EngineeringQuarterly
VOL.V...No.3
WELCOME!
TheEngineeringQuarterlyispublishedfour timeseachyearbythe HammSchoolofEngineeringattheUniversityofMary.In eachissue,wetryto includearticlesfromeachoftheengineering majorsthatweofferoncampus:Electrical Engineering,MechanicalEngineering,Civil Engineering,ConstructionEngineering,EnvironmentalEngineering,ComputerScience, andConstructionManagement.Theintended audienceoftheEngineeringQuarterlyisengineers,engineeringstudents,engineering alumni,futureengineeringstudents,andpeopleworkinginfieldsrelatedtoengineering suchasscience,computing,andmathematics.
InthisissueofEQweshowcaseourgraduatingclassof2023,ourengineeringaward winners,scholarshiprecipients,someofthe projectsandactivitiesourstudentsandfaculty havebeenworkingonthissemester,andeven achatsessionIhadwithChatGPT!Enjoy!
Dr.TerryPillingDR.ERIC GARCIA,P.E.
ProfessorEricGarcia,whoisaCivilengineer andthechairofourConstructionManagementandConstructionEngineeringprograms hereintheHammSchoolofEngineeringbecameaProfessionalEngineer,licensedinthe stateofNorthDakotathissemester.Thisentailedseveralstepsincludingpassingtheprofessionallicensureexam.
OUTSTANDING SENIOR NOMINEES
TheHammSchoolofEngineeringhadthree nomineesfortheUniversityofMary’sOutstandingSeniorAward.ThisyearournomineeswereMaraDalton,DavidRuiz,andJohn Nauertz.
Maraisanexcellentstudent bothacademicallyandasa person.Sheis alwaysactivein theclassroom, askinggood questions,answeringtough questions,and leadinggroups duringproject worktime. Outsideoftheclassroom,youcanusually findMaraworkingwithherfellowclassmates onhomeworkandprojects,andsheisvery oftenleadingthediscussionandfurtherhelpingherclassmatesunderstandthematerialat hand.Herrapportwithherfellowstudents isexcellent,asevidencedbyparticipatingin andwinningthe2021HookVarietyShow, andalsobeingelectedtotheHomecoming CourtinFall2022.Shehasanoutstanding commandofherengineeringcoursesandthe skillsetthatcomesalongwithit,asevidenced byreceivingthe2022OutstandingCivilEngineeringStudentAward(asnominatedbythe facultyoftheHammSchoolofEngineering). Allofthis,combinedwiththeuniqueformationthatUMaryprovides,meansthatshewill bealeaderintheengineeringindustrywhen shegraduates.
Ministry,Marahasbeeninvolvedinmany otherextracurricularactivities,mostofwhich havedirecttiestovolunteeringorservice,or bringingjoyorfaithtoothers.First,shehas activelybeeninvolvedinFOCUSbiblestudiesandwomen’sgroups.Shehasattended theMarchforLife,SEEKconferences,and Koinoniaretreats.Shehasalsoparticipatedin DayofServiceeachyearandwasasiteleader forthe2022DayofService.
Davidisan engaging studentwho hasdemonstratedambition,pursuingaminorinmath ontopofan alreadyfull courseload ofaMajorin Mechanical Engineering.Hehasalwaysbeenoneofthe mostactiveintheclassroom,askinggood questions,inafashionthatwelcomesdiscussionwiththeinstructorandfellowclassmates. Hetechnicalandacademiccapabilitiesare evidentwithhisrecentpassingoftheFundamentalsofEngineering(FE)Examaswellas makingtheDean’slistonseveraloccasions. Outsideoftheclassroom,Davidisusually workingwithfellowclassmatesworkingon homeworkorprojects,aswellasproviding guidancetounderclassmenoncourseshehas alreadytaken.
ProfessionaldevelopmentisanimportantaspectofteachingattheUniversityofMaryand weareveryproudofEric’sachievement.Additionally,oneoftherequirementsforABET accreditationisinstructionofourstudentsby licensedprofessionalengineers.
Asaperson,Maraisofahighmoralcaliber.Shehasexemplifiedwhatitmeansto beastudentatUMary.Academically,she isoutstanding,butsheisalsodeeplytiedto theCatholic,Christian,andBenedictinevaluesoftheuniversity.Tostart,shehasbeena memberoftheUniversityMinistryforthree years.Asidefromattendingregularmeetingsandgeneralmembershipresponsibilities, shehasgoneaboveandbeyondinserviceto UMaryandthestudentsofUMary.Tobegin,Marawaspartofateamthathastaken careoftheMarianGrotto.Shehasrunthe soundsystemformassesandvespers,hasassistedinliturgiesbybeingalectororsacristan,andhassangforExultateandMonday MorningMission.Inaddition,shehasvolunteeredtohelprunthefreshmanretreateach fall.Lastly,sheorganizedandranaWomen’s NightEventinSpring2022.ShehasalsorepresentedUniversityMinistryatseveralactivityfairsandbooths,includingmultipleSOAR events.Overall,Marahasbeenincrediblyactiveinservicetotheuniversityanditsstudents throughUniversityMinistry.
InadditiontoherservicewithUniversity
Davidhasalsobeenveryactivewithinthe UMarycommunityinvariouscapacities.In athletics,herepresentedtheUniversityasa HockeyStudentAthlete,becomingaACHA D2NationalChampionandAcademicAllAmericanin2021.Recreationallyhealso participatesinUMaryUltimateFrisbee.In addition,hewastheUniversityofMaryMascotfortwoyears.Throughmusic,hehasbeen involvedwithSteelBand,ConcertBand,Pep Band,andJazzBand.Davidhasalsogone aboveandbeyondregardinghisserviceto theUMarycommunity,beingvotedbyhis fellowPeerLeadersastheOutstandingPeer Leader,forexcellinginhispositionduring WelcomeWeek.DuringhistimeatUMaryhe hasvolunteeredover140hourstoengageand welcomestudentstocampuswithenthusiasmandexcitement.Furthermore,hehasalso beenaSiteLeaderonUMary’sDayofService attheStBernardMissionSchool.Through hisinvolvementacrosstheuniversity,hisrapportwithmembersoftheUMarycommunity isexcellent,asevidencedbybeingelected totheHomecomingCourtintheFall2022. HehasbeenarolemodelforUniversity’s MissionandBenedictineValues.Davidhas representedtheUniversityofMaryHamm SchoolofEngineeringbeyondtheuniversity campusthroughhisengineeringinternship experiencesatAtlasFoundationCompany,
NutekNaturalFoods,andmostrecentlythe FederalBureauofInvestigation.
Johnisanenthusiasticstudent.He isveryactivein class;answering toughquestions, askinggoodquestions,andleadinggroupsduring projectworktime; whilekeeping themoodlightheartedwithseveralfunorsarcasticjokespeppered throughoutdiscussion.Outsideoftheclassroom,youcanusuallyfindJohnworkingwithhisfellowclassmatesonhomeworkandprojects,andheis veryoftenleadingthediscussionandfurther helpinghisclassmatesunderstandthematerialathand,whilealsokeepingtheirspirits upwithgoodhumor.
JohnhasbeenveryactivewithUMaryintramurals,participatinginflagfootball,coedbasketball,co-edvolleyball,frisbee,and spikeball.Thisparticipationultimatelyleadto himtoworkforUMaryasRecandWellness Staffatthefieldhouse,wherehehelpedtoorganizeandrunintramuralsprogramsduring hisJuniorandSenioryears.Inadditiontohis tiestointramuralsports,Johnhasalsobeen involvedwithseveralothercampusgroups includingConcertChoirfortwosemesters, Men’sBiblestudysince2019,andamember ofSt.Joseph’sMen’sHallduringthe20202021academicyear.
JohnhasservedtheUniversityinseveral othercapacities.Asafreshmanandsophomore,JohnwasatourguideforUMaryand assistedinwelcomeweekactivities.Hehas participatedinDayofServiceeachofthe yearshehasbeenenrolled.Johnalsoserved astheStudentGovernmentAmbassadorfor theSchoolofEngineeringfromSpring2021Spring2022.Hisresponsibilitiesinthisrole focusedonstudentinteractionandhelpingto maketheengineeringstudent’sexperiences betterbymeetingwithfellowstudentswho hadissueswiththeEngineeringSchooland relayingthoseissuestoStudentGovernment fordiscussion.Finally,Johnisamemberof theKnightsofColumbuschapteratUMary.
