Department of Engineering

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Barbara J. Muller-Borer, Chair, 214 Slay Building

The Department of Engineering offers a BS in engineering  with six concentration areas: biomedical engineering, bioprocess engineering, electrical engineering, environmental engineering, industrial and systems engineering, and mechanical engineering. The BS in engineering program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, 111 Market Place, Suite 1050, Baltimore, MD 21202-4012, telephone: 410-347-7700.

The mission of the department is to provide a theory-based, application-oriented general engineering education that serves as a basis for career success and lifelong learning. Our graduates demonstrate the engineering and scientific knowledge to analyze, design, improve and evaluate integrated technology-based systems. Our program welcomes a diverse student body and provides the support to foster its success.

Graduates of the BS in engineering program will:

1. Use their education to be successful in a technical career or graduate studies, demonstrating competence in applying classical methods and modern engineering tools;
2. Analyze technical, environmental, and societal issues related to engineering designs and technology systems;
3. Be productive team members and leaders, using skills in human relations and communication;
4. Practice a lifelong commitment to learning and professional development; and
5. Demonstrate commitment to the professional and ethical standards of engineering and recognize the importance of community and professional service.

Graduates of the BS program have: (a) an ability to apply knowledge of math, science and engineering; (b) an ability to design and conduct experiments/analyze and interpret data; (c) an ability to design a system, component, or process; (d) an ability to function on multi-disciplinary teams; (e) an ability to identify, formulate, and solve engineering problems; (f) an understanding of professional and ethical responsibility; (g) an ability to communicate effectively; (h) an ability to evaluate the impact of technology in a global/societal context; (i) an appreciation for lifelong learning; (j) knowledge of contemporary issues; (k) an ability to use the techniques, skills, and modern tools for engineering practice; and (l) an ability to apply engineering concepts to an area of concentrated study, chosen from biomedical engineering, bioprocess engineering, electrical engineering, environmental engineering, industrial and systems engineering, or mechanical engineering.

The BS program is distinctive from many other engineering programs in that it: 1) focuses on hands-on project applications of engineering, beginning with the freshman year and continuing throughout the program; 2) promotes a team-based learning approach where students work closely with each other and the faculty; and 3) integrates science, math and engineering content to assure a coordinated presentation of concepts that flow from theory to advanced practice and application.

Engineering students are encouraged to pursue registration as a Professional Engineer (PE). The first step in this process is completion of the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) Exam. Students are encouraged to take the FE exam during their senior year. Subsequent to graduation, professional licensure requires at least four years of progressive engineering experience and successful completion of the FE Examination.

Admission

Freshmen Admission Requirements

Admission to the engineering program is highly competitive.  The admission criteria considered includes:

• Minimum SAT Scores:  620 Math; 540 Verbal
• Minimum 3.0 unweighted high school GPA 
• Top 30% of High School class
• Highest math level completed–precalculus or calculus preferred
• Quality of engineering application essay

The department accepts applications every semester.  Students who are not initially admitted into the program may apply at a later date (see Transfer Student Requirements).

Transfer Student Admission Requirements

Transfer students must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 and completed the equivalent of Math 2171 (Calculus 1) with a C or higher, ENGL 1100 and 2201, and CHEM 1150/1151.  Students who enter with an Associate’s in Engineering will be given preference. 

Repeating Engineering Courses

Engineering students are allowed to repeat courses offered by the department (course prefixes ENGR, BIOE, BIME, EENG, ENVE, ISE/ISYS, MENG) one time without question. If a student fails to achieve the minimum required grade in the second attempt, the student must petition the Department of Engineering Admissions and Retention Committee to be allowed to enroll in the course for the third time. As part of the petition process, the student must present a plan for success. Description of the petition process, including forms, can be found on the departmental website.

Special Department Programs

Cooperative Education. Students in the industrial and systems and mechanical engineering concentrations may request to participate in the cooperative education (co-op) program that alternates semesters of engineering work and academic enrollment.  Co-op students earn money during their periods of employment and also learn how their coursework relates to engineering activities.  Furthermore, they have an opportunity to experience different areas of engineering during their co-op work periods.  To be eligible for the engineering co-op program, students must have declared a major in engineering, completed a minimum of 24 s.h. including ENGR 1000 , ENGR 1012 , ENGR 1014  or ENGR 1016 , ENGR 2050 , and MATH 2152 , and have earned a minimum major and overall cumulative GPA of 2.5. Additional eligibility requirements and availability of co-op placements can be obtained from the academic advisor. Interested students should apply for a co-op through the Career Center.

