Engineering Major

The Engineering Department offers an undergraduate major in Human-Centered Engineering (HCE) to students in the Morrissey College of Arts and Sciences. Students in this major will receive a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Engineering. The HCE program provides students with a technical education that is human-centered, design-process driven, and focused on applying engineering knowledge to solve complex problems that impact society.

Curriculum

Courses

Courses range from introductory engineering design to higher-level technical electives focused on specific topics within engineering. HCE majors apply their knowledge of the physical and natural sciences, mathematics, and computation to engineering fields and connect their academic experiences in BC’s Core Curriculum to their formation as engineers.

Concentration

As part of the HCE major, students take a series of technical electives to concentrate in one of three areas that relate to pressing global problems that require engineering solutions:

  • Health
  • Energy
  • Environment

Weekly Reflection

All HCE students participate in weekly reflection sessions that integrate their learning experiences with broader questions about society, student formation, and the common good.

Major

Required Courses for the Bachelor of Science in Human-Centered Engineering 

  • One course that fulfills the requirement in Introduction to Human-Centered Design:
    • ENGR1025: Innovation Through Design Thinking 
    • ENGR1801/HIST1672: Making the Modern World (Complex Problems course)
  • ENGR1101: Introduction to Human-Centered Engineering 
  • ENGR1102: Physical Modeling and Analysis Lab 
  • ENGR1103: Engineering Analysis Lab
  • ENGR1105: Engineering Computation and Programming
  • ENGR2101, 2102, 2103, 2104, 2105: Engineering Foundations Studio I, II, III, IV, V
  • ENGR3101: Human Factors in Engineering 
  • ENGR3105: Statistical Data Analysis and Machine Learning
  • Fourteen (14) credits of Technical Engineering Electives. 
  • Collaborative engineering projects
    • ENGR3801: Collaborative Service Engineering Project 
    • ENGR4801-2: Senior Impact Project 
  • 3 credits of Advanced Engineering Mathematics
  • Eight semesters of HCE Reflection 

Corequisite Courses for the Bachelor of Science in Human-Centered Engineering 

  • PHYS2200: Introduction to Physics I for Physics Majors 
  • CHEM1109 & CHEM1111: General Chemistry I with Lab
  • MT100/MT101 or MT102/MT103: Calculus 1 and Calculus 2

Corequisite Course Placement Guidance 

Physics Placement

  • HCE majors should take PHYS2200 irrespective of their scores on the AP exam.

Calculus Placement 

  • HCE majors should take Calculus 1 and Calculus 2 during their first year. Students should work with their HCE advisors to identify the appropriate calculus sequence to take and, if exempted from one or both of these requirements, to determine an equivalent number of math/science credits to take for substitution.

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Careers

Paths

The Human-Centered Engineering program prepares students to be catalysts for good—whether it’s in the private or public sector, industry, or non-profit realm. Concentrations in Environment, Health, and Energy provide students the academic background to succeed in a range of careers. Potential career paths include:

  • Product design engineer in the healthcare sector
  • Environmental policy consultant
  • Engineer at an alternative energy startup
  • Technical analyst at a social impact NGO
  • Engineering systems specialist
  • Program manager in the high-tech sector

BC Career Center

The BC Career Center has extensive programs and resources to help you identify and prepare for a fulfilling career after graduation. Sign up for career coaching, browse internship and job listings, and connect with alumni in the engineering field. So far HCE students have found internships in academic engineering labs, environmental conservation organizations, and industry. 


On Campus Opportunities

Department of Engineering

To learn more about student job opportunities in the Department of Engineering contact Christine Brown.


Undergraduate Research Assistants 

Engineering faculty are committed to working with undergraduates in their engineering labs and collaborating with students on faculty research projects. Students interested in doing research in an engineering lab should familiarize themselves with the Engineering faculty and their research interests. Students are welcome to reach out to the department administrator or specific faculty members to inquire about open positions. Engineering labs focus on a number of different areas of engineering, so research responsibilities will depend on the faculty member’s expertise and the specific projects at hand. Engineering faculty work with HCE majors and students who are majoring in other programs at Boston College.


Undergraduate Teaching and Lab Assistants in Engineering 

The Engineering department periodically has openings for undergraduate teaching assistants and lab assistants. 

Potential Employers: If you are interested in offering an internship or job to a Boston College Human-Centered Engineering student, contact the BC Career Center at 617-552-3430.

FAQ

Contact

Glenn Gaudette

Glenn Gaudette

Chair, Department of Engineering


617-552-2049
245 Beacon Street, Room 511

X
Glenn Gaudette

Glenn Gaudette

Chair, Department of Engineering

| 617-552-2049 | 245 Beacon Street, Room 511

Jenna Tonn

Jenna Tonn

Director of Undergraduate Studies


617-552-6901
245 Beacon Street, Room 308B

X
Jenna Tonn

Jenna Tonn

Director of Undergraduate Studies

| 617-552-6901 | 245 Beacon Street, Room 308B