Seton Hall University and Stevens Institute of Technology — in what they are calling a shared commitment to create the highly trained STEM workforce New Jersey needs — announced a unique five-year dual-degree program Thursday.
Students in the program will get an accelerated three-year bachelor’s in physics from Seton Hall and a two-year master’s in mechanical engineering, electrical engineering or artificial intelligence from Stevens.
The program is open to current and incoming fall 2021 freshmen.
Seton Hall President Joseph Nyre and Stevens President Nariman Farvardin said earning two degrees in five years will give students the skills and experience to be more versatile and marketable when pursuing future employment or education.
This program will not be the last, the two presidents said. The institutions are in the process of expanding their offerings to develop additional dual-degree science and engineering programs.
For more information, or to apply, click here.
“This program combines the distinctive strengths of both institutions to create pathways for even greater success for our students,” Nyre said. “STEM education is vital to America’s global leadership in science and technology. This program offers a strong, technical, values-based education to meet the nation’s growing need for classically trained engineers and scientists.
“Innovative partnerships like this one will continue to keep New Jersey at the forefront of excellence in higher education.”
Farvardin said the program address a pressing need.
“At this point in our history, our nation and our society need technically-trained, creative problem-solvers,” he said. “This partnership between Stevens and Seton Hall University addresses an urgent national need by providing a clear pathway for talented science students to complete a master’s degree in fields that are vital to our nation’s future.”
Artificial intelligence, robotics and quantum computing are poised to dominate the technology industry. As engineering skills propel the nation forward, driving positive change, this interdisciplinary program provides a seamless pathway for science students to apply their knowledge into developing innovative products that can benefit society.
Officials at both schools said the curriculum is designed for undergraduate students who will learn scientific principles and apply that knowledge to solving engineering problems, focusing on design and product development.
Here’s how the program will work:
Undergraduates at Seton Hall are guaranteed a seat in the program as long as they take the required courses and meet GPA requirements. After completing their bachelor’s, they will transfer to Stevens for a master’s in electrical engineering, mechanical engineering or artificial intelligence. At Seton Hall, physics students will:
- Gain real-world experience with internships at top employers like Alcatel Lucent Technologies, the Department of Defense, Ford Motor Co., Lockheed Martin, Brookhaven National Laboratory and more;
- Work alongside faculty on cutting-edge edge research starting as early as freshman year. More than 80% of students conduct research with faculty;
- Benefit from opportunities to attend national conferences –– most times with Seton Hall paying all expenses. Last year alone, almost 25% of physics majors traveled to conferences across the country;
- Learn from renowned and innovative faculty like Jose Lopez. Rated as one of the 10 smartest people in New Jersey, he’s an expert in plasma physics, receiving research grants from the National Science Foundation, Air Force Office of Scientific Research and more;
- Gain cutting-edge research experience with M. Alper Sahiner’s research program in semiconductors and laser processing of solar cells in collaboration with Brookhaven National Laboratory, Spanish National Research Council, NIST and IBM.
Stevens and Seton Hall are considered two of the state’s top universities. Both presidents were recently honored on the ROI Influencers: Higher Education list for 2020 for their leadership.
This strategic academic partnership, from two neighboring institutions with a strong foundation in the liberal arts and technology, establishes a shared commitment to create a highly trained workforce in the science and engineering hub of this state and this nation.
Then there’s this: South Orange-based Seton Hall and Hoboken-based Stevens are approximately 25 miles apart, making the connection easy.
Christophe Pierre, provost and vice president for academic affairs at Stevens, said the school is excited by the future possibilities.
“Our two institutions have significant synergies, and I am sure this will be the start of many more collaborations,” he said. “I’m excited to welcome talented Seton Hall students to Stevens to further their education in engineering and to work with Seton Hall to develop their knowledge and critical thinking in STEM.”
Katia Passerini, provost and executive vice president at Seton Hall, is eager to get started.
“Our vision — as two distinguished institutions with a strong foundation in the liberal arts and technology — is to prepare a new generation of talented STEM leaders from the state of New Jersey and across the nation who will play a major role in contributing to the progress of society and humanity,” she said.
“Seton Hall is extremely proud to collaborate with Stevens Institute of Technology on this premier physics and engineering degree partnership and explore new opportunities to develop innovative interdisciplinary programs in the future.”
