Minor in Engineering Policy Analysis
24.0 credits
An increasingly complex, interrelated, and technological society has come to rely on quantitative models of engineering systems to make decisions. While these models are used to make decisions in domains as varied as telecommunications, energy, and environmental quality, a common set of tools for the use of such models in decision making has been developed and forms the basis of an emerging discipline in engineering policy analysis. The practitioners of this discipline need training in mathematical and social science analytic approaches, as well as an understanding of the human factors that inevitably influence real-world policy choices. The minor in engineering policy analysis is designed to introduce students to these topics.
This minor broadens the exposure of engineering students to societal issues and provides an initial introduction to analytic skills which they may use both in engineering practice and as managers (given that many engineers become managers both in the private and public sector). Graduates will have additional training and a credentials relevant not only to engineering careers, but also to other fields, including urban planning, management consulting, and public administration. The program provides a basis for students to evaluate their interest and aptitude for graduate studies in fields such as business administration, public administration, and public policy. For pre-law students, the minor introduces them to analytic methods that inform the establishment and interpretation of laws as a mechanism of public policy implementation.
Requirements
Students will be required to complete a total of 24.0 credits. At least 12.0 of these credits may not be counted as part of their major.
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| Applied Quantitative Methods | 6.0 credits | |||
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| Students select one sequence in probability and statistics consisting of one introductory course and one advanced course. Any introductory course may be combined with advanced course provided that the prerequisites of the advanced course are met. | ||||
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| Introductory course options: | ||||
| Students select one course from the following: | ||||
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| CHE 335 | Statistics and Design of Experiments | 3.0 | ||
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| ENGR 361 | Statistical Analysis of Engineering Systems | 3.0 | ||
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| MATH 311 | Probability and Statistics I | 4.0 | ||
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| MEM 361 | Engineering Reliability | 3.0 | ||
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| STAT 205 | Statistical Inference I | 4.0 | ||
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| Advanced course options: | ||||
| Students select one course from the following: | ||||
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| MATH 312 | Probability and Statistics II | 4.0 | ||
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| STAT 206 | Statistical Inference II | 4.0 | ||
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| ENVE 750 | Data-based Engineering Modeling (Graduate course) | 3.0 | ||
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| Additional quantitative method electives: | ||||
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| MATH 300 | Numerical Analysis I with MATLAB | 4.0 | ||
| MATH 305 | Optimization Theory | 4.0 | ||
| MATH 318 WI | Statistical Software | 3.0 | ||
| STAT 321 | Statistical Decision Methods | 4.0 | ||
| OPR 320 | Linear Modeling for Decision Making | 4.0 | ||
| OPR 330 | Advanced Decision Making and Simulation | 4.0 | ||
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| Policy Analytic Methods | 11.0 Credits | |||
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| Students are required to take at least 11.0 credits, including a course on capital investment decision making and a two-course sequence in economics.. | ||||
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| Required courses: | ||||
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| CIVE 240 WI | Engineering Economics | 3.0 | ||
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| ECON 201 | Principles of Microeconomics | 4.0 | ||
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| ECON 202 | Principles of Macroeconomics | 4.0 | ||
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| Additional policy analytic methods electives: | ||||
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| ECON 250 | Game Theory | 4.0 | ||
| ECON 301 | Microeconomics | 4.0 | ||
| ECON 330 | Managerial Economics | 4.0 | ||
| ECON 334 | Public Finance | 4.0 | ||
| ECON 351 | Resource and Environmental Economics | 4.0 | ||
| ENVS 370 | Practice of Environmental Economics | 3.0 | ||
| ENVE 727 | Risk Assessment (Graduate course) | 3.0 | ||
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| Human Factors | 6.0 Credits | |||
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| Students are required to take at least 6.0 credits from the following: | ||||
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| PSCI 110 | American Government I | 4.0 | ||
| PSCI 211 | American Government II | 4.0 | ||
| PSCI 220 | Constitutional Law I: Separation of Powers | 3.0 | ||
| PSCI 329 | Theories of Justice | 3.0 | ||
| PSCI 331 | Environmental Politics | 3.0 | ||
| PSCI 372 | City in US Political Development | 3.0 | ||
| SOC 215 | Industrial Sociology | 3.0 | ||
| SOC 240 | Urban Sociology | 3.0 | ||
| SOC 347 | Introduction to Environmental Policy Analysis | 3.0 | ||
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| Elective | 1.0 Credit | |||
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| One additional credit of coursework is required for the minor. This credit may be any of the three areas above. It is permissible to count 3.0 of the credits from a 4.0 credit class towards fulfilling one of the other areas, thereby using the 4th credit to meet the elective credit requirement. | ||||
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