Our new, knowledge-driven economy relies on entirely different resources: bright, educated people with bold ideas that fuel innovation—young engineering and computer science graduates armed with the technical knowledge, the business know-how, and the passion to enter the job market “work-ready” from day one, brimming with fresh ideas and new perspectives. From this powerfully diverse combination of people, ideas, and innovation comes the creativity and commitment to build a better future.

Anchoring the program
One key strategy we have adopted is to enhance the quality of our education through anchoring. The idea is to match our faculty talents with the curricular needs at all levels and in particular in the lower division courses. This is intended to anchor the program in quality and send the message to students that we care about their success from the beginning.

At many universities, teaching the freshman or sophomore classes is viewed as a necessary evil. We recognize that it is a privilege to teach these courses, and our faculty take ownership for their success. In addition, some of our top researchers who teach lower division courses are able to bring many of research experiences into the classroom and generate excitement for working in this field.

Platforms for Learning®: Revolutionizing Engineering Education
Oregon State EECS has embarked on a significant effort to reform the undergraduate program with the introduction of the platforms for learning concept. In electrical and computer engineering, each student begins the freshman year in an orientation class where ECE fundamentals are presented in lecture and then brought to life as students apply these fundamentals to construct their individual robot, or TekBot.® As students progress through their four-year program, they're exposed to more complex theoretical principles in ECE and add new capabilities to their TekBot. This connects the theory from one course to another and provides opportunities for applying the theory into practice.

The School is also incorporating a platform for learning into the Computer Science curriculum this year. Learn more about our innovative approach to engineering education.

Senior Design Projects
Each student is required to take a year-long design sequence in their senior year. Many of these projects are sponsored by industry, and a mentor is assigned from the company. Working in teams, students work on projects to develop a system or product, integrating analysis, simulation and software or hardware design. In the process, students also learn vital "soft skills" such as project management, documentation, and communication.

Student projects are showcased during our annual spring open house. The 120 students demonstrate their projects to our industrial advisory board and the community. Approximately 1000 visitors from the industry and community attended the event.

MECOP & Other Internships
Unique among cooperative programs, the Multiple Engineering Cooperative Program (MECOP) at Oregon State University demonstrate the power of an effective business/education partnership. The sources of strength for these programs are the imaginative ideas they are founded upon: support by a voluntary annual assessment on member companies; insisting upon a high order of industry interaction with the university and its students; and continual improvement as the University adjusts its curriculum on recommendations made by the industry partners. And in the process, everyone wins.