Our Distinctives

A Christ-centered, learning community

Modeling Christ’s attitude of service, we facilitate a learning environment where students are encouraged to care as much about their classmates’ success as their own. Learning is a “holy” activity that is liberating, challenging and fun and equips one for a life of service. We believe “God uses prepared people.”

Both excellent and average students will have opportunities for growth

The true test of an excellent program is not how many A+ students are sent on to top graduate schools. (Although, we have had our share of students who have gone on to MIT, Oregon Graduate Institute, Penn State, Stanford, University of Colorado, University of Pennsylvania, University of Washington, etc.) Rather, the true test of a program is if it can take an “average C to B student” and produce a very good engineer. Our vision is to equip all students by providing them with opportunities to contribute their strengths and receive attention in their areas of weakness. A+ students are made better engineers by teaching and by learning from students with different capabilities and strengths than their own.

Hands-on, team-oriented projects all four years

Starting with a team design project incorporating 3D printing in their freshman year and culminating with a yearlong capstone design project their senior year, all our students will be able to practice their passion to work with things and not just ideas. Team projects are emphasized, which will require students to learn how to communicate and to depend on the abilities of each person on the team if they wish to be successful. Obtaining a provisional patent on some aspect of their work is strongly encouraged.

Required internships with industry or a non-profit organization

An internship is an essential and required part of the learning experience at CBU. We assist students with finding internships through our industry relationships that will prepare them for a career in engineering. This official internship is usually undertaken in the summer following a student’s junior year, although other internship opportunities may arise sooner.

Mathematics is taught just in time, in context, with hands-on labs

Math is taught using engineering applications by people who understand the teaching of math in the context of engineering. Math concepts are taught just-in-time as part of the core engineering and physics classes and are reinforced by hands-on labs. CBU is one of fifteen schools nationally that were originally funded by NSF to further develop engineering mathematics.

Training in project management with an exposure to the business side of engineering

Industrial representatives continue to emphasize the value that new engineers with project management experience bring to their organizations. Students in their junior year will be working on design projects and working with business and leadership concepts to enhance these skills.

Emphasis on both “soft and hard” engineering skill sets

Along with the technical, “hard” skills needed to be an engineer, we also develop “soft” skills in the areas of communication (oral and written), collaboration with others and the ability to take initiative. During the first two years, we will place an emphasis on developing a heart and mind for engineering as service. This will serve as a foundation for small group discussions of leadership, emotional intelligence and global awareness topics during the third year. Students will be required to participate in and facilitate these groups and put into practice the things discussed on their various team projects. Students will have numerous opportunities to improve writing through the use of executive summaries, developing project specifications and project documentation.

All students will have a cross-cultural experience

This can be achieved several ways including participating in an International or Engineering Service Project (ISP or ESP), choosing a senior capstone project with cross-cultural emphasis, taking an approved intercultural studies course or completing an approved study abroad program.

College of Engineering Impact the Future

CBU’s new College of Engineering Building is a 100,000 square foot state-ofthe-art facility organized as a three story building and situated in the heart of the campus. The building is conceptualized as a distinctive synthesis of form and function: three blocks of classrooms, faculty and administrative space rendered in the campus vernacular and a voluminous engineering hall that provides multipurpose space for labs, projects, exhibits, presentations and student collaboration. The engineering hall interconnects interior and exterior space.

To the west, the entrance and exhibit plaza is connected by an expansive area of glass with hangar-style doors to move large projects in and out. This plaza area celebrates CBU’s engineering programs and invites views to the activities within. To the east, a large project yard opens up from the hall, providing exterior space and staging area for projects. Much of the roof is accessible to students, featuring a solar-thermal lab, a photovoltaic farm, a green roof/small agricultural space and other open space for experimentation and individual and group meetings.

Innovative Building Design as a Showcase for Technology and Innovation

CBU’s Engineering Building is designed as a showcase for innovative technologies. The building is a LEED GOLD certified building utilizing green technology, sustainable construction and collaboration spaces for students, businesses and faculty. In addition to improving the educational environment for university students, the building is an interactive studio for K-12 STEM education. CBU enjoys the benefit of class ending in early May leaving a period of time where K-12 students can come participate in projects, take courses and tour innovative technologies which further promote STEM education in the community.

95%

100,000ft2

9,000ft2

CBU ENGINEERING GRADUATES ARE WORKING IN THEIR FIELD OR ARE IN GRADUATE SCHOOL

(AS OF 2019)