InSpring2021,hewaselectedastheGrand KnightfortheKnightsofColumbusUMary CollegeCouncil.Duringthatperiod,heled theKnightsmembershipto500%ofthegoal. Hehelpedtoorganize,host,andrunseveral eventsforUMarystudents.
andheracademicwork isbeautifullydone. Additionally,sheis aleaderamongher peers,cheerfuland generousinhelping otherstounderstand courseconcepts.We arepleasedthatJenna ispartofourprogram.
Congratulations,Jenna!
Thisyear’srecipientoftheOutstandingStudentinMechanicalEngineeringAwardis ColeKitzenbergfromBillings,Montana. Coleisanoutstandingstudentwhopursues ambitiousandcreative designprojects.Cole isateamplayer,has gotagreatdisposition andactivelyseeksout opportunitiestoputhis talentsattheserviceof others.Thiswasespeciallyevidentinhis participationintheservicetriptoPeruintheSpringof2022,where hebuiltachickencoopandadaptivedevices andrepairedagreenhouseandclinicalequipment.Congratulations,Cole!
TherecipientoftheOutstandingStudent inCivilEngineeringAwardisPaigeLang fromBismarck,NorthDakota.Inaddition toherexcellencein hercoursework,her supervisorsatherinternshipshavegiven hernothingbutglowingevaluations.Paige hasbeenworkingas aninternforAPEX EngineeringGroupfor thepasttwoyearsand planstojointhemfull-timewhenshegraduates.Congratulations,Paige!
TherecipientoftheOutstandingStudent inElectricalEngineeringAwardisMargaret KuharfromPhiladelphia,Pennsylvania. Maggiehasnotonly excelledacademically, butshehasalsobeen generouswithherfellowstudentsinher workasapeertutor. Maggiehasaccepted apositionwithLockheedMartinthatshewillbeginaftergraduatingthisspring.Congratulations,Maggie!
SCHOLARSHIPS
ThewinnersoftheNorthDakotaSocietyof EngineersScholarshipsthisyearwereMechanicalEngineeringstudentArielArriaga andCivilEngineeringstudentClarePankratz.
OUTSTANDING STUDENT AWARDS
TherecipientoftheOutstandingStudent inComputerScienceisJennaSmithfrom Bismarck,NorthDakota.Jennaisonlyinher sophomoreyear,butshehasalreadyshown thatsheisoneofthefineststudentswehave hadinourprogram.Shedemonstratesadesire fordeeperunderstandingofcourseconcepts,
TherecipientoftheOutstandingStudent inConstructionEngineeringandConstructionManagementAwardisBenjaminGriep fromDelano,Minnesota.BenGriepwill bethefirststudentgraduatingtheUniversityofMarywithour newConstructionEngineeringdegree.In additiontohisexcellentperformancein theclassroom,Ben hasbeenpartofthe KnightsofColumbus andforthepastyear hehasworkedatTitan Machinery.Congratulations,Ben!
ThewinneroftheDean’sScholarshipwas freshmanComputerSciencestudentTobias Callan.
FromBuffalo,MN, Nathandecidedto cometoUMarybecauseoftheimportanceoffaith,small classsizesandamore family-likefeeling amongthestudent body.“WhenIwas inhighschool,IwasgoodatmathandsciencesoeveryonewouldtellmethatIwould makeagoodengineer.Ichoosemechanical engineeringbecauseIwasalwaysinterested invehicles,ATVs,oranythingwithmovingparts.Ididaco-opwithBobcatduring thespringandsummerof2022.Ionlydid oneinternshipandthatwasbeingpartofthe strategyteamatBobcatwhichdealtwithbig pictureprojectslikefutureplanning.
IlikeNorthDakotaalot.TheonlydownsideIfeelisthewindandIlikethattheprofessorsareallsocialoutsideofclasstimesaying ‘hi’inthehallwaysorwilltakesometimeto talktoyouifyourunintothemintown.Probablymyfavoritememorythoughwaswhen Iwasajunior,Iplayedinthestudentstaff basketballgameagainstProfessorGarcia,and itwassuperfuntocompeteagainstsomeone thatIwascurrentlytakingsystemdynamics with.
IplantostickaroundBismarckforayear andworkordoanotherinternship.Idonot haveanyjobslinedupbutwillbelookingover springbreakforjobopportunities.”
FromnortheastPhiladelphiaMaggieheard aboutUMaryfrom itsradioadsanddecidedtoapply.“IreceivedtheSr.Thomas WelderScholarship whichmadeUMary mymostaffordable optionforcollege.IchoseElectricalEngineeringafterIdidroboticsduringhighschool anddiscoveredapassionforit.
LastsummerIworkedforRelayand PowerSystemslocatedinConshohocken, Pennsylvania.Iwasabletocontributetoa projectwhichdirectlyimpactstheNewYork Citypowergrid,whichwasaneatexperience. Althoughnotinternships,Ialsoparticipated inSURVEasaresearchassistantfortwoyears andworkedasapeertutorfor4semesters.
WintersareroughbutBismarckhasavery strongsenseofcommunityandpeopleare veryfriendly.Allofmyprofessorswere amazing.Inparticular,Dr.NancyKellywas afantasticadvisorandapleasuretohaveasa professor.IhaveacceptedapositionasaSystemsEngineerwithLockheedMartinandwill bemovingbacktotheeastcoastaftergraduation.”
FromBillingsMontana,Levicametothe UniversityofMarybecausehewantedto beonthewrestling teamandexperience thegreatculturethe schoolhas.“Ioriginallywasgoingto gointoelectricalengineeringbasedofftheelectricalclassesI tookinhighschoolandfoundoutveryfast thatwasnottherouteforme.Ithenfoundthe constructionmanagementpathintheIntroto EngineeringcoursewhichIfoundtolikealot more.IchooseconstructionmanagementbecausethejoyIhadworkingconstructionand knowingthatIdidnotwanttobreakmyback whilecontinuingtostayintheconstruction field.
ThesummercomingintocollegeIworked forBellConcreteConstructionoutofBillings MontanaandtherestofthesummerIspent workingforDickAndersonConstruction.I spent2yearsasalaborerforDickAnderson ConstructionandIspentthislastsummeras aninternworkingonseveraldifferentprojects suchasahotel,carwash,andCocaColabottlingfacility.
Bismarckisagreatareatoliveinmy opinion.Thereisplentyofopportunitiesto huntandfisharoundtheBismarckareawhen Iwasnotbusywithschool.Alsothecommunityhereisgreatandverysupportingof theschool.Theengineeringprofessorswere veryeasytoworkwithespeciallyasyougot toknowthem.Theyarewillingtogooutof therewaytomakesureeveryoneunderstands whatisbeingtaught.IfoundthatEricGarcia andRichardGarmanweretheteachersIwas abletolearnthemostfromandthat’snotbe-
causeIhadmostofmyclasseswiththem.It wastheirteachingstyleinwhichhelpedme learnthemost.
IrecentlytookajobwithKiewitBuildingGroupasaFieldEngineerandIwillbe workinginOmahaNebraska,Denver,Colorado,Seattle,Washington,WashingtonD.C., orHonolulu,Hawaii,andmovingeveryyear toadifferentlocationlistedabove.”
moves,soIthoughtIcoulddipmyfeetin alotofplaces.
Ididaninternshipeverysummer.I workedforadeepfoundationcontractormy firstsummer,asaltproductionplantmysecond,andtheFBIintheOperationsandTechnologyDivisionformyjuniorsummer.The latestwasdefinitelymyfavorite,Isawalot ofcooltechnologyapplicationsandlearned aboutafewsecretprojects.
Ithinkthepeopleherearegreat,butit’s flat.So,soflat.Igoskiingwithmyfriends whenIcanandthere’snotmuchgoodterrainforatleastasixhourdrive.Myfamily isalsobackinMinnesotasoI’dliketobea littleclosertothem,butIwouldbehappyin Bismarckforafewyears.
