Engineering Program

A Christian, Liberal Arts Approach to Engineering

Wheaton College strives to create learning environments that challenge and support students by joining academic rigor with Christian faith. Within that context, the Engineering Program seeks to graduate well-rounded and thoughtful students with a rigorous education that emphasizes analytical skills, human-centered design, and fluid intelligence. These students will adapt, communicate and collaborate effectively within their work and life contexts.

 

Program Overview

Wheaton College founded its engineering program in 1972, using a 3-2 dual-degree model where students studied at Wheaton for three years, then finish their final two years at a college or university that had an engineering specialization. Upon graduation, students received a degree from Wheaton and the other college or university. Wheaton has recently created a fully in-house 4-year Engineering program to sit alongside the 3-2 dual-degree program, open to students beginning in Fall 2022 and beyond. The 4-year program currently has one concentration area, Mechanical Engineering, but anticipates adding new concentrations in the coming year. The program is also working toward ABET accreditation. Come and grow with us!

Two Program Paths

4-Year General Engineering

The 4-year General Engineering degree offers a comprehensive engineering education within a Christian liberal arts framework in 4 years as part of the incredible Wheaton College residential community. Students can stay connected with the Wheaton community, participating in athletics or other student organizations, for all four years without needing to transfer to or travel between other campuses.

Concentrations

This path currently includes a concentration in Mechanical Engineering, and other concentrations are currently in development.

Liberal Arts Advantage

This outstanding degree program combines a Christian Liberal Arts education, including our innovative Christ at the Core general education curriculum, with robust, hands-on engineering coursework for the 21st century. Your engineering education will feature small class sizes, integration of Christian faith with engineering practice, and project-based learning with an emphasis on teamwork across all four years. These projects teach collaborative skills; problem definition in addition to problem solving; communication through reports and presentations, design, prototyping, and fabrication; and provide real-world engineering experience that employers are seeking.

Preparing for the Future

With this degree, you will be prepared for a wide range of engineering work after graduation and/or more specialized engineering education at the graduate level as a next step.

Course Requirements

Download the 4 year liberal arts engineering courses and requirements. (PDF)

3-2 Dual Degree Engineering

As a dual degree student, you’ll get three years of Wheaton’s faith-based residential college experience before completing your engineering degree at an ABET (Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology)-accredited school. 

As you discover your engineering passion(s), you’ll be able to choose a transfer school based on your specific career interests. Maybe aerospace or architectural engineering? Or perhaps biomedical or computer engineering. Your dedicated program adviser can help you figure it out! 

Graduate with Two Degrees

You will graduate with two degrees, a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree in Liberal Arts Engineering from Wheaton, and a Bachelor of Science degree in a specific engineering field from an ABET–accredited engineering program at another institution.

Take Advantage of Wheaton's Special Agreements with ABET-accredited Schools

Wheaton has special agreements with Illinois Institute of Technology (Illinois Tech), Northern Illinois University (NIU) and Washington University in St. Louis (WashU) that include easy-to-follow program guides. Wheaton also has an affiliation with Case Western Reserve University.

Students completing their engineering coursework at a school in the vicinity of Wheaton College (e.g. Illinois Tech, Northern Illinois University, or University of Illinois - Chicago) during the last two years of the five year program, by virtue of their continuing in the Wheaton College dual degree program, may remain in Wheaton College housing and may continue to participate fully in extracurricular activities at the College, including athletics. 

Course Requirements and Mapping

See courses and requirements in the Course Catalog.

See sample program plans for partner institutions.

sparks flying

Engineering Lab

The Wheaton College Engineering Lab, located in the Meyer Science Center, is a dedicated, flexible design lab with state-of-the-art prototyping equipment exclusively for engineering student use.

Engineering Scholarships

Wheaton College offers four merit-based scholarships specifically for engineering students. Several students have also successfully applied for outside scholarships and grants. 

celebration five

Engineering Student Opportunities and Activities

Get involved with the department by joining Wheaton’s student-run Ingenium engineering club, finding student employment, or studying abroad. 

Meet Our Faculty Physics and Engineering Faculty

BHS Faculty serve all majors in the department. Several of our majors also partner with faculty from other departments. View all the Physics and Engineering Faculty and Staff to see the full listing of faculty who teach and support students in our department.

 

Robert Bishop, Ph.D. Headshot

Robert Bishop, Ph.D.

Professor of Physics and Philosophy; John and Madeleine McIntyre Chair of Philosophy and History of Science
Darren Craig, Ph.D. Headshot

Darren Craig, Ph.D.

Professor of Physics
Jim Schroeder, Ph.D.  Headshot

Jim Schroeder, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor of Physics
Kevin Valson Jacob, Ph.D.  Headshot

Kevin Valson Jacob, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor of Physics
Kelly Vazquez, Ph.D. Headshot

Kelly Vazquez, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor of Engineering

Wheaton Physics and Engineering WoodcutQuestions About Engineering at Wheaton?

Check out our FAQs for detailed answers to commonly asked questions about Wheaton's 3-2 and 4-year engineering programs.


 

McKenzie Blank
Chemical Engineering - Goulston Technologies

McKenzie Blank '22

I did an internship at Goulston Technologies this summer in their research and development lab. I made some great connections there and am definitely already thinking about full-time employment that is rapidly approaching.

Read More Internship Stories

Location and Contact Info

Visit us in the beautiful

Meyer Science Center

Third Floor

430 Howard St,
Wheaton, IL 60187

630.752.5007
physics@wheaton.edu

Next Steps for Prospective Students

Interested in studying with the Physics and Engineering Department at Wheaton? Request more information or start your application today.