NMSU-Grants started its beginning courses for an engineering program

NMSU-Grants started its beginning courses for an engineering program last spring semester. Johnathan Herbert, Electrical Engineer and Program Director, taught the first Intro to Engineering class, which continued this semester while adding a Computer Problem Solving and Programming Class.The campus received a Title 5 grant five years ago to implement course work that involves hard science and mathematics. The program was to focus on initiatives that involve credits transferrable to larger campuses to continue in non-specific engineering degrees. The program will offer classes allowing students to obtain an Associates in General Engineering.

We just got the project off the ground, and have already started offering the beginning courses. We still need to go through some approval phases in getting the full associates degree approved but we should have all the paper work done come spring semester,explained Herbert.The Engineering Program will not be directed towards any specific type of engineering but will be designed to help students with the beginning courses. Those will be transferrable to larger campuses where students may choose specific types of engineering programs. The NMSU campus will also be receiving its own renovated engineering lab and classroom beginning in October, planned to be finished by January.

Even though the lab isn’t quite there yet, the students have already begun their lab work. Herbert introduced his first engineering type lab last semester, sending students out to do fieldwork with taking and testing water samples in the area.The students who take the course work will be doing a lot of lab type stuff and a lot of field work.The classes offered will gear toward required beginning computer class, hard mathematics and hard science classes. NMSU is collaborating with other state branches in hopes of having a statewide program.Students at NMSU-Grants will be taking part in several events to honor Constitution Day. The events, on Sept. 14-15, will test student knowledge about America’s heritage. A single elimination tourney will on both days fro noon to 1 p.m. A treasure hut takes place both days from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. while a computerized quiz will be on both days as the treasure hunt and at the same times.