Engineers offered options with new graduate program

By By Nate Swinton

In the wake of the high-tech slowdown, the University's Engineering Graduate Programs have announced their plan to offer a five-year program for computer engineers.

As structured, the program allows undergraduate selected students to begin taking graduate level classes during their senior year. Students then have the opportunity to graduate with a bachelor's degree and a master's degree after five years.

With a slumping economy, more engineering students are considering obtaining a graduate degree. Because students learn specific job skills in graduate programs, it gives them an advantage when looking for a job, according to Lee Hornberger, assistant dean of Graduate Engineering Programs.

Currently, the Mechanical and Electrical Engineering Departments offer similar programs.

These types of programs save students time and money, said Director of Graduate Programs Nancy Sya.

"We want to present them with an opportunity to maximize their time here," she said.

At the same time, the graduate school reaps the benefit of attracting Santa Clara students, who tend to rank among the nation's elite in engineering, according to Hornberger.

"It occurred to us that we have these great undergraduate students and we weren't doing anything to attract them," she said. "We thought if we could restructure our programs we could get them to stay here."

Unlike recent years, employers are hiring fewer students with only undergraduate degrees, she added.

Senior Eric Hornisher is one such student hoping improve his chances in the job market by pursuing a master's, as well as a bachelor's degree. Hornisher, a mechanical engineer, opted to try the five-year program beginning last year in response to the slowing economy.

"You graduate with something where you can stand on solid ground," he said of the graduate program.

Hornisher added that unlike a doctorate, a master's degree will allow him to have sufficient knowledge in one specific area without limiting to only one aspect of engineering.

Those students interested in learning more about the five-year engineering programs offered by the engineering graduate school are invited to attend an open house on Nov. 26 in Adobe Lodge.