What is the difference between the Integrated Business & Engineering (IBE) program and the Computer Science & Business (CSB) program at Lehigh University? I have read that the the IBE is an honors program, and only about 50 people get in every year. Are more people accepted into the CSB program?
IBE is more focused toward engineering as a business - want to be the head of an engineering company? Join IBE.
CSB is definitely for people who like to program - people I know in CSB are spending their summer working on start-ups or trading algorithms. Somewhat entrepreneurial.
IDEAS is a mix between CAS and CBE. This is the most entrepreneurial program - many students will focus in design and mech e.
Whichever sounds the most interesting to you, I’d go for. All are technically honor programs. Not sure about the specific statistics, but from my personal experience, IBE students are all very smart and hard-working, also like to party some. CSB students tend to be a little more varied in terms of intelligence - some average students, some genius kids. Usually pretty introverted. IDEAS kids seem to be well rounded, interested in learning a lot in and out of the classroom.
All of these have great potential, don’t worry about the exclusivity of them, focus on what you find interesting.
Both IBE and CSB are joint programs between the Business School and the Engineering School.
IBE majors typically study an engineering discipline (e.g. mechanical, civil, electrical) plus business. CSB majors study computer science plus business.
The ABET accreditation requirements for CS degrees are lighter than those for engineering degrees. So the CSB program is designed to squeeze in both CS and business programs in 4 years (this is tough but doable). The CSB degree is fully accredited in both CS (by ABET) and business (by AACSB).
The IBE program includes more coursework, because of the more extensive ABET requirements for engineering degrees. It typically takes 4.5 or 5 years to get a full (ABET-accredited) engineering degree and a full (AACSB-accredited) business degree. It’s possible to graduate in 4 years, but in that case you will probably only get the business degree (although you will also have competed most of an engineering degree). It’s typically necessary to stay an extra semester or two in order to finish up the engineering degree requirements.
The IBE program is officially an honors program with limited space, and is apparently very competitive; my understanding is that only a small fraction of interested students are admitted. The CSB program is significantly larger and more flexible about admissions: