Department of Engineering

Macfarlan (department head)

(SYMBOLS: EE, EN, ME, RE)

Engineers apply the theories and principles of science and mathematics to the economical solution of practical technical problems. There are some 25 different engineering specialties, but of the nearly 1.5 million engineering jobs available each year the greatest numbers are filled by engineers having electrical or mechanical backgrounds. More than one half of engineering jobs are in the manufacturing industries. The major part of the remainder is in engineering and architectural services and business and management consulting services. Governments employ about 200,000 engineers. Renewable energy (serviced by a minor) is an emerging technical area driven by the need to replace fossil fuels with an energy efficient and environmentally friendly alternative.

Engineers in the electrical and mechanical areas design, develop, test, and supervise the manufacture of electrical and electronic equipment, mechanical equipment, energy systems, and information systems.

Mission

The Engineering Department strives to educate students in the application of science and technology to the service of God and humanity. The goal is to produce graduates who can begin effective engineering practice in industry, graduate school, or the mission field.

Program Educational Objectives

The faculty of Engineering is committed to the following objectives which are consistent with both the university and the division mission statements and emphasize the head (intellectual), heart (spiritual), and hand (professional).

HEAD - John Brown University engineering graduates will have a strong general education, a broad foundation in electrical and mechanical fundamentals, and a depth of knowledge in a specific engineering discipline sufficient to ensure both immediate application and life-long learning.
HEART - John Brown University engineering graduates will be aware of their personal and professional responsibility to serve both God and humanity.
HAND - John Brown University engineering graduates will be prepared and confident to begin an entry-level engineering position, pursue graduate studies, or contribute as a Christian technical missionary.

Design Emphasis

At JBU the engineering design experience starts in the freshman year, develops with more extensive technical content through the sophomore and junior years, and culminates with the two-semester senior design project. The scheme for the lower-level design courses is to introduce design methodology using small design projects that prepare the student to clearly define the problem, identify the constraints and criteria, and establish the requirements for the design. By the third year, the student will have developed the technical background to work out significant engineering design problems. The junior-level design lab provides an opportunity to work with an interdisciplinary team and produce both oral and written presentations.

Fourth-year experiences include those in electronic design, machine design, and fluid system design as well as the capstone design project. The capstone project is an intense experience for the engineering student. It approaches a “real-world” situation. The projects must be finished and satisfy stated objectives as determined by active negotiation with the engineering faculty and the sponsors. Oral and written presentations are produced for this project.

Degree Candidacy

Students must apply for degree candidacy status during the first semester of the sophomore year. At this time, the student will make known their program of choice and complete a four-year plan in consultation with their advisor.