This program is for individuals wishing to pursue a B.S., M.S. or Ph.D. in engineering. Three or four years of high school math, high school chemistry and high school physics are recommended prerequisites.
Majors click to expand
Engineering
What is engineering?
Engineering is a broad field of study with many specialized focuses including architectural, agricultural, aerospace, biomedical, chemical, civil, computer, electrical, environmental, industrial, mechanical, nuclear and petroleum. Engineers are needed to solve many practical problems in daily life. Engineering is about design in many forms. Hesston College encourages students to design systems that are of interest to them.
Success factors
Students who are mathematically inclined with a strong analytical mind and attention to detail make great engineers. These students love to solve problems and come up with creative designs.
Career possibilities
Mechanical Engineering: Research and development, Product design, Manufacturing, Energy, Acoustics, Vehicle engineering, Thermal systems; Civil and Environmental Engineering: Road design, Transportation, Bridge design, Water supply systems, Surveying, Earthquake engineering, Wastewater control; Electrical and Computer Engineering: Software engineering, Hardware engineering, Network control; Aerospace Engineering: Aeronautics, Astronautics; Agriculture Engineering: Food engineering, Biofuels, Systems engineering; Biomedical; Industrial; Nuclear; Mining; Engineering Technology
Majoring in engineering
- At Hesston College, engineering is greater than just class work. Students learn the design principles necessary to succeed in the field. Students have helped build solar ovens and robots, and improved efficiency of the college.
- Hesston College has well-equipped science laboratories including wireless, computerized data gathering equipment in the physics lab. Computer programs, including Mathematica, allow you to graph and analyze your data electronically and see the data online.
Engineering curriculum
Hesston College’s engineering program prepares you to transfer into a university engineering program of your choice. The recommended pre-engineering program of study can be adjusted for the specific requirements related to specific engineering fields.
Sample curriculum – associate degree in engineering
Engineering Technology – Electronic and Computer
What is engineering technology – electronic and computer?
Engineering technology graduates apply their knowledge and practices to the solution of specific technical and standard design problems, in this case in the computer area. Graduates become “implementers” as hardware or software engineers. All engineering technology programs focus on application and practice with a balance of theory and laboratory experience.
Success factors
In order to successfully compete for technology positions, students should strive to achieve the following twelve practices of excellence.
- Demonstrate high personal standards
- Maintain a positive outlook
- Take personal responsibility for all you do
- Be decisive and persistent
- Demonstrate urgency and a sense of imperative
- Be a team player—cooperate and collaborate
- Ask questions and be curious
- Be service and result oriented
- Pursue self-development and keep learning
- Communicate effectively—verbally and written
- Promote new ideas—share your knowledge, time and skills
- Be there every time and on time
Career possibilities
The Occupational Outlook Handbook from the Bureau of Labor Statistics forecasts an overall 17 percent growth rate in computer occupations for 2012-22. Since the Hesston College Engineering Technology program provides a common core of knowledge used in these occupations, you will be well prepared to continue on to a four-year degree in any of the following fields/ occupations:
- Computer architecture
- Systems development
- Network technology
- Database administration
- Internet
- Graphics
- Artificial intelligence
- Computational science
- Software engineering
- Computer education
- Information security analyst
— Sarah Hostetler, class of 2015, chemical engineering student at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Majoring in engineering technology – electronic and computer
- Hands-on training in the Computer Information Technology lab integrates theory, practice and professional techniques.
- The science department has well-equipped laboratories including wireless, computerized data gathering equipment in the physics lab. Computer programs, including Mathematica, allow you to graph and analyze your data electronically and see the data online. Students also do research and publish their finding on web pages.
- Hesston College is a member of the Microsoft Developer Network Academic Alliance (MSDNAA), allowing you to eceive much of the Microsoft software we use at no charge.
- Computer programming is a key skill of the computer engineer. You’ll be introduced to programming using animation software called Alice. You’ll even program your own game! While “playing” with pictures and sounds, you will learn key programming concepts while transitioning to Java and C++, two of the most popular and powerful programming languages in the world.
Sample curriculum – associate degree in engineering technology – electronic and computer
Engineering Technology – Mechanical
What is mechanical engineering technology?
Mechanical engineering technology prepares students for a broad range of technical positions with an emphasis on the practical application of engineering principles to actual industrial problems. Mechanical engineering technology concepts are used in a multitude of industries and are directly applied to product design and manufacturing.
Success factors
Students that love to build systems and learn with their hands are a good fit for this program of study. These students should have an aptitude for mathematical and an attention to detail.
Career possibilities
- Research and development
- Product design
- Manufacturing
- Energy
- Acoustics
- Vehicle engineering
- Thermal systems
— Sarah Hostetler, class of 2015, chemical engineering student at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Majoring in mechanical engineering technology
- At Hesston College, engineering is greater than just class work. Students learn the design principles necessary to succed in the field. Students have helped build solar ovens and robots, and improved efficiency of the college.
- Hesston College has well-equipped science laboratories including wireless, computerized data gathering equipment in the physics lab. Computer programs, including Mathematica, allow you to graph and analyze your data electronically and see the data online.
Mechanical engineering technology curriculum
The mechanical engineering technology program provides students with a strong foundation in applied engineering, science, mathematics, communications, humanities, social sciences and business. The program is designed to meet the diverse needs of the local, national and global industry workforce. Academic advisors work one-on-one with students to ensure requirements are met for a seamless transition to continuing education and professional careers.
Sample curriculum – associate degree in mechanical engineering technology
Physics
What is physics?
Physics is the study of the motion of matter through space and time, with concepts including mechanics, optics, electricity and magnetism, and thermodynamics.
Success factors
Physics students possess an analytical mind, attention to detail, and strong mathematical skills. They seek to understand what equations through theory and experiment.
Career possibilities
- Theoretical research physicist
- Experimental research physicist
- College or university faculty
- Secondary education teacher
- Government laboratory scientist
- University research associate
— Chellie Ramer, class of 2002
Majoring in physics
- Hesston College has well-equipped science laboratories including wireless, computerized data gathering equipment in the physics lab. Computer programs, including Mathematica, allow students to graph and analyze data electronically and see the data online.
- Physics II students also do a hands-on research project.
Sample curriculum – associate degree in physics
As a physics student, you will enroll in a physics plan of study which includes a number of science and math classes that provide the basis to transfer with a major in physics. Academic advisors work one-on-one with students to ensure requirements are met for a seamless transition to continuing education and professional careers.
Faculty
Goals
The Hesston College Engineering Department educates students in the principles of engineering in a 2-year program that positions students for transfer to pursue bachelor’s degrees in a number of different engineering disciplines.
Facilities
Hesston College has ample lab space for the listed engineering course offerings as well as supporting course work you will need to complete for your engineering degree (physics, chemistry, etc.). Additionally, we have made Solidworks CAD Software available to engineering students. This is the most widely used CAD software in industry, and the access we provide students positions them well for future engineering roles requiring CAD skills. Lastly we have a working 3D printer that our engineering students have access to in order to be able to rapidly create 3D parts that they are able to initially design using Solidworks.
Alumni
Graduates of the engineering programs have attended Georgia Tech, Kansas State University, West Virginia University, Wichita State University and Colorado School of Mines. Career opportunities include mechatronics engineer, mechanical engineer, civil engineer, electrical engineer, software engineer and more!