Skip to main content

2013-2014 Undergraduate & Graduate Catalog

Search Help

Seymour and Esther Padnos College of Engineering and Computing

Administration

Dean: Plotkowski; Associate Dean: Standridge.

Website:

www.gvsu.edu/pcec

Mission Statement

The mission of the Seymour and Esther Padnos College of Engineering and Computing is to prepare undergraduate and graduate students in engineering and computing to become accomplished professionals; to contribute to our professions through active scholarship in all of its forms; and to support the university and society with expertise, leadership, and service.

To achieve our mission we:

  • Prepare students to compete in today's global economy by emphasizing experiential learning in a contemporary technical environment
  • Prepare students for the future by emphasizing sound principles
  • Emphasize a strong technical background enhanced by effective communication skills
  • Provide working professionals with the opportunity for continuous professional development
  • Imbue students with a strong sense of "the public good" and their own professional responsibility to the public good
  • Strive to be an example and an inspiration to develop competence, courage, and compassion with unquestioned integrity

The Padnos Legacy

Grand Valley State University has named the Padnos College of Engineering and Computing in honor of Seymour and Esther Padnos to recognize their commitment to creating an environment where students and faculty can reach their full potential in the fields of engineering and computing. It is the aim of the University to inspire future engineers and computing professionals to live up to the personal and professional ideals of the Padnos family.

Program Information

The college offers undergraduate programs in computer engineering, electrical engineering, interdisciplinary engineering, mechanical engineering, product design and manufacturing engineering, computer science, and information systems. Masters degree programs are offered in medical and bioinformatics, computer information systems, electrical and computer engineering, product design and manufacturing engineering, manufacturing operations, and mechanical engineering.

The college also provides courses in support of non-engineering and computing students through minor programs in computer science, computer engineering, engineering science, information systems, information technology, and health care information systems, as well as general education and service course offerings.

Specific information on admission, curriculum, and graduation requirements can be found in each program section.

Experiential Learning

The Padnos College is committed to the role of experiential learning in preparing professionals for careers in engineering and computing. All students completing undergraduate degrees complete the integrated cooperative education program. All students completing undergraduate degrees in computer science and information systems complete the integrated internship program.

Academic Units

School of Computing and Information Systems, www.cis.gvsu.edu

School of Engineering, www.gvsu.edu/engineering

Department of Occupational Safety and Health, www.gvsu.edu/osh

Accreditation

  • The Computer Science Major is accredited under the General Criteria and Computer Science Criteria by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET, 111 Market Place, Suite 1050, Baltimore, MD 21202-4012 - telephone: (410) 347-7700, www.abet.org/.
  • The Information Systems Major is accredited under the General Criteria and Information Systems Criteria by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET, 111 Market Place, Suite 1050, Baltimore, MD 21202-4012 - telephone: (410) 347-7700, www.abet.org/.
  • The Computer Engineering Major is accredited under the General criteria and Computer Engineering Criteria by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, 111 Market Place, Suite 1050, Baltimore, MD 21202-4012 - telephone:(410) 347-7700, www.abet.org/.
  • The Electrical Engineering Major is accredited under the General Criteria and Electrical Engineering Criteria by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, 111 Market Place, Suite 1050, Baltimore, MD 21202-4012 - telephone: (410) 347-7700, www.abet.org/.
  • The Interdisciplinary Engineering Major is accredited under the General Criteria by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, 111 Market Place, Suite 1050, Baltimore, MD 21202-4012 - telephone (410) 347-7700, www.abet.org/.
  • The Mechanical Engineering Major is accredited under the General Criteria and Mechanical Engineering Criteria by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, 111 Market Place, Suite 1050, Baltimore, MD 21202-4012 - telephone: (410) 347-7700, www.abet.org/.
  • The Product Design & Manufacturing Engineering Major is accredited under the General Criteria and Manufacturing Engineering Criteria by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, 111 Market Place, Suite 1050, Baltimore, MD 21202-4012 - telephone (410) 347-7700, www.abet.org/.

Secondary Admission for Undergraduates

The computer science, engineering, and information systems programs all require secondary admission as described in their specific Academic Program information.

Graduate Admission

See appropriate Academic Program description for information on graduate admission.

Student Services

The Student Services Center staff work with the School of Engineering and School of Computing and Information Systems to provide effective advising services for prospective and current students. In addition, outside constituents are reached through outreach activities hosted on and off campus. These activities focus on explaining the various fields of engineering and computing. Other services include supporting student societies and coordination of the college newsletter.

Professional Society Student Chapters

ACM - Association for Computing Machinery

ASME - American Society of Mechanical Engineers

ASSE - American Society of Safety Engineers

IEEE - Institute of Electrical & Electronic Engineers

NSBE - National Society of Black Engineers

SAE - Society of Automotive Engineers

SME - Society of Manufacturing Engineers

SWE - Society of Women Engineers

Honor Societies

Tau Beta Pi National Engineering Honors Society

Upsilon Pi Epsilon Int'l Honor Society for Computing & Information Disciplines

Scholarships

Joseph E. Appelt, P.E. Engineering Scholarship

AITP (Association of Information Technology Professional(s) Scholarship

Atomic Object Scholarship

Autocam Scholarship

Robert Bosch Fuel Systems Engineering Scholarship

Scott M. Dykstra/Oliver Products Company Engineering Scholarship

FIRST Robotics Engineering Scholarship

General Dynamics Land Systems Engineering Scholarships

Gentex Scholarship

Eric Jon Gillette Memorial Scholarship

Fred M. and Bernedine Keller Engineering Diversity Scholarship

Kirkhof Engineering Scholarship

Eric Maino Community Technology Award

Seymour and Esther Padnos Engineering Scholarship

Lt. James W. Parmelee Memorial Scholarship

PAETEC Technology Scholarship

Price-Heneveld Engineering Scholarship

GVSU/Padnos/MSPE Engineering Scholarship

GVSU/Padnos/SAE Engineering Scholarship

Right Place Manufacturing Engineering Scholarship

The Joseph Spruit Engineering Scholarship

SPX Corporation Foundation Engineering Scholarship

Whitney Young Outreach Engineering Scholarship

School of Computing & Information Systems Freshman Scholarship

School of Computing & Information Systems Study Abroad Scholarship

School of Computing and Information Systems Academic Scholarship

Graduate Assistantships

Graduate assistants work with appropriate school faculty and staff. Qualified full time candidates are selected on the basis of aptitude, interest, and background. Graduate assistant positions are available to assist in the Padnos College with research, writing, data collection and analysis, and student services.

Graduate Assistantships are typically available in support of the following areas:

  • Medical and Bioinformatics
  • All Engineering Disciplines
  • Computer Information Systems
  • Occupational Safety and Health Management
  • FIRST Robotics
  • K-12 Outreach

Padnos College Advisory Board, School of Engineering Advisory Board and School of Computing & Information Systems Advisory Board

The Advisory Boards for the Padnos College and each school are composed of the dean and many leaders from local, national, and international companies, who serve to create and sustain an active partnership between college, schools and industry. The boards advise the college and schools on goals, curriculum, and other matters that strengthen the student experience. The Advisory boards also work with the college and schools to benefit industry and the broader community.

Program Descriptions



If you are in need of assistance please submit any questions or comments.