The goal is to respond to the “urgent workforce needs of Connecticut’s engineering, manufacturing, and technology sectors.”
To accomplish it, the University of Saint Joseph has launched a new degree in engineering science, according to the university.
The bachelor of arts classes for engineering science, which fall within the university’s School of Arts, Sciences, Business, and Education, are to begin in fall 2024 and are already enrolling, according to the university.
“Employers told us that a USJ graduate with math and general engineering knowledge, along with effective communication skills, would be invaluable,” said USJ President Rhona C. Free, in a statement. “And students said they would like a path to the manufacturing sector even if they don’t know yet what specialized engineering area they would pursue. This Engineering Science degree fits that niche exactly—it is what employers need and what students are looking for.”
The university noted that a 2023 study by Georgetown University Center on “Education and the Workforce” shows “notable job growth in Connecticut manufacturing, and projects that more than 40% of future manufacturing jobs and 90% of future jobs in engineering will require at least a bachelor’s degree.”
“At USJ, we’ve always been committed to responding to the evolving needs of our society and economy through innovative educational programs. The Engineering program is a testament to this commitment, and it comes at a crucial time for Connecticut and the region,” said Dr. Raouf Boules, dean of SASBE, also in the statement.
“We know that 90% of USJ undergraduate students are from Connecticut, and they tend to stay in the state upon graduation,” Boules said. “Our new program is poised to meet the workforce demand by providing a comprehensive engineering curriculum that not only imparts technical knowledge but also instills problem-solving skills, creativity, and adaptability.”
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Paul Lavoie, chief manufacturing officer for Connecticut, agreed the University of Saint Joseph is “responding to the needs of Connecticut industry” with it new degree program.
“As the manufacturing industry continues to grow in Connecticut, our need for technical and engineering graduates to help our companies innovate is growing and these pathways will help us continue to remain a manufacturing leader in the U.S,” Lavoie said in the statement.
The new degree will target students seeking to go into engineering career, but also want a “well-rounded foundation in the liberal arts,” according to the university.
“The USJ Engineering Science program is grounded in the liberal arts and is rooted in the University’s strong commitment to producing graduates with a deep sense of ethical and social concerns,” Boules said. “Our curriculum represents a balance of rigorous course work in engineering, mathematics, physics, and computer science complemented by a strong component of liberal arts courses.”
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Among highlights the university shared:
- Students to engage in hands-on learning through engineering labs and project classes;
- Students to develop skills crucial for success in careers across the engineering, scientific, and technology sectors;
- To prepare students for specialized fields within engineering, the new program offers three optional tracks
- Graduate School Track for students who plan to pursue graduate studies in engineering;
- Business Management Track, combining engineering with innovation and entrepreneurship;
- Ethics Track, combining engineering and moral decision making and contemporary ethical problems.
- The program will benefit from USJ’s ties to major businesses and communities in Greater Hartford, providing internship and employment opportunities for students and graduates.
Dr. Jerry Darling, professor of physics and chemistry, and founding director of the Engineering Science program, said the degree will be a broad one “in engineering, synthesizing significant coursework from mechanical, electrical and computer engineering.
“This major will prepare students for direct employment in engineering, including careers in manufacturing engineering, systems engineering, quality engineering, and many others,” he said in the statement. “Some students may cultivate a strong interest in a particular engineering discipline and choose to pursue graduate study in that specialized field.”
Boules also noted the university has “strong collaboration” with its industry partners, which can bring internship experiences “that bridge classroom learning with real-world applications.”
