College of Engineering

NucE 597C Nuclear Reactor Safety: New Students

How does Penn State College of Engineering deliver distance education courses?

Programs and courses offered by The College of Engineering Continuing and Distance Education office are designed to accommodate working professionals and support their engagement in lifelong learning. To do this, many of the courses are offered with a variety of delivery technologies that allow students flexibility in completing the coursework. It is necessary to have timely and adequate access to a computer and the Internet.

All potential, new, and returning students are always welcome to call the Continuing and Distance Education office at 814-865-7643 for assistance with any issue regarding programs and courses offered.

The College of Engineering Office of Continuing and Distance Education utilizes the services of the World Campus for course registration and billing, but originates and supports all other instructional activities directly from the College of Engineering.

What technologies does the College of Engineering use to deliver courses?

Most courses employ a variety of delivery and communication technologies in support of lectures, labs, assignments, and examinations.

These include:

Most of the courses offered through Continuing and Distance Education in the College of Engineering are group-based and typically taught in concert with a class of resident students from the University Park Campus. Faculty engage students during scheduled face-to-face class time as well as after hours. Many distance education students take advantage of shifting study time to accommodate their professional and family priorities. Faculty are always available for questions and guidance via email and are also available via telephone during normal business hours and/or specified office hours.  Communication via email is responded to as soon as possible, generally at the start of the next business day.

Students often work on engaging projects and assignments in small teams. Team communication and work is facilitated in the Penn State Course Management System called ANGEL. ANGEL is a closed computer environment in which students and instructors can engage in the process of learning. A good analogy for ANGEL is a virtual classroom. ANGEL is not open to the public. It is a private virtual space to work with faculty and other students on course materials and assignments.

How do students gain access to ANGEL?

When you register for a distance education course in the College of Engineering you will also need to establish a Penn State Computer Access ID and Password.

To get an ID and Password new students must complete the:

Computer Access Form.

For distance education courses from the College of Engineering, this completed and signed form must be returned to Deb Zimmerman in the Office of Continuing and Distance Education via fax or surface mail to:

Penn State University
Office of Continuing and Distance Education in Engineering
301-A Engineering Unit C
University Park, PA 16802
Phone: (814) 865-7643
Fax: (814) 865-3969

The Access ID and Password are necessary to log into the ANGEL virtual classroom space. The Access ID and Password are also required for access to many other Penn State computing resources including the Library Services for distance education students. A complete listing of information technology services and features can be found in this ITS@PENNSTATE PDF brochure.