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School of Engineering and Applied Science


Dean

H. Vincent Poor

Vice Dean

Pablo G. Debenedetti

Associate Dean for Undergraduate Affairs

Peter I. Bogucki


The undergraduate educational mission of the School of Engineering and Applied Science of Princeton University is to educate future leaders in engineering practice, research and education, business and finance, public service, and other professions. Students learn fundamental engineering principles and how to apply them to real-world problems whose solutions require an interdisciplinary perspective. Princeton offers its students a liberal education and encourages them to take advantage of its outstanding resources and facilities. The engineering school provides a rich educational environment that fosters interaction between talented students and an internationally renowned faculty. Through independent projects that require students to frame research questions, identify solutions, define priorities, and communicate findings, our students are uniquely prepared for challenging careers. Princeton engineering alumni are recognized for their ability, creativity, initiative, integrity, and vision for making the world a better place.

Engineering education at Princeton emphasizes the fundamental principles of mathematics and the physical and engineering sciences. It is broadened by substantial opportunities for study of the social sciences, the life sciences, and the humanities. Each engineering undergraduate can develop an academic program that reflects his or her aspirations and interests within a general framework of requirements. The depth and flexibility of the program make it a sound background for engineering practice or graduate study in engineering, science, business, law, or medicine. Curricula in engineering fields are offered through six academic departments:

Design is the primary distinction between engineering and applied science, connoting the application of scientific and mathematical principles not only to the understanding of physical phenomena but the solution of specific problems. It is important that all B.S.E. students be exposed to technical course materials in the context of engineering design, have the opportunity for significant design experiences, and be apprised explicitly of the ways in which design is integrated within the engineering curriculum. Each department addresses this important issue in tailoring its programs to the needs of individual students, as articulated in descriptions of its courses and curriculum. Interdepartmental curricula are presented in the following programs:

Students also may combine an engineering curriculum with study in depth in other fields, such as foreign area studies or public and international affairs.

Most University programs and opportunities are available to B.S.E. as well as to A.B. candidates. A description of these is contained in the “Special Features of the Undergraduate Program’’ section (see page 33). Of particular interest to B.S.E. students are the sections concerning advanced placement, advanced standing, writing requirement, auditing courses, graduate courses, and optional additional courses. Engineering students should also be aware of their eligibility for the Programs in Applications of Computing, Applied and Computational Mathematics, Creative Writing, Dance, Environmental Studies, Linguistics, Materials Science and Engineering, Musical Performance, Teacher Preparation, Theater, Visual Arts, Women and Gender, and the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs, and many other certificate programs.

Engineering students are encouraged to obtain international experience through participation in the University’s Study Abroad Program or through summer internships and language study abroad. Interested students should begin planning early by meeting with the associate dean for undergraduate affairs to discuss suitable programs at foreign universities.

Keller Center for Innovation in Engineering Education

The Keller Center for Innovation in Engineering Education takes as its goal the preparation of all students—both engineers and non-engineers—to be leaders in an increasingly technology-driven society. The center helps develop new courses and strengthen existing ones that go beyond purely technical subjects to provide students with a broader understanding of the global economic, environmental, and cultural forces that involve technology. At the same time, the center promotes engineering students’ technical education through internships and entrepreneurial opportunities.

Engineering (EGR) Courses

The School of Engineering and Applied Science offers several courses that have interdisciplinary content integrating engineering, natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities and are of broad interest to students from across the University. These courses typically have no prerequisites. They are listed in the Course Offerings under engineering and bear the label EGR. Currently the following courses are in this category:

EGR 102A, 102B Engineering in the Modern World (see CEE 102A, 102B)

EGR 103 New Eyes for the World: Hands-On Optical Engineering (see ELE 102)

EGR 105 Lab in Conservation of Art (see CEE 105)

EGR 106 The Science and Technology of Decision Making (see ORF 105)

EGR 109 Computers in Our World (see COS 109)

EGR 116 The Computational Universe (see COS 116)

EGR 199 Great Inventions That Changed the World (see CHE 199)

EGR 222A, 222B The Computing Age (see ELE 222A, 222B)

*EGR 228 Energy Solutions for the Next Century (see MAE 228)

*EGR 244 Introduction to Biomedical Innovation and Global Health (see MAE 244)

*EGR 251, 351, 451 Engineering Projects in Community Service   Fall, Spring

In the Engineering Projects in Community Service (EPICS) program, students earn academic credit for their participation in multidisciplinary design teams that solve technology-based problems for local not-for-profit organizations. The teams are: multidisciplinary —drawing students from across engineering and around the university; vertically integrated —maintaining a mix of sophomores through seniors each semester; and long-term —each student may participate in a project for up to six semesters. The continuity, technical depth, and disciplinary breadth of these teams enable delivery of projects of significant benefit to the community. M. Littman, W. Soboyejo

EGR 260 Ethics and Technology: Engineering in the Real World (see CHE 260)

EGR 262A, 262B Structures and the Urban Environment (see CEE 262A, 262B)

EGR 328 Energy for a Greenhouse-Constrained World (see MAE 328)

EGR 386 Cyber Security (see ELE 386)

EGR 391 The Wireless Revolution: Telecommunications for the 21st Century (see ELE 391)

*EGR 437 Introduction to Innovation Process Management (see MAE 437)

EGR 445 Entrepreneurial Engineering (see MAE 445)

EGR 491 High-Tech Entrepreneurship (see ELE 491)

EGR 495 Special Topics in Entrepreneurship   Fall, Spring

Covers topical issues highlighting the impact of engineering on society through entrepreneurship. Topics and course format vary from year to year. Staff

Additional EGR courses are those with focused computer science, engineering, or mathematical content. These courses are relevant to students beyond the home department. Currently the following courses are in this category:

EGR 126 General Computer Science (see COS 126)

EGR 191 An Integrated Introduction to Engineering, Mathematics, Physics (also MAT 191, PHY 191)   Fall ST

Taken concurrently with 192, this course offers an integrated presentation of the material from PHY 103 and MAT 201 with an emphasis on applications to engineering. Physics topics include: mechanics with applications to fluid mechanics; wave phenomena; and thermodynamics. Students enroll in both 191 and 192. One lecture, three preceptorials, one three-hour laboratory. P. Meyers, I. Daubechies, J. Rexford

EGR 192 An Integrated Introduction to Engineering, Mathematics, Physics (also MAT 192, PHY 192)   Fall QR

In combination with 191, this course offers an integrated presentation of the material covered in PHY 103 and MAT 201. Math topics include: vector calculus; partial derivatives and matrices; line integrals; simple differential equations; surface and volume integrals; and Green’s, Stokes’s, and divergence theorems. Students enroll in both 191 and 192. One lecture, two preceptorials. P. Meyers, I. Daubechies, J. Rexford

EGR 194 An Introduction to Engineering   Spring

This project-based course offers an introduction to the various disciplines of engineering. Current projects include: energy conversion and the environment; robotic remote sensing; and wireless image and video transmission. Projects focus on engineering disciplines and their relationship to the principles of physics and mathematics. Three lectures, one three-hour laboratory. J. Rexford, J. Benziger, M. Littman

EGR 245 Fundamentals of Engineering Statistics (see ORF 245)

EGR 305 Mathematics in Engineering I (see MAE 305)

EGR 307 Optimization (see ORF 307)

EGR 309 Probability and Stochastic Systems (see ORF 309)

Preparation for Graduate Study

The curriculum of the School of Engineering and Applied Science provides a strong foundation for graduate study. Graduate courses are readily accessible to qualified undergraduates.

*One-time-only course