Bowling Green State University
Source: Bowling Green State University

Ever wonder what the future of engineering will herald in an increasingly digitised world? Emerging technologies and automation have transformed the engineering sector in the Fourth Industrial Revolution, but that doesn’t mean human input should be sacrificed in pursuing innovation.

That’s why engineering programmes in US universities are ahead of the game in preparing students to meet the ever-shifting demands of industry. Technical knowledge in engineering systems is all good, but without application in real-life settings, the disconnect between theory and practice won’t translate into promising career prospects.

As one of the world’s top manufacturers, where better to learn engineering and engineering technology than in the US? With top-ranking schools and boundless work placement opportunities, an American engineering degree comes with valuable experiential learning that leads to meaningful careers post-graduation. If you’re keen on becoming an engineer, here are four schools in the US for you to consider:

Bowling Green State University: Department of Engineering Technologies

Bowling Green State University

Through BGSU’s robust co-op education, students directly interact with industry settings and develop soft skills that boost their employability. Source: Bowling Green State University

Ingenious solutions abound when keen minds meet top-tier education in the Department of Engineering Technologies (ENGtechs) at Bowling Green State University (BGSU). An engineering degree is notorious for being costly, but this university in Ohio dispels any myth that quality education has to come with a hefty price tag. It was ranked the number one public university students would choose again in the Midwest for the third year in a row by the Wall Street Journal, and ranks third for teaching quality among public universities in the US.

At BGSU, the engineering and engineering technology programmes are . ENGtechs’s core mission is to provide the best quality in engineering and engineering technology education that is current and relevant to industry players. Its include instruction in small classrooms that mix lectures and practical experiences, and mandatory one to three paid co-op placement, which students can leverage when transitioning into full-time employment. The university’s co-op programme is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Co-op and Internship (ACCI), that is accredited in the country.

Ohio’s reputation as America’s manufacturing heartland offers many job opportunities to graduates, making BGSU an ideal destination for aspiring engineers. An impressive 97% of its graduates will either secure a job, progress to graduate school, or start their own business within six months of completing their studies. This is thanks to BGSU’s robust co-op education, where students directly interact with industry settings and develop soft skills that boost their employability. As a result, students are work-ready at the onset of their career and are well-equipped to assume leadership roles in their future.

ENGtechs offers seven undergraduate and three graduate programmes, all tailored for professional growth. Choose from popular Bachelor of Science programmes such as Systems Engineering, Mechatronics Engineering Technology, Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering Technology,  and   . Or advance your knowledge further in a postgraduate degree like the Masters of Science in Logistics Systems Engineering, Masters of Technology Management (MTM) in Engineering Technology or MTM in Quality Systems, which combines business and engineering skills in one programme. For more information about engineering at BGSU,  and follow the university on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter and YouTube.  Click here to apply for undergraduate and click here for the Graduate School.

University of the District Columbia: School of Engineering and Applied Sciences

University of the District Columbia

The University of the District of Columbia exposes students to exploratory, hands-on projects which allow them to apply theory into finding real-world solutions. Source: The University of the District of Columbia

Located at the heart of America’s capital city is the University of the District of Columbia (UDC), home to the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS) . Here, future engineers shine in competitive programmes that are widely-accredited in an immersive, hands-on learning culture. 

Engineering at SEAS is centred around exposure to current research and exploratory projects that engage with real-word problems. The curriculum focuses on three core values: technical and scientific competence, balance between theory and practice, and consideration of the societal and holistic aspects of engineering. Through focused, individualised learning in small class sizes, students maximise their potential by working collaboratively to find innovative solutions for industry problems. 

UDC is one of only four universities in the US capital that offers engineering and computer science degrees accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET), which is an important recognition that ensures engineering graduates meet the industry benchmark in critical STEM fields. This explains why graduates are highly sought-after by global companies, and progress to management roles in engineering corporations. Students can also take advantage of SEAS’s internship and work-study opportunities, which include industry partners like the Air Force Research Laboratory and the Department of Defence. 

SEAS offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, such as the Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science and Information Technology, as well as master’s and doctoral programmes in Computer Science and Engineering. 

Oklahoma State University: Department of Chemical Engineering

Oklahoma State University

At Oklahoma State University, students have access to high-end facilities in one of the most highly-ranked engineering programmes in the US. Source: Oklahoma State University

A top Carnegie classified R1 research university, the Oklahoma State University has been listed as one of the top 50 public schools in the US. OSU’s research-intensive engineering programmes train future graduates to become leaders and pioneering innovators who improve the world through sustainable design. 

The School of Chemical Engineering in particular strives towards incorporating economic, social and environmental dimensions in its instructions for the betterment of human life. The Chemical Engineering programme is ABET-accredited, producing graduates that can confidently face current challenges in the global workforce.  

By putting student experience at the forefront of learning, the faculty fosters a culture of engagement in different aspects of chemical engineering within and outside of the classroom. Students can take advantage of undergraduate research opportunities in a team-oriented setting to work on areas such as energy and gas production, biotechnology and pharmaceuticals, to name a few. 

You can either major in Chemical Engineering, Pre-Medical, Biomedical or Biochemical Engineering at the undergraduate level, or enrol in the competitive postgraduate programmes offered at the department. With acclaimed state-of-the-art facilities in a programme that outperforms others nationally, the OSU engineering experience is well worth the investment.

Drexel University: School of Biomedical Engineering

Drexel University

Drexel University is known to be the only independent biomedical engineering school in the US, with opportunities for industrial placements that boost graduate employment. Source: School of Biomedical Engineering, Drexel University

This Philadelphia-based university is part of the Cellicon Valley Avenue of Technology, one of America’s key hubs of medical universities, hospitals, and biomedical health-related industries. It’s no surprise then that the School of Biomedical Engineering, Science and Health Systems at Drexel University has the honour of being the only independent biomedical engineering school in the country.

Biomed at Drexel is always pushing the frontiers of this emerging field. Its Master’s in Biomedical Engineering programme is listed in the top 20 of its kind nationwide, and enjoys many accolades by various US media outlets. The Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering is ABET-accredited, offering co-op education programmes that integrate real-world industry opportunities alongside collaborative work with illustrious faculty members.

Drexel has one of the oldest and most expansive co-op programmes in the world, which gives graduates a head start in the biomed industry with six t0 18 months of full-time work experience. Most biomedical engineering majors opt for the five-year degree programme with 18 months of work experience and ease their way seamlessly into graduate employment from the network formed during their co-op placement. 

Additionally, Drexel provides unique options for pre-medical, pre-law, and pre-veterinary pathways under its biomedical engineering programme for greater flexibility post-graduation. Other related specialisations such as Bioinformatics and Neuroengineering, in addition to Biomedical Science, Biomedical Engineering and Business, and Bioinformatics can be found at the postgraduate level. 

*Some of the institutions featured in this article are commercial partners of Study International