Associate Professor Puerzer, Chairperson

Professors Alvarez, Burghardt, Kwong, Rabbany, Weissman; Associate Professors Caputi, Forsberg, Ghorayeb, Hunter, Jensen, Rooney; Assistant Professors Goldberg, Ozmen-Ertekin

The Jean Nerken Distinguished Professorship In Engineering is held by Dr. David E. Weissman, 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. 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.

Students matriculate in an ambience of small class size, excellent student-faculty interaction, and easy access to all laboratory facilities for research and design projects. All students, part-time as well as full-time, are assigned a faculty adviser in their general field of interest, and may choose from a range of engineering and science electives to build a foundation for the engineering career of their choice. For some the goal will be graduate study in a specialized area of engineering such as civil, electrical, mechanical or biomedical; for others, a position in industry or government research, development and design.

ROTC scholarship engineering majors, who must take additional courses in Military Science, may be funded for a total of five years while completing their engineering degree.

Technology & Public Policy (TPP)

These courses were formulated in response to the perceived needs of industry, government and business. The objectives are:
1.     establish the relationship between technology and public policy by focusing on the utilization of technology for the fulfillment of societal needs;
2.     examine the impact and pervasiveness of existing and potential technology on society;
3.     evaluate the converse concept of the role of technological developments in influencing and producing changes in public policy; and
4.     determine the effect of public policy on the stimulation, control and regulation of technology as applied to social, economic, political and national defense problems.
The courses are designed to provide students with the opportunity to develop a minor in conjunction with one of several disciplines such as chemistry, communication arts, computer science, economics, engineering, history, mathematics, philosophy or political science.

Engineering Programs 

Engineering Courses