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Five students from Cerro Coso Community College have been accepted into California State University, Long Beach's two new engineering degree completion programs in the Antelope Valley. Ken Santarelli, the Director of the Antelope Valley Engineering Program for CSULB, said that the students will begin classes on August 29th.
"With the introduction of this new four-year degree program with Cal State University, Long Beach, Cerro Coso students interested in a career in electrical or mechanical engineering will now have a local pathway to a Bachelor of Science Degree," said Cerro Coso President Jill Board. She continued, "A degree in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering can open the door to many exciting career choices for our students."
The CSULB programs are designed for transfer students who have completed lower-division classes and wish to complete their Bachelor of Science Degree in Engineering. Students will attend classes at a local community college for their first two years, and then can apply for the CSULB program to complete their coursework. Additional new cohorts will start each Fall. Santarelli says CSULB is making every effort to tailor the program to commuter students, with the upcoming Fall cohorts meeting only two or three days a week.
The programs offer the same curriculum taught at CSULB, and students will be admitted and matriculated as CSULB students. Classes will be taught by a combination of Long Beach-based CSULB full-time faculty members and part-time instructors from the Antelope Valley area. The programs ensure that students have access to the same services as on-campus CSULB students, including on-site registration, financial aid, academic advisors, library access, and more. Students can plan on receiving their Bachelor of Science Degree in either Electrical Engineering or Mechanical Engineering within two-and-a-half years, including a summer term.
The Antelope Valley area offers students unique access to the engineering industry, including highly valued companies and agencies such as Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Southern California Edison, Edwards Air Force Base, China Lake Naval Weapons Center, NASA, and other area employers that will provide opportunities for internships. The programs' location allows students to experience engineering projects in a real-world setting.
"Cerro Coso Community College is committed to offering the classes students will need for this new opportunity," said Shannon Bliss, Faculty Chair of Science and Engineering at Cerro Coso. In addition to offering a newly streamlined Engineering Associated Degree, Cerro Coso's upcoming classes can prepare students who are interested in joining future cohorts with CSULB. Calculus I sections for Fall are being taught at the Ridgecrest campus and online; Introduction to Engineering will be offered in the Spring; and Digital Logic and Design, offered this Fall, is slated to be required for upcoming cohorts.
For more information about the degree completion programs and information on applying for the next cohort, visit www.ccpe.csulb.edu/engineering.
Fall 2011 classes at Cerro Coso Community College begin August 22, 2011. Register early for best class selection.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Natalie Dorrell, Public Information (760) 384-6260