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General Engineering

The School of Engineering offers a program in General Engineering leading to the degree of Bachelor of Science (B.S.). This program is designed for students with a clear idea of their educational objectives which require a more flexible, interdisciplinary course of study.

This program is suitable for students who desire a strong, broad-based, rigorous engineering background as preparation for fields such as: chemistry, mathematics, medicine, biomedical engineering, law, finance, or entrepreneurship. Each B.S. student is advised from the Dean’s Office, however, students are encouraged to identify academic advisor(s) in other departments who can specifically help them with issues associated with the areas they have chosen as their focus.

Students are required to enroll in 55 core curriculum credits in mathematics, the sciences, and the humanities (similar to the B.E. degree) in their freshman and sophomore years as they prepare to select courses open to all Engineering students. Art, Architecture, and Humanities courses may also be selected as seats in those courses become available and the respective schools/faculty grant permission .

The B.S. program is not suitable for students who wish professional licensure.

Student Outcomes

The General Engineering Department has established the following set of outcomes that our undergraduate students are expected to achieve by the time of graduation:

  • An ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics
  • An ability to apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors
  • An ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences
  • An ability to recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgments, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts
  • An ability to function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives
  • An ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions
  • An ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.

  • 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.