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Who We Are

Engineers have an enormous impact on our world, from the products that we use to the safety of our surroundings to the quality of the environment in which we live. The Engineering Scholars Program is designed for students with a strong interest in engineering and technology. Through two distinct tracks, Green Engineering and Humanitarian Engineering, the program promotes professional development and ethical behavioral standards through direct contact with faculty, staff, and practicing engineers, and introduces students to Ohio State’s engineering majors.

Through a combination of academic, residential, and co-curricular components, the Engineering Scholars Program increases student awareness of green engineering principles or humanitarian engineering topics while enhancing the overall educational experience, regardless of whether a student is pursuing an engineering major.

Engineering Scholars are provided a variety of benefits such as:

  • A supportive living-learning environment that provides opportunities to form connections with other hard-working, academically talented students
  • Enhanced curriculum through first-year engineering courses geared toward the program themes
  • Interesting guest presenters, activities, and site visits
  • Career exploration through exposure to engineering professionals and hands-on activities
  • Trips and tours to engineering-related facilities, ranging from local to international
  • Leadership opportunities and service projects
  • Access to the greater Honors & Scholars community
  • Additional support and connections to peers through peer mentorship opportunities
  • Exposure to cutting-edge technologies, research, and industry trends
  • Connection to a network of fellow students, faculty, and engineering professionals

Green Engineering

Green Engineering Scholars (GES) focuses on the themes of green engineering, innovation, and social responsibility. Green Engineering is the research, design, and application of products that minimize health risks and environmental impact and maximize efficiency, feasibility, and sustainability. Students will examine areas such as renewable energy, sustainable products, waste management systems, and green manufacturing and building. For additional information about the Green Engineering Scholars Program, please contact Elizabeth Riter at 614.292.3529 or riter.7@osu.edu.

Humanitarian Engineering

Humanitarian Engineering Scholars (HES) focuses on the themes of service-learning and social responsibility. Humanitarian Engineering is the research, design, and constrained implementation of technology to directly improve the well-being and meet the needs of an underserved community. Students will examine areas such as water quality improvement methods, tilapia farming, aquaponics, and passive cooling systems. For additional information about the Humanitarian Engineering Scholars Program, please contact Rachel Tuttle at 614.292.0007 or tuttle.146@osu.edu.

FAQ

What exactly is the Engineering Scholars Program?
The Engineering Scholars Program is a learning community that is open to high-achieving students from all academic disciplines who share a common interest in engineering and social responsibility. The Engineering Scholars Program provides its members with the opportunity to explore their interest in these community themes through a variety of co-curricular activities, as well as interaction with faculty and engineering professionals. The goal of this program is to enhance the students’ educational experience while providing enjoyable opportunities outside of the classroom that support the students’ collective interest in the community themes.

What do Engineering Scholars do?
Engineering Scholars get involved with engineering and campus life in a variety of ways. Social events, service projects, trips, and speakers are just a few of the activities that will be a part of your Engineering Scholars experience. Scholars live together, take a number of first-year engineering courses together, and share their collective interest in the community themes through participation in a variety of co-curricular activities.

What are the advantages to participating in the Engineering Scholars Program?
Many students find that the supportive environment of a learning community plays a significant role in their success, both academically and socially. Research has shown that learning communities contribute to an increase in student achievement, motivation, and intellectual development. Students enjoy the opportunity to form friendships with fellow Engineering Scholars, become involved in the campus and surrounding area, and enjoy the academic support and camaraderie that develop through taking common classes and studying together.

Will the Engineering Scholars Program take up a lot of my time?
As a college student, your academic coursework will occupy a good portion of your time. However, with proper study habits and time management, you should have sufficient time to devote to participating in Engineering Scholars events. We are respectful of your obligations as a student and will not place demands on our Scholars that interfere with your academic performance or involvement with other activities and organizations. Many Engineering Scholars have become involved with project teams, clubs, Greek organizations, and professional societies in addition to remaining active within Engineering Scholars and performing well academically.

Do I have to be an engineering major to participate in Engineering Scholars?
The Engineering Scholars program is open to students from any major at Ohio State. Students who are majoring in business, chemistry, physics, mathematics, computer science, psychology and exploration have all participated in Engineering Scholars. More important than the student’s choice of major is their interest in the community themes, and most importantly the desire to participate fully in a living-learning community focused on engineering. Engineering Scholars will be required to take both Engineering 1181 (Intro to Engineering I) and Engineering 1182 (Intro to Engineering II) as part of their involvement with the program. Students intending to major in areas other than engineering should consider how these courses will fit with their intended program of study.

If I choose one track, can I switch to the other?
As a student in either track, while living together, having clustered classes, and attending many of the same events, you will quickly become a member of that respective community. After doing so, you will very likely desire to remain in your supportive community (and not switch tracks.) If interest in the other track’s themes exists, you will have opportunities to explore these subjects but regardless, switching tracks is not permitted.

Academic

"There are countless factors in choosing a university and a program but in the end, it comes down to academics. Engineering is a challenging route but Engineering Scholars has provided the individualized support and opportunities necessary to excel academically, participate extra-academically, and pursue all of my goals." – Molly Mollica, Biomedical Engineering

Introduction to Engineering: ENGINEERING 1181.02 and 1182.02

  • Summary: Students in the Engineering Scholars Program will complete the Fundamentals of Engineering sequence together by taking two clustered courses in the first year, ENG 1181.02: Introduction to Engineering I during autumn semester and ENG 1182.02: Introduction to Engineering II during spring semester. These courses are required for all engineering students (regardless of pre-major) but certain sections are reserved for Engineering Scholars students.
  • Topics: Some concepts covered in 1181.02 include programming in Excel and Matlab and varying hands-on team labs, while concepts covered in 1182.02 include a semester-long team design-build project (Advanced Energy Vehicle) and graphics in SolidWorks.
  • Purpose: Select faculty members teach these clustered courses to incorporate the Engineering Scholars themes into the curriculum. By emphasizing a team-centered approach, Engineering Scholars develop supportive relationships in the classroom that complement their learning outside the classroom.