CaseyMack
FromMandan,ND, CaseychoseUMary becauseithasalongstandinglegacyin hisfamilyandit helpedhimgetcloser tomyfaith.“Both ofmyparentsand mysistergraduated fromUMary,andmy brotherattendedandplayedbaseballfor UMary.IchoseConstructionManagement becauseIhavealwaysenjoyedbuildingthings andbeingapartofprojectsandseeinghow theyarebuiltandtoseethefinalprojectis prettycool.
Ispentthesummerbeforemysenior yeardoinganinternshipforCorvalGroup asaProjectManagerInternfocusingonpreconstructionlogisticsandestimating.Ialso didaparttimeinternshipinthespringofmy SenioryearwithMcGoughConstructionasa ProjectManagerInternfocusingonConstructionPhaseManagement.
IhavealwayslovedlivinginNorthDakota andplantocontinuelivinghereforawhile.I likedallmyprofessorsatUMary.Theywere allverykindandtrulycaredaboutthestudentslearningthematerialandnotjustgivingthemagrade.Myplansforthefuture aren’tsetinstonebutIhopetogetapositioninConstructionManagementaroundthe Mandanarea.”
FromHarvey,ND, DerekchoseUMary becauseitwascloseto home.“MyFreshman Yearroommatewasin engineering,andhis HW/classesweremore interestingthanmine, soImadetheswitch. IstartedinMechanicalEngineeringmyfirst semesterandendedupSwitchingtoElectricalEngineering.I’veworkedatBobcatfor thelast2.5years.I’veworkedonavarietyof teams:it’shardtopickafavorite.Livingin Bismarckisokay,comingfromasmalltown it’snicetoalwaysrecognize/knowsomeone whenyougoout.Myprofessorsweregreat, alwayspushedmetosucceed.Aftergraduation,Ihaveacceptedafull-timepositionat DoosanBobcat.”
Theengineeringprofessorsareallfantastic.Ondayswhenmyclassmatesarehungry,I willbringthempocketcheesies(cheeseburgers)andsometimesofferonetotheprofessor teachingtheclassifIhaveextras.Italways givesthemakickandnoonebutDayakarhas tasteditsglory.IhopetoseethischangebeforeIgraduate.
MyfutureopportunitiesinMinnesotaare ideal,sinceIcanusetheTSclearancefrom theFBIandgetanimmediatepayraisefor havingitforagovernmentcontractor.”
FromPetoskey,Michigan,Gabrieldecided tocometotheUniversityofMarybecause itisaCatholicuniversitythatoffersa4-year engineeringdegree.“I decidedtostudyengineeringbecauseIhave alwaysbeenveryinterestedinbuildingthings,especiallydifferent typesofstructures.Structuralengineeringhas beenmyinterestsinceIbeganmystudiesat theUniversityofMaryandIhavenotaltered mycoursesincethen.I’llbegraduatingwith adegreeinCivilEngineeringandIhavetaken somestructuralelectivesduringmytimehere whichhavealreadyprovenveryusefulinmy engineeringendeavors.
IdidaninternshipatOHMAdvisorsin MichiganlastsummerwhereIdidalotof constructioninspectionandsupervision,and Ilearnedalotfromthat.BismarckandNorth Dakotaingeneralisaveryuniqueplace.I wasn’tsurewhatIthoughtwhenIfirstcame here,butIhavegrowntoloveit,andithas becomehome.
MywifeandIhavedecidedtoremainin Bismarckforthetimebeing.Ihavebeen workinginthestructuralengineeringdivision atAdvancedEngineeringandEnvironmental Services(AE2S)part-timeforawhilenow andIwillbeginworkingfull-timeassoonas Igraduate.”
FromLoretto,Minnesota,Daviddecided tocometoUMarybecauseitisasmallliberalartscollegewith a4-yearengineering program.“Myfather convincedmetotry itandIrealizedit’s howmybrainworksprettyquickly.Ichose mechanicalbecauseitseemedtobetheinbetweenofelectricalandeverythingthat
DavidRuiz
FromBismarck,Jonas choseUMarybecause itallowedhimtocontinuehiscollegecareer inengineeringwhile stayinginhishome town.“Ichoseengineeringbecauseasa kidIalwayslikedto designdifferentthingsandasIgrewupI foundmyselfalwaystryingtocomeupwith
solutionstoproblemsintheworld.Ichose civilengineeringbecauseitinvolvesinfrastructurewhichisalwaysgoingtohaveahigh need.
IinternedatHoustonEngineeringinBismarckforthreesummerswhereIdidsurveying,AutoCad,andconstructionobservations. Thesetaughtmelotsofvaluableinformation thatsetmeuptoactuallybeinghiredbyHoustonfollowingmy3rdsummerwiththem.It wasverybeneficialformycareertogetinthe doorearlywiththisinternship.”
IloveBismarck,ND.Iwasbornand raisedhere.Assomeonewholoveshunting andfishing,NorthDakotaoffersmanyopportunitiestoexperiencesomeamazingoutdoors adventures.Ialsolovedmyprofessorshere atUMary.Rightawayitwasroughadjustingtothecertainscheduleanddifferentteachingstyles,butIbuiltgreatrelationshipswith myteachersandtheywerealwaysavailableto helpwithanythingIneeded.Ihavemanyfond memoriesofmyprofessorshereandwillrememberthemforyearstocome.Myplanfor thefutureistostayinBismarckforawhile asIhaveagreatjoblinedupwithHouston Engineering.”
FromForestLake, MN,Marcusdecided tofollowsuitandattendtheUniversityof Maryafterbothofhis siblingssaidthatthey hadapositiveexperience.“Istartedatthe UniversityofMaryin accounting,anditwasWaldenmaierthatconvincedmethatIwouldlikeengineering.I tookafewclassesandfoundittobeinteresting,soIlookedintobothCivilandMechanicalandfoundthatCivilwouldfitmyneeds alittlebetter,especiallythefactthatthereare waymorejobopportunities.
IworkedasaninternforAE2Sherein Bismarckforthesummeraftermyjunioryear. Ilearnedalotaboutthecivilengineering workforceandgainedvaluableexperience thathelpedmebetterdefinemydesiredcareer path.IhavecometoreallyenjoyBismarck/MandanandNorthDakotaingeneral.Ireally appreciateallthatithastooffer.Ienjoyed gettingtoknoweachoftheprofessors.They havebecomegreatresourcestotalkto,and notstrictlyaboutengineeringrelatedtopics.I willhowevernotmisssufferingthroughanymoreEricexams.
IwillbestayinginBismarckforthenext fewyears,andhaveajoblinedupwithKJL thatwillstartalmostimmediatelyaftergraduation.”
FromLittleton,Colorado,Maradecidedto cometoUMarybecauseheroldersisterwasattendingand loveditandalsobecauseitisasmall,affordable,andCatholic university.“Iwasnot originallyplanningtostudyengineering,but duringagapyearafterhighschoolwhere Iwasteachingsciencetomiddleschoolers,I realizedmyaffinityformathandscience.One day,Irandomlywasdoingaphysicsproblem
onthewhiteboardandoneofmycoworkerssuggestedthatItryengineering,soIdid! IendedupinCivilEngineeringbecauseI wasfascinatedbystructuresandstability,and aftermyinternshipinlanddevelopmentrealizedthatIreallylikedcivilwork.Iinterned fortwosummersatCOREConsultants,Inc. inEnglewood,CO.Ireallyenjoyedmytime therebecauseitisagreatcompanywithgreat people.Theyalsoreallywantedmetogeta lotoutoftheinternshipandlearnsoIwas abletodabbleinalotofdifferentthings.
MyviewofBismarckandNorthDakota haschangedalot!IhateditfreshmanyearbecauseitwasquitethechangefromColorado, butIhavelearnedtolovethesimpleandslow paceoflifeinasmallertownandthepeople herearesonice!Ireallylikehowsmallthe programisandthatyougettoknowyourprofessors.Ialsolikedhavingadjunctprofessors forsomevarietyandtolearnfromtheirareas ofexpertise.
