Announcements

LAES 301 Introductory Course Open to all Cal Poly Students

We encourage second year students and above, who have an interest in LAES, to try out our LAES 301 project-based introductory class.  To register for the Spring 2012 course, email laes@calpoly.edu for a permission number.  View the course description (pdf).

Help Promote Us

If you are already in the program or about to be, we'd like your help in getting the word out about our innovative degree program. Please stop by the LAES Program Office to grab some postcards and flyers to give to your friends!

We are an Interdisciplinary Studies Degree Program

The BA degree program in Liberal Arts and Engineering Studies is jointly offered by the colleges of Liberal Arts and Engineering. This program prepares students for a wide range of innovative careers in emerging professional fields that combine skills and interests in engineering, the arts, technology, and culture, and also prepares them for further study in graduate school. This program is open to all students at Cal Poly.

The curriculum allows Liberal Arts and Engineering Studies students, in collaboration with students from all other Cal Poly majors, to participate in development teams working on national and international technology and cultural projects. To further prepare students for work with diverse teams that include participants from across the globe, the program requires students to spend three to six months studying and/or working abroad.

Graduates of the Liberal Arts and Engineering Studies program receive a solid foundation in engineering and scientific principles as well as a cultural appreciation that supports them in careers requiring significant levels of technical and cultural fluency. To support these goals, the primary learning objectives are to:

• Have a working knowledge of the essential philosophical, ethical, aesthetic and expressive aspects of our culture and their historical development.
• Communicate effectively through a variety of media in diverse, multicultural contexts.
• Understand a technical system, component or process.
• Function effectively as a member of an interdisciplinary and international team.
• Identify technical problems and use a multidisciplinary perspective to help formulate effective solutions.
• Possess a solid understanding of the ethical and professional responsibilities associated with the creation, use and integration of new and existing technology.
• Understand the social, political and historical impact of technical solutions on complex modern problems.
• Be able to continue asking questions and seeking interdisciplinary solutions to technological dilemmas.
• Understand their responsibilities as informed citizens in a technological society and therefore remain engaged in helping that society improve.

Student Testimonials

"The LAES program is a true embodiment of the 'learn-by-doing' philosophy that has made Cal Poly famous.  LAES students work on projects every day that are set in multi-dicipline environments just like in the real world." (Alumni, Ryan Inouye)

"LAES provides the perfect balance of creativity and technical skills. It allows me the freedom to design a major that I'm passionate about, in a field that other majors don't cover." (Tyler Durkin)

"Students are not always simply left-brain or right-brain, but often an eclectic mixture of both with a number of talents in both areas. This kind of cross-disciplinary thinking is vital to a healthy academic environment, and LAES' real-world, project-focused curriculum is exactly what I needed." (Alumni, Bill Trammel)

"I am learning to make my way in this world, not by following cookie-cutter ideas, but by adapting to the current job market through course choices. LAES is by far the best program on campus. I feel prepared and ready to meet the world after graduation." (Sydni Nicolici)

"After joining LAES, I developed a strong passion and work ethic that has helped develop my ability to be a thinker and problem solver." (Alumni, Brandon Koca)

"The LAES program forever altered the course of my life, not only through acceptance of my personal interests and ideas, but its commitment to creating a globally minded graduate. Without LAES's dedication to global understanding, I never would have come to South Korea to teach English. Without this experience, I never would have fallen in love with a new country I call home." (Alumni, Donovan Loomis)