Scholars Seminar: SCHOLARS 1100

  • Summary: This is a class for Scholars students focusing on the program themes, opportunities, and expectations. Engineering Scholars students take this class together during their first semester.
  • Topics: Potential topics for this seminar include renewable energy, water quality improvement methods, passive cooling systems, LEED design for green buildings, tilapia farming, aquaponics, and net zero waste efforts. Speakers will come in from academia and industry to discuss innovative research topics and potential career options.
  • Purpose: The purpose of this seminar/meeting is to teach about new engineering topics, create connections throughout the university, and to help explore major/career options in a more individualized manner.

FAQ

If I am an Engineering Scholar, do I have to take these classes?
These clustered classes are designed to enhance your university experience through supportive relationships, career connections, and specialized themes. Because they are such a vital part of the program, regardless of your major, both classes are required as an Engineering Scholar.

Is the clustered Scholars Fundamentals of Engineering (1181 & 1182) more difficult than the traditional track?
While the Scholars track will incorporate themes of the Engineering Scholars Program and will emphasize teamwork with other Engineering Scholars students, it is of equal difficulty to the traditional track required by all engineering majors.

Residential

"Living with other Engineering Scholars my first year has given me many peers I admire, many of whom will become lifelong friends or steadfast “study buddies” in my challenging courses. I cannot imagine my college career without the amazing opportunities and people I have gained through this program." – Amanda Krasowski, Electrical and Computer Engineering

During their first year, Engineering Scholars students live together in a residence hall. This provides a supportive community of students with common interests, a convenient north campus location, and specialized access to advising and tutoring. Green Engineering Scholars live in Lane Avenue Residence Hall while Humanitarian Engineering Scholars live in Drackett Tower.

FAQ

Do I have to live with other Engineering Scholars during my first year?
Living together is a central component of Engineering Scholars and the community-building experience. Exceptions are only provided to commuters, student athletes, and students receiving a scholarship for their housing (i.e. Stadium Scholarship).

Can I request a roommate?
You may request a roommate as long as that individual is in the same track of Engineering Scholars Program. Because living together is so essential to the community-building experience, non-Engineering Scholars will not be permitted to live within the Engineering Scholars living-learning community.

Co-curricular Programming

"The program has not only improved my Ohio State experience, it has also helped me plan my future as a student and beyond. The Engineering Scholars Program helped me find my niche." – Weston Kondik, Mechanical Engineering

The Engineering Scholars Program provides many optional co-curricular programs including community service, trips, events, and activities, which complement the content covered in the university curriculum. Below are a few examples of past programs.

Community Service:
Community Commitment
MLK Day of Service
Friends of the Lower Olentangy Watershed
Relay for Life
Buckeyethon
Habitat for Humanity
Mid-Ohio Foodbank
COSI

Events:
Welcome Picnic
Study Break
Spring Olympics
Scholarship Information Sessions
Euchre Tournament
End-of-Year Banquet
All-Scholars Intramurals
All-Scholars Ice Skate
Research Information Sessions
All-Scholars Showcase

Trips:
Tour of Center for Automotive Research (CAR)
Weekend trip to Chicago, IL
Day trip to Cedar Point
Weekend trip to New York City
Tour of NASA Research Center
Visit to Great Lakes Science Center
Day trip to Detroit Auto Show
Tour of Kings Island

FAQ

That list includes a lot of community service, events, and trips. Am I required to participate in all of these?
You are not required to participate in all events. While you will need to meet certain involvement requirements each semester, you can choose which events, community service, and other forms of involvement fit your interest and schedule.

Do Great Things


How to Apply

"As a result of the program’s real world exposure to engineering and its commitment to serving the local community, I developed into a better-rounded individual. I continue to apply all that I learned from Engineering Scholars throughout my career." – William Leet, Mechanical Engineering

The Engineering Scholars Program is selective, and students must apply to be considered. While it is not required that a student be enrolled as an engineering major, preference for admission will be given to students who express a strong interest in engineering or related areas. Successful candidates have a variety of qualifications including solid academic records, strong writing skills, significant participation in extracurricular and community activities, and a diversity of life experiences.

Please note: Only new freshmen who begin at OSU's Columbus campus during the autumn semester are eligible to apply for the Scholars Program. Students interested in the Scholars Program must complete the Honors & Scholars section of The Ohio State University supplement while applying for freshmen admission to the university via the Common Application. The application deadline is February 1, 2013.

For additional information about the Engineering Scholars Program, please contact Elizabeth Riter at 614.292.3529 or riter.7@osu.edu or Rachel Tuttle at 614.292.0007 or tuttle.146@osu.edu

FAQ

Why should I apply to the Engineering Scholars Program?
Students decide to apply to the Engineering Scholars program for a variety of reasons – what unites us is the common interest in the community themes. You might be looking for ways to get involved, a more intimate community within a large campus, or an opportunity to participate in a program that is unique and exciting. Regardless of why you decide to apply, we would love to consider your application. If you need help deciding, please contact the Engineering Scholars Coordinator, Elizabeth Riter at riter.7@osu.edu or Rachel Tuttle at tuttle.146@osu.edu.