2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
    Sep 28, 2024  
2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog

Gordon and Jill Bourns College of Engineering


Dr. Phil Van Haaster
Dean

Dr. Mark Anklam
Associate Dean

Mrs. Kiana Bjur
Administrative Assistant
Phone 951.343.4972
coedeanadmin@calbaptist.edu

Faculty Information


Departments  
Aerospace, Industrial, and Mechanical Engineering Richard Baumer, Ph.D.
Aviation Science John Marselus, D. Min.
Chemical Engineering and Bioengineering Sarah Zhao, Ph.D.
Civil Engineering and Construction Management Jong-Wha Bai, Ph.D.
Computing, Software, and Data Sciences Dan Grissom, Ph.D.
Electrical and Computer Engineering John Butler, Ph.D.

 

Through the Gordon and Jill Bourns College of Engineering at California Baptist University the Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Electrical and Computer Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering degree programs are accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET and the Computer Science degree program is accredited through the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET, http://www.abet.org. The Construction Management major is accredited by the American Council for Construction Education (ACCE), www.acce-hq.org.

Engineers and computer scientists provide products and services that address the needs of humanity. We see problems and challenges as opportunities in disguise. Graduates are highly sought after for their critical thinking and collaborative skills, and are thus well compensated. Engineering and computer science degrees prepare students for the broadest number of outcomes. In addition to a growing variety of jobs directly related to their discipline, about 20% of engineering students take their training and become doctors, lawyers, teachers, professors, officers, business entrepreneurs and salespeople. Students have also used their training as missionaries and pastors.

CBU College of Engineering Distinctives:

A Christ-centered, learning community

Modeling Christ’s attitude of service, we facilitate a learning environment where students are encouraged to care as much about their classmates’ success as their own. Learning is a “holy” activity that is liberating, challenging, fun and equips one for a life of service. We believe “God uses prepared people.”

Both “excellent” and “average” students will have opportunities for growth

The true test of an excellent program is not how many A+ students are sent on to top graduate schools. (Although, we have had our share of students who have gone on to MIT, Oregon Graduate Institute, Penn State, Stanford, University of Colorado, University of Pennsylvania, University of Washington, etc.) Rather, the true test of a program is if it can take an “average C to B student” and produce a very good engineer. Our vision is to equip all students with an opportunity to contribute their strengths and receive attention in their areas of weakness. A+ students are made better engineers by teaching and by learning from students with different capabilities and strengths than their own.

Hands-on, team-oriented projects all four years

Starting with a team design project incorporating 3D printing in their freshman year and culminating with a yearlong capstone design project their senior year, all of our students will be able to practice their passion to work with things and not just ideas. An emphasis will be on team projects, which in order to be successful will require students to learn how to communicate and to draw out the abilities of each person on the team. Obtaining a provisional patent on some aspect of their work is strongly encouraged.

Required internships within an industry or with a nonprofit organization

An internship is an essential and required part of the learning experience at CBU. We assist students to find internships through our industry relationships that will prepare them for a career in engineering. This official internship is usually undertaken in the summer following a student’s junior year, although other internship opportunities may arise sooner.

The mathematics required for engineering is taught just in time, in context and with hands-on labs

Math is taught using engineering applications by people who understand the teaching of math in the context of engineering. Math concepts are taught just-in-time as part of the core engineering and physics classes and are reinforced by hands-on labs. CBU is one of 15 schools nationally that were originally funded by NSF to further develop engineering mathematics.

Training in project management and an exposure to the business side of engineering

Industrial representatives continue to emphasize the value that new engineers with project management experience bring to their organizations. Students in their junior year will be working on design projects and working with business and leadership concepts to enhance these skills.

Emphasis on broad life skill training (e.g. teamwork, communication etc.) in addition to technical skill sets

Along with the technical, “hard” skills needed to be an engineer, we also develop “soft” skills in the areas of communication (oral and written), collaboration with others, and the ability to take initiative. During the first two years we will place an emphasis on developing a heart and mind for engineering as service. This will serve as a foundation for small group discussions of leadership, emotional intelligence and global awareness topics during the third year. Students will be required to participate in and facilitate these groups and put into practice the things discussed on their various team projects. Students will have numerous opportunities to improve writing through the use of executive summaries, developing project specifications and project documentation.

All students will have a cross-cultural experience

This can be achieved several ways including participating in an International or Engineering Service Project (ISP or ESP), choosing a senior capstone project with cross-cultural emphasis, taking an approved intercultural studies course, or going on an approved study abroad.

 

Numerous regional businesses are actively involved with the College of Engineering through hiring alumni for jobs and students as interns, sponsoring capstone projects, serving on the strategic advisory board and departmental advisory councils, providing curriculum partners, funding student scholarships and equipment, and providing tours and guest lectures.

Areas of focus for research within the College of Engineering includes: outstanding undergraduate curriculum development, applications relating to human health, applications for green and sustainable technologies, and applications which have global implications.

The Engineering Degree has concentrations in Agricultural, Business, Global Applications, and Pre-Law.

Programs

Major

Minor