physics and/or HL Design Technology

US Qualifications•AP Calculus

UCAS Personal Statement


Secondary Perspective

•About 40% of all beginning engineering majors switch majors or fail to graduate (http://nces.ed.gov/pubs2014/2014001rev.pdf)•Reasons: underprepared, rigorous, fixed coursework, dry abstract topics, strong competition, grade deflation•Recognizing the natural engineer: regularly solves household problems, tinkerer, programmer, takes apart and rebuilds appliances/machines, etc.

http://nces.ed.gov/pubs2014/2014001rev.pdf


High School Preparation•Coursework: math through Calculus, science (particularly physical science)•Admissions expectations of higher GPA & test scores - also, subject tests frequently required•Determining & demonstrating aptitude for engineering

•Academic: robotics, tech club, summer programs, college course(s)•At Home: build a robot, design/assemble a computer•Work: internship, research, design/sell an app•Service: volunteer, problem solving

•Managing parent expectations


Crafting the College List• Fewer “safety/likely” schools• 4- or 5-year programs vs 3-2 programs• Internship/co-op opportunities → research/engineering school• Engineering major reputation → cooperative vs competitive• Undeclared engineering major → LAC• Directed engineering major• Theoretical vs. practical approach to curriculum• Who teaches courses? Faculty or graduate students?• Accreditation (ABET, CEAB, etc.)• Philosophy behind GenEd requirements (balance of humanities, arts, social sciences vs. quantitative subject requirements)• Considering social fit - who are the student's "people"? balancing prestige (brand) vs college culture; • Applying outside the US


Application Essays•App, no Engineering Supplement

•Personal Statement needs to demonstrate interest in Engineering•Should address proof of Engineering aptitude

•App w/Engineering or Why Major Supplement•With Engineering Supplement – demonstrate aptitude•With Major Supplement – proof of Engineering aptitude


Alternative Paths

•Consider majoring in Physics or Chemistry – if waitlist or transfer into engineering possible•Consider a 3-2 at a non-engineering school – Keep a high GPA and transfer to engineering program• Engineering Technology vs. Engineering – more hands-on vs. theory


Thank you to our Panelists!Robbie Willis (AM session)

University of Edinburgh, UK [email protected]

Brian Hussey (PM session)University of Aberdeen, UK

[email protected]

David Zutautas University of Toronto, [email protected]

Meghan DangremondTufts University, USA [email protected]

Alexandra (Aleka) Bilan (PM Session) Jakarta Intercultural School, [email protected]

Berta Liao (AM Session) Tsinchu International School, Taiwan [email protected]

Education

Webinar Wednesday Counseling the Engineering Bound Student