Your path to becoming an engineer
BC’s bachelor of science in engineering* prepares you for a challenging and rewarding career in mechanical engineering, robotics, aerospace, electrical systems and technology, and manufacturing. You will graduate with career-ready skills in 3D modeling, mathematics, computer-aided design and fabrication, electronics and control systems, and mechanical design.
The program is designed for maximum flexibility, giving you the opportunity to explore different aspects of engineering through your upper-level engineering courses. The engineering major at BC is designed to meet accreditation standards set by the Accrediting Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET).
*Pending approval by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, summer 2023
What to Expect
Extensive coursework in mathematics, science and engineering.
Choose an optional concentration in mechanical engineering or mechatronics.
Small classes that provide opportunities to collaborate with faculty and classmates.
Courses
BC’s engineering program allows you to start practicing engineering skills in a hands-on environment right away. In your first year, you will take a two-semester Foundations of Engineering course sequence that introduces you to professional tools in computer-aided design and is centered around 3D printing and fabrication.
- Courses in electronics (analog and digital), control systems, signals, mechatronics
- Lab courses in mechanical engineering: materials, mechanical design
- Upper-level theory courses appropriate for mechanical engineering: statics, dynamics, vibrations, heat and mass transfer, thermodynamics, fluid mechanics
- An integrative senior capstone experience featuring hands-on projects guided by engineering faculty
The Engineering major requires completion of the following courses totaling 75-76 credit hours. The program is designed such that it meets ABET engineering accreditation guidelines and has at least 45 credits in engineering and computer science courses and 30 credits in mathematics and science courses.
Major: Engineering (BS)
Required courses (50 – 51 credits):
Courses (Credit hours)
MATH 133 Calculus (4)
MATH 134 Calculus II (4)
MATH 233 Calculus III (4)
MATH 331 Differential Equations (3)
MATH 210 Intro. to Linear Algebra (3)
CHEM 161 General Chemistry I (4)
PHYS 221 General Physics I (4)
PHYS 222 General Physics II (4)
ENGR 101 Foundations of Engineering I (2)
ENGR 102 Foundations of Engineering II (3)
ENGR 303 Circuit Analysis (3)
ENGR 304 Statics (3)
ENGR 306 Signals and Systems (3)
ENGR 488 Senior Project in Engineering I (1)
ENGR 489 Senior Project in Engineering II (2)
CSCI 101 Programming (4)
-or-
CSCI 130 Programming with Python (3)
Elective courses (additional 25 credits):
Courses (Credit hours)
CSCI 210 Discrete Mathematics (3)
ENGR 305 Dynamics (3)
ENGR 331 Thermodynamics (3)
ENGR 332 Fluid Mechanics (3)
ENGR 334 Mechanics of Materials (4)
ENGR 336 Mechanical Design and Manufacturing with CAD (3)
ENGR 339 Mechanical Vibrations (3)
ENGR 401 Computational Applied Physics with Machine Learning (3)
ENGR 461 Electronics (3)
ENGR 464 Digital Electronics (3)
ENGR 477 Introduction to Mechatronics Application (3)
ENGR 478 Control Systems (3)
Concentrations
Concentration: Mechanical Engineering
Students may obtain a Mechanical Engineering concentration by taking the following 7 courses. Six of these courses (all but ENGR 333) count towards the 25 credits of electives needed for the Engineering Major.
Courses (Credit hours)
ENGR 305 Dynamics (3)
ENGR 331 Thermodynamics (3)
ENGR 332 Fluid Mechanics (3)
ENGR 333 Heat and Mass Transfer (3)
ENGR 334 Mechanics of Materials (4)
ENGR 336 Mechanical Design and Manufacturing with CAD (3)
ENGR 339 Mechanical Vibrations (3)
Concentration: Mechatronics Engineering
Students may obtain a Mechatronics Engineering concentration by taking the following 7 courses. Six of these courses (all but CSCI 102) count towards the 25 credits of electives needed for the Engineering Major.
Courses (Credit hours)
CSCI 102 Programming II (4)
CSCI 210 Discrete Mathematics (3)
ENGR 305 Dynamics (3)
ENGR 461 Electronics (3)
ENGR 464 Digital Electronics (3)
ENGR 477 Introduction to Mechatronics Application (3)
ENGR 478 Control Systems (3)
*Pending approval by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, summer 2023
ENGR 101 – FOUNDATIONS OF ENGINEERING I (2 credits)
ENGR 102 – FOUNDATIONS OF ENGINEERING II (3 credits)
An introduction to the engineering profession for first-year students, with a focus on the engineering design process and problem-solving. Includes data collection, modeling/analysis, and Computer-Aided Design software. Emphasizes professional practices and expectations, including communication, teamwork, and ethics.
