Reno Phase 1 Student Center

ment, said there are two primary disadvantages: the cost and hassle of transferring.

“Students need to pay for at least five years of higher education since it is a 3+2 program, and students must transfer to another institution,” Blauch said.

Despite the disadvantages, the number of students in the applied mathematics/engineering program has been growing. Thus, the primary reason to begin a new program.

Blauch said, “Charleston Southern is now able to provide students an opportunity to receive a Bachelor of Science in engineering in four years without having to transfer to another institution. They will be able to receive the full benefits of a small Christian liberal arts education that CSU has to offer.”

In fall 2019 the new four-year program offered two concentrations: computer and electrical engineering. By fall 2021, students will choose from three with the addition of the mechanical engineering concentration. Mechanical engineering courses began this semester.

According to Blauch, the engineering degree prepares students for a variety of careers in many different industries such as automotive, aerospace, manufacturing and power distribution. The possibilities are vast.

“Engineers design, develop, test, install, inspect and maintain a wide variety of products and systems,” he said. “They propose new products and processes, supervise manufacturing and construction, conduct tests and perform failure analysis, provide consulting services and teach courses.”

Engineering- and technology-related companies in the Charleston area—such as Boeing, Bosch, Naval Information Warfare Systems Command, Mercedes-Benz and Volvo—have been growing at a rapid rate. The degree program will rely on these business relationships for support and service as well as provide the talented workforce needed as those companies continue to grow.

And growth is certainly the buzz word for this program.

“As the program develops, we plan to incorporate additional concentrations into the program,” Blauch said. Mechanical was the first addition for next fall, and manufacturing and biomedical are on the short list for consideration.

For additional information about the engineering program at CSU, visit charlestonsouthern.edu/engineering.

PHASE 1 OF STUDENT CENTER RENOVATION UNDERWAY

There’s plenty of buzz around the Student Center as Phase 1 has started to make more student-centered spaces available. The Tree of Life bookstore and post office are already operating in a renovated space. The Tree of Life plan makes textbooks part of students’ tuition.