Preparing to practice engineering in a global economy is important for new engineers to advance in their careers. In addition to a strong engineering background, there is a need for engineers with cross-cultural experience and foreign language abilities. Students in the A. James Clark School of Engineering may earn a Minor in International Engineering (MIE) by completing requirements that can include language, culture studies, internationally related studies, international engineering or international engineering-related courses and an engineering abroad experience (work, study or research). Students interested in completing this minor program should contact the MIE advisor in the Clark School for advisement. Students who successfully complete the requirements for a Minor will have the accomplishment noted on their transcript.

Requirements for a Minor in International Engineering

The “Minor in International Engineering” requires 15-18 credits depending on the combination of 3 and 4 credit courses a student might choose to complete(allowing flexibility to accommodate 4-6 credit language classes).

• International Business Cultures for Engineering & Technology (ENES472) [3 credits]
• Global Studies Minor Program Signature Course (A list of courses are provided in the Info Packet PDF) [3 credits]
• MIE electives chosen in consultation with the minor advisor and related to a student’s location for his/her international engineering experience (3-9 credits): ENES474 (Global Perspectives of Engineering) and/or foreign language, culture studies, internationally-related studies or international engineering-related courses.
• International engineering experience (0-6 credits): study abroad, research abroad, service learning, or internship. Up to six (6) credits of engineering courses completed as part of an engineering study abroad program may count to fulfill requirements for the minor and may also apply to the student’s engineering major.

Documents

• Minor in International Engineering Requirements (pdf)
• International Engineering Advising worksheet (pdf)

The Minor in Engineering Leadership Development will prepare engineering students for life-long leadership roles in education, industry, and government. The minor will complement the technical skills and knowledge students acquire during their academic careers to better prepare them for leadership and collaborative roles in their professional futures. Students in the A. James Clark School of Engineering may earn a Minor in Engineering Leadership Development by completing coursework which focuses on communication, global awareness, project management, understanding oneself and working effectively with others.

Requirements for a Minor in Engineering Leadership Development

The Minor in Engineering Leadership Development consists of 16 credit hours. A maximum of six credits may also count toward the student’s major, and no more than six credits may be taken at an institution other than the University of Maryland College Park. All courses counted toward the minor must be completed with a C or better. The following courses are required:

• ENES 317: Introduction to Engineering Leadership (3 credits)
• ENCE 320: Engineering Project Management (3 credits)
• ENES 472: International Business Cultures in Engineering and Technology (3 credits)
• ENES 424: Engineering Leadership Capstone Course (3 credits)
• EDHI 338: Intergroup Dialogue (1 credit)
• Elective: Requires advisor approval (3 credits)
• ENES 317, ENCE 320, and ENES 472 must be taken before ENES 424

Documents

• Minor in Engineering Leadership Development Requirements (pdf)
• Engineering Leadership Development Advising worksheet (pdf)

• At least nine (9) credits must be at the upper level (300 or 400 level) and at least six (6) of the upper level credits must be resident credits at the University of Maryland.
• No more than six (6) credits may be transferred from another institution to count toward the minor.
• No more than six credits can double count between a student’s major and minor.
• No courses can double count between two minors.
• Students must earn a grade of “C-” or better in all courses used for a Minor.

Preparing to practice engineering in a global economy has become increasingly important for new engineers to advance in their careers. In addition to a strong engineering background, the current job market demands a greater need for engineers with cross-cultural experience and foreign language abilities. For students who are planning a career in engineering or other technology related field, understanding the impact of technology solutions in a global context is crucial.  Gaining competency in intercultural communication skills is similarly key to engineering student entering the global workplace.  The ENES 472 course will facilitate the acquisition of these global capabilities in the area of technology and engineering.

The goal of this course is to provide students with an understanding of cultural aspects pertaining to global business and engineering and thereby increasing their awareness of the cultural factors that motivate decisions and behavior in the business world. You will gain an understanding of how the business cultures in the rest of the world diverge from that of the United States; and you will begin to develop the cultural understanding, attitudes, and communication skills needed to function appropriately.

In the past, the course has been offered on campus in the fall and spring semester, as an online course in the summer semester, and as a Maryland faculty-led short-term course in Australia during the winter-term and in China during the summer-term.

The goal of this course is to provide students an opportunity to combine their experiences abroad with in depth research on engineering in that country.  Students will produce a report on various aspects of engineering in their destination country including leading fields of research, key world markets, and the culture of the engineering workplace.  In addition, students will develop a profile of the country itself with regard to social, political, economic, and historical information.  Upon completion of the course, students will produce a comprehensive report representing their expertise in their destination country and the field of engineering within.

The purpose of ENES 317 is for students to acquire and integrate leadership theories and concepts in engineering practice. Students will learn to navigate group and organizational environments and apply leadership in diverse engineering contexts. In addition, students will explore their own leadership philosophy and leadership capacities in the context of group practice.

Through this course students will have the opportunity to:

• Increase self-awareness through the exploration of values, beliefs, culture, and identity
• Learn the basics of group roles, dynamics, and decision-making in order to function constructively in group settings
• Apply critical thinking to leadership theories in an engineering context
• Build an awareness of leadership issues facing our communities, the engineering field and society
• Increase leadership and communication efficacy and skill in order to be successful in engineering practice
• Apply leadership and organizational development theories and concepts to real-world engineering industry situations

ENES 424 completes the engineering leadership development minor by integrating theory with practice. The course includes self-assessments, readings and discussion, practical exercises, and a leadership project.  Students will leave this class having synthesized material from the leadership coursework sequence in the minor as well as have an opportunity to apply leadership learning in engineering practice.

An inquiry-based learning approach will be used where much of the time in the course will be spent engaging in conversation on important and complex questions. Additionally, this class has been designed to position each student to facilitate leadership learning with the engineering leadership minor community. Finally, students will be given a great amount of flexibility in this course to reflect the seminar approach to learning as well as fulfilling the purpose of a capstone course experience.

As a result of this course, students will:

• Develop a greater understanding of your personal capacities for leadership
• Increase self-awareness of you as a leader
• Have a strong understanding of strengths-based leadership and how it can be applied in engineering industry
• Deepen your own thinking about leadership theories and practices
• Apply critical thinking to the complexity of the field of leadership
• Continue to develop an awareness of leadership issues facing engineering industry
• Integrate theory with practice
• Successfully design and implement a leadership project based on your talents and strengths
• Enhance communication skills (written and presentation)
• Refine your own personal philosophy of leadership to guide you in transitions from collegiate leadership environments to new contexts

The purpose of this class is to provide students with an opportunity to integrate the study of global leadership and international business development in engineering and technology, with an international immersion experience. This course is intended to prepare students to reflect upon and further develop their own capacities for global leadership.

Through this course, students will:

• Clarify their own understanding of leadership through experiencing a different culture
• Develop a strong understanding of views on leadership in engineering, business, and technology from multiple global perspectives
• Develop an understanding of the nature and scope of global engineering challenges, and the leadership that is necessary to address those engineering challenges
• Learn to discuss cultural differences and engage across difference
• Gain an understanding of the connection between culture and leadership
• Collaborate by engaging in group projects and discussions
• Critically reflect on one’s own capacities for global leadership and continue the creation of personal development plans to address growth areas
• Continue to gain communication and technical skills by reflecting on experiences through a digital images project

For Winter 2013 this course will be taught in Dubai (U.A.E.), Abu Dhabi (U.A.E.), and Doha (Qatar)