Technology

This program of study provides graduates with a strong background in computer engineering. Upon completion of the minor, graduates will have developed an understanding of the operation and design of computers, accomplished through a combination of classroom study, computer-related projects, and laboratory experience. Analysis and design of computer hardware and software systems are stressed. The program requires completion of mandatory courses in analog and digital circuits, microprocessors, transistor logic, and computer programming. Students complete the minor by selecting technical electives in computer hardware and software engineering.

If you enjoy math, science, and engineering, Computer Engineering is for you. As a Computer Engineering student, you’ll research, design, and test the systems and devices that improve our daily lives—smartphones and circuit boards, routers and wifi, even microprocessors and specialized medical devices.

The Computer Science minor is designed to allow students in any Behrend major to establish a strong conceptual framework in computer science, so they can apply computer science methods and techniques to their primary field of study. Computing has become a critical aspect of most disciplines. This minor provides students with the opportunity to develop computing expertise which can then be applied to their field of study, thus enhancing job placement opportunities after graduation or better preparing the student to pursue graduate work in computing intensive sub-disciplines of their major.

Wherever there are computers, there is a need for computer scientists. If you’re looking for a high-demand degree that lets you use your interests in math, science, coding, and technology, then the B.S. in Computer Science would be a good fit.

Data Visualization is one of the fastest growing professions. Creating a well-designed and well-structured story with data helps executives and non-technical individuals understand meaning in their numbers. This type of visual storytelling creates meaningful insights for decision makers in government, insurance, banking, health care, research, and education.

The minor in Data Visualization is open to students in any Behrend major. It requires 22 credits of coursework; some courses fulfill Penn State General Education Requirements.

If you often find yourself thinking about digital media—how it’s changed our world, what the future holds, and how the technology can be applied and improved—consider pursuing a B.A. in Digital Media, Arts, and Technology.

The B.A. in Digital Media, Arts, and Technology—or DIGIT, as we call it—meets exploding demand by employers for professionals capable of both critical analysis and creative production of digital media. You’ll be the employee who knows why, when, and how to use emerging digital tools.

With a B.S. in Electrical and Computer Engineering Technology, you’ll study the theories of engineering and develop the skills to analyze, design, and implement electrical and computer systems—giving you a deep understanding of both how and why systems work, and opening a world of career opportunities.

The associate degree in Electrical Engineering Technology gives you options: You can use it as a valuable academic credential to develop skills to analyze, design, and implement electrical systems. Or you can choose to make it a foundation for further studies in engineering or another field.

Penn State Behrend offers the innovative interdisciplinary-based Entrepreneurship and Innovation (ENTI) minor to students in any major.

The minor equips students to develop an entrepreneurial mindset; think critically and “outside the box” to sense opportunities; develop value propositions; and create sustainable value in fast-paced socio-technological environments. The minor at Penn State Behrend currently offers the New Ventures Cluster, although additional clusters will be made available.

Our world runs on data, and the people who best understand it—and who can explain it—are essential to any organization. With the B.S. in Functional Data Analytics, you’ll learn to analyze and interpret the numbers, but also discover how to clearly convey that information to others.

The United States and global games industry continues to be one of the most diverse and healthy available for job-seekers. In the United States alone, the games industry employs more than 32,000 people across 34 states, reaching a total compensation of over three billion dollars annually.

As one of a growing number of interdisciplinary programs at Penn State Behrend, students can now opt to enroll in a minor in Game Development.

This 15-credit interdisciplinary certificate program is designed to prepare students with in-depth knowledge of the capabilities and limitations of people and the application of psychological concepts to the design and safety of products and services; including consumer goods, military products, interactive websites and games, and assistive technologies. This certificate requires that students take introductory psychology as well as the two human factors courses (9 credits). Students will also need to take 1 additional psychology course (3 credits), and one course (3 credits) outside of their major of study in order to foster the interdisciplinary nature of this certificate.

The management information systems minor can open new career options for students, increase their market value, and improve their chances for advancement.

One of the most valuable resources in today’s world? Data. With the B.S. in Management Information Systems, or MIS, from Penn State Behrend, you’ll learn to collect, store, organize, extract, analyze, and interpret data—making you an essential member of any organization.

