The bachelor of arts in liberal arts and engineering science plan is an oxymoron. I found it very disconcerting that everyone rooting for the degree is in the College of Liberal Arts. Yes, College of Engineering Dean Noori is supporting it too. But with all due respect to the dean – he won’t be the one teaching the classes. What are these students/graduates going to tell employers? “Engineering was too hard, so I switched to this blended program so I can still have a Cal Poly diploma, but no – I still don’t know anything about engineering … I can write a damn good report, though!” And where is the “engineering” in the curriculum? Every engineer at Cal Poly has to take statics, dynamics and strength of materials (among a multitude of others). Those are the building blocks of engineering. The “engineering science” courses are just harder versions of the math and science classes many students take in other non-engineering majors. And the 300-400 level engineering classes typically need more than just calculus, chemistry and physics as prerequisites.
I’m sorry, but if engineering is too hard, maybe you should switch out. But at least find a new major that will actually find you a respectable job – not so you can be an over-qualified retail manager. We work hard to earn the engineering title of our respective departments. I don’t see anyone proposing a liberal arts-architecture science degree. That would make just as much sense as this does. Engineering is a science, not an art. A B.A. with engineering in the title goes against everything Cal Poly’s engineering programs are based on.
Katie Robinson
Biomedical engineering junior