Ihadoriginallyplannedtomovebackto Denverandworkfortheengineeringfirmthat Iinternedat.However,Ihavedecidedtostick aroundBismarckforatleastayearandhave acceptedajobwithMooreEngineering.SoI willbearoundforawhile,andthenwillhopefullybebackinDenverlong-termafterthat.”
andinterviewingformultipledifferentdesign engineeringandprocessengineeringpositions inIdaho,Washington,andOregon.Mygoal istoworkasadesignorprocessengineerfor acoupleyears,getmyPELicense,theneventuallymaybestartmyowncompany.”
FromMapleLakeMN, Jacksondecidedto cometotheUniversityofMarybecause ofthelargeCatholic community.“Ichoose MechanicalEngineeringbecauseIhavea passionforCADand thedesignprocess.WhiletakingclassesI hadthegreatopportunitytoworkatBobcat intheirDesignEngineerCo-opposition.My favoriteyearatcollegewasfreshmanyear becauseofthecommunitythatIfoundand thepersonalgrowththatIwasabletoachieve. BismarckNDhassuchalargecommunity ofsimilar-mindedpeoplethatIfeltathome. Lookingforward,Ihaverecentlyaccepteda positionatBobcatasaDesignEngineerspecializinginTractorAttachments!Overall,the HammSchoolofEngineeringandtheUniversityofMaryhavegivenmegreatexperiences and,forthemostpart,fondmemories.”
FromSpooner,Wisconsin,Johndecided tocometoUMarybecausehisCatholicfaith isimportanttohim.
BenPihl
Fromasmallfarmin Hermiston,Oregon, Bendecidedtocome toUMarybecausehis sisterwasherefor nursing,andhehad touredthedepartment. “Iultimatelylikedthe smallclasssizesand newprogram.IchoseengineeringbecauseI alwayslovetobuildthingsandbeapartof creatingnewthings.WhenIwasyoungmy dadwasacontractorandIwantedtobeone too.AsIgotolder,Igotintometalworking andwelding.Thisgavemeadesiretointo MechanicalEngineering.
Ididtwointernshipsduringmytimeat UMary.ForonesummerIworkedwiththe NDDOTmaterialsandresearchlabasanEngineeringIntern.Althoughthiswasmoreofa Civilinternship,IwasabletogainanappreciationforwhatCivilengineersdoandlearn whatprinciplesintersectthedifferentdisciplines.Mysecondandcurrentinternshipis withBobcatasanEngineeringPrototypeIntern.Thishasbeenmyfavoriteinternship.I havebeenabletolearnalotandworkwith Mechanicalengineersandlearnwhatthejob reallyentails.
IamverygladtohaveexperiencedBismarck,NorthDakotaandembeddedmidwesternculture.Bismarck,althoughbeingthe statecapital,hasasmalltownfeelwithsmall townpeople.Thepeopleareveryniceand downtoearth,andIhavemadealotofamazingfriends.Allmyprofessorshavehadadeep desiretoseetheirstudentssucceed.Allmy professorshavebeenapproachableandunderstanding,aswellasknowwhattheyaretalkingabout.Iplanongettingajobcloserto home(thePacificNW)bothbecauseoffamily andbecauseofmylovefortheoutdoorsand mountains.Iammarriedandhaveanewborn daughtersowewillbegoingclosertomy wife’sfamilyaswell.Iamcurrentlyapplying
“Myolderbrother cameherebeforeme, andwehaveanold familyfriendwhowas anursingstudentbackintheday.Ialways enjoyedmath,science,andlogicalreasoning andtookanenvironmentalscienceclassin highschoolwhichIhighlyenjoyedthatled metobeinginterestedincivilengineering.I enjoyedmyclassesandstuckwithit.
Ididtwointernshipsduringmycollege summersthatwerebothlocatedinBismarck. ThefirstwasforHoustonEngineeringasa surveyingintern.ThesecondwaswithApex Engineeringasatransportationintern.Iparticularlyenjoyedthetransportationinternship becauseIgotexposedtosoftwareusedinthe industryandlearnedalotabouttheconstructionfield.
IreallyenjoythepeopleofBismarckand NorthDakotaaswellasthesummerandfall weather.Thewintercanbeabitroughwith thefrigidwind,butit’sarelativelysmallprice topayforgreatpeopleandgreatviews.Ireallyenjoyedthevastmajorityofprofessors whotaughtme.Theygenuinelytriedtomake theclassaspersonalaspossibleandIwas comfortabletalkingwitheveryoneofthem, whichissomethingthatcannotbesaidfor otherlargerschools.Intermsofafunnystory, therewasonetimeIwenttoBuffaloWild WingsandI didn’t seeProfessorWaldenmaier there.Lol.
Ihaveacceptedajobworkingforthe NorthDakotaDepartmentofTransportation (NDDOT)asatransportationengineer.I’m reallylookingforwardtogettingintothework forcefull-timeafterspendingthelast16years ofmylifeineducation.IhopetoonedayobtainmyPEfortransportationandeventually
settledownsomewhereinWisconsinwhereI amoriginallyfrom.”
FromBismarck,ND. PaigecametoUMary tobeclosetohome.“I choseengineeringbecauseI’vealwaysenjoyedmathandproblemsolving.Ichose Civilengineeringbecauseinhighschool wetouredthewater treatmentplant,andIthoughtthethingsthat theydidtherewereinterestingandIwantedto learnmore.IinternedatAPEXengineering hereinBismarckintheirWaterResourcesdepartmentfortwosummers.IenjoyBismarck. Ilovethesummerdaysontheriverandthe crispmorningairinthefall.Ithoughtthe professorsweregreat.Iplantoworkfulltime atAPEXintheirWaterResourcesdepartment aftergraduation.”
FromBismarck,North Dakota,Benheard goodthingsabout UMaryandsodecided toattendhere.“SeveralpeopleIkneweitherattendedtheUniversityofMaryorhad familythatdid.Ihave alwaysenjoyedmath andsciencecourses,soIfiguredIwould enjoyengineeringaswell.Seeingasengineeringisalsoahigh-demandfield,Ifigured itwouldbeagoodcareerchoice.
IdidoneinternshipwiththeNorthDakota DepartmentofTransportation.Thiswasduringthesummerbetweenbyjuniorandsenior years.Whileitdidn’tnecessarilyrelatemuch tothecourseworkthatIwasinvolvedinatthe time,Igottoseesomeofwhatcivilengineeringhastooffer.Igreatlyenjoyedmytime there.IlikeBismarckandNorthDakotawell enough,seeingasBismarckismyhometown, thoughIwouldn’tmindmovingsomewhere withmoretreesandlessflatterraininthefuture.
Ilikealloftheprofessorshere.Iattended SouthDakotaStateforoneyearbeforeattendinghere,andIliketheprofessorsatUMary substantiallymore.Itfeelsliketheprofessorsgenuinelycareaboutoursuccessandtry tohelpusasbesttheycan.Iamapplying forjobsatthemomentandwillprobablyjust workforafewyearsaftergraduating.Iam consideringgoingtogradschoolsometime lateronaswell.”
OriginallyfromBillings, MT,Colecameto
UMarybecauseof thefaithbasedcommunityandbecause theengineeringprogramwassmalland young.“Itookseveraldrafting/engineeringclassesinhighschoolandlovedit.Iliked thedesignworkalotandfoundthatmechanicalengineeringwastherightfieldforme.I didoneinternship.IwasamechanicalengineeringinternforTRANE.Iprimarilyworked onselectingHVACunitsforcustomers.Bismarckisfairlysimilartomyhometown,but
withalotmorewindandsnow.Ihadgrown upvisitingNorthDakota,butthewinterswere stillashock.
Ireallyenjoyedworkingwithmyprofessorsthroughoutthefouryearshere.AJGarcia wasalwaysfuntoworkwith.Hejokedaround withusandwasalwaysveryrelatable.Iwill beworkingforHDRasaTransmissionEngineerbackinBillings,MTstartinginMay.”
baseball,IwasneverabletopursueainternshipinmytimeatUMary,however,Ithink Bismarckisagreatplace.Ithaseverything youneedbutdoesnothaveabigcityfeel. ThisisthebiggestcitythatIhavelivedin, andIreallyenjoyit.Thecommunityisnice andthereisoftensomethinggoingonfor socialevents.
