The bachelor's degree in Interdisciplinary Engineering (IDE) is Missouri S&T's newest engineering degree offering. The program incorporates a broad engineering education with the ability to study in-depth in either two engineering fields, or one engineering and one science field.  A key feature of the program is starting with a teaming experience that is incorporated with a focus on modern design methodology, as applied to interdisciplinary projects. Representatives of industry and government laboratories have indicated that graduates with these virtues will be sought after. Companies will be eager to hire graduates who are familiar with more than one engineering field and can thus attack a wider variety of problems in an environment where only one engineer may be available.

There is significant demand for engineers who understand more than one discipline and are prepared to work at the intersection of two or more engineering (or science) disciplines. A strong background in design techniques applicable to a wide variety of complex problems is also significant. Interdisciplinary approaches to solving engineering problems have become increasingly important.

IDE allows the campus to experiment with new types of technical specialty programs within an already established framework. The program is consistent with the Missouri S&T campus mission to provide a comprehensive range of engineering programs that support the State's need for leaders in our rapidly changing society and integrating technologies in areas which improve the well-being of Missouri's citizens. The Interdisciplinary Engineering degree program is aimed at educating graduates who are firmly grounded in broadly applicable design methods and who can work at the intersection of engineering, or engineering/science fields.

The department is small and focused, with faculty who have reputations as excellent teachers. The faculty has diverse design interests and has pioneered an interdisciplinary freshman design/build project for all engineering freshmen. Some of the department faculty has been instrumental in Missouri S&T's winning student design competition teams. This design expertise is now being used to provide a unique type of undergraduate engineering program.

The program is designed to become ABET accredited, so that graduates may pursue professional registration if they desire. Faculty members have significant design expertise and design research capability.