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General Engineering

The School of Engineering offers a program in General Interdisciplinary Engineering leading to the degree of Bachelor of Science in Engineering (B.S.E.). This program is designed for students whose career plans and interest call for a more flexible and interdisciplinary approach than is possible under the B.E. programs. As such, it is intended for those students who wish a broad yet sound education in engineering enabling them to work in interdisciplinary areas; or who prefer to delay their specialization in a given area of engineering until after graduation; or who desire a strong broad-based engineering background as preparation for further studies in engineering or in such other professions as medicine, law or business administration.

This program is administered by an interdepartmental committee under the chairmanship of Professor Toby Cumberbatch.  Less than 10 percent of the engineering undergraduates currently undertake this program, which is not accredited.  The Albert Nerken School of Engineering has suspended the admission of any additional students to this program after the Fall 2012 semester. 

  • Founded by inventor, industrialist and philanthropist Peter Cooper in 1859, The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art offers education in art, architecture and engineering, as well as courses in the humanities and social sciences.

  • “My feelings, my desires, my hopes, embrace humanity throughout the world,” Peter Cooper proclaimed in a speech in 1853. He looked forward to a time when, “knowledge shall cover the earth as waters cover the great deep.”

  • From its beginnings, Cooper Union was a unique institution, dedicated to founder Peter Cooper's proposition that education is the key not only to personal prosperity but to civic virtue and harmony.

  • Peter Cooper wanted his graduates to acquire the technical mastery and entrepreneurial skills, enrich their intellects and spark their creativity, and develop a sense of social justice that would translate into action.