AlloftheprofessorsintheUniversityof Maryengineeringaregenuinepeople.The facultycareaboutthesuccessofthestudents. Duetothesmallclasssize,Ifeelapersonal connectiontomanyoftheprofessors.They arealwaysopentoquestionsandalwayswillingtohelpthestudents.
JohnSammons
FromBismarck,ND, JohnchoseUMarydue toitsaffordabilityand overallcampusatmosphere.“Ichoseengineeringbecauseit challengesonetothink critically,offersapplicableknowledgeabout therealworld,andprovidesabundantcareer opportunities.Ioriginallychoseandendedup stayinginMechanicalEngineeringasIfind thedesignandprototypingphaseofproduct developmenttobeveryinteresting.Iworked inCivilEngineeringatFinleyEngineeringfor all4yearsofcollegeandalsoManufacturing atDoosanBobcatfor9months.Iappreciated theopportunitytoexperiencetwoverydifferenttypesofEngineeringandseeingthepros andconsofeach.
IlikeBismarck,butitiswindyhere366 daysperyear(367daysforleapyears).The professorsareknowledgeable,approachable, andenthusiasticabouttheirclasses.Iappreciatetheirdedicationtoprovidestudentswith agoodeducation.Fortheforeseeablefuture, followinggraduation,IplantoworkatFinley Engineering.”
FromBismarck,ND, Aidanelectedtoundertakeamajorinengineeringfortheextremelyappealingregionalemployment prospects.“Ichose civilengineeringbecauseIenjoybeing outside.Iinternedat MooreEngineeringhereinBismarckforone summerandhavesignedontoworkfulltime withtheminaWater/Wastewatergroup,primarilydesigningwatertowers,liftstations, andtreatmentplantsforsmallcommunitiesin NorthDakota,SouthDakota,andMinnesota. Iwasabigfanofthecivilengineeringfaculty andparticularlyenjoyedsmokingDr.Eric Garciainthefacewithacatapult-launched racquetballbackinMechanicsI.”
BrettcametotheUniversityofMaryfrom CheyenneWyoming becausehethoughtit wasanamazingopportunity.“Icouldpurse mychildhooddreamof playingbaseballwhile pursuingamechanicalengineeringdegree.Ichoseengineering becauseIhadfamilymemberswhoareengineersandspeakingtothemabouttheirjob persuadedmetopursueanengineeringdegree.Iendedupinmechanicalengineering becauseIamnotparticularlyinterestedinthe electronicsandcoding,butratherdesignand manufacturingofsystems.Duetoplaying
Iwillbestartingadualmaster’sdegree programattheUniversityofWyomingthis nextfall.ForthenexttwoyearsIwillbe pursuingbothamaster’sdegreeinbusiness administrationandinmechanicalengineering withanemphasisinaeronautics.IamhopefulthatafterIfinishschool,Iwillbeableget ajobinColoradoatLockheedMartinorBall Aerospace.”
FromValparaiso,Indiana,Taylorcameto theUniversityofMary becausehewantedto gotoaCatholicEngineeringschoolthat wasaffordableand awayfromtheinfluenceofChicago.“I choseelectricalengineeringbecausemydad worksasamasterelectrician,soIhavealwaysbeenaroundelectricity,andIhavealwaysfounditveryinteresting.Iworkedthe summerof2021withmydadasanelectrician,whichtechnicallydoesnotcountasan internshipbutIlearnedagreatdealoftroubleshootingtacticsduringthatsummerthatI otherwisewouldnothavelearned.Ialsohad aninternshipatStantecthislastsummer. Asidefromtheextremewintersandwind,I loveBismarck.Ihaveenjoyedthemajority ofmyexperienceswiththeengineeringprofessorsinmytimehere.Oneofmyfondest memorieswasinPowerSystemswithFr.A, whichhasbeenbyfarmyfavoriteengineeringclass,whereIfoundahomeworkquestion thatwasnotassigned,butIthoughtitwas interesting,andIbroughtittoclass,andwe spentthenextroughlytwoclassperiodsgeekingoutoverthequestion,thatwasaturning pointinmycollegecareerthatreallypropelledmeintotheworldofpowersystems engineering.Forthefuture,Ihaveaplanas anEITSubstationDesigneratHDRbasedout oftheirMinneapolisOffice.”
FromBismarck,ND, BradencametoUMary sohecouldgoto schoolandstillworkat hisfamily’sconstructioncompanythathe planstotakeoverafter graduation.“Ichose constructionmanagementsinceIplantotakeovermyfamily’s constructioncompanyandafterworkingthere foryears,IcanincorporatewhatI’velearned inthefieldtowhatI’velearnedinschoolto runasuccessfulcompany.Iworkedpart-time atAdvancedMechanical,myfamily’sbusi-
ness,whileIwasinschool.
IhavealwayslikedBismarckandNorth Dakotabecauseitislargeenoughforthings todo,butsmallenoughtoknowpeopleand helpeachotherinthecommunity.Allofmy professorswereknowledgeableandfriendly andhavelearnedalotfromthem.Iplanto eventuallytakeoverAdvancedMechanical andcontinuetogrowthecompanyaswellas givebacktothecommunity.”
FromBismarck,ND, ParkercametoUMary forwrestlingandthe startupoftheengineeringprogram.“My brotherisanengineerandIreallyliked whatthejobentailed. IworkedforFalkirk CoalMinebyUnderwood,ND,forthreesummersandwasasurveyorthefirstsummerand anAutoCadTechthesecondtwosummers.I reallylikeNDandhowitsgrowing.Ithought theprofessorsweregoodspecificallytheGarciabrothersandnotbeingabletotellthem apartthefirsttwoyears.Ihavejoblinedupat LowryEngineeringafterIgraduateandIam currentlyworkingasaninternthere.”
FromBismarck,ND, Taylordecidedto cometoUMarywhen hewasofferedascholarshiptoplayfootball withtheengineering programjuststarting up.“Idecidedonan engineeringdegreebecauseIenjoysolving problemsandcreatingthings.AndIchose civilengineeringasIhadoriginallywanted togointoenvironmentalengineering,andI learnedthatenvironmentalengineeringwas asubsectionofcivilsoImovedtothatdegree.Ihavehad3internshipsinmytimeat UMary.MyfirstwasatBNICoalinCenter, ND,whereIwasanengineeringintern.The nexttwosummersIinternedatMooreEngineeringasanengineeringintern/RPR.The MooreEngineeringinternshipsweremyfavoriteasIlearnedthemostaboutdesignand howtheprocessofprojectswork.
Bismarckismyhomeandotherthenthe never-endingwinters,it’stheplaceIwant tostayandeventuallyraiseafamilyhere.My professorshavebeenamazing,whileIwas infootball,theywereveryaccommodating ofmyever-changingschedules.Theyhelped meoutwhenIwasstruggling,andtheyalso knewhowtocrackajoketolightenthemood. AftergraduationIplanonstartingmycareer atBartlettandWesthereinBismarckasa waterresourcesengineer.”
OriginallyfromEdina, MN,Josephdecidedto cometoUMaryalong withmanyotherof hishighschoolclassmatesfromChestertonAcademy,asmall privateschoolnearhis homecity.“Ichoseengineeringasitreflected mostofmyacademicstrengthsaswellaspersonalinterestsandhobbies.Ichoseelectrical
engineeringduetoitsimplementationoflogic ontopofabstractcriticalthinking.Itookan internshipwithResideo,aspinoffcompanyof HoneywellHome,workingasapowersupply testengineerontheirlatestthermostatPCB. Currently,IamundertakingaBobcatco-opin theirmanufacturingstrategyteamstagingthe layoutforafuturequadweldcellprojectat theaccelerationcenter.Bobcathasbeenmuch morepreferredtoResideo,although,acertain pandemicmayhavegreatlycontributedtothis opinion.
Bismarck,ND,hasbeenapleasantplaceto live.It’snotterriblyfarawayfromwhereI grewupbutjustfarawayenoughtowhereI amnotdependentonparentalcontrol.Bismarckismyhomeandwillbeforsometime. Idointendtoleavethiscitytosettledown elsewherewithbetterjobopportunitiesformy fieldofinterest.Theprofessorsweregreat. I’mnotagreatstoryteller,butIwrotedown abunchofoutofcontext,funnyquotesduringclasssessionsthatkeptmyengagement. “Wow!That’sabigbar.”“And...Walterisa wasteofspace.”–Waldenmaier[lookingat DataAnalysischarts].
