What is Interdisciplinary Engineering?

Undergraduate degree emphasizes “breadth” rather than “depth” of engineering education.

Excellent for those with professional interests outside engineering (e.g. business, music, law, medicine, etc.)

Since 80% of today's engineering graduates do not stay inside engineering throughout their careers, this option is becoming increasingly popular. We now have approximately 70 students in this program

Challenges

The degree is not ABET accredited. ABET certifies engineering programs for content depth, not quality or merit. This can cause delays or difficulties in obtaining a Professional Engineering License or Patent Law Degree.

Obtain the B.S. (Engineering) degree.

There may be more difficulties in getting into interviews at Career Planning and Placement.

The program puts onus on the individual, for example, to seek the advice of several advisors, not one.

Advantages

Traditional engineering programs often resemble “cookie cutter” systems.

With the interdisciplinary degree, you are the “chef.” Your collection of ingredients and preparation are unique.

Few employers know or care if a particular program is accredited by ABET, but whether the student graduated from Michigan or from a lesser ranked school and whether or not the student's education, background, and interests fit their organization.

The interdisciplinary program offers choices that can uniquely qualify the student for a rewarding career outside traditional engineering practice.

Typical IDP Specialties

• Pre-Med
• Pre-Law
• Business/Marketing/Entrepreneurship
• ME/IOE, ChemE/EE,…
• Tech Comm*
• Industrial Design*
• Education
• Music/Performance Art Technology
  * Challenges exist because of evolving curricula in these areas

For more information on Interdisciplinary Programs, for both undergraduate and graduate students, please click here.