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FULL SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITY BY WORLD BANK TO PURSUE ARCHITECTURAL ENGINEERING AT PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIVERSITY

The Embassy of Ghana, USA, is pleased to inform the Ghanaian public about the World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program. This is a unique academic opportunity for qualifying students to pursue Architectural Engineering at the Pennsylvania State University at no cost.

The World Bank’s full scholarship program covers all expenses for professionals from Ghana to obtain a Master of Science or a Master of Engineering degree in Architectural Engineering.

The Master of Science program prepares students for advanced building system design, construction, operation and analysis. Whereas the Master of Engineering combines core competencies with substantive flexibility among students to create the skills required to transform the building sector.

Both degree programs are a 30-credit core curriculum designed to prepare students to develop solutions that address the specific needs of Ghana. Preferred candidates must have at least the following:

  • A 4-year undergraduate degree in engineering-related fields including but not limited to civil engineering, mechanical engineering, construction engineering, structural engineering, material engineering and electrical engineering.
  • A minimum of three years of work experience in infrastructure development-related fields including heating, cooling, electrical, building, construction and government policies; and
  • A strong background in mathematics and science.

Prospective Ghanaian students who are interested in the Master of Engineering or the Master of Science degree program must first apply through the Pennsylvania State University Graduate School online portal.

 

ABOUT PROGRAMS

What is Architectural Engineering?

Architectural engineers apply practical and theoretical knowledge to the engineering design of buildings and building systems. The goal is to engineer high-performance buildings that are sustainable, resilient, economically viable, that ensure the safety, health, comfort, and productivity of occupants.

Uniting scientific principles from structural, mechanical, electrical, lighting, acoustical, and construction engineering, architectural engineers apply their discipline-specific expertise to conceptualize, design, construct, operate and maintain built environments in interdisciplinary team environments.

Graduates of architectural engineering are widely considered to be creative systems engineers, with formal training in creativity and design through architectural design studios married with a solid engineering education.

Architectural engineers have a lasting impact on society. Because people spend 86% of their time indoors, architectural engineers concentrate on indoor building environments that prioritize the human condition and well-being of society. They also promote sustainable practices by lowering energy consumption and occupants’ carbon footprint, so much so that architectural engineering has been identified as the discipline with the highest potential to combat climate change. To learn more;  Click Here

Master of Engineering Degree in Architectural Engineering

This program provides the most advanced training, built around a demanding 30-credit core curriculum in ultra-high-performance buildings. It is tailored to prepare each student to develop solutions that address the specific needs of the home country (Ghana) and the responsibilities the student will assume at home upon completion of the degree.

The program is part of Penn State’s expanding UN-focused effort to support the worldwide transformation of the building sector to ultra-high-performance buildings, a part of the United Nations envisioned Ultra-High-Performance Building Initiative which is administered by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe.

CURRICULUM

All students will gain core knowledge in four key areas. This core curriculum involves four three-credit courses:

  • Core Knowledge #1: Building Systems Integration: Envelope, Thermal, Mechanical, and Energy Sourcing (3 credits)
  • Core Knowledge #2: Lighting, Daylighting, Envelope, and Controls (3 credits)
  • Core Knowledge #3: Occupant Behavior and Building Responsiveness to Occupants and Environment (3 credits)
  • Core Knowledge #4: Sensors, Data Science, Performance Assessment, and Smart Building Management (3 credits).

In addition, students will, in collaboration with their home (Ghana) governments, participate in two “hands on” practicum courses (3 credits each) to serve as a cornerstone and capstone for their curriculum. The practicum course content will vary based on each students’ specific challenges in which the student will be engaged upon return to Ghana which will be part of the application process. Topics can include technical, legal, regulatory, financial, or other dimensions of the building stock transformation challenge. The cornerstone and capstone courses must be approved by the department prior to matriculation and will be taken in the first (fall) and third (summer) semesters, respectively.

Four additional three-credit courses, for a required total of 30 credit hours, will be selected from courses offered by the department or other departments within the University offering instruction relevant to students’ objectives. Offers range from community development, policy, and law to real estate and other branches of engineering. Students’ selections and overall curriculum design must be approved by the department.

The M.Eng. degree program in architectural engineering at Penn State combines key core competencies with wide ranging substantive flexibility. It is designed to create tailored collaboration among students, the Ghana government, and Penn State in developing the knowledge and skills required to lead building sector transformation. Special provisions can be made for either background training in areas not covered by prior education or to offer students opportunities for highly advanced work in areas of special interest

To learn more about the program go to; Penn State Engineering: Master of Engineering in Architectural Engineering (psu.edu).

Master of Science Degree in Architectural Engineering

The Master of Science (M.S.) in Architectural Engineering prepares students for advanced building system design, construction, operation, and analysis. Graduate course offerings in a wide variety of building industry topics provide students with the flexibility to customize their own program of study. Course topics range from virtual reality design, energy efficiency, building and structural resiliency, daylighting, and sustainability.

Focus Areas

Construction

Students in the construction focus area are prepared to take an active role in the planning, designing, and constructing phases of building projects. Course topics include virtual reality and construction management.

Lighting

Students in the lighting focus area have the skills and knowledge to create high-quality lighting systems and safe and effective electrical distribution systems. Course topics include energy optimization and modeling and simulation.

Mechanical

Students in the mechanical focus area work to combine a strong background in building systems with mechanical engineering fundamentals to design systems that provide quality environments for people. Course topics include energy and sustainability.

Structural

Students in the structural focus area specialize in designing buildings that successfully integrate structure, environmental systems, and architecture. Course topics include advanced modeling and building envelopes. To learn more about the program ; Click Here

PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

  • Ideal candidates must have a 4-year undergraduate degree in engineering in a related field including but not limited to civil engineering, mechanical engineering, construction engineering and management, structural engineering, and electrical engineering.
  • Candidates must have a minimum of three years of work experience in infrastructure development-related fields (i.e.: heating, cooling, electrical, building, construction, infrastructure, or government policies) and a career ambition to use the knowledge gained to positively impact the building stockpile in Ghana.
  • Students with a strong mathematics and science background are preferred.
  • TOEFL scores are required for all Ghanaian applicants.
  • GRE scores are currently being waived due to the COVID19 pandemic.

HOW TO APPLY

Prospective Ghanaian Students who are interested in the Master of Engineering (M.Eng) or Master of Science (M.S.) degree program must first apply through The Pennsylvania State University Graduate School portal. Please keep in mind that the Department of Architectural Engineering accepts online applications only through the aforementioned portal.

Students must have the following documents before applying: Statement of Intent | Curriculum Vitae | Transcripts | Three Letters of Recommendation

APPLY: Interested students must submit their applications ASAP. To Apply go to;  https://gradschool.psu.edu/

SCHOLARSHIP

Proof of admission to the Master of Engineering (M.Eng.) or Master of Science (M.S.) degree programs in Architectural Engineering must be secured before the students can apply to The World Bank Graduate Scholarship. 

The World Bank Scholarship Program is open to all citizens of eligible countries; it is not guaranteed that every Ghanaian student will receive the scholarship. Strong candidates who are accepted into the Graduate Program but are not granted the World Bank Scholarship may be considered for other financial assistance by Penn State. 

The Architectural Engineering Department will guide students through the World Bank application process. We strongly encourage students to work with Penn State officials. 

IMPORTANT TIMELINES

Students who are interested in this opportunity should submit their application from now until the end of March, 2021.