Who We Are

Engineers have an enormous impact on our world, from the products that we use to the quality of the environment in which we live. The Engineering Scholars Program presents students with a new lens through which to view engineering by embracing the community themes of green engineering, innovation, and social responsibility.

The Engineering Scholars Program is designed to support students with an interest in exploring the connections that engineering has to both innovation and technology development within the context of green engineering and social responsibility. Students will examine areas such as renewable energy, sustainable products and systems, and green manufacturing and building.

The Engineering Scholars Program provides exposure to the wide variety of engineering majors at Ohio State, emerging career opportunities, and innovative research through direct contact with both faculty and practicing engineers. Through a combination of academic and co-curricular components, the Engineering Scholars Program increases student awareness of green engineering principles while enhancing the overall educational experience, regardless of whether a student is pursuing an engineering major.

Engineering Scholars are provided a variety of benefits such as:

• Community meetings that feature guest presenters, activities, and site visits
• Trips and tours to engineering-related facilities, ranging from local to international
• Leadership opportunities and service projects
• Connection to a network of fellow students, faculty, and engineering professionals
• Access to the greater Honors & Scholars community
• An innovative classroom experience through special offerings of Engineering courses
• Exposure to cutting-edge technologies, research, and industry trends
• A supportive community that is both fun and rewarding!

What is Green Engineering

Simply stated, green engineering involves the development, commercialization, and use of products and processes that minimize risk to both humans and the environment while remaining economical, feasible, and sustainable. Principles of green engineering can be integrated into practice regardless of the engineering field a student may choose to pursue. From a chemical engineer developing environmentally friendly products, to an agricultural engineer researching bio-fuels, to a civil engineer implementing new waste management systems, green engineering involves every engineering discipline. Additionally, the understanding and awareness of careers and research in green engineering can open the doors to many new and exciting opportunities.

     

Benefits

As an Engineering Scholar, you will be provided with many opportunities to enhance your experience here at Ohio State in a variety of ways. The Engineering Scholars Program is all about connections. You will be surrounded by fellow Engineering Scholars students that share your interests and academic talents. The program provides you with opportunities to develop close connections with faculty, engineering professionals, the campus, and surrounding community. Being a part of the Engineering Scholars Program provides students with many benefits, including:

• A supportive living-learning environment that provides opportunities to form connections with fellow Engineering Scholars students
• Access to many fellow engineering students and opportunities for peer-based academic support
• Enhanced curriculum through first-year engineering courses that are geared towards the green engineering theme
• Increased interaction and connection with College of Engineering faculty and staff
• Exciting co-curricular programs that provide an enriched educational experience and opportunities to have fun with fellow Engineering Scholars students
• Career exploration through exposure to engineering professionals and hands-on activities
• Leadership opportunities through involvement with the Engineering Scholars Leadership Council
• Additional support and connections to peers through our peer mentorship program

Specialized Programming

As part of the Engineering Scholars experience, students interact with one another and participate in a variety of programs and activities designed specifically them. Recent examples include

• Community meetings featuring guest speakers from:
• Honda
• GE
• Proctor & Gamble
• Trips and tours to locations such as:
• Detroit Auto Show
• Kings Island
• Toronto, Canada
• COSI
• OSU Center for Automotive Research and Nanotechnology Laboratory
• New York City
• Great Lakes Science Center
• NASA Research Center
• Community Service opportunities with partners such as:
• Habitat for Humanity
• COSI
• FLOW
• Leadership opportunities such as:
• Engineering Scholars Leadership Council
• Peer mentorship program
• Social Events
• All-Scholars and Honors & Scholars events, programs, and organizations

FAQ

Q: What exactly is the Engineering Scholars Program?
A: The Engineering Scholars Program is a learning community that is open to high-achieving students from all academic disciplines who share a common interest in green engineering, innovation and social responsibility. The Engineering Scholars Program provides its members with the opportunity to explore their interest in these community themes through a variety of co-curricular activities, as well as interactions with faculty and engineering professionals. The goal of this program is to enhance the students’ educational experience while providing enjoyable opportunities outside of the classroom that support the students’ collective interest in the community themes.

Q: What do Engineering Scholars do?
A: Engineering Scholars get involved with engineering and campus life in a variety of ways. Social events, service projects, field trips, and speakers are just a few of the activities that will be a part of your Engineering Scholars experience. Scholars live together, take a number of first-year engineering courses together, and share their collective interest in the community themes through participation in a variety of co-curricular activities.

Q: Why should I apply to the Engineering Scholars Program?
A: Students decide to apply to the Engineering Scholars program for a variety of reasons – what unites us is the common interest in the community themes of green engineering, innovation, and social responsibility. You might be looking for ways to get involved, a more intimate community within a large campus, or an opportunity to participate in a program that is unique and exciting. Regardless of why you decide to apply, we would love to consider your application. If you need help deciding, please contact the Engineering Scholars Coordinator, Elizabeth Riter at riter.7@osu.edu.

Q: What are the advantages to participating in the Engineering Scholars Program?
A: Many students find that the supportive environment of a learning community plays a significant role in their success, both academically and socially. Research has shown that learning communities contribute to an increase in student achievement, motivation, and intellectual development. Students enjoy the opportunity to form friendships with fellow Engineering Scholars, become involved in the campus and surrounding area, and enjoy the academic support and camaraderie that develop through taking common classes and studying together.

Q: What classes do Engineering Scholars take together?
A: Engineering Scholars students will take ENG 181: Introduction to Engineering I and ENG 183: Introduction to Engineering II together, both of which will expand upon the standard curriculum of these two courses to focus on the “green engineering” theme of the Engineering Scholars Program.  Both of these classes provide students with the opportunity to participate in hands-on engineering coursework and work with other Engineering Scholars on fun and interesting design-build projects.

Q: What is expected of me as an Engineering Scholar?
A: You will be expected to obtain a cumulative point-hour ratio (CPHR) of 3.0 by the end of your first year and maintain that CPHR thereafter. Additionally, it is expected that you will attend bi-weekly meetings, participate in Engineering Scholars events, all-Scholars events and interact with other Scholars students in a positive manner.

Q: Will the Engineering Scholars Program take up a lot of my time?
A: As a college student, your academic coursework will occupy a good portion of your time. However, with proper study habits and time management, you should have sufficient time to devote to participating in Engineering Scholars events. We are respectful of your obligations as a student and will not place demands on our Scholars that interfere with your academic performance or involvement with other activities and organizations. Many Engineering Scholars have become involved with project teams, clubs, Greek organizations, and professional societies in addition to remaining active within Engineering Scholars and performing well academically.

Q: Do I have to live in the Lane Avenue Residence Hall?
A: All first-year Engineering Scholars will live together in the Lane Avenue Residence Hall (beginning autumn 2012), as it is a central component of the community-building experience. Exemptions are provided to students who are commuting to campus from home or have unique circumstances that preclude them from being able to live in the Lane Avenue Residence Hall.

Q: Do I have to be an engineering major to participate in Engineering Scholars?
A: The Engineering Scholars program is open to students from any major at Ohio State. Students who are majoring in business, chemistry, physics, mathematics, computer science, psychology and exploration have all participated in Engineering Scholars. More important than the student’s choice of major is their interest in the community themes, and most importantly the desire to participate fully in a living-learning community focused on engineering. Engineering Scholars will be required to take both Engineering 181 (Intro to Engineering I) and Engineering 183 (Intro to Engineering II) as part of their involvement with the program. Students intending to major in areas other than engineering should consider how these courses will fit with their intended program of study.