Interdisciplinary Engineering

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Interdisciplinary Engineering

• Bill Schultz (Prof. ME)
• Wanda Dobberstein (COE Staff)
• http//www.engin.umich.edu/students/bulletin/inter
  disciplinary.pdf
• http//www-personal.engin.umich.edu/schultz/IDP

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What is Interdisciplinary Engineering (IDP)?

• Degree emphasizes breadth rather than depth
  of engineering education.
• Excellent for those with professional interests
  outside engineering (e.g. business, education,
  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.

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Challenges

• The degree is not ABET accredited. ABET
  certifies engineering programs for depth of
  content, not for their quality or merit. However,
  this can cause delays or difficulties in
  obtaining a Professional Engineering License or
  Patent Law Certification.
• You obtain the B.S. (Engineering) degree.
• There may be more difficulties in getting into
  interviews at Engineering Career Resource Center.
• The program puts onus on the individual, for
  example, to seek advice of several advisors, not
  one.

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Advantages

• Traditional engineering programs resemble cookie
  cutter systems. IDP, students are the chef.
  Your ingredients and preparation are unique.
• The interdisciplinary program offers choices that
  can uniquely qualify the student for a rewarding
  career outside traditional engineering practice.
  
• IDP offers the possibility for midcourse
  switching disciplines or dual degrees within
  128 credits. IDP is the only engineering program
  meeting pre-med requirements in 128 credits.
• Few employers know or care if a particular
  program is ABET accredited. Rather, they are more
  interested that the student graduated from
  Michigan and whether the student's education,
  background, and interests fit their organization.

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Requirements

• COE Freshman year/Math/Chem/Phys (39)
• COE Hum/SS (16) (one Econ)
• Breadth in Engr Sci, 4 areas (20)
• Computer Materials Thermo
• Electrical Mechanics Others (on request)
• Environment Systems
• COE Program Option (20)
• COE or non-COE Program Option (20)
• Free Elective (13)

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Typical IDP Specialties

• Pre-Med
• Pre-Law
• Business/Marketing/Entrepreneurship
• ME/IOE, ChemE/EE,
• Education
• Music/Performance Art Technology
• Tech Comm
• Industrial Design

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The Forms

• Declaration
• Audit ?
  Goals Obj

• Diploma Application

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Contact Info

• William W. Schultz
• 734-936-0351
• schultz_at_umich.edu
• 2027 Auto Lab
• Wanda Dobberstein
• 734-647-7114
• wldobber_at_umich.edu
• 1422 LEC
• Your present advisor