ENGR 303 – CIRCUIT ANALYSIS (3 credits)
Linear circuit analysis for circuits with resistors, inductors, and capacitors. DC and AC circuits. Includes laboratory work. Prerequisite: C- or better in Physics 222
ENGR 304 – STATICS (3 credits)
Vector analysis includes couples, resultants, free-body diagrams, friction and rigid bodies. Equilibrium mechanics with trusses, frames, centers of mass, bending and shear forces in beams, moments of inertia and parallel-axis theorem. Use of software for vector/matrix algebra (eg, MATLAB). Prerequisite: MATH 210, C- or better in Physics 221
ENGR 305 – DYNAMICS (3 credits)
Newton’s laws, impulse, work/energy, impact, rotational inertia and rotating axes. Vector kinematics of particles and rigid bodies. Prerequisite: MATH 210, C- or better in PHYS 221
ENGR 306 – SIGNALS AND SYSTEMS (3 credits)
Continuous-time and discrete-time linear systems. Theory and applications of Fourier Series, Fourier Transforms and Laplace Transforms. Techniques of signal sampling and reconstruction. Use of MATLAB to implement digital signal processing. Prerequisite: MATH 134 and C- or better in PHYS 222
ENGR 331 – THERMODYNAMICS (3 credits)
Theory and applications of classical thermodynamics, including first and second law of thermodynamics, gas mixtures, combustion, and power/refrigeration cycles. Equations of state, property tables, and other thermodynamic properties of pure substances. Prerequisite: CHEM-161, MATH 134, C- or better in PHYS-222
ENGR 332 – FLUID MECHANICS (3 credits)
Theory and applications of fluid mechanics, including Euler’s and Bernoulli’s equations, hydrodynamics, fluid properties and dynamics, statics, real fluids, laminar and turbulent flows, boundary layer modeling. Applications include introduction to turbomachinery, compressible flow and propulsion devices, flow measurement. Prerequisite: MATH 134, Co-requisite: MATH 233, C- or better in PHYS-222
ENGR 333 – HEAT AND MASS TRANSFER (3 credits)
Basics of heat and mass transfer, with application to mechanical engineering systems including heat exchangers. Steady-state and transient conduction; convection and radiation. Pre: ENGR 331, ENGR 332, MATH 331
ENGR 334 – MECHANICS OF MATERIALS (4 credits)
Formulation and application of solid mechanics: analysis of forces, stresses, deformation and strains in solids (equilibrium, kinematic, and constitutive relations). Assessment of strength and stability, effects of pure and combined loading, and statically-indeterminate structures. Different mechanisms of strengthening of metals are also considered: grain refining, alloying with interstitial and substitutional solutes, precipitates, second-phase, etc. Contemporary approaches of modelling the strain hardening behavior are highlighted. Includes a two-hour weekly lab. Prerequisite: ENGR 304
ENGR 336 – MECHANICAL DESIGN AND MANUFACTURING WITH CAD (3 credits)
Application of engineering principles and material mechanics to the design of mechanical elements, such as shafts, gears, bearings, belts, springs, brakes, clutches, and fasteners. Includes failure criteria and safety factors, fatigue, deflection and impact. Design and manufacturing of mechanical systems carried out on a CAD/CAM system. Projects will be designed in 3D modeling program (eg, SolidWorks). 2 hours of lecture, 2 hours of lab. Prerequisite: ENGR 102, C- or better in PHYS 221
ENGR 339 – MECHANICAL VIBRATIONS (3 credits)
Review of fundamentals of vibrations with application of simple machine and structural members. Topics include harmonic motion, free and forced vibration, resonance, damping, isolation, and transmissibility. Single, multiple, and infinite degree–of–freedom systems are also examined. Prerequisite: ENGR 305
ENGR 401 – COMPUTATIONAL APPLIED PHYSICS WITH MACHINE LEARNING (3 credits)
Computational and numerical techniques for problem-solving in applied physics. Methods for differential equations, Monte Carlo simulations, and modeling of physical systems (eg, fluid flows, waves). Programming of neural networks / machine learning to solve problems in engineering and applied science. Implemented in Python. Prerequisite: PHYS 221 or 218, CSCI 101 or 130
ENGR 461 – ELECTRONICS (3 credits) Theory and application of circuit components: transistors, diodes, power supplies, filters, amplifiers, control circuits. Includes 2 hour laboratory each week and 2 hours of lecture. Prerequisite: C- or better in ENGR 303
ENGR 464 – DIGITAL ELECTRONICS (3 credits)
Analysis and applications of digital circuits such as flip-flops, registers, counters and analog-to-digital converters leading to interfacing real-time data collection to computers. Introduces field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs). Prerequisite: PHYS 219 or PHYS 222, CSCI 101 or CSCI 130, MATH 210
