Engineering and humanities: Bridging the gap

The Benjamin Franklin Scholars (BFS) Program at North Carolina State University (NCSU) offers selected engineering students an opportunity to earn both a BS in one of our ten academic departments in engineering or computer science and a BA or BS in Multidisciplinary Studies. The BA/BS in Multidisciplinary Studies (MDS) includes a concentrated course of study focused on a student-defined area of interest. The course of study is designed to impart knowledge and skills that enhance both the ability and desire to become a leader in an area of national need. Scholars have developed concentrations in diverse areas such as leadership, environmental ethics and policy, theories of human behavior, health care policies, business organization and communications, and cross-cultural communications. A three course core sequence is now in place: Technology and Values (first year), Ethical Dimensions of Progress (second or third year), and the Franklin Capstone (fourth or fifth year). The capstone experience is a course in technology assessment and public policy that stresses team work and cooperative learning strategies and is centered on multidisciplinary problem identification, definition, assessment, and communication. The first two graduating cohorts (total of 13) have included the Student Body President, a Fullbright Scholar, two WISE participants, the student Commencement speaker, and in each year the top student in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences.