PENN STATE UNIVERSITY ARCHITECTURAL ENGINEERING PROGRAM

The undergraduate education at Penn State gives graduating architectural engineers a fundamental understanding of all building systems, coupled with an in depth capability in a chosen option area. Our breadth of technical knowledge includes architectural, structural, mechanical, lighting/electrical, and acoustical, as well as project activities such as management, design, construction methods, economics, and building operations. With this unique engineering diversity, we are capable of effectively communicating and integrating with all members of the A/E/C profession, and of playing an active role in the coordination of complex building projects.

Our program has limited enrollment (currently, 100 AE students are admitted into the program each year as sophomores, and they stay in the AE Department for the next four years to earn their Bachelor of Architectural Engineering degree), which creates a highly competitive and selective entrance into the major. Only the top engineering students area admitted, resulting in an extremely talented and enthusiastic class of young engineers.

Architectural engineering (AE) faculty members are distinguished participants in the building industry and maintain contact with the leaders of the profession. Students, have exposure to cutting edge technologies, which prepares them well for leadership positions in the building industry.

With a base in building systems, AE students spend the last two years learning specialized building engineering skills in an area of their choice. These options are: Building Mechanical Systems, which emphasizes the analysis and design of heating, ventilating and air-conditioning systems, as well as building energy analyses; Building Lighting and Electrical Systems, which emphasizes the application of the basic principles of electrical circuits, power distribution and illumination analysis and design; Building Structural Systems, which emphasizes the analysis and design of structural systems for buildings utilizing steel, concrete, wood, and other structural materials; Building Construction and Construction Management, which emphasizes construction techniques and the management of building construction projects.

Penn State architectural engineering students possess a sharp professional edge. This is acquired from the professional projects performed throughout their academic career. The highlight of these projects is an individual, year-long thesis in the fifth year of the AE program. Fifth-year thesis requires extensive interaction with design and construction professionals responsible for a recently constructed building, study of the associated working drawings, maintenance of detailed records of progress made by each AE student toward completing the fifth-year thesis, and development and technical verification of innovative design and construction modifications to the subject building. Each thesis culminates in a thorough, written thesis report and formal, oral presentations made to a jury consisting of faculty and building professionals. This comprehensive project is Penn State's key to graduating well rounded and well prepared architectural engineers.

The AE Department conducts an annual Career Fair on campus which is designed to put companies in touch with our 5th year seniors, as well as students who are available for co-op, summer and advanced degree (graduate) industry and research positions. Approximately 135 companies in the building industry attend the AE Career Fair each year. Our graduating seniors have a nearly 100% placement rate with many students receiving multiple offers from some of the largest and most respected firms in the building industry.

Additional information on the AE program at Penn State can be found on our Department Website at:http://www.engr.psu.edu/ae/.