Welcome from the Dean

James G. Orbison

Bucknell University’s first engineering program was established over one hundred years ago, and the College of Engineering was formed in 1962. Comprised of six engineering departments, the College has over 60 highly qualified faculty and some 630 engineering majors. The College remains firmly committed to offering engineering educational opportunities of the highest quality. We are committed to offering an engineering education of both contemporary and enduring value. Our faculty are both teachers and scholars. They are dedicated to outstanding instruction and student-faculty interaction both within and outside of the classroom. They participate in research and professional development activities, often with students, ensuring the continuing quality of our educational programs.

The undergraduate degree programs are carefully designed to prepare our students to successfully enter the engineering professions, become responsible, contributing members of society, and to continue to develop both personally and professionally throughout their careers. Our programs emphasize an understanding of the fundamental principles of engineering, mathematics, and the natural and social sciences, and the ability to develop creative solutions to complex, multi-faceted problems for the betterment of society. The analytical and problem-solving abilities gained through an engineering education are of great value in a wide range of occupations, and in meeting the many challenges we will face in our lives. A 1974 electrical engineering alumnus, whose career is in the areas of corporate finance and financial consulting, recently observed:

“Bucknell engineering is a training ground for excellent engineers, but it is much more than just that. It is a place where men and women are developed as thinkers, leaders, technologists, and activists who can succeed in and manage our extraordinarily complex world. It is a place where employers will find engineers who can write fluently and succinctly, understand the basics of managing businesses and business processes, prepare and present persuasive arguments, deal successfully with interpersonal relationships, and just plain get things done.”

The College of Engineering offers four-year Bachelor of Science degrees in Biomedical Engineering, Computer Science and Engineering, and in Chemical, Civil, Electrical, and Mechanical Engineering. Master of Science degrees are also offered in Chemical, Civil, Electrical, Environmental, and Mechanical Engineering. In addition, the College of Engineering’s Computer Science Department offers both Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science in Computer Science degrees in the College of Arts and Sciences.

Recently, a new five-year dual-degree program was introduced, leading to a Bachelor of Science degree in any engineering programs and a Bachelor of Management for Engineers degree from the Department of Management in the College of Arts and Sciences. In addition, beginning with the 2008-09 academic year, a new degree program in computer engineering will be offered, leading to a Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering degree. Applications for direct admission to that program and Bucknell are being accepted this year.

Bucknell’s College of Engineering offers truly outstanding engineering educational opportunities in the supportive environment of a small, residential university with strong programs in the liberal arts and sciences. Please don’t hesitate to contact me if I can assist you in learning more about Bucknell and our College of Engineering.

James G. Orbison, Ph.D., P.E.
Dean
College of Engineering
October 2007