Polytecnic Univ. revises curriculum in line with Pell Grant changes
Polytechnic President Ernesto Vázquez-Barquet
Responding to upcoming changes to the Pell Grant, the Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico announced it has revised its undergraduate engineering and geomatic sciences programs at it’s San Juan and Orlando, Fla. campuses.
This revision gives students the opportunity to complete their studies in four years, college officials said.
Using its trimester calendar, the Polytechnic reorganized the curriculums for its undergraduate land surveying and cartography, environmental engineering, civil engineering, computer engineering, electrical engineering, industrial engineering, mechanical engineering, and chemical engineering programs so they can be completed in four years, with an average 147 credit load.
This reorganization will not compromise the programs’ depth and essence, said Ernesto Vázquez-Barquet, president of the private university system.
The start date for these programs is pending approval from the Middle States Commission of Higher Education. The approval process is expected to be completed by June, which will enable the school to begin offering these new programs this August, the start of the 2012-2013 academic year.
“Our trimester structure, in which students’ full load is 12 credits per trimester, allows them to complete their engineering programs in four years, with an average load of 37 credits per year,” said Vázquez-Barquet. “Covering a larger amount of engineering and basic science material per year, compared to a semester-based structure, Polytechnic University provides excellent academic and professional preparation in less time. The programs will also provide excellent preparation for the engineering board exams.”
With this curriculum change, the specialized college becomes the first higher-learning institution in Puerto Rico to offer a four-year engineering program, while positioning itself as a competitive option vis-à-vis any engineering programs in the United States, he said.
This will also allow students to significantly reduce their education costs while completing studies within the Pell Grant’s new timeline.
All students currently enrolled in engineering programs may switch to the new programs if they wish.
