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Auburn University


Business Engineering Technology (B-E-T) Minor
A Minor for Engineering and Business Undergraduates Offered Jointly by
     the Ginn College of Engineering and the College of Business

 

Students, Alumni & Faculty at the Spring 2008 Reception (click to enlarge)

 

Click here to view a Power Point presentation

 

Click to Apply

 

          What the Deans say about the BET Minor:

          "The graduates from this program have a competitive edge over other undergraduates. They enter the workplace on a fast track to success. I strongly encourage any qualified student to participate."
          -Dr. Larry Benefield, Dean, Ginn College of Engineering, Auburn University.
 

          "Employers are seeking graduates that have the requisite skills and technical knowledge with business acumen, and the ability to work in cross functional teams...Other colleges of business and engineering have not put together a similar program. This minor will differentiate you from the thousands of graduates from other universities."
         -Dr. Paul Bobrowski, Dean, College of Business, Auburn University.

 

        What the Student Advisors in the two colleges say:

          "The B-E-T minor is a custom-designed program to strengthen all College of Business majors in response to feedback from employers in the business community. The College of Business Academic Advisors join me in recommending this minor to all College of Business majors. If you have questions, please contact Professor Paul Swamidass, the director of the program, or see me or one of our Student Advisors."
        -Dr. Gary L. Waters, Associate Dean, College of business Undergraduate Programs,
         Auburn University, Phone: (334)844-5841
 

         "Over the last six years, all engineering majors have benefited by enrolling in the BET program. Our student advisors are familiar with this program and recommend this minor strongly. If you have questions, contact Professor Paul Swamidass, the director of the BET program, or see me or one of our advisors in the Engineering Student Services office in Ramsey Hall."
         -Director of Engineering Student Services, Ginn College of Engineering, Auburn
          University, AL, (334)844-4310
       

         A Note to Accounting Majors:

         "The BET minor is an excellent opportunity for accounting majors to experience on campus what they will experience in their career. Accounting majors, who start the BET program in their sophomore year, can easily complete their accounting degree as well as their BET minor in four years while participating in the Public Accounting Internship in spring of their senior year. I recommend the BET minor to accounting majors. If you have any questions please speak to me or Dr. Paul Swamidass, the director of the program."
           -Dr. Norm Godwin, Director School of Accountancy, Auburn University  


         What the students say:

        "BET is a great opportunity for engineers to get real world experience while completing their undergraduate degree. Group projects require both business and engineering knowledge to solve problems forcing cooperation between disciplines."
          -Justin Gorman, Ginn College of Engineering student in the BET program
 

        What the graduates say:

       "BET minor helped me stand out from the crowd. Every interviewer asked me about it. Having a minor that is so unique made people remember who I was. Once on the job at UPS, a logistics company run by engineers, I realized how important it was that I learned to work cooperatively with people who think very differently.”
          -Jennifer Foster, Marketing, 2004; Chair, BET Alumni Advisory Board

       "The decision to join BET was a life changing one that  gave me the confidence to stretch myself to the limits. The skills that I have gained from BET and that I cultivated in my job have given me a global career. In the past few years I have worked in the US, France and now in Germany.”
         -Angela Murunga, Electrical Engineering, 2003

      "As a business major, I have learned how economics, marketing, management, accounting and financial principles integrate with design and engineering fundamentals in practical, real-world applications. I would recommend the BET minor to business or engineering students who wish to build upon what they are learning in their major, and seek to differentiate themselves upon graduation."
         -Ryan Priselac, Economics,2007.

 ________________________________________________________________________________________
 

When to Apply: January 2008

Who should apply?

  • All majors in business and engineering

  • Sophomores and juniors in Fall 08

  • GPA of 3.0 or above

  • Co-op students [Click here for Details]

B-E-T Minor - What is it?

  • Academic minor for all business or engineering majors

  • 16 credits over 4 semesters

  • Earn 3 credits during  Spring Co-op semester

  • Earn a Certificate in Business-Engineering-Technology

Scholarships/Fellowships

  • Scholarships for B-E-T students

  • Four Thomely Scholarships: 2 Engineering+2 Business  students. Apply end of first semester.

  • Four Accenture High Performance BET scholarships: 2 Engineering students + 2 Business students. Apply before the first semester.

  • Two or more Thomas Walter Scholars: Second semester onwards, to work on technology transfer assignments.

National/International Experience

  • Provides real-world experience in international product development through partnerships with other institutions each year

  • One Auburn team visits UK and/or India to work with their team members (Travel expenses covered by the B-E-T program)

  • A team from BET Course 3510 competed in product and business development against 36 teams in Chicago in fall 2007 - Placed second in display/project management/ teamwork.

Interested but Not Sure?

  • B-E-T will accept a limited number of students not ready to commit to the four-semester minor.

  • Take first course in BET sequence BUSI/ENGR 3510 in fall

  • At the end of first semester continue in the B-E-T program or discontinue B-E-T

Apply Now for Fall 2008

 Click here for the online application.