The school operates on a six-year program. The first three, called ciclo básico (Basic Cycle), provides essentially a science and technology high school program for youngsters that have completed their elementary education. The final three, called ciclo superior (Upper Cycle), provide the equivalent of a college education in engineering technology. Not too different from a Bachelor of Engineering Technology program in the United States, an Escuela Universitaria Politécnica in Spain or a Fachhochschule (also known as universities of applied science) in the German speaking countries.
Currently, the school provides the following majors:
· Chemical Sciences Technology
· Computer Sciences Technology
· Construction Engineering Technology
· Electrical Engineering Technology (Power Concentration)
· Electronic Engineering Technology
· Mechanical Engineering Technology
Through both cycles, all courses are given in the daytime. There are no night classes, other than one-year graduate level courses, leading to a higher certificate. They currently include:
· Advanced Structural Design
· Industrial Food Processing Technology
· Paper Conservation Technology
· Advanced Communication Systems
· Advanced Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Systems Design
· Metallurgy
Classes operate on a year system rather than by semesters. Students must elect a major at the end of the ciclo básico. There are no electives within a major other than an additional foreign language. Students are organized in sections, called divisiones, generally several for each major, who take all their courses, shop, and lab work together, therefore developing very strong personal bonds.
The weekly class-hour load is about 20. Shops and labs require an additional 12 hours. This applies to both cycles. The school year begins in March ¾ the Southern Hemisphere’s fall — and ends in November, with only a short break in July.
Classes are taught in Spanish. English is taught as a second language and is mandatory for all students. Language courses in German, Italian and French, are offered as electives. The student body is socially diverse, with about 15% female students. Since the school operates as a magnet school, it attracts students not only from the entire city of Buenos Aires, but one third of the students commute from the suburbs, across provincial borders. A significant number of students are foreign born or children of recent immigrants.
The grading system is 1 to 10, with 10 being the equivalent to A+. The grade points are also 1 to 10. Therefore, to compare grade point averages to the U.S. system with a 4.00 maximum grade, the argentine grades must be divided by 2.5.
Graduates of the school obtain the degree of Técnico (Engineering Technologist) and find employment in industry and government, were they perform work as designers, annalists, programmers, construction and industrial supervisors, technical sales specialists and other similar engineering functions. Their degree allows graduates to apply for a restricted engineering license (matriculación) with the licensing boards (Consejos Profesionales de la Ingeniería) corresponding to their major. As an example, Construction Engineering Tecnnology graduates receive licenses to stamp drawings of buildings of up to five stories, and Electrical Engineering graduates up to 2,000 kw.
In addition, many graduates pursue university studies leading to a higher degree in engineering, architecture or the sciences. Only a minority of the graduates enrolls in university programs that are non-engineering or science based. A considerable percentage of graduates reside outside of Argentina. According to its alumni association, 16% of the graduates live in 28 different countries. Spain and the U.S.A. have the strongest share of expatriates.
The school is completely tuition free. Admission is generally by lottery. Since the programs of study are quite rigorous, the final graduation rate, after six years, is only about 35%. The school was originally an institution of the Argentine Federal Government, and was then known as the Escuela Industrial de la Nación. It is now part of the secondary educational system of the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires. Its main building, completed in 1908, has been declared a national monument, and is slated to undergo major renovations before the argentine bicentennial, to be celebrated in 2010.
A Museum of Technology operates within the school and is open to the general public.
The school is located within walking distance from the historic Plaza de Mayo and the Casa Rosada, the presidential palace of Argentina. The Buenos Aires metropolitan area has a population of approximately 13 million and is the political, economic and cultural hub of the country.