School of Engineering

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General Information

Mission

Widener University’s School of Engineering is dedicated to providing quality undergraduate and graduate education and to advancing the state of knowledge in engineering, with the aim of preparing graduates for successful professional careers.

Educational Objectives

The educational objectives of the various graduate programs are that its graduates will excel in industry, government, and academia, and will demonstrate a commitment to lifelong learning and professional development. By the time of graduation, students are expected to achieve the following educational outcomes:

• demonstrate in-depth knowledge and competence in the field of study.
• develop advanced skills in acquiring, evaluating, and integrating new knowledge.
• demonstrate ability to communicate effectively.
• demonstrate ongoing understanding of professional responsibility.

Each program offers a core of courses that emphasizes fundamentals, and a set of electives that adds specialization and practical application. It is the intent of these programs that all graduates be well equipped as engineering specialists or as professionally skilled program managers.

The dual MSE/MBA program is offered in conjunction with each of the engineering programs except engineering management. The student should consult the curricula in the respective major area to complete the dual program course sequence.

Sesquicentennial Anniversary

In 2012, the School of Engineering celebrated its 150-year anniversary of providing quality engineering education at Widener University. The first class of three engineers began their studies in the fall of 1862 and graduated from the Pennsylvania Military Academy (Widener’s predecessor institution) with the degree of bachelor of civil engineering in 1867. To date, thousands of students have completed their bachelor’s and master’s degrees in a variety of engineering disciplines. They have gone on to practice engineering in every corner of the nation and around the globe.

Admission Requirements

All inquiries and subsequent submission of admission materials for graduate engineering certificate programs, master of science in engineering (MSE) programs, and the dual degree (MSE/MBA) program should be submitted online at https://go.widener.edu/apply.

MASTER OF SCIENCE IN ENGINEERING PROGRAMS—A graduate program candidate should hold a bachelor of science degree in engineering. Candidates who hold undergraduate degrees in related areas are also considered.

Admission into a graduate program as a full-time student is predicated on a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.8 (based on a 4.0 system) from an undergraduate program and scores from the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). The GRE requirement may be waived for applicants with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 and above from an EAC/ABET accredited undergraduate program.

Admission into a graduate program as a part-time student is predicated on a cumulative GPA of at least 2.8 (based on a 4.0 system) from an EAC/ABET-accredited program and relevant professional experience. Although the GRE is optional for part-time students, it may be helpful in the evaluation of credentials.

CERTIFICATE PROGRAMS—Applicants should hold a bachelor’s degree in engineering, engineering technology, science, business, or related field (depending on certificate) with a minimum GPA of 2.5 in their undergraduate program or PE certification.

RECOMMENDATION LETTERS—Prospective students applying for admission into the graduate program must provide two letters of recommendation at the time of application submission.

CONDITIONAL ADMISSION—Students who graduate from unaccredited programs or whose academic record falls short of established standards but whose progress since graduation has demonstrated notable achievement may be admitted with condition. To satisfy particular deficiencies, the student may be required to take certain undergraduate courses and/or graduate courses and receive a grade of B or better in each of these courses. Conditional courses will be specified in the acceptance letter from the Office of Graduate Admission.

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS—International students should consult the International Student Services web page at www.widener.edu for international graduate student guidelines or contact the Office of International Student Services at Widener University, One University Place, Chester, PA 19013; phone: 610-499-4499.

International students are required to complete one semester of study in the school and degree into which they are matriculated before they can be admitted to a different school or degree program in the university. During the initial semester, international students may apply for admission to a different school or degree, seeking admission for the subsequent semester.

SPECIAL STUDENTS—Students who are not formal degree candidates are considered special or nonmatriculated students. They must complete all course work assigned to degree candidates and receive a grade. A special student may request a change in status to degree candidate. The request must be submitted in writing to the Office of Graduate Programs, School of Engineering. An approval will specify the courses accepted for the degree program and the time limit. A maximum of 9 credits may be accepted toward degree requirements.

AUDITING—Students will be permitted to audit courses in the graduate program with the approval of the instructor. No grade or credit is given for auditing a course and examinations need not be taken; however, the registration procedure and fee structure are the same as that for other students.

TRANSFER OF CREDIT—A maximum of nine credits in total from all sources may be transferred.

Transfer of Credit for Graduate-Level Courses: Transfer credit for previous graduate courses that have not been used to satisfy the requirements of another degree may be accepted toward degree requirements. Transfer credit is granted only at the time the student is admitted to the program. The subjects must form an integral part of the proposed program as approved by the student’s advisor and have been taken within five years prior to matriculation. A grade of B or better must have been earned in these transfer courses. No more than three credits will be accepted for transfer after matriculation. Students must obtain written permission from their advisor/department chairman and the graduate program director prior to taking a course at another institution and must earn a grade B or better. Current students who are approved to take a course at another institution are responsible for providing the graduate program director with an official transcript showing the final grade at the conclusion of the course.

Transfer of Credit for Half-Course Modules and Professional Short Courses: Transfer credit for half-course modules or professional short courses will be considered on a case-by-case basis, according to the above guidelines. Transfer credit for professional short courses may be considered only upon evaluation of a student course portfolio for each course. The student course portfolio must include the course syllabus, course notes, completed homework assignments, and either examinations or one or more graded course project reports. Team project work must be designated as such. Portfolios will be evaluated by at least two faculty members from the department involved. One and one-half (1.5) semester hours of transfer credit may be awarded for a professional short course of a minimum of 22.5 contact hours, including 1.5 hours of examination/evaluation time.

GRADUATE MANAGEMENT ADMISSION TEST—The Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) is required for the dual MSE/MBA program.

Academic Calendar

At the start of each semester, students should check myWidener or the University website for the academic calendar and deadline information.

Grading

The following grades and their associated grade points are used:

*Only for courses offered on a pass/fail basis.

NOTE: Individual instructors may elect, at their discretion, not to use plus/minus grades.

The grade point value for a given course is the product of the semester hours for the course and the numerical value of the grade obtained. The GPA is the total grade points divided by the number of semester hours undertaken, and is based upon the graduate courses that are required for the master’s degree programs as shown in the curricula, which follows.

The grade of I is given when a student has not completed course requirements because of excusable reasons. A student who receives a grade of I must arrange to make up all deficiencies with the instructor issuing the grade. If the work is not made up within one calendar year from the end of the semester in which the incomplete is received, the grade will be automatically converted to F, unless the course in question is a thesis research course or a dissertation research course. Upon completion of the requirements, the instructor will institute a change of grade. (Note: A student does not register again for a course in which the grade of incomplete has been received.) A student cannot be awarded a degree when there is an outstanding incomplete grade on the transcript, even if the incomplete is in a course not required in the degree program.

SATISFACTORY ACADEMIC PROGRESS—Master’s candidates are required to maintain at least a B average. Courses for which grades lower than B– are received may be repeated only with the permission of the graduate committee. The new grade replaces the old for computation of the GPA, but both grades are recorded on the transcript. No more than two repetitions total and only one repetition per course are allowed.

A student whose academic performance is considered inadequate will be subject to dismissal from the program. Conduct inconsistent with the ethical and professional standards of the discipline, whether it occurs before or after matriculation, is also grounds for dismissal from the program. Such conduct includes academic fraud, which consists of any actions that serve to undermine the integrity of the academic process, including cheating, post-test alteration of answers, plagiarism, and electronic or computer fraud. A student dismissed for academic fraud may no longer enroll in the graduate programs of the university and may not apply for admission into another division of the university. Please see the section titled “Standards for Academic Integrity.”

Course Offerings

Graduate course offerings are published each semester by the Office of Graduate Programs.

DROP/ADD POLICY—Students taking a course in the School of Engineering may withdraw from the course at any time prior to the final examination and receive the grade of W. If a course does not include a final examination, the deadline for withdrawing from the course with a grade of W is the final class meeting for the course. Graduate students begin the withdrawal process by notifying their instructor and advisor in writing of their intent to withdraw. Students must submit a drop/add form to the Registrar’s Office and the Office of Graduate Programs.

Students may add a course without special permission no later than one week after the semester has begun. If a student wishes to add a course after one week, written permission must be obtained from both the instructor and the appropriate Chair.

The School of Engineering reserves the right to cancel the offering of any course if the enrollment is below the minimum levels.

Leave of Absence

Students who have not completed their programs of study and desire a leave of absence must apply to the Office of Graduate Programs specifying the duration of the requested leave. A student who does not apply for a leave of absence and does not register for at least one course in an academic year will be considered as withdrawn from the program. International students must contact the Office of International Student Services before pursuing a leave of absence.

