Frequently Asked Questions
Why purse a minor in engineering leadership?
Tell me more about the required courses.
When are the required courses offered?
How will I choose my elective?
Will completing the minor add extra semesters?
When should I enroll in the minor?
I am also completing the minor in International Engineering. Can ENES 472 count for both?
I am a first-year student. What can I do to start on the minor?
I am a sophomore and ENES 317 is full. What should I do?
I am a junior. Can I complete the minor and graduate in 4 years?
How do I receive credit for the minor?
Who do I contact for more information?
Why pursue a minor in engineering leadership?
Employers consistently report that leadership skills and experiences are highly valued when evaluating potential employees. A report released by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) reveals that leadership makes a difference in hiring. Employers responding to NACE’s Job Outlook 2007 survey said that the job candidate who has leadership experience, either inside or outside of the classroom, has the edge over those that have no leadership experiences. NACE executive director reports that “when employers are considering two equally qualified new college graduates for a position…[they]…reported that the candidate’s having held a leadership position would influence the decision very much (Koncz & Collins, 2006).”
Further, engineering is a collaborative field. Working within an interdisciplinary team is increasingly the norm. Students must be prepared to work in teams and take on leadership roles in solving technical problems. In their report Engineer of 2020, the National Academy of Engineering affirms that “By 2020 we aspire to engineers who will assume leadership positions from which they can serve as positive influences in the making of public policy and in the administration of government and industry (NAE, 2004, p. 50).” The report describes the Engineer of 2020 as an individual with strong analytical skills, creativity, practical ingenuity, professionalism, the ability to work in teams and communicate with multiple audiences, as well as the ability to understand and be able to practice principles of leadership.
Tell me more about the required courses.
- ENES 317: Introduction to Engineering Leadership (3 credits)
This course will focus on an introduction to general leadership theories and real-world applications within engineering, understanding oneself, and working within a team.
- ENCE 320: Engineering Project Management (3 credits)
A course designed to expose students to the techniques of engineering project management and to develop analytical skills necessary on the management side of engineering projects. Topics include economic analysis, project screening and selection, organizational and project structure, scheduling, budgeting, resource management, life cycle costing, and project control.
- ENES 472: International Business and Cultures in Engineering and Technology (3 credits)
The goal is to provide students with an understanding of cultural aspects pertaining to global business and engineering and develop the cultural understanding, attitudes, and communication skills needed to function appropriately within an increasingly global and multicultural working environment.
- ENES 424: Engineering Leadership Capstone Course (3 credits)
This course will expand upon the leadership concepts and theories introduced in ENES 317. The project requirements in this course will allow students to practice leadership in a real-world setting and gain an understanding of their own leadership style.
- EDHI 338: Intergroup Dialogue (1 credit)
Engineering leaders need strong communication skills. The Intergroup Dialogue Program engages students in a collaboratively structured form of conversation, enabling students to become comfortable and confident speaking in front of a group while developing strong listening and communication skills. Click here to register for EDHI 338.
When are the required courses offered?
| Course | Fall | Winter | Spring | Summer |
| ENES 317 | x | x (2009) | ||
| ENCE 320 | x | x | x | |
| ENES 472 | x | x (2009, Australia) | x (2009) | |
| ENES 424 | x | |||
| EDHI 338 | x | x |
How will I choose my elective?
Courses listed below are examples of electives; this list is not exhaustive, and courses other than those listed below can count towards the elective requirement. Students will choose one three-credit elective in consultation with the minor advisor.
- BIOE 150 Applied Ethics and Public Policy in Bioengineering
- BSOS 301 Leadership in a Multicultural Society
- EDCP 217 Introduction to Leadership
- EDCP 220 Introduction to Human Diversity in Social Institutions
- EDCP 318 Applied Contextual Leadership
- EDCP 418 Leadership & Identity
- EDCP 420 Advanced Topics in Human Diversity and Advocacy
- ENES 480 Engineering Honors Seminar (1 credit)*
- ENES 481 Engineering Honors Seminar (1 credit)*
- ENES 498 Special Topics in Entrepreneurship
- ENCE 421 Legal Aspects of Engineering Practice
- ENME 489B Lean Six Sigma
- ENME 489J Production Management
- ENME 489Q Managing for Innovation and Quality
- GEMS 208 Special Topics in Leadership and Team Development
- PSYC 361 Survey of Industrial and Organizational Psychology
- PUAF 359C Contemporary Issues in Political Leadership and Participation: Advocacy in the American Political System
- PUAF 359R Contemporary Issues in Political Leadership and Participation: African American Leadership
- PUAF 359W Contemporary Issues in Political Leadership and Participation: Women in Leadership
- SOCY 431 Principles of Organizations
* these courses are only worth 1 credit therefore students must find an additional 2 credits to fulfill the elective requirement
Will completing the minor add extra semesters?
It is possible for up to 6 credits to count towards your major. This must be determined with your major advisor in advance. Students interested in the minor may choose to take a heavier course load each semester (i.e. 18 credits). In addition, students may choose to take courses during winter or summer term. As with any minor or academic program, the most important aspect is planning early!
When should I enroll in the minor?
Students must be enrolled in any minor a minimum of one year before their expected graduation date. For example, a student planning to graduate in May 2009 must be enrolled in the minor before the end of the drop/add period in spring 2008. To enroll in the minor, you must complete an advising worksheet with the minor advisor.
I am also completing the minor in International Engineering. Can ENES 472 count for both?
No. ENES 472 can count towards either the leadership minor or the international engineering minor. Students completing both minors need to choose an alternative course to count in place of ENES 472.
I am a first-year student. What can I do to start on the minor?
Set up an appointment to enroll in the minor! Students in their first-year may consider taking an elective and/or EDHI338.
I am a sophomore and ENES 317 is full. What should I do?
Sophomores who cannot enroll in ENES 317 should consider taking an elective or EDHI338 in spring of their sophomore year. As ENES 317, ENCE 320 and ENES 472 need to be taken before ENES 424, there are few scheduling options. One suggestion is for students to take ENES 472 in fall of their junior year, ENES 317 and ENCE 320 in spring of their junior year, and ENES 424 in fall of their senior year. ENCE 320 could also be taken during the summer.
I am a junior. Can I complete the minor and graduate in 4 years?
ENES 317, ENCE 320 and ENES 472 must be taken before ENES 424. In order for juniors to complete the minor, they should have completed or have plans to complete ENCE 320 and ENES 472 before enrolling in ENES 317. Individual situations should be discussed with the minor advisor.
How do I receive credit for the minor?
During the semester prior to your expected graduation date, please contact the minor advisor to complete a graduation audit. This is not the same as the graduation worksheet you are required to complete for undergraduate advising!
Who do I contact for more information?
Rachel Rose
Coordinator, Engineering Leadership Programs
1124 Glenn L. Martin Hall
rrose4@umd.edu
301-405-0234
