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ENGINEERING AND SOCIAL DYNAMICS 58 would make engineers more well rounded, and thus stronger professionals and better, more flexible engineers. However it is best accomplished, it seems clear that the uncertainty and unpredictability inherent in the current period argue for a greater, rather than lesser, flexibility in the educational system and its graduates. Some alternatives to greater specialization are emerging that may help to bring about this result. Alternative Approaches One useful approach involves emphasis on basic studiesâgeneralized "core" courses for all engineersâin the first two or even three years. This approach is not newâthe University of California at Los Angeles was perhaps the first to attempt it, in 1945âbut it need not be new to be valid. The basic- studies approach has been successful in the past, and is still being applied by universities today. Another older practice that still has value is the five-year degree program. Most such programs have been discontinued because of economic competition from four-year programs. Some schools continue to offer the five-year degree as an option, but Dartmouth College is probably alone in maintaining it as a requirement. The extra year affords the opportunity for stronger grounding in the basics (and perhaps in nontechnical subjects) along with greater specialization. Yet another approach is the "cooperative" program offered by a number of schools, which features several school terms spent working in industry. This approach has the advantage of offsetting the additional expense of a fifth year (through salaries) while affording the student an opportunity to become oriented to work in the "real world" and to make valuable contacts in industry. Another trend that should be noted is the emergence of the "engineering technology" degree program at several major universities. In addition to providing a broad technical education, these programs train students in drafting and other mechanical skills that are no longer required of engineering school graduates. Many engineering tasks nowadays do not demand a full range of "old" and "new'' skills simultaneously. Thus, the engineering technology degree affords companies the advantage of more differentiated staffing. Another major alternative to greater specialization in engineering schools is afforded by continuing education. Many large industrial corporations now provide some degree of postbaccalaureate training in-house. Many others do not. The expense involved is great (indeed, small companies often cannot afford to offer training at all), but if
