Smith College officials announced Saturday that the women’s college will begin offering a major program in computer, electrical and environmental engineering.
Engineering remains an extremely male-dominated field, with women comprising only 10% of all professional engineers and about 17% of engineering college students. “Clearly, it’s a matter of national import that our country not only produce more women engineers, but also develop new, truly effective models for educating them,” said Smith College President Ruth Simmons.
Smith currently offers only a minor in engineering, although students are able to earn an engineering major through a dual degree program with the University of Massachusetts at Amherst.
Smith’s program will admit around 25 students each year, for a total program size of 100. Classes will begin this fall.
