Frequently Asked Questions

HOW IS THIS DEGREE DIFFERENT THAN OTHER ENGINEERING DEGREES?

 The Bachelors of Science in Engineering degree prepares student engineers for the integrated world they will enter. Our graduates earn focus areas in a variety of engineering fields including mechanical, electrical, civil, biomedical, etc. They have successfully found work across all domains of engineering.

IS THIS DEGREE ACCEPTED FOR MASTER’S PROGRAMS AT UNIVERSITIES?

This degree is the same degree as is offered at our sister programs Iron Range Engineering and Twin Cities Engineering. These graduates have had much success in getting accepted into graduate programs nationwide.

HOW EARLY DOES EACH STUDENT NEED TO CHOOSE A CAREER FIELD?

 Students at IRE typically choose their focus area by the end of their second semester in the program. Our degree pathway allows you to pivot or choose later as well which many students do. You may find after a few   

WHAT SPECIFIC CAREER FIELDS ARE AVAILABLE?

 The sky is really the limit for career fields with our B.S.E. degree. The major for the degree is “integrated engineering”. We have had students focus in most traditional fields of engineering as well as design their own field to fit their interest areas.

How are assessments for technical knowledge done?

 Verbal exams for each course are done remotely with professors for each course.  Students also present their work, in person, at the end of the third and fifth semester.

HOW DO STUDENTS ACQUIRE CO-OPS?

Our program does not secure the co-op for the student as we want to teach the student how to develop relationships with companies and earn positions. The faculty work one on one with the student as they go through this process. 

​HOW DO STUDENTS ACQUIRE FULL-YEAR CO-OPS WHEN THEY USUALLY LAST 6-9 MONTHS? ​

Student engineers do not have to work 12-month co-ops. They can work multiple co-ops of lesser duration.  Our experience is that students on 9-month co-ops are often asked to extend to 12 or more months.

HOW IS COURSEWORK DONE DURING CO-OPS?

Our coursework comes in three areas: design, professionalism, and technical.  Design and professionalism credit comes from the day to day work in the co-op. Students document their learning in these areas through learning journals and written papers.  Technical learning is done remotely with IRE professors.

​DO ALL OF THE CO-OPS NEED TO BE WITHIN THE CAREER FIELD CHOSEN BY THE STUDENT? ​

A minimum of 12 months of co-op should be done in the focus area chosen by the student.

​Are the students limited to only working for two different companies on co-op? ​

No.  ​The Bell Program offers flexibility on how many co-ops the students complete. We do recommend doing 4 or less during the 2 years that students can be on co-op.

​Does each co-op performance affect overall GPA?

 Yes! Grades are earned each semester for professionalism and design learning which involves the work done on co-op.

What if you don't have a co-op position?

Students that are in between jobs or do not have a co-op lined up have an alternative pathway to get credit. The student joins an internal co-op position that we call being a Bell-Intern. Students work on a project that allows them to get a similar experience to working for a company. IRE-Bell staff work with the student to step up job search and actively engage with them in their search as needed as well. We will support you with all of our resources.

IS THERE AN OUT-OF-STATE TUITION FEE?

 All students in IRE-Bell are charged the same rate of tuition and fees.

Would a student be able to attend any university for their Junior level courses, and then transfer to our program for their senior year?

 No. A student attending the Bell program must complete all five semesters to graduate.

​Can international students apply/attend? ​

Yes, contact us for additional details and information.

​Is there a minimum GPA requirement to be accepted into this program? ​

Yes. A GPA of 2.5 or higher is required in math and engineering prerequisites.