Engineering and Physics

Now is an excellent time to undertake an undergraduate study in engineering and physics. The global challenges that we will face in the future will require innovative solutions, which will likely include creative and novel uses of existing technology and the development of new technology. Challenges such as clean and sustainable energy, efficient transport (air, sea and land), security (including information security), clean water resources, health care, environmental protection and economic stability represent major concerns worldwide. Engineers and Physicists will undoubtedly play major roles in addressing these issues.

The faculty and staff are committed to providing an undergraduate experience in Engineering and Physics that emphasizes the Christian worldview. We are also committed to providing the skills and knowledge necessary for future professional engineers and physicists. Our overarching goal is to provide an educational experience that develops a Christian worldview while training our students to work in highly technical and multidisciplinary fields.

We invite you to explore the opportunities that Harding provides for making a positive difference in the world through engineering, physics, and construction science.

Mission and Accreditation

Our Mission

The mission of the Department of Engineering and Physics is to prepare Christian professionals to assume leadership roles in their fields, to improve the quality of life for individuals and society, and to contribute to an enhanced understanding of God's creation.

To accomplish this mission the faculty of the Department of Engineering and Physics is committed to:

  • Attracting highly talented and motivated students to the engineering, physics and construction science professions.
  • Training students in physical principles, scientific reasoning and problem-solving.
  • Developing relevant technical skills in our students.
  • Developing communication and teamwork skills in our students.
  • Raising awareness of professional and ethical responsibilities to society.
  • Instilling a desire and ability for lifelong learning in our students.

The engineering department at Harding has students pursuing undergraduate degrees in Biomedical, Civil, Computer, Electrical and Mechanical Engineering as well as Physics and Construction Science. Elements of mathematics, physical science, engineering science, engineering design and Christian ethics are interwoven to provide a balanced education in the fundamentals of the profession. The various degree programs are described in detail in the pages of this site.

 

Educational Objectives and Student Outcomes

The educational objectives of the Harding University Biomedical, Civil, Computer, Electrical and Mechanical Engineering Programs are to produce graduates who:

  • apply technical knowledge and problem-solving skills to serve the community, church, society and profession;

  • apply fundamental concepts of engineering to pursue advanced studies or continue professional development throughout their careers;

  • demonstrate an ability to collaborate with others in team settings and exhibit love and respect for others in diverse environments;

  • demonstrate an ability to manage work processes among diverse groups of people in the workplace and influence others to perform high-quality engineering work; and

  • describe how their chosen career paths integrate with core identities as disciples of Christ.

Furthermore, student outcomes represent skills that our graduates should have acquired upon graduation. At the time of their graduation, our students should have acquired:

  • an ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science and mathematics;
  • an ability to apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental and economic factors;
  • an ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences;
  • an ability to recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgments, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental and societal contexts;
  • an ability to function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks and meet objectives;
  • an ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions; and
  • an ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.
Engineering Scholarship

Crews Family Endowment for Engineering Scholarship

Three scholarships are available for incoming freshmen planning to major in engineering at Harding University. The scholarships are funded by the Crews Family Endowment for Engineering, which is an endowment set up by a very generous family of an engineering alumnus to help students start their engineering careers at Harding. To apply for the engineering scholarship, students must fill out the Crews Family Endowment for Engineering Scholarship Application (PDF). The deadline for next year's scholarship is April 2, 2024.

Faculty News

The National Science Foundation (NSF) has awarded James Huff, associate professor of engineering and Honors College faculty fellow, a $575,000 grant for his research titled CAREER: Advancing academic cultures of well-being by understanding professional experiences of engineering faculty. This NSF CAREER grant is the most prestigious individual award given to an early-career faculty member at Harding. It is the 59th CAREER grant awarded in the state of Arkansas and only the sixth at an institution other than the University of Arkansas since NSF’s inception in 1994. NSF award to James Huff

During summer 2022, Dr. Will Waldron and Dr. Taylor Williams completed their doctoral degrees. Dr. Waldron defended his dissertation concerning star formation analysis using broadband visible data, and Dr. Williams’ dissertation concerned the application of engineering education to machine learning. Dr. Waldron and Dr. Williams complete their doctoral degrees

 

Service Projects

The Human-Centered Design class gives students the opportunity to use their engineering skills to develop resources for focusing on underprivileged areas of the world. The students learn to balance innovation and technology with resources, materials and skills available in that area. Our first two trips have been taken to a mission and school in Haiti. The students designed a well apparatus to allow the Haitians to install water wells in villages that did not have a source of clean water. The students also built a wall to help make the mission and school more secure.

Contact Information


Engineering and Physics Department

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At Harding University, you'll have the opportunity to be transformed academically, relationally and spiritually so you're prepared to change the world.