Reinstatement to the Program

Students who have withdrawn from the program may seek readmission by submitting a new application with the Office of Graduate Admission.

Registration

New and continuing students may register for  courses online through the Student Planning during their issued date and time from the Office of the Registrar.

Student Status

Students pursuing a program of study in Widener’s School of Engineering are considered to be full-time graduate students when they are enrolled in 9 or more credits of graduate study per semester or in ENGR 691 , ENGR 692 , or ENGR 693  (thesis). It is recommended that students take no more than 12 credits of graduate study per semester. Students who enroll in at least 5 credits of graduate study are considered to be half-time students.

Time Limit

All requirements for the master of science in engineering degree must be completed within seven years from the beginning of the first semester or within two years from the start of Thesis I (ENGR 691 ), whichever comes first. See “Thesis Regulations” and “Thesis Continuation” below. Students enrolled in the dual MSE/MBA program must complete all requirements within nine years.

Thesis Requirement

Thesis provides students an opportunity to conduct scholarly research in an area of interest.  Thesis track is optional. Those who do not elect to write a thesis must substitute six semester hours of approved course work.

THESIS REGULATIONS—The thesis (and the research upon which the thesis is based) represents six semester hours of credit. Instructions for thesis preparation, format, and scheduling may be obtained from the graduate program office. A thesis proposal is to be submitted to the advisor and to the director for graduate programs for approval prior to the student’s enrollment in ENGR 691  (Thesis I). Upon successful completion of ENGR 691 , students must enroll in the immediately following semester in ENGR 692  (Thesis II). The student must complete the thesis within a two-year period from the start of Thesis I. An oral defense of the thesis must be presented at a thesis defense prior to final acceptance. The final document must be completed within two months after the oral defense unless otherwise noted by the graduate program director.

THESIS CONTINUATION—Students who have not completed their thesis after enrolling for two consecutive semesters must then register for ENGR 693 , Thesis Continuation, for which no graduation credit is given. Students must register for ENGR 693  in all subsequent semesters until the thesis is completed. Under unusual circumstances, the student may be granted an extension to complete the thesis beyond the two-year limit, in which case the student must register for ENGR 693  every semester until the thesis is completed. Tuition for thesis continuation is assessed at the rate of 1.5 credits.

ORAL PRESENTATIONS—Requests to schedule oral thesis presentations must be submitted to the student’s advisor in writing. No oral thesis presentations will be permitted in the period 30 days prior to the scheduled graduation date. For additional information, contact the Office of Graduate Programs.

Graduate Cooperative Education

Widener University’s School of Engineering offers an optional graduate-level cooperative educational experience to qualified students. The program is intended to supplement students’ graduate studies while preparing them for employment in the professional sector. The minimum grade point average to qualify for the program is 3.0. Students must maintain a 3.0 or higher grade point average for the duration of the cooperative education experience. International students may participate in the graduate co-op program after their first year of full-time studies and after attending an orientation session. For information, visit www.widener.edu and access the School of Engineering’s Graduate Cooperative Education web page.

Standards for Academic Integrity

Academic Integrity Policy

The Academic Integrity Policy was approved by the Faculty Council. Additional regulations are excerpted and paraphrased from the “Minutes of the Academic Council.” These regulations explain Widener University’s expectations regarding students’ academic conduct and describe procedures related to those expectations. Exceptions to the regulations may be made only by special action of the school/college academic councils of the Academic Review Board. References in this catalog refer to the Main Campus only.

Statement on Academic Integrity

Widener University strongly supports the concept of academic integrity and expects students and all other members of the Widener University community to be honest in all academic endeavors. Cheating, plagiarism, and all other forms of academic fraud are unacceptable; they are serious violations of university policy. In some circumstances, students’ conduct may require review under the research integrity policy, the freedom to learn policy, the judicial review policy, and other university policies. Widener University expects all students to be familiar with university policies on academic integrity, as outlined in this catalog. The university will not accept a claim of ignorance—either of the policy itself or of what constitutes academic fraud—as a valid defense against such a charge.

Violations of Academic Integrity

Violations of academic integrity constitute academic fraud. Academic fraud consists of any action that serves to undermine the integrity of the academic process or that gives the student an unfair advantage, including:

• inspecting, duplicating or distributing test materials without authorization.
• cheating, attempting to cheat, or assisting others to cheat.
• altering work after it has been submitted for a grade.
• plagiarizing.
• using or attempting to use anything that constitutes unauthorized assistance.
• fabricating, falsifying, distorting, or inventing any information, documentation, or citation.

Each student’s program may have on record additional specific acts particular to a discipline that constitutes academic fraud. These specific acts are specified in relevant handbooks or course syllabi.

Statement on Plagiarism

One of the most common violations of academic integrity is plagiarism. Plagiarism can be intentional or unintentional. However, since each student is responsible for knowing what constitutes plagiarism, unintentional plagiarism is as unacceptable as intentional plagiarism and commission of it will bring the same penalties. In many classes, faculty members will provide their definitions of plagiarism. In classes where a definition is not provided, students will be held to the definition of plagiarism that follows:

Definition of Plagiarism

Plagiarism—submitting the work of others as one’s own—is a serious offense. In the academic world, plagiarism is theft. Information from sources—whether quoted, paraphrased, or summarized—must be given credit through specific citations. When a student paraphrases a work, it is still necessary to cite the original source. Merely rearranging a sentence or changing a few words is not sufficient. The citation style should be appropriate for the discipline and should clearly indicate the beginning and ending of the referenced material. All sources used in the preparation of an academic paper must also be listed with full bibliographic details at the end of the paper, as appropriate in the discipline.

Faculty and Student Responsibilities

• Every student, faculty member, and administrator is responsible for upholding the highest standards of academic integrity. Every member of the Widener community shall honor the spirit of this policy by refusing to tolerate academic fraud.
• When expectations for a course are not addressed in this policy, it is the responsibility of the instructor to provide students with additional guidelines for what constitutes “authorized” and “unauthorized” assistance.
• It is the responsibility of every student to seek clarificationif in doubt about what constitutes “authorized” and “unauthorized”  assistance. In cases of collaborative work, all students within the collaborative group may be responsible for “unauthorized” assistance to any individual student within the collaborative group.
• Students are required to obtain permission prior to submitting work, any part of which was previously or will be submitted in another course. The instructor has the option of accepting, rejecting, or requiring modification of the content of previously or simultaneously submitted work.

A student who suspects that a violation of academic integrity has occurred should report that violation to the associate provost or their dean. In this report, the student should describe any action taken, such as talking with the person involved or with a faculty or staff member. Every effort will be made to preserve the anonymity of the student reporting the incident; however, confidentiality cannot be guaranteed.

Resolution at the Faculty/Student Level for Academic Fraud Occurring in a Course

Process and Reporting

A faculty member who becomes aware of possible academic fraud in a course will:

1. Collect and preserve all evidence of the suspected fraud.
2. Inform the suspected student(s) in writing. The faculty member may contact the associate provost for additional support and guidance.
3. Provide the student with the opportunity to respond to the charges within five business days of his/her receipt of, or refusal to accept, notice of the suspected fraud. If the student fails to respond to this opportunity, the student forfeits any right to appeal the decision to the school or college level where the course is taught, and the faculty member will determine the penalty.
4. Discuss the academic fraud with the student and agree to pursue student/faculty resolution. If no such agreement is reached, the faculty member refers the matter to the dean of the school or college level where the course is taught and will be processed at the school/college level.
5. In cases where a faculty member takes action for a case of academic fraud, the faculty member will send a report describing the academic fraud and the penalty being imposed to the student, the dean of the school or college where the course involved is taught, the dean of the school or college where the student is enrolled, and the Office of the Associate Provost for Graduate Studies and Extended Learning as the office of record. Please contact the associate provost for guidelines and templates for constructing the reports.

If the faculty member is not satisfied with the sanctions available, he or she may refer the case to the dean responsible for the course in question.

If the student does not accept responsibility for the academic fraud or disagrees with the sanction imposed by the faculty member, the student may appeal the outcome at the school or college level according to the process stipulated in the bylaws or student handbook of the school or college where the course is taught.

Penalties

The suggested penalty for academic fraud in any course is failure in the course. However, faculty members may take alternative steps. Penalties available to faculty members include:

• Formal warning.
• Reduction in grade for the assignment.
• Reduction in the grade for the course.
• Failing grade for the assignment.
• A failing grade (F) in the course.
• A failing grade (XF) in the course (a grade of XF will appear on the transcript and be defined on the transcript as failure as a result of academic fraud).

Offenses Subject to Expulsion

All reports of academic fraud will be reviewed by the associate provost to verify whether reports have been received indicating that the student has been found responsible for any other act of academic fraud. In cases where the associate provost finds that the case is a repeat offense for which the student has received a failing grade (F or XF) in a course for each offense or a case in which a student has stolen or attempted to steal an examination, the associate provost will expel the student from the university. The student may appeal cases resulting in expulsion to the Academic Review Board.

Resolution at the School/College Level

Process and Reporting

When a faculty member or any other employee of the university becomes aware of possible academic fraud occurring outside a course, the faculty member or employee will:

1. Collect and preserve all evidence of the suspected fraud.
2. Refer the matter to the dean of the school or college where the student is enrolled.

When a case of academic fraud occurring in a course is referred to the dean of the school or college where the course is taught or when a case of academic fraud occurring outside a course is referred to the dean of the school or college where the student is enrolled:

1. The dean will notify the student and the associate provost in writing of the charge of academic fraud, the penalty to be imposed, and all rights of appeal, if any.
2. If a student wishes to contest the charge of academic fraud or disagrees with the sanction imposed, the student may do so according to the process stipulated in the bylaws or student handbook of the school or college where the course is taught. In such a case, the student will also be informed of the process as stipulated by the school or college.
3. In cases where the penalty results in dismissal of the student from the school or college, the student may appeal the decision at the university level in writing to the Academic Review Board via the associate provost.

Penalties

The maximum penalty imposed in school or college resolution for individuals convicted of academic fraud shall be dismissal from the school or college. Lesser penalties may include:

• Formal warning.
• Reduction in grade for the assignment.
• Reduction in the grade for the course.
• Failing grade for the assignment.
• Failing grade (F) in the course.
• A failing grade (XF) in the course (a grade of XF will appear on the transcript and be defined on the transcript as failure as a result of academic fraud).
• Required attendance at an academic integrity workshop or tutorial.

Offenses Subject to Expulsion

All reports of academic fraud will be reviewed by the associate provost to verify whether reports have been received indicating that the student has been found responsible for any other act of academic fraud. In cases where the associate provost finds that the case is a repeat offense where the student has received a failing grade (F or XF) in a course for each offense or a case where a student has stolen or attempted to steal an examination, the associate provost will expel the student from the university. The student may appeal cases resulting in expulsion to the Academic Review Board.

Resolution at the University Level—Repeat Offenses / Theft of Examination Materials

Process

The associate provost will review all reports of academic fraud.

1. If the associate provost finds the case is a repeat offense where the student has received a failing grade (F or XF) in a course for each offense, the associate provost will expel the student from the university. The student may appeal the case to the Academic Review Board.
2. If the associate provost finds the case is a repeat offense where the student has not received a failing grade for both offenses, the case will be referred to the Academic Review Board.
3. If the student has stolen or attempted to steal an examination, the associate provost will expel the student from the university. The student may appeal the case to the Academic Review Board.

Penalties

The maximum penalty imposed by the Academic Review Board for individuals convicted of academic fraud shall be expulsion from the university. Penalties include:

• An XF grade in the course (a grade of XF will appear on the transcript and be defined on the transcript as failure as a result of academic fraud).
• Removal of the privilege of representing the university in extracurricular activities, including athletics, as well as the privilege of running for or holding office in any student organization that is allowed to use university facilities or receives university funds.
• Suspension from the university for up to one academic year. Students suspended for academic fraud cannot transfer into Widener any credits earned during the suspension.
• Dismissal from the university. Students dismissed for academic fraud must apply for readmission according to the Academic Review Board guidelines. Readmission applications by students suspended for academic fraud must be approved by the Academic Review Board.
• Expulsion from the university without the opportunity for readmission.

Reporting

The associate provost will send a report describing the academic fraud and the penalty being imposed to the student, the affected faculty members, the dean of the school or college where the course involved is taught, and the dean of the school or college where the student is enrolled, as well as maintain a copy as the office of record.

Student Appeals/Decisions—Expulsion/Dismissal

When a student is expelled or dismissed by the associate provost, the student may initiate his or her appeal to the Academic Review Board by notifying the associate provost in writing of the request for an appeal, together with a concise statement of the grounds for the appeal.

Written notice of the student’s request for appeal, together with the concise statement of the student’s grounds for the appeal, must be received by the associate provost no more than ten business days following the decision of the faculty, school/college, or university.

When a case is referred to the Academic Review Board, the associate provost shall notify the student in writing of the time and location for the Academic Review Board hearing.

The membership of the Academic Review Board consists of the provost, the associate provost, the dean, the chair of the faculty, and the chair of the Faculty Council Academic Affairs Committee; provided, however, that any majority of the foregoing members shall constitute a quorum for purposes of conducting any matters to come before the Academic Review Board pursuant to these standards. Any faculty member on the Academic Review Board involved in the original accusations will not participate in deliberations in that case.

At an appeal before the Academic Review Board, the student shall have the opportunity to be heard and the right to produce witnesses or introduce evidence subject to the reasonable discretion of the Academic Review Board. The student may also be accompanied by a representative of his or her choosing who may not participate in the appeal. The Academic Review Board shall not be subject to any evidentiary rules but shall accept or reject evidence in its sound discretion. All appeals shall be closed to the public and no stenographic record shall be required unless requested at the expense of the requesting party. In the absence of a stenographic record, the Academic Review Board shall provide, in its sole discretion, either a recorded record or notes of the proceedings taken by a member of the Academic Review Board.

The results of all appeals to the Academic Review Board, permitted in the Academic Integrity Policy, shall be final.

Any matter submitted to a faculty member, the school/college, or the university for decision or review under this policy will be decided in a timely manner and the parties will use their best efforts to conclude the proceedings within the semester in which the alleged offense has occurred or the appeal is received, provided, however, that any delay in the proceedings will in no way operate as a waiver of the university’s right to assess any or all of the sanctions permitted hereunder. References to the associate provost also includes his/her designee, except with respect to membership on the Academic Review Board.

Academic Review Board

The Academic Review Board consists of the provost, the associate provost, the deans of each school/college, the vice chair of the University Council, and the chair of the University Council Academic Affairs Committee. Duties of the board include (1) hearing petitions for the waiver of academic regulations that transcend a single school or college (e.g., distribution or residency requirements, walk-through policy), and (2) serving as the appeal body in cases of an alleged violation of procedure in school/college Academic Council hearings.

Academic Grievance Appeal Procedure

If a student has a grievance concerning a class in which they are enrolled, they will first try to resolve the problem with the instructor of the class. If a student has a grievance concerning an academic requirement of the program (e.g., comprehensive examination, final clinical oral examination, clinical placements), they will first try to resolve the problem with the director of the graduate program. If it is impossible to resolve the matter at this initial level, the grievance must be placed in writing. Then the student may appeal to the next higher level. The student should inquire in the office of the dean for the proper appeal procedure if the student’s grievance is not resolved to the student’s satisfaction after initial appeal to the instructor or the program director.

Graduation Requirements and Awarding of Degrees

Students are responsible for knowing and meeting curriculum requirements as shown in this catalog.

The master of science in engineering programs require a minimum of 30 credits. The dual MSE/MBA program’s credit requirements vary according to the undergraduate business courses completed. A savings of two to four courses results from the combining of the two degree programs. Please note that a waiver of any requirement for the degree must be approved in writing by the Office of the Dean of the School of Engineering. A cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better is required for graduation, and, if applicable, completion of all thesis requirements. A student may not graduate with more than two course grades lower than B–. A student cannot graduate with a grade of F in any of the courses attempted.

Those who expect to receive the master’s degree should make clear their intentions to their advisors. A student who completes requirements for the degree at the conclusion of either summer session will be awarded the degree in August of that year; the student must submit a graduation petition per the instructions online at www.widener.edu/registrar by March 1. A student who completes requirements for the degree at the conclusion of the fall semester will be awarded the degree in December of that year; the student must submit a graduation petition per the instructions online at www.widener.edu/registrar by July 1. A student who completes requirements for the degree at the conclusion of the spring semester will be awarded the degree in May of that year; the student must submit a graduation petition per the instructions online at www.widener.edu/registrar by November 1 of the previous year. The university holds only one formal commencement in the spring to which August, December, and May graduates are invited.

A student who petitions for graduation and who, for whatever reason, is not awarded the degree is not permitted to ‘walkthrough’ commencement and must re-petition.

