The School of Engineering and Applied Science, which grants the B.S.E., offers unusual curricular versatility and breadth. It attracts students with an interest in and an aptitude for mathematics and science who wish to develop rigorous powers of analysis, whether for engineering and applied science careers in industry, teaching, or research, or for fields such as business, law, or medicine. Engineering students study mathematics, physical sciences, and engineering, but they often take a quarter of their courses in the humanities and social sciences. Because engineering disciplines continue to evolve and change, much of the teaching of engineering and applied science at Princeton is directed toward mastering the fundamentalsthe why and not just the how to. Such training is aimed toward making it possible for graduates of the engineering school to contribute to the development of new technologies or pursue careers that demand the technical expertise and analytical skills developed through the study of engineering.
Undergraduates concentrate in one of six departments.
All interdepartmental certificate programs are also open to B.S.E. students. Engineering students are encouraged to pursue the opportunities for multidisciplinary study provided by Princeton, and many frequently undertake interdepartmental independent work. Particular foci of faculty and student interest have emerged in a number of areas, including energy and environmental studies, photonics and optoelectronics, and transportation. B.S.E. candidates are also able to complete the entrance requirements for medical school, take programs of study to prepare for careers in law, teaching, or public policy, and participate in the Study Abroad Program described on a sepate page . The Woodrow Wilson School prepares students for participation and leadership in public affairs on the local, national, and international levels.