I’llprobablystickwithBobcatuntilImove outofstate.Anupcomingwedding,new lease,andfinalsemesterinthefallarekeepingmehereforthetimebeing.Hopefully,I willbeabletotransferteamswithinBobcat tosomethingmoreparticulartomymajorin electrical.”
university.IchoseengineeringbecauseIam fascinatedwithhowandwhythingsworkthe waytheydo.IspecificallychosecivilengineeringbecauseIfeelthatitisveryrewarding toseeastructureyou’vebeenworkingonbeingbuilt.Ididoneinternshipoverthesummer of2022workingfortheCityofWatertownin Wisconsin.
UponfirstcomingtoNorthDakota,acouple thingssurprisedme.First,thecitiesaresofar apartandtherearesofewcities.Secondly, Ihaveneverbeeninsuchawindyplaceas NorthDakota.Bismarckiswelcomingcommunity,andeveryonehereareverykind.All theprofessorsI’vehadformycourseswere extremelyhelpfulandsupportive.Theywere alwaystherewhenhelpwasneeded.
Myplanforthefutureincludesworkingfora civilengineeringcompanythatspecializesin eitherfoundationsorstructuralengineering. Idonothaveapermanentjobopportunity justyet,butIwillbeworkingforanother internshipthissummerworkingforKunkel EngineeringlocatedinBeaverDam,WI.”
BenjaminGriep
LucasMayer
FromBismarck,NE, Lucascametothe UMaryforbasketball andengineering.“I choseengineeringbecauseIlikedscience andmath,andchose mechanicalbecauseit seemedthemostdiverseintermsofthe differnettypesfieldsyoucouldgointo.Ilove Bismarck,beingrightontheriverisawesome inthesummers.Ilovedallmyprofessors, onefunnystorywasinourDynamicswehad tobuildcatapaults,andduringtestingifwe wereabletohitDr.Garciaintheforehead witharaquetballat10ydswewouldgetextra credit.Wemissedbyacoupleinchesbutanothergrouphitanditwashilarious.Another funnystorywouldbewhenweworkedwith Dr.CarricotopranktheotherDr.Garcia,we allswappedoutourmidtermtestsandhanded inrandompiecesofpaperthenwalkedout andgaveourrealtesttoDr.Carrico.Dr. Garciathensentusascaldingemailtalking aboutfailingusallandthatweweredone for,andscaredusallrealgoodwiththatin revenge.Thankfullyhedidn’tfailus.Iplan togetanEngineeringjobinNorthDakotabut donthaveanythinglinedupyet.”
Bornandraisedin BeaverDam,Wisconsin,Abrahamcameto theUniversityofMary asasophomoretransferstudent.“ThereasonIchoseUMary wasbecauseofits Catholicvaluesthat Iidentifywith.Also, becauseIhavefamilythatisalsoattendingthe
FromDelano,MN, BencametoUMary becauseitisasmall CatholicSchoolwith Engineeringandhe likesNorthDakota.“I choseEngineeringbecauseIliketounderstandhowthingsworkandtrytomakethem betterormoreefficient.IaminConstructionEngineering.Iwasaseasonalproject inspectorfortheStateofNorthDakotaPublic ServiceCommission,whichwastechnically notaninternshipbutwasrelatedtotheengineeringfield.Ialsohadaninternshipat TitanMachineryforBusinessofsaleswhich iswhereIamworkingcurrently.Iwould saymyfavoritewasTitanMachinerybecause Iwasabletocontinueworkintotheschool year.
IlikeBismarckandIreallyenjoyNorth Dakotabecauseofallthehuntingandfishingthereistodohere.Ilikedtheprofessors. Theywerealwayswillingtoanswerquestions andusuallyveryunderstanding.IhavenofutureplansyetasIamstilltryingtofigureout whatIwanttodofortherestofmylife.I havejobslinedupforthesummerandnext fallbutnothingafterthatasofnow.”
FromDickinson,ND, Brendantransferred totheHammSchool ofEngineeringinthe Fallof2021.Brendanisgraduatingfrom theUniversityofMary withabachelorsdegreeinConstruction Managementandwith aminorinBusinessfromtheGaryTharaldson SchoolofBusiness.
BrendanBerger
NEW ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING DEGREE ByASSALHADDAD
Inresponsetorequestsfromlocalindustryandengineeringfirms,Wehavedesigned
anewdegree,startingnextsemester,inEnvironmentalEngineering.EnvironmentalEngineeringandSustainabilityisbecomingextremelyimportantforengineeringcompanies acrossthecountryandtheworldasregulatorybodiesintroducesustainabilityandenvironmentalregulationsforcivilengineering projects.Thishasleadtoanincreaseddemandforenvironmentalengineersandthe HammSchoolofEngineeringisresponding tothisdemand.Althoughthereissignificant overlapbetweenEnvironmentalEngineering andCivilEngineeringwehavedesignedfour newcoursesthatenvironmentalengineering studentswillberequiredtotakeintheirsenior year:
ENV433 AdvancedEnvironmentalEngineeringwithLab: Thisisa3credit courseforEnvironmentalEngineering Reactormodeling,Masstransfer;Advection,dispersion,andabsorption, physicalchemical,andbiochemical processes,BODtesting,measurement oftracecontaminants.
ENV441 AirPollution: Thisisa3credit courseforEnvironmentalEngineering. Airpollutantsandsourcesofairpollution.Pointandnon-pointsourceair pollution.Introductiontoairdispersion,Gaussmodel.Airpollutioncontrolmethodsandinstruments.Airsamplingandmeasurementofpollutants.
ENV411 SolidWasteManagement: This isa3creditcourseforEnvironmentalEngineering.Solidwastecharacteristics,Solidwastemanagementoptions,wastecollection,landfilldesign, gasgenerationandcollection,hydrologicalconsideration,geotechnicalconsideration.
ENV421 Sustainability: Thisisa3credit courseforEnvironmentalEngineering. Populationgrowthandpopulationprojectionmodels,globalwarmingandclimatechange,IndicatorofSustainability,RenewableEnergy,LifeCycleAssessment,Greenbuildings(LEED),Industrialparks.
DifferentialEquations,EngineeringPhysics. ComputerSciencestudentsarealsorequired totakeacorenumberofElectricalEngineeringcourses,sotheyhaveagoodunderstandingwhattheyareprogrammingfor: CircuitsIandII,aswellasEmbeddedSystems.ComputerSciencestudentswillbetakingclassesrightalongsideengineeringstudentsintheirfirstsemesterattheUniversityof Mary.StartingintheirSophomoreyear,our ComputerSciencestudentsparticipateinEngineeringlabswithstudentsfromCivil,Electrical,Mechanical,Environmental,andConstructionEngineering.
Webelievewiththechangesthatwehave madeinourComputerScienceprogram,our graduatingstudentswillnotonlybewellpreparedforanycareerinComputerScience,but alsoinanycareerinComputerEngineering.
ThefollowingarethemodifiedComputer Sciencedegreetoincludethefollowingcore courses:
Course
SoftwareProgrammingConcepts: Introtosoftwareprogramming usingPython
ProgrammingLanguageFundamentals: DeepAnalysisofstructuredprogramming usingtheCProgrammingLanguage
IntrotoObjectOrientedProgramming:
IntrotoObjectOrientedProgrammingusingC++ GraphicalApplicationsProgramming: DevelopingC++toproducegraphics,manipulate images,workwithaudioanddevelopgames.
IntermediateObject-OrientedProgramming: Implementingdatastructures usingJavaFXGraphicalUserInterface.
ProgrammingfortheInternet-of-Things: UsingJavaforInternetprogramming; Cloudservices,Parallelprogramming,networking, ServletsandJavaServer.
