Engineering program that is very project/practical-learning based

[Anonymous]

Have been looking at the same (more PBL, less writing) for my engineering-oriented student.

Some of the more technical institutes to maybe consider: CalPoly; Colorado Mines; Rensselaer; RIT; Rose-Hulman; Stevens; Worcester Poly. Also Olin College of Engineering and Clarkson.

Some of the larger engineering programs at universities might also have less writing. Especially if they are direct admit to engineering and the program selects gen ed courses geared for engineers. For example, at a Pitt Swanson Engineering orientation they talked about the first year required writing course as "technical writing for engineers. We know you're not English majors." Schools like Purdue, U Minnesota, Penn State?

Perhaps the schools with strong co-ops will be more PBL: Drexel; GA Tech; Northeastern; RIT; Arizona State.

[Anonymous]

My humanities hating kid is looking at Rose Hulman. Their gen ed requirements aren’t bad. English is along the lines of technical writing for engineers rather than Shakespeare. DD is at Mines and is loving it. Her humanities course this semester is something called Futures—no idea what it covers. But it’s a small school and she’s in a learning community in her hall. She’s made lots of friends, they have a good orientation week, and the work/play balance seems very reasonable.

[Anonymous]

All engineering programs have application of theory because that's what engineering is.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Cal poly

+1

+2

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My humanities hating kid is looking at Rose Hulman. Their gen ed requirements aren’t bad. English is along the lines of technical writing for engineers rather than Shakespeare. DD is at Mines and is loving it. Her humanities course this semester is something called Futures—no idea what it covers. But it’s a small school and she’s in a learning community in her hall. She’s made lots of friends, they have a good orientation week, and the work/play balance seems very reasonable.

My humanities hating kid is so happy at Rose. The general ed requirements are super flexible. He loves being immersed in STEM/engineering.

[Anonymous]

WPI. Very project based and flexible humanities requirements. For my kid, taking only 3 classes in a 7 week term is better than 5 classes in a traditional semester.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Engineering is largely about learning which formulas to use when, combined with mathematics. Professional Engineers design bridges mostly by using math. This reliance on math and formulas does not lend itself to hands-on projects as the best way to learn.

+1

[Anonymous]

When we toured UDel they talked a lot about the fact that their program is very hands on. Lots of projects and maker space time and less theory. We met a student that chose UDel over VT for this reason. Pretty impressed with their program, professors and students. Unfortunately, now that kid has been accepted at Penn State, doubt that UDel is on the table.

[Anonymous]

Michigan Technological University just completely revamped their gen ed core curriculum. They say students weren't connecting classes in ethics, literature, etc to core skills they needed in life and professionally. It looks like fewer credits, and is now more skills based. This will likely make these classes much more obviously relevant to students.
Article: https://www.uppermichiganssource.com/2025/04/30/michigan-tech-reimagining-gen-ed-courses-with-essential-education-program/?outputType=amp

I read that engineering courses lean towards being project based.

MTU has been called easy to get into, hard to get out of.

[Anonymous]

To add one thing about engineering and humanities. If engineers are applying their skills to create and serve society, they need to understand the society they serve. Otherwise you have civil engineers wondering why people are upset at an unnecessary road, or an overengineered road that induces speeding.

Engineers need to be creative, articulate, ethical, and have writing skills, etc. The humanities core can't be discounted too much.

[Anonymous]

Stevens might be worth a look. While not a project based curriculum, it does have what they call the Design Spine, a series of classes that apply technical knowledge to collaborative challenges. It was definitely a selling point for my kid when choosing a school.
https://www.stevens.edu/school-engineering-science/undergraduate-studies/design-spine

[Anonymous]

Maybe Cooper Union?

[Anonymous]

Kettering

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Michigan Technological University just completely revamped their gen ed core curriculum. They say students weren't connecting classes in ethics, literature, etc to core skills they needed in life and professionally. It looks like fewer credits, and is now more skills based. This will likely make these classes much more obviously relevant to students.
Article: https://www.uppermichiganssource.com/2025/04/30/michigan-tech-reimagining-gen-ed-courses-with-essential-education-program/?outputType=amp

I read that engineering courses lean towards being project based.

MTU has been called easy to get into, hard to get out of.

Quite literally. They get avg 200 inches of snow per year

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:To add one thing about engineering and humanities. If engineers are applying their skills to create and serve society, they need to understand the society they serve. Otherwise you have civil engineers wondering why people are upset at an unnecessary road, or an overengineered road that induces speeding.

Engineers need to be creative, articulate, ethical, and have writing skills, etc. The humanities core can't be discounted too much.

Agree with this. But it isn’t like they are pursuing med school. Undergrad GPA for engineers isn’t a big deal. No one will care if they got a C in an English class. Most engineers start work immediately after undergraduate degree