Department of Engineering and Physics

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Mahbub Ahmed, PhD, Interim Chair

The department of Engineering and Physics offers degrees in Engineering, Engineering Physics with a science option, an industrial technology option, chemical engineering, and engineering technology option.

Engineering with the mechanical focus is a comprehensive degree that offers a balanced and strong engineering curriculum that prepares our undergraduates to be able to undertake product-design and development roles in industry, and take on engineering tasks in a technical setting. The baccalaureate degree provides a broad background in mechanics of materials, structures and control systems, fluid flow and energy analysis. Our engineering program enjoys a unique partnership with local industries; real world engineering problem‐solving is enhanced by practical experience our majors receive through industry internship opportunities. Each student is also required to work on senior capstone engineering design project overseen by a faculty member.

Engineering-Physics

Engineering-Physics bachelor’s degree with science sub-plan is versatile and designed to provide students with a solid foundation in physics, mathematics and core engineering concepts, all of which are necessary to pursue graduate work in multidisciplinary complex areas. The curriculum leaves students with a variety of career choices; graduates are able to seek innovative careers in industry, typically in research and development where problem-solving skills, and an understanding of engineering are necessary, while at the same time, it provides a firm foundation for the pursuit of graduate studies in Interdisciplinary engineering or physics topics at esteemed research universities. To name a few, our graduates may continue their education in advanced engineering and physics programs such as microelectronics, photonics, nuclear engineering, biomedical engineering, biophysics, radiation physics or any discipline where the principles of physics are applied.

Chemical Engineering is a comprehensive degree track that trains the students to apply the principles of chemistry to solve problems involving the production or use of chemicals and other products. Chemical engineers transform raw materials into high-value products, design processes and equipment for large-scale chemical manufacturing, plan and test methods of manufacturing product, treatment of byproducts, and supervise the overall production process. Magnolia, Arkansas, is home to many world-class leading developers, manufacturers and marketers of complex chemicals and services. Our program offers students numerous opportunities to engage in real world chemical engineering that is guaranteed by practical experience our students receive through Co-ops and industry internship opportunities.

Engineering Technology is a popular four-year degree program that is highly applied in nature. Usually a technologist bridges the gap between a technician and an engineer. Often a technologist helps the engineers in the workplace in the area of design, repair, maintenance, and construction and materializes the ideas. Job opportunities are unlimited for an engineering technologist, and graduates rarely have difficulty to obtain a job. Upon completion of the degree graduates may work for aerospace industries, oil and gas industries, state and federal government; where technologists are most likely to enter positions in sectors such as construction, manufacturing, product design, testing, or technical services and sales. The four year bachelor degree in Engineering Technology at SAU is focused on computer aided design, manufacturing, and heating, ventilating, and air conditioning systems. There are many local industries that have great demands for these technologists who are capable of solving real-world problems at the workplace.

Industrial Technology

Industrial Technology bachelor’s degree is designed to prepare technical and management oriented professionals for leadership responsibilities and employment in business, industry, education, and government. Industrial technology is primarily involved with the management, operation, and maintenance of complex technological systems. The program was initiated by SAU to meet the growing demand for formal educational opportunities among area employers and employees. Typical positions held by graduates include, but are not limited to, industrial managers, training directors, operations managers, plant managers, production supervisors, quality, and safety engineers. In an effort to help those who would like to further their career but do not have the time to attend traditional classes, industrial technology courses are mostly online, thus allowing students to work on their degree when they choose, at their own pace, after work and on weekends. Core classes include fundamentals of manufacturing, quality, maintenance management, production and inventory control, industrial safety, work analysis, industrial management, Engineering Economics, manufacturing policy and ethics.

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