ComputerArchitecture: RiSC-VArchitecture
SystemsDevelopmentI-Database WebpageDevelopment
OperatingSystemsEngineering: ImplementingaReal-TimeOperatingSystem onamicrocontroller HardwareProgramming
SISTERS VISITOUR GRADUATING SENIORS ByTERRYPILLING
AttheendoftheSpringsemesterSister AgathaandSisterJanetfromAnnunciation MonasteryvisitedtheHammSchoolofEngineeringtotalktoourgraduatingseniors.
ThetopicwasChapter31fromthe RuleofSt. Benedict.Thechapterdescribesthequalities anddutiesofthe“Cellarer”inamonastery andthesisterswantedthestudentstodiscuss variousaspectsofthatroleandhowthedutiesandpersonalattributesrelatetotheirfuturecareersasengineersandleaders.
In2020,theUniversityofMarymadethe decisiontomovetheComputerSciencedepartmentfromtheGaryTharaldsonSchoolof BusinesstotheHammSchoolofEngineering. Alongwiththemove,wehavealsobeenrealigningthecurriculumitselftobemoreengineeringcentric.
TheComputerSciencegraduatingstudentsarenotonlyproficienteducationindifferentprogramminglanguages,butstudents alsohaveagreateducationinmathematics, physicsandengineering.
AllComputerSciencestudentsarerequiredtotakethesamemathematicsand physicscoursesthatourotherengineeringstudents:CalculusI,CalculusII,CalculusIII,
WITH CATHOLIC STUDIES
ByJAMESCARRICOThisyearweaddedanewethicsclass, ENR471-EngineeringEthicswithCatholic Studies,tocomplimenttheexistingprofessionalethicscourse,ENR470-Engineering Ethics.ENR471bringsprinciplesfromthe classicalphilosophictraditionandCatholic moraltheologytobearonengineeringethics cases.ENR471iscross-listedwithCatholic Studiesandisanelectiveforcompletionofa CatholicStudiesmajororminor.
InENR471studentsdiveintotopicssuch asthepartsofamoralact,conscience,the virtues,andAquinas’hierarchyoflawas waysofunderstandingtheethicaldimensions ofcontemporaryengineeringpractice.IncollaborationwiththeSistersofAnnunciation MonasteryandtheTheologyDepartment,this classalsoincorporatestheBenedictinevalues oftheUniversityofMaryandprinciplesof CatholicSocialTeaching.ThusENR471providesanopportunitytointegratebroaderformationattheUniversityofMarywithprofessionalpractice.
Thestudentswereveryengagedandtheir commentsandinsightswerethoughtfuland oftenprofound.Itisagreatpleasureto hearthethoughtsofthesehumbleanddeepthinkinggraduateswho,onlyfouryearsago, weresuchcompletelydifferentpeople.Itis impossiblenottobeproudofthetypeofpersonwhowearesendingoutintotheworld fromthisschool.Theywillcertainlyhave apositiveeffectontheircoworkersandtheir communities.
MANUFACTURING PROCESSES FIELD TRIP ByJAMESCARRICOStudentsinEME418(ManufacturingProcesses)wentonafieldtriptoL&HBrandingIrons.Studentsgottoseethemanufacturingmethodsusedtoproducethevarietyof brandingironsthatL&Hproduces.Theculminationofthetourwasavisittothefoundry wheresandcastingisdone.
NEW COURSE:ENGINEERING ETHICS
Intheimageabove,MarkHelblingtalksabout howthemoldhalvesareproducedandwhat typeofsandandbindersareusedinthemold. MarkdiscusseshowtheCNCcutpatternsthe studentssawearlierarepressedbetweenthe moldhalvesandthencarefullyremovedto leavethemoldcavity.
Sophomorelevelengineeringstudentsintheir ENR203Lclasstestedtheirspaghettibridges. TeamswereprovidedspaghettiandprinterpaperandElmer’sgluetoconstructtheirpaper trussthathadtospanagapoftwofeet.
Thescoringwasbrokendownintotwoparts, 1)theirdocumentationastotheirdesignand anyadjustmentsand2)theirscoreonthetest pad.
Bronze,whichhasbeenmeltedinagasfired furnace,isthenpouredintothemold.The technicianswearequipmenttoprotectthem fromthemoltenbronzethatexceeds1700o F. Twotechnicianspourthebronzewhileathird scoopsslagoffthetopofthesurfacebetween pours.
Studentsweretaskedtopredictwherefailure wouldoccur,usingmethodofjointsanalysis, andachievethehighestload-to-weightratio.
EMERGING ENGINEERS ByPATRICIASMITH
OnThursday,March30,over80students, grades6through12,fromtheareaschools andhomeschoolorganizations,convergedon theUniversityofMaryHammSchoolofEngineeringforour EmergingEngineers event. Wealsohadstudentsthatcamefromfar enoughawaythattheyarrivedlastnightinordertoparticipatetoday.
Itissafetosaythateveryonehadafuntime andthestudentshadverycreativeideason howtobuildandimprovetheircatapults.We lookforwardtonextyearandwehopetosee studentsreturningaswellasnewstudentsand schoolsrepresented.
Finallyaftercoolingforseveralhours,the bronzecastingisremovedfromthemold halves.Thecastingconsistsofmultipleparts connectedbythenetworkofrunnersusedto distributethebronzetotheindividualcavities. ThePartswillhavetobeseparatedmanually throughmachining.
ENR203LSPAGHETTI BRIDGE PROJECT ByDAYAKARLAVADIYA
Theobjectoftheeventwastodesignand buildcatapultsandtrytogetabullseye,orget ascloseaspossible.Thestudentswereableto testtheircatapultsandadjustdesignelements.
Abigshoutouttothepeoplewhomadetodaypossible:Dr.JerikaClevelandwhoorganizedtheevent,ourmanyvolunteers,Dr. TerryPilling,andadmissions.
DISCOVER ENGINEERING ByRODRIGODACOSTAAPARECIDO
TheNorthDakotaSocietyofProfessional Engineers(NDSPE)hosteda“DiscoverEngineering”DayattheKirkwoodMallon Saturday,Feb25,tointroducechildrento engineering-relatedtopicsandactivities.
Theeventfeaturedanumberofengineeringcompaniesandengineeringorganizations fromtheareawithavarietyofscientificand engineeringdemonstrations.Kidsfromthe arealovetheeventandourstudentsenjoyed
seethesparkofjoyontheirfacesasthey madetheirdiscoveries.Over500childrenattendtheeventeachyear.TheUniversityof Maryboothfeaturedactivitiesinvolvingcircuitbuilding,fluiddynamicsandaerodynamics.
EveryspringtheUniversityofMaryhosts acareerandinternshipfairwherecompanies cometocampusandtalktoourstudentsabout opportunitieswiththeirfirms.Ourstudents arrivewithresumésandpreparedtointerview witheachpotentialemployer.Thisyearthe eventwasheldonMarch9th.
Thisyearwebegananewtraditionofhavingaspringalumnieventinadditiontothe alumnieventthatwehaveinthefall.
Thedifferenceisthat,inthespringevent,we inviteourcurrentgraduatingclassinaddition toouralumni.
Theplanistoinductourcurrentgraduates intotooureverexpandinggroupofalumni andtoallowthemtomeet,greet,andnetwork withourpastgraduates.Thiswillallowour newgraduatestomakesomevaluablecontactsandhearsomerealworldadvice,asthey entertheworkforce,fromtheseasonedveterans.
I ASK CHATGPT ABOUTOUR FRESHMANCOURSES ByTERRYPILLING
Oneaspectofourengineeringprogram thatdifferssignificantlyfrommostschools acrossthecountryandtheworldisourfreshmancourses.Asyouprobablyalreadyknow, weissueeachofourfreshmenstudentsalaptoprunningUbuntuLinuxwhentheystart ourprogram.Thelaptopispre-installedwith muchofthesoftwaretheywillusethroughout theirdegreeanditistheirstokeep.Theyare introducedtothefeaturesofthelaptopintheir ENR101andENR200coursesintheFall semesteroftheirfreshmanyearwherethey learnLATEXtypesetting,Excelspreadsheets, CAD,andresumébuilding.
