Undergraduate Programs: Multidisciplinary Engineering and Interdisciplinary Engineering Studies
"Taking classes at Purdue like 'Wind Energy Engineering' and 'Engineering Environmental Sustainability' helped me cement the type of work
that I want to do."
Kai Van Horn (purple shirt)—
2007 graduate, Multidisciplinary Engineering (renewable energy engineering); Peace Corps volunteer
MDE/IDES Photo Gallery
The School of Engineering Education offers two undergraduate degree programs, the ABET-accredited Multidisciplinary Engineering (MDE) program and the Interdisciplinary Engineering Studies (IDES) program. These programs are geared for the student whose interests and abilities lie at the interface between engineering disciplines, or between engineering and other disciplines, and who is unable to accommodate his/her total range of interests and abilities satisfactorily in one of the traditional engineering disciplines.
The Multidisciplinary Engineering program's mission, goals, objectives and outcomes are designed to prepare graduates to practice engineering. Typically, a plan of study is developed around a focused concentration. Examples within Multidisciplinary Engineering include Acoustical Engineering, Engineering Management, and Ecological and Environmental Engineering. The Interdisciplinary Engineering Studies program is for students who want an engineering education but do not plan to practice engineering. Examples include Premedical Engineering Studies and Theatre Engineering Studies. Detailed information on enrollment and graduation statistics for the MDE program, as well as MDE program accreditation with ABET is available for review.
Students must complete the requirements of the First-Year Engineering Program and take additional engineering courses, but may also take several courses from other schools at Purdue. Students will graduate with either a Bachelor of Science in Engineering (BSE) or a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree and may advance to graduate school or pursue a career in industry.
Features of these undergraduate programs include:
- Flexible plan of study that can be tailored to include its own title and selection of courses
- Limited enrollment (fewer than 100 total students), so the program remains counseling-intensive
- Bachelor of Science in Engineering (BSE) or Bachelor of Science (BS) degree
Questions? Contact us by email at ide@ecn.purdue.edu or by phone at (765) 494-7422. You may also make an appointment with the MDE/IDE Advisor, by clicking: Chris Pekny