Students interested in broadening their education within the field of engineering can now focus their interests to a new minor offered through the College of Engineering with a focus on business and creativity.

The college recently received a two-year grant from the GE Learning Excellence Fund, which is a philanthropic foundation of the General Electric Company, to be used in problem-based learning at the the university.

The grant will be used to start a minor, titled engineering entrepreneurship. The proposed minor deals with teaching students the creative edge needed for success in engineering markets. The project manager of the program is Elizabeth Kisenwether, who also is a faculty member of the college.

Kisenwether majored in electrical engineering at Penn State, worked in the industry and now has returned to teach. Her experience in the job market gave her insight as to what engineering students need to have an edge over the competition. She found it is helpful for students to have knowledge in how to work in business situations.

"I think engineering students should learn about leadership and entrepreneurship," she said. "Really great engineers are creative people."

She said that although the minor will be offered to all students, the college hopes to attract students majoring in business, information science and technology and engineering.

Kisenwether hopes the University Faculty Senate approves the minor by Spring Semester. Then students will be able to receive recognition by the Summer or Fall semesters.

There currently are three core classes offered that will be used toward achievement of the minor. These classes are based on problem solving and teamwork rather than lectures. They cover skills that most engineers and technology-focused majors do not usually learn in college.

"Learning through experience is much more effective than textbook and lecture learning," said Ashley Simpson (senior-letters, arts and science).

One of these core classes, Engineering 407 (Technology-Based Entrepreneurship), is taught by Jack Matson. He has been teaching the class for the past decade, and is very excited about the new minor.

"It is utterly fantastic for engineering and business students to receive a minor in entrepreneurship," Matson said.

Matson believes that entrepreneurship is critical in the United States, because it develops the employment base.

Students seem to be equally enthusiastic about the new minor. Classes are filling up for the spring.