Department of Engineering & Physics

Mission

The mission of the Department of Engineering and Physics is to prepare Christian professionals to assume leadership roles in their fields that improve the quality of life for individuals and society and to contribute to an enhanced understanding of God’s creation. To accomplish this mission, the faculty of the Department of Engineering and Physics is committed to:

1. Attracting highly talented and motivated students to the engineering, physics, and construction science professions.
2. Training students in physical principles, scientific reasoning, and problem solving.
3. Developing relevant technical skills in students.
4. Developing communication and teamwork skills in students.
5. Raising awareness of professional and ethical responsibilities to society.
6. Instilling a desire and ability for lifelong learning in students.

Accreditation

Harding University’s biomedical engineering, computer engineering, electrical engineering, and mechanical engineering programs are accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, https://www.abet.org.

Program Educational Objectives

The educational objectives of the engineering programs are to produce graduates who:

1. apply technical knowledge and problem-solving skills to serve community, church, society, and profession.
2. apply fundamental concepts of engineering to pursue advanced studies or continue professional development throughout their careers.
3. demonstrate an ability to collaborate with others in team settings and exhibit love and respect for others in diverse environments.
4. demonstrate an ability to manage work processes among diverse groups of people in the workplace and influence others to perform high-quality engineering work.
5. describe how their chosen career paths integrate with core identities as disciples of Christ.

Student Outcomes

Furthermore, the student learning outcomes represent skills that our engineering graduates should have acquired upon graduation. The student learning outcomes for Harding University are specified by ABET in the Criteria for Accrediting Engineering Programs. At the time of graduation, our students should have acquired:

1. an ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics;
2. an ability to apply engineering design to produce solution that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors;
3. an ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences;
4. an ability to recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgments, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts;
5. an ability to function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives;
6. an ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions; and
7. an ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.

Leveling Work: 0-6 hours

Placement in initial math classes follows the Department of Mathematics  guidelines. Leveling work increases the number of hours for an engineering or construction science major and decreases the number of electives for a physics major.

Transfer of Engineering Coursework

A student requesting transfer credit for an engineering course from an ABET-accredited engineering program will usually receive credit if the course approximates the course offered at Harding.

A student requesting transfer credit for an engineering course from a non-ABET accredited institution may have this credit validated by special examination or on the basis of satisfactory work completed in residence of a course that has the course in question listed as a prerequisite.

Minimum of 30 Hours of College-Level Mathematics and Basic Sciences

Students graduating from any engineering program must pass a minimum of 30 credit hours of a combination of college-level mathematics and basic sciences. College-level mathematics requires a degree of mathematical sophistication at least equivalent to that of introductory calculus. Students transferring mathematics and basic science courses to Harding may be required to take additional math or basic science courses to meet this requirement.

Interdepartmental Programs

A minor in Human-Centered Design Minor  is offered in collaboration with the Department of Art, Architecture & Design .

Faculty

Chair: Zane Gastineau, Ph.D.

Professors:

Zane Gastineau, Ph.D.
Brad Miller, Ph.D.
Jonathan White, Ph.D., PE

Associate Professors:

Steven Barber, Ph.D.
Lance Gibson, Ph.D.
James Huff, Ph.D.
Michael Robinson, Ph.D., PE
Richard Wells, M.S.M.E., M.B.A.

Assistant Professors:

Alan Hewett, M.E., PE
Will Waldron, Ph.D.
Taylor Williams, Ph.D.

Instructors:

Joseph Parker, M.S., PE

Assisting from other Departments:

Timothy B. Baird, Ph.D.
Hailey Fields, M.S.
Gabriel Foust, Ph.D.
Frank McCown, Ph.D.
Scott S. Ragsdale, Ph.D.
Dana Steil, Ph.D.
     Dean of the College of Arts & Sciences

Programs

• Biomedical Engineering Major (BME), BS
• Civil Engineering Major (CE), BS
• Computer Engineering Major (CMPE), BS
• Construction Science Major (COSI), BS
• Electrical Engineering Major (EE), BS
• Mechanical Engineering Major (ME), BS
• Physics Major (PHY), BS

• Human-Centered Design Minor
• Mechanical Engineering Minor
• Physics Minor