Dual Specialization

A student may elect to pursue a dual specialization while achieving their master of science in engineering degree.  In such cases students must satisfy all requirements of both programs.  Dual specialization requires a total minimum of 39 credits for both the thesis or non-thesis path.

Assistantships and Fellowships

A limited number of graduate assistantships are available. Assistantship appointments require service to the School of Engineering via participating in research projects or assisting faculty in executing teaching assignments. The assistantships are awarded by the dean upon recommendation of the department. The amount of service does not ordinarily exceed 20 hours per week. Most students who accept assistantship appointments complete their course of study within two years. Tuition reimbursed for graduate assistants is considered taxable income in accordance with current Internal Revenue Service regulations.

Appointments to assistantships are made for one semester only, but may be renewed. Holders of such appointments must devote study at full-time status and fulfill assistantship commitments. They may not be employed elsewhere without the prior consent of the advisor and the director for graduate programs. Thesis students who accept graduate assistantships and then request a conversion to the non-thesis option are reviewed on a  case-by-case basis by the Dean’s Office and may be subject to financial penalty.

The School of Engineering follows the statement of the Council of Graduate Schools in the United States, which is as follows: “In every case in which a graduate scholarship, fellowship, traineeship, or graduate assistantship for the next academic year is offered to an actual prospective graduate student, the student, if he [she] indicates his [her] acceptance before April 15, will have complete freedom through April 15 to submit in writing a resignation of his [her] appointment in order to accept another graduate scholarship, fellowship, traineeship, or graduate assistantship. However, an acceptance given or left in force after April 15 commits him [her] not to accept another appointment without first obtaining formal release for the purpose.”

Awards

The 150th Engineering Anniversary Scholarship is to be awarded to a full-time graduate student pursuing the Master of Science in Engineering degree with the thesis option.  The scholarship is renewable for one year.

The Frank and Angela LaVerghetta Award is given annually to a graduating MSE student who has secured the highest cumulative GPA. However, no award will be made if the highest GPA is less than 3.7. In case of a tie, professional contributions of the candidates will be considered in deciding the winner.

The Shirley Kornfield Memorial Graduate Award is presented annually to the student graduating with a MSE in electrical engineering who has secured the highest cumulative GPA.

Transcripts

Students in good financial standing may have copies of their transcripts forwarded to employers, agents, or institutions of higher education by contacting the Office of the Registrar.

Financial Aid

Widener University offers a wide range of financial aid programs. Financial information is available on the university’s website and on myWidener.

Annual Notice to Students Regarding Education Records

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) affords eligible students certain rights with respect to their education records. (An “eligible student” under FERPA is a student who is 18 years of age or older or who attends a postsecondary institution.) These rights include:

• The right to inspect and review the student’s education records within 45 days after the day the university receives a request for access. A student should submit to the registrar, dean, head of the academic department, or other appropriate official, a written request that identifies the record(s) the student wishes to inspect. The university official will make arrangements for access and notify the student of the time and place where the records may be inspected. If the records are not maintained by the university official to whom the request was submitted, that official shall advise the student of the correct official to whom the request should be addressed.
• The right to request the amendment of the student’s education records that the student believes are inaccurate, misleading, or otherwise in violation of the student’s privacy rights under FERPA.

A student who wishes to ask the university to amend a record should write the university official responsible for the record, clearly identify the part of the record the student wants changed, and specify why it should be changed.

If the university decides not to amend the record as requested, the university will notify the student in writing of the decision and the student’s right to a hearing regarding the request for amendment. Additional information regarding the hearing procedures will be provided to the student when notified of the right to a hearing.

• The right to provide written consent before the university discloses personally identifiable information (PII) from the student’s education records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent.

The university discloses education records without a student’s prior written consent under the FERPA exception for disclosure to university officials with legitimate educational interests. A university official is a person employed by the university in an administrative, supervisory, academic, research, or support staff position (including, without limitation, law enforcement unit personnel, health staff, athletic coaches and trainers, and admissions counselors and recruiters); a person serving on the board of trustees; or a student serving on an official committee, such as a disciplinary or grievance committee. A university official also may include a volunteer or contractor outside of the university who performs an institutional service or function for which the university would otherwise use its own employees and who is under the direct control of the university with respect to the use and maintenance of PII from education records, such as an attorney, auditor, contractor, consultant, or collection agent, or a student volunteering to assist another university official in performing his or her tasks. A university official has a legitimate educational interest if the official needs to review an education record in order to fulfill his or her professional responsibilities for the university.

