About Engineering

Mission Statement and Learning Outcomes

The Physics and Engineering Department at PLNU provides strong programs of study in the fields of Physics and Engineering. Our students are well prepared for graduate studies and careers in scientific and engineering fields. We emphasize a collaborative learning environment which allows students to thrive academically, build personal confidence, and develop interpersonal skills. We provide a Christian environment for students to learn values and judgment and pursue integration of modern scientific knowledge and Christian faith.

Program Educational Objectives

The Engineering degree from Point Loma Nazarene University is designed to provide a foundation for productive engineering practice. Our recent graduates will engage in:

  • Problem Solving and Continuous Learning: Applying critical thinking and principles from engineering, science, and mathematics to identify customer-centric solutions to complex problems, while fostering a commitment to the lifelong learning necessary to be an effective engineer.
  • Sustainable and Ethical Practices: Designing and implementing safe, sustainable, and practical engineering solutions that economically address societal needs while considering global and ethical implications of their work.
  • Collaboration and Communication: Working effectively in multidisciplinary teams to understand the big picture and their role in the project, while demonstrating leadership, professionalism, and communication skills.

Program Learning Outcomes (Student Outcomes):

Graduates of the program will demonstrate:

  • 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.
    • Students will effectively communicate complicated technical information in writing.
    • Students will effectively communicate complicated technical information orally.
    • Students will be able to identify, locate, evaluate, and effectively and responsibly use and cite information for the task at hand.
  • 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.
  • an ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.

Program Data

YearTotal BSE EnrolledNumber of BSE Graduates
2023-2448TBD (11 graduates projected)
2022-23455 (Engineering BSE)
2 (Engineering-Physics BS)
2021-22453 (Engineering BSE)
5 (Engineering-Physics BS)
2020-21387 (Engineering-Physics BS)
2019-204411 (Engineering-Physics BS)
2018-195113 (Engineering-Physics BS)

Note that students who entered before the Fall of 2020 began as Engineering-Physics BS students before transitioning to the Engineering BSE degree.

Engineering Advisory Board

The member of the PLNU Engineering Advisory Board from a variety of San Diego companies. The members are:

  • Roscoe Cook

  • Jerry Goodwin
    Viasat

  • Matt Hammond 
    Performance Automation Solutions

  • Sandra Lehman
    San Diego Gas and Electric

  • Damario Mack 
    HGA

  • Jason Rowland 
    Amazon

  • Joe Spinozzi 
    Cyth Systems