ENGR 477 – INTRODUCTION TO MECHATRONICS APPLICATIONS (3 credits)
Modeling and control of electromechanical systems. Electronic interface and controller design, selection of sensors and actuators, signal acquisition, filtering and conditioning. Use of microcontrollers. Prerequisite: ENGR 306
ENGR 478 – CONTROL SYSTEMS (3 credits)
Feedback control of linear continuous and digital systems in the time and frequency domain. Frequency response, stability, root locus, linear state variable feedback, and design of compensators used to analyze closed-loop systems. Prerequisite: ENGR 306
ENGR 488 – SENIOR PROJECT IN ENGINEERING I (1 credit)
ENGR 489 – SENIOR PROJECT IN ENGINEERING II (2 credits)
In this two-course sequence, students collaborate in groups to design an engineering project supervised by engineering faculty. A typical project includes testing, analysis and redesign, with application of skills in manufacturing process design and fabrication. Students work in groups of 3 – 5 students. Professional communication is scaffolded throughout the sequence, including oral presentations, proposals and reports, and a comprehensive written final report. Prerequisite: Senior standing in the Engineering Major
CHEM 161 – GENERAL CHEMISTRY I (4 credits)
CSCI 101 – PROGRAMMING I (4 credits)
CSCI 102 – PROGRAMMING II (4 credits)
CSCI 130 – PROGRAMMING WITH PYTHON (3 credits)
CSCI 210 – DISCRETE MATHEMATICS (3 credits)
MATH 133 – CALCULUS I (4 credits)
MATH 134 – CALCULUS II (4 credits)
MATH 233 – CALCULUS III (4 credits)
MATH 210 – INTRODUCTION TO LINEAR ALGEBRA (3 credits)
MATH 331 – DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS (3 credits)
PHYS 221 – GENERAL PHYSICS I (4 credits)
PHYS 222 – GENERAL PHYSICS II (4 credits)
*Pending approval by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, summer 2023
Connecting you to your future
The bachelor of science in engineering blends experiential and theoretical learning to give you the skills needed for your future career. You will be using professional tools and practices used in the discipline throughout the four years. By the time you graduate, you will have a strong foundation of critical thinking and problem-solving abilities as well as technical skills.
- Graduating students will obtain placement in companies or organizations that allow them to use the skills and practices developed in the Engineering program at BC, or continue their education at a more advanced level
- By participating in professional development opportunities, further education, or trainings, graduates will continue to expand their knowledge after graduation, demonstrating that they are adapting to the changes and growth of their profession.
- Graduates will demonstrate their knowledge and skills acquired through Bridgewater College’s liberal arts curriculum, which includes critical thinking, working collaboratively to achieve shared goals, and professional communication.
- an ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics.
- an ability to apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors.
- an ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences.
- an ability to recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgments, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts.
- an ability to function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives.
- an ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions.
- an ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.
Through rigorous coursework in mathematics, science, and engineering, our students are prepared for the challenge of practicing engineering in a world that needs highly qualified professionals with a commitment to social responsibility and ethical practices. Our program emphasizes professional responsibility, mastery of foundational knowledge and professional tools, and experiential learning. Students will gain practice in design thinking, fabrication and prototyping, and collaboration through hands-on projects.
Careers
BC prepares you to be a better critical thinker, professional and engineer. The environment and hands-on experience at Bridgewater provide you with the skills employers want.
- Mechanical engineering
- Automation engineering / mechatronics
- Nuclear engineering
- Aerospace engineering
- Automotive design
- Computer-aided design and 3D modeling
- Experience with computer-aided manufacturing
- Electronics skills with digital and analog circuit design
- Additive fabrication (3D printing)
- MATLAB
- Computer programming
- Leidos
- Boeing
- Northrup Grumman
- Lockheed Martin
- Dewberry
- Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc.
Questions? Contact Us!
Dr. Deva O’Neil, Department Chair
540-828-8004
doneil@bridgewater.edu