IntheSpringsemesteroftheirfreshman yeartheybecomemuchmorefamiliarwith theinnerworkingsoftheirlaptopandhowto useitforcomputeraidedmeasurement,data collection,networking,andcommandline computinginaBashterminal.Itisourcontentionthatbeingadeptatpowerfulmodern computingmethodswillhelptheminboth theireducationandtheircareersregardlessof whichbranchofengineeringtheychoose.Out ofcuriosity,IdecidedtoquestionChatGPT abouttheparticularcommandlinecomputing toolsthatweteachthestudentsinthisfreshmancourseandfindoutifanyotherschools alsousethesemethods.Hereisatranscriptof mychatsession:
TerryPilling: whatare“regularexpressions”andwhousesthem?
ChatGPT: “Regularexpressions”areasequenceofcharactersthatformasearchpatternusedformatchingandmanipulatingtext. Theyarecommonlyusedincomputerprogrammingandtextprocessingtofind,replace, andmanipulatepatternsoftext.Regularexpressionsareusedinavarietyofapplications,includingtexteditors,searchengines, command-lineutilities,andprogramminglanguageslikePython,Java,andJavaScript. Theyareusedbydevelopers,datascientists, systemadministrators,andanyonewhoworks withlargevolumesoftextdata.Somecommonusecasesforregularexpressionsinclude:
• Validatinguserinputonwebforms
• Searchingandfilteringtextdata
• Extractingspecificpatternsoftextfrom documents
• Reformattingdatatomeetspecificrequirements
Regularexpressionscanbequitepowerful andflexible,buttheycanalsobecomplexand difficulttounderstandatfirst.Therearemany onlineresourcesandtutorialsavailabletohelp youlearnhowtouseregularexpressionseffectively.
TerryPilling: Whendostudentstypically learnLATEXtypesetting?
ChatGPT: LATEXisatypesettingsystemcommonlyusedforcreatingtechnicalandscientificdocuments,suchasacademicpapers,theses,andbooks.Itisparticularlypopularin fieldssuchasmathematics,physics,computer science,andengineering.Inmanycases,studentsmayfirstencounterLATEXaspartofa classassignmentorresearchprojectinwhich theyareexpectedtoproduceatechnicaldocumentorreport.TheymaythenlearnLATEX throughonlinetutorialsorthroughresources providedbythecourseinstructor.Insome universities,coursesontechnicalwritingmay alsoincludeinstructiononLATEXasatool fortypesettingandformattingtechnicaldocuments.Thesecoursesmaybeofferedatboth theundergraduateandgraduatelevel.
TerryPilling: WhenareundergraduatestudentsintroducedtoBashshellscripting?
ChatGPT: Bashshellscriptingisapowerful toolforautomatingtasksandmanagingsystemresourcesonaUnix-likeoperatingsystem.ThespecificpointatwhichundergraduatestudentsareintroducedtoBashshell scriptingcanvarydependingontheprogram andcoursework.Insomecomputerscience andengineeringprograms,BashshellscriptingmaybeintroducedaspartofanintroductoryprogrammingcoursethatcoversUnixlikeoperatingsystems.Thiscanincludebasic conceptssuchasnavigatingthefilesystem, workingwithfilesanddirectories,andexecutingshellcommands.Inothercases,Bash shellscriptingmaybeintroducedaspartof acourseonsystemadministrationornetwork programming.Thesecoursesmaycovermore advancedtopicssuchasprocessmanagement, shellvariables,andregularexpressions.
TerryPilling: Whenarestudentstypically introducedtoawkprogramming?
ChatGPT: AWKisapowerfultextprocessinglanguagecommonlyusedinUnix andUnix-likeoperatingsystems.Itisparticularlyusefulforprocessingandmanipulating largeamountsofstructuredorsemi-structured textdata.AWKmaybeintroducedaspart ofacourseonUnixorUnix-likeoperating systems,oraspartofacourseonsystemadministrationornetworkprogramming.These coursesmaycovermoreadvancedtopicssuch asregularexpressions,patternmatching,and dataparsing.Additionally,studentsmayalso learnAWKprogrammingthroughresearch projectsorotherextracurricularactivities, particularlyiftheyareworkingwithlarge volumesoftextdataordatainaUnix-like environment.
TerryPilling: whenarestudentstypically introducedtoGnuplot?
ChatGPT: Gnuplotisapowerfulopen-source plottingprogramthatiswidelyusedforcreatinghigh-quality2Dand3Dplotsandgraphs. ThespecificpointatwhichstudentsareintroducedtoGnuplotcanvarydependingonthe programandcoursework.Insomescience andengineeringprograms,Gnuplotmaybe introducedaspartofacourseondataanalysis,statistics,orvisualization.Thiscould beanundergraduateorgraduatecourse.In thesecourses,studentsmaylearnthebasic conceptsofdatavisualizationanddataanalysis,andmayuseGnuplottocreateandcustomizeplotsfortheirdata.Inothercases, Gnuplotmaybeintroducedaspartofacourse onnumericalmethods,scientificcomputing, ordatascience.Thesecoursesmaycover moreadvancedtopicssuchasplottingofcomplexdatasets,statisticalmodeling,anddata exploration.
TerryPilling: Whatuniversitymajorswould requirealloftheabovetools?
ChatGPT: Severaluniversitymajorscould requiretheuseofthetoolsmentionedinthe previousquestions,particularlyfortasksrelatedtodataprocessing,analysis,andscientificcomputing.Herearesomeexamples:
ComputerScience: Computersciencestudentsmayuseallofthetoolsmentioned,particularlyforcoursesrelatedtodataprocessing,algorithms,andsoftwaredevelopment. TheymayalsouseGnuplotforscientificvisualizationandBashshellscriptingforsystem administration.
DataScience: Datasciencestudentswould usethetoolsmentionedinthepreviousquestions,particularlyforcoursesrelatedtodata
processing,analysis,andvisualization.They wouldalsouseregularexpressions,AWK, andBashshellscriptingtomanipulatelarge datasetsandautomatedataprocessingtasks.
Physics: PhysicsmajorswoulduseGnuplotforscientificvisualization,AWKand Bashshellscriptingfordatamanipulation, andLATEXfortechnicalwritinganddocument preparation.
Mathematics: Mathematicsmajorsmayuse allofthetoolsmentionedfornumericalanalysis,scientificcomputing,anddatavisualization.TheymayalsouseLATEXfortechnical writinganddocumentpreparation.
Engineering: Engineeringmajorsmayuse allofthetoolsmentionedfordataprocessing, analysis,andscientificcomputing.Theymay alsouseGnuplotforscientificvisualization andLATEXfortechnicalwritinganddocument preparation.
TerryPilling: Whatuniversitiesaremost likelytoteachthesetools?
ChatGPT: Thetoolsmentionedinthepreviousquestions,suchasGnuplot,AWK,Bash shellscripting,andLATEX,arewidelyused inavarietyofacademicdisciplinesandare taughtatmanyuniversitiesaroundtheworld. However,universitiesthatofferprogramsin computerscience,datascience,mathematics,physics,engineering,andothertechnical fieldsaremorelikelytoteachthesetools.In theUnitedStates,someuniversitiesthatare knownforteachingthesetoolsinclude:
• MassachusettsInstituteofTechnology (MIT)
• StanfordUniversity
• CaliforniaInstituteofTechnology(Caltech)
• UniversityofCalifornia,Berkeley
• HarvardUniversity
• CarnegieMellonUniversity
• UniversityofIllinoisatUrbanaChampaign
• GeorgiaInstituteofTechnology
• UniversityofMichigan
• UniversityofTexasatAustin
OutsideoftheUnitedStates,manyuniversitiesaroundtheworldoffercoursesthatteach thesetools.Someuniversitiesthatareknown fortheirtechnicalprogramsandmayteach thesetoolsinclude:
• UniversityofCambridge(UK)
• UniversityofOxford(UK)
• ImperialCollegeLondon(UK)
• TechnicalUniversityofMunich(Germany)
• SwissFederalInstituteofTechnology (Switzerland)
• UniversityofTokyo(Japan)
• NationalUniversityofSingapore(Singapore)
• UniversityofMelbourne(Australia)
• UniversityofToronto(Canada)
• UniversityofWaterloo(Canada)
ContactInformation
Formoreinformationaboutourengineeringprogramemail:Engineering@umary.edu
Nextissue:August2023
