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Engineering (ENGG)

Professor M. David Burghardt, Chairperson

Professors Alvarez, Kwong, Rabbany, Weissman; Associate Professors
Agnone, Caputi, Forsberg, Ghorayeb, Jensen, Puerzer, Rooney; Assistant Professor Hunter

The Jean Nerken Distinguished Professorship In Engineering is held by Dr. M. David Burghardt, Professor of Engineering.

Mission Statement
The Department of Engineering at Hofstra University offers three ABET-accredited degree programs: a Bachelor of Engineering in Engineering Science, a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering, and a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering. A Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering was started in fall 2002. In addition, it offers interdisciplinary degree programs leading to a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering and a Bachelor of Arts in Engineering Science.
   
Since all degrees are offered under the aegis of a single department, the organizational structure fosters collegiality among faculty of different programs and ensures that all students are exposed to a variety of engineering disciplinary perspectives. The knowledge base encompassed by engineering is constantly expanding, but the fundamental skills and aptitudes which a four-year undergraduate program can hope to impart to graduates remain the same, regardless of time or of specific degree. They include a solid grounding in mathematics as a language to express scientific laws, in applied physics as represented primarily in the engineering sciences, in engineering design integrated throughout the curriculum but especially demonstrated through participation in capstone team projects, and in a well-chosen variety of social sciences and humanities.
   
Technological advances generated by the engineering profession have foreseen and unforeseen effects on human culture and civilization. The broadly educated Hofstra engineering graduate will mirror the multi-faceted engineer/builder envisioned in classical times by Vitruvius, and will therefore be best situated to assess the consequences of the societal changes constantly being wrought by the profession. The department benefits from an active relationship with professionals through its Industry Advisory Board, which assists in maintaining the vision of its programs.

Department of Engineering Student Outcomes
   
While adhering to the general philosophy outlined above, each degree program which seeks ABET accreditation is committed to ensuring that its graduates exhibit a range of abilities indicative of a successful member of the engineering community. These include:

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 multi-disciplinary 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.    recognition of the need for, and an ability to engage in lifelong learning;
j.    a knowledge of contemporary issues; and
k.    an ability to use the techniques, skills, and modern engineering tools necessary for engineering practice.

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