Many MIS majors have interests in both the business world and technology—which makes sense, given that you’ll take core courses in both business and programming while studying how to save an organization time, money, and frustration by harnessing the power of big data.

A marketing minor offers a general marketing background to give students an understanding of core marketing principles, including marketing research and consumer behavior issues. In addition, students must take upper-level courses (at least 6 credits) in MKTG to get a more comprehensive understanding of marketing.

Mathematics is one of the oldest and most basic sciences, the foundation on which many other disciplines rely. Mathematical knowledge increases problem-solving skills in many fields.

The Operations and Supply Chain Management minor is designed primarily for students enrolled in non-business majors, especially those in engineering and engineering technology and in science, who wish to augment their majors with further studies in operations. The objective of the minor is to acquaint these students with the issues and methods associated with managing operations within manufacturing or service industries. Relevant studies include principles of management, operations management, logistics systems, procurement, planning and control, enterprise resource planning (ERP), and project management.

Every organization needs a strong leader—maybe that leader is you. With the graduate certificate in Organizational Leadership from Penn State Behrend, you can build a foundation in the essential skills needed to navigate challenges, adapt to change, and lead a team to success.

In this 12-credit program, you’ll study the fundamentals of management theory, learning to make effective decisions and improve your critical thinking skills. You’ll also develop technical skills to analyze problems through hands-on coursework and real-world case studies.

Physics is the fundamental science from which many fields of science and engineering developed. Understanding it gives you insights into your field at broad and fundamental levels. This strengthens your abilities to innovate and to see basic connections in your specialization or across disciplines.

A physics minor can provide you with a cross-disciplinary background that is highly valued by industry and academics.

The Project and Supply Chain Management minor is designed to introduce students within the School of Business to advanced topics in supply chain and project management. The minor can provide options and opportunities beyond those offered by a major program of study.

An 18-credit Psychological Science minor is available to students in any major, and it is a valuable addition if one’s career will involve interaction with other people.

This minor is designed to provide undergraduate students with a broad overview of topics and domains within psychology; knowledge and skills related to research methods in psychology; and a deeper knowledge of research, theory, and application in one or two specific content domains. Students completing this minor will find a flexible selection of coursework in psychology.

An 18-credit Sociology minor is available to students in any major, and it is a valuable addition to one’s personal ability to communicate in and outside of the workplace.

This minor is designed to allow undergraduate students to explore the wide range of topics, social groups, and social interactions studied by sociologists. From social inequities and social problems to the familiar institutions of family, school, religion, and government, the diversity of courses available allows sociology minors to explore courses relevant to their interests.

Without software engineers, there would be no internet, email, or apps, no Snapchat or streaming video. Penn State Behrend’s B.S. in Software Engineering can prepare you to become one of the creative tech wizards who put the functionality into our digital lives, as you learn to design, analyze, implement, and maintain complex software systems.

Software engineering is a relatively young profession, but it has great buzz—it regularly tops Money magazine’s annual Best Jobs list.

Statistics originated from the simple study of games of chance and grew into one of the most important applications of human knowledge. One cannot read a newspaper or watch the evening news without being exposed to some sort of statistic or graphic used to describe everything from approval ratings to medical studies. A statistical background enables people to critically analyze and interpret this information.

The Intercollege Minor in Sustainability Leadership allows students in any major to incorporate sustainability as a significant theme in their undergraduate degree program. Through a combination of coursework and immersive experiences in sustainability, students develop the knowledge, skills, and attitudes required to become sustainability leaders in their respective fields.

This minor is designed to accommodate undergraduates enrolled in engineering and engineering technology and in science who wish to augment their majors with further studies in industrial or technical sales. This minor is designed for non-business majors. The objective of the minor is to acquaint the technical students of these majors with the issues and methods associated with industrial or technical sales. Relevant studies include principles of management, operations management, supply chain management, marketing, logistics systems, procurement, personal selling or business-to-business marketing, and project management. Students who complete the minor will be positioned for career opportunities as direct sales engineers who play a key role in the selection, purchase, installation, and maintenance of technical products by selling technology and engineering solutions, or as manufacturing representatives who independently form contracts in exclusive marketing territories for multiple small manufacturers of compatible but not competing technical products.