Engineering Science Major | Luther College

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Learn from hands-on laboratory and project work. Gain extensive knowledge in physics, mathematics, and chemistry. Get the preparation you need for a wide variety of roles in engineering.

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Why Study Engineering?

If you enjoy creative problem solving, engineering science might be a good fit for you. As an engineer, your abilities and knowledge will be in high demand and your work can make a significant impact on the world.

Why Study Engineering Science at Luther?

Luther College provides you with the foundation you need to prepare for a variety of roles in engineering. Some of these areas include mechanical engineering, civil engineering, and electrical engineering. The major also provides an interdisciplinary set of skills that can serve you well in the technical work force.

Luther’s engineering science major—within the context of the liberal arts—provides you with an education beyond technical skills. It focuses on communication with others from different backgrounds, development of critical thinking, and a broader understanding of societal issues.

When you pursue a degree in engineering science at Luther College, you’ll become a so-called “T-shaped engineer.” A T-shaped engineer is someone who has vertical depth of knowledge in scientific, technical areas, and horizontal breadth in literature, the arts, philosophy, and more. At Luther, you’ll draw on this knowledge to generate innovative solutions.

Luther’s engineering science major provides:

Smaller class sizes
More academic support
A broad education with flexibility in the curriculum
The ability to participate in extracurricular and co-curricular activities

Luther graduates are desirable job candidates for a wide variety of engineering disciplines and have an excellent track record of entry into graduate programs. In fact, 100% of our graduates who sought admission to an engineering graduate program have been admitted and have pursued their engineering futures.

Rigorous Coursework

The engineering science major provides an excellent background in physics, mathematics, and chemistry. This knowledge is paired with foundational engineering courses like Statics, Mechanics of Materials, Fluid Mechanics, Thermodynamics, and Electronics.

As an engineering science major, you’ll engage in hands-on laboratory and project work that emphasizes computational modeling. These experiences include both experiment and project design, which are elements essential to the education of any future engineer.

Research Opportunities

Work side-by-side with experienced faculty. Put your knowledge into practice, stretch yourself, and solve cutting-edge real-world problems. These project-oriented opportunities hone your skill in working on complex problems in a collaborative environment. They’re an excellent training ground for those seeking a future in engineering.

Internship Experiences

Luther’s connected alumni network helps you find career opportunities and get professional work experience. The Rochester Semester Program provides a unique opportunity for you to do an engineering-related, semester-long internship in Rochester, Minnesota.

Luther’s educational framework and experiences provide a flexible foundation for your engineering future, whatever shape it takes.

What You’ll Learn

Luther’s engineering science major is based on a foundation of physics courses with related courses in math and chemistry. Among the elements essential to future engineers are:

Foundational courses in statics, mechanics of materials, fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, electronics, and more
Extensive coursework in physics, mathematics, and chemistry
Hands-on laboratory and project work emphasizing computational modeling as well as experiment and project design

The major provides a meaningful foundation for a broad range of careers in engineering. It will also provide you with an understanding of engineering vocabulary and best practices.

At Luther, you’ll learn the technical skills required to enter the engineering science field. You’ll also discover how to apply these skills to a particular field of study.

Excellent Preparation for Engineering Disciplines

Luther has a long tradition of preparing students for a future in the various disciplines of engineering. In fact, 100% of recent graduates who applied to engineering or physics graduate programs have been accepted to one or all of the schools to which they have applied.

An engineering science major sets a meaningful foundation if you want to continue your studies beyond a bachelor’s degree. It also provides an interdisciplinary set of skills for the technical work force.

Graduate Programs

Mechanical Engineering
Electrical and Computer
Aerospace Engineering
Acoustical Engineering
Civil and Environmental Engineering
Materials Science Engineering
Optical Systems Engineering

Recent Employers

Minnesota Department of Transportation
NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Short Elliott Hendrickson Inc.
Blue Origin
Apple
IBM

From the very beginning, [my professors] have inspired me to envision myself as a physicist, by exploring the frontiers of science and becoming actively engaged in this close-knit community.

Nicholas Behrens '21

PHYSICS MAJOR

Learn more about Nicholas

Luther prepared me for the interdisciplinary field that encompasses engineering. Working closely with the faculty fostered my skills of questioning, problem solving, and critical thinking.

Ben Davidson '20

PHYSICS MAJOR

The small class sizes and dedicated professors in the Luther Physics Department helped to expose me to–and prepare me for–the wide ranging and complex subjects we tackle every day in my materials engineering program.

Owen Johnson '22

PHYSICS MAJOR