Indiana University will begin the process of creating an engineering program on the Bloomington campus, it announced Wednesday. If the plan comes to fruition, however, students won’t be learning how to build things like airplanes and skyscrapers.
“That’s a good example of what we’re not going to do,” said School of Informatics and Computing Dean Bobby Schnabel.
The proposal calls for an engineering program housed within the School of Informatics and Computing. It also would have close ties to other scientific disciplines on the campus.
That means engineering devices such as robots, especially at the personalized level. Schnabel said he could see things like nano devices that people will have around their houses or embedded in themselves. And he acknowledges that second location might freak some people out.
“I realize that,” he said. “And me included, but the world is going that way.”
The hope is that an information technology engineering program would position IU and the Indiana economy at the forefront of that future.
Initial plans for the program include the creation of bachelor’s and doctoral programs, with a master’s degree track to follow. The department would have about 20 faculty members.
© 2024 HeraldTimesOnline, Bloomington, IN