Upon request, the university also discloses education records without consent to officials of another school in which a student seeks or intends to enroll. Such education records may include updated or corrected information, including, without limitation, disciplinary and health records.

• The right to file a complaint with the U.S Department of Education concerning alleged failures by the university to comply with the requirements of FERPA. The name and address of the Office that administers FERPA is:

Family Policy Compliance Office
U.S. Department of Education
400 Maryland Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20202

• The right to withhold public disclosure of any or all items of “directory information” by written notification to the Registrar’s Office of the university or the School of Law, as applicable, within two weeks after the commencement of the fall or spring semesters of any given academic year. Under current university policy, the term “directory information” includes, without limitation, a student’s name, home and campus address, telephone listing(s), electronic mail address, photographs, major field of study, grade level, enrollment status (e.g., undergraduate or graduate, full-time or part-time), dates of attendance, participation in officially recognized activities and sports, weight and height of members of athletic teams, degrees, honors and awards received, and the most recent educational agency or institution attended.

Campus Safety

Campus Security and Fire Safety Reports

Widener is committed to the safety and security of all members of the Widener University community. The university’s annual Campus Safety and Fire Safety Reports are on the Widener website and contain information on campus security and personal safety, including crime prevention, university law enforcement authority, crime reporting policies, disciplinary procedures, and other campus security matters. The Campus Safety Reports contain statistics for the three previous calendar years on reported crimes that occurred on campus, in certain off-campus buildings and property owned and controlled by the university, and on public property within or immediately adjacent to and accessible from campus.

The Fire Safety Report contains information on fire safety systems in on-campus student housing facilities, the number of fire drills held during the previous year, the university’s policies on portable electrical appliances, smoking, and open flames in student housing facilities, the university’s procedures for student housing evacuation in the case of a fire, policies regarding fire safety education and training programs provided to students and employees, a listing of persons or organizations to which fires should be reported, and plans for future improvements in fire safety. It also contains statistics for the three most recent calendar years concerning the number of fires and cause of each fire in each on-campus student housing facility, the number of persons who received fire-related injuries that resulted in treatment at a medical facility, the number of deaths related to a fire, and the value of property damage caused by a fire.

The annual Campus Safety and Fire Safety Reports are available online at www.widener.edu/campussafety. If you would like a printed copy of these reports, contact the Campus Safety Office at 610-499-4203 to have a copy mailed to you. The information in these reports is required by law and is provided by the Campus Safety Office.

Engineering Board of Advisors

Edward Callan, ‘80

Site Vice President, Three Mile Island Unit 1

Exelon Generation Company, LLC

Middleton, PA

Nick Cirilli, PE, PLS ‘79

Principal

Cirilli Associates, Inc.

Springfield, PA

J. Earl Coffman ‘90

Director, Transmission Operation & Planning

PECO Energy Co.

Philadelphia, PA

Paul Davison ‘86

Vice President, Engineering

PSEG Nuclear, LLC

Hancocks Bridge, NJ

William Fryberger, ‘73

President

Engineering Equipment Sales

Belcamp, MD

Rosalie Hornbuckle

Chief Human Resources Officer

Philadelphia International and Northeast Airports

Philadelphia, PA 

John Horne

President

Independence Prosthetics-Orthotics, Inc.

Brookhaven, PA

Roby Lentz ‘92

Vice President, Business Development

Delphinus Engineering, Inc.

Eddystone, PA

Karl McClellan ‘80, ‘88

Utilities Team Leader

Kimberly-Clark Corp., Chester Operations

Chester, PA

Samir Mehta ‘93

COO

Conviva

Foster City, CA

Charles Mouzannar

President - E&I and Clean Energy

AMEC Foster Wheeler

Plymouth Meeting, PA

Suheil Sabbagh

President Group Human Resources

Consolidated Contractors Company

Athens, Greece

Joseph Viscuso ‘73

Senior Vice President

Pennoni Associates, Inc.

West Chester, PA

Jeff Warmann

CEO & President

Monroe Energy, LLC

Trainer, PA

Peter Zacharkiw ‘72, ‘77

President

Cenergetix, LLC

Rockville, MD

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