News – Bachelor of Science in engineering program approved
Special offer for the first 20 juniors who commit to entering the Bachelor of Science in mechatronics engineering program in fall 2022: room and board fees waived for the 2022-23 year – a $9,994 value. Details coming soon. Email admissions@hesston.edu or call 620-327-4221 to learn more.
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.
Bachelor of Science in engineering degree, mechatronics track
Mechatronics engineering includes the fields of mechanical, electrical, and computer engineering with a focus on industrial applications of robots and sensors. Mechatronics engineers solve many practical problems in daily life. Jobs in this expanding field are expected to grow significantly in the next decade. At Hesston College, mechatronics engineering is the focus of our engineering curriculum. Students design mechatronic systems each year in our program.
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
- Robotics engineer/technician
- Automation engineer
- Control system design/troubleshooting engineer
- Electronics design engineer
- Mechanical design engineer
- Data scientist/big data analyst
- Instrumentation engineer
- Software engineer
Accreditation
The baccalaureate degree program in engineering at Hesston College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission Institutional Action Council. This allows Hesston College to offer a Bachelor of Science in engineering with a mechatronics track, totaling 126 credit hours.
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 facilities that support engineering education in a variety of ways. On the software side students have access to Solidworks, Multisim, MATLAB and Mathematica among others. Our campus is also home to multiple 3D printers and a dynamic robotic workshop.
Engineering curriculum – junior and senior years – course progression flowchart
Third Year Program Courses
Fall Courses
- Digital Systems Design
- Electronics
- Dynamics
- General Chemistry I
- Engineering Internship
Spring Courses
- Control Systems
- Mechatronics System Design
- Dynamics of Machines
- Computer Programming II
- Manufacturing Methods
Fourth Year Program Courses
Fall Courses
- Senior Capstone I
- Mobile Robotics
- Solid Mechanics
- Engineering Economics
- elective
Spring Courses
- Senior Capstone II
- Introduction to Thermal Sciences
- Electrical Power and Machinery
- Project Management
- Professional Ethics
Additional programs associate degree/transfer, 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
What is engineering technology?
Engineering technology graduates apply their knowledge and practices to the solution of specific technical and standard design problems. 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 in writing
- 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:
- 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 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.
Sample curriculum – associate degree in 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 on engineering principles and applications, leading to a variety of possibilities for professional growth. These growth opportunities are driven by classroom teaching and lab experiences leading to a Hesston College bachelor’s degree in engineering. Additionally these growth opportunities can be found in activities like robotics club, summer internships and senior capstone projects.
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 multiple 3D printers 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
Alumni of the Hesston College engineering program have careers in mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, software engineering, structural engineering and many other fields. These alumni have been employed in various industries in Kansas and across the world. Very soon our alumni ranks will also begin to fill out with engineers working in mechatronics as well!
Robotics Club
- Club Purpose
- Allow students and faculty to learn more about robotics and mechatronics through hands on experience
- Meeting Frequency
- Every week
- Contact Info
- Email johann.reimer@hesston.edu if you are interested in joining!
The club will provide a robotics workshop with tools, equipment and some materials to get started. Initial focus will be mobile robotics. Goal for the first year is to build up student numbers and student leadership and allow for a lot of fun robotics experience in a low stress environment.