Engineering 101 Prepares New Students For Academia, Vocation

A foundation for academic and vocational success awaits new students enrolling in the Gordon and Jill Bourns College of Engineering at California Baptist University this fall. More than 200 new engineering students are expected in the fall, and one of the first courses they will encounter is EGR101, Engineering Christian Worldview.

"It's a course where students can cast a vision for their life as a CBU engineering student and as a graduate," said Dr. Anthony Donaldson, dean of the College of Engineering. 

Donaldson teaches a portion of the course dedicated to understanding a Christian worldview. Engineers are to be a part of solving problems, he said.  

"Engineers are called to serve. They are called to use the talents that God has given them to solve problems in society," Donaldson said. 

The other components help students prepare for the academic rigor, such as how to study, organize time and understand the various teaching styles.

The students also learn to work as a team and be part of a community, said Dr. Matthew Rickard, professor of bioengineering. 

"It's also part of what it is to be a Christian... being part of a community and helping others," Rickard said. 

A majority of engineering students have the same curriculum the first year. Additional courses include a seminar class, which summarizes the 10 majors offered at CBU and an engineering service class, where the students complete 30 hours of service work.  

These classes contribute to the university's goal of helping the students find their purpose in life, Donaldson said.