Internships. All engineering students are encouraged to complete internships, service learning projects, and professional practice activities prior to graduation. The department maintains a number of internship relationships at local and regional employers.

Engineering Intended. The Engineering Intended (EI) classification, which is not a degree program, has been set up to ensure quality academic advising of students who have not been accepted into the engineering program, but have good academic potential and continue to have engineering as a goal. Academic advising is provided by the staff of the College of Engineering and Technology Advising Center. EI students are not allowed to take any engineering courses except those previously taken at ECU that can be grade replaced. Admission into Engineering Intended is competitive. Specific requirements include eligibility to enroll in MATH 1083 or higher and an overall GPA requirement. Complete requirements can be found on the Department of Engineering website. A student may be enrolled as EI for a maximum of two semesters. If not accepted into the engineering program at the end of the second semester, the student must change their major. Information on related majors, some of which have historically been good choices for former engineering students, will be provided by the Advising Center. Engineering students who have been suspended from ECU will be readmitted as EI students. Second degree students and students with associate degrees are not eligible for EI.

Engineering Learning Community. Incoming freshmen are encouraged to live in the engineering learning community dormitory on campus. This program builds teamwork and collaboration skills and facilitates the transition to university life. Transfer students can apply to live in the Engineerig Learning Community.

Undergraduate Research. Students are strongly encouraged to pursue undergraduate research with a faculty member. Up to 6 s.h. of undergraduate research may be applied toward degree requirements as a technical elective. Information regarding undergraduate research may be obtained from the concentration coordinator.

Transfer Program. The engineering department evaluates transfer credits on a course-by-course basis. Transfer students who have received credit for courses equivalent to ENGR 1000  and ENGR 1012  may be placed in ENGR 1014  in lieu of taking the traditional pathway through ENGR 1016  and ENGR 2000 . Students may not receive credit for both ENGR 1014  and either ENGR 1016  or ENGR 2000 .

Programs

• Engineering, BS

• Integrated Bachelor/Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering

Courses

• BIME 2080 - Foundations of Biomedical Engineering
• BIME 4030 - Biomechanics and Materials
• BIME 4040 - Physiological Systems and Modeling for Engineering I
• BIME 4050 - Physiological Systems and Modeling for Engineering II
• BIME 4200 - Biomedical Instrumentation

• BIOE 3013 - Engineering Applications in Microbial Systems
• BIOE 3250 - Bioprocess Engineering Systems
• BIOE 4006 - Bioprocess Engineering Validation and Quality
• BIOE 4010 - Bioprocess Separation Engineering
• BIOE 4020 - Bioprocess Plant Design, Simulation and Analysis

• BIOE 3016 - Engineering Applications in Microbial Systems

• EENG 2410 - Digital Electronics
• EENG 3013 - AC Circuits
• EENG 3023 - Signals and Systems
• EENG 3040 - Microprocessors
• EENG 3530 - Electronics
• EENG 3750 - Electric Power Systems
• EENG 4510 - Control System Design

• ENGR 1000 - Introduction to Engineering
• ENGR 1002 - Fundamentals of Engineering Practice
• ENGR 1012 - Engineering Graphics
• ENGR 1014 - Introduction to Engineering and Design
• ENGR 1016 - Introduction to Engineering Design
• ENGR 2000 - Engineering Design and Project Management I
• ENGR 2022 - Statics
• ENGR 2050 - Computer Applications in Engineering
• ENGR 2070 - Materials and Processes
• ENGR 2450 - Dynamics
• ENGR 2514 - Circuit Analysis
• ENGR 3000 - Engineering Design and Project Management II
• ENGR 3013 - Introduction to Engineering Management
• ENGR 3024 - Mechanics of Materials
• ENGR 3034 - Thermal and Fluid Systems
• ENGR 3050 - Sensors, Measurements, and Controls
• ENGR 3100 - Internship in Engineering
• ENGR 3400 - Engineering Economics
• ENGR 3420 - Engineering Economics
• ENGR 3500 - Introduction to Engineering Project Management
• ENGR 3800 - Quality Control for Engineers
• ENGR 3901 - Undergraduate Research in Engineering
• ENGR 3902 - Undergraduate Research in Engineering
• ENGR 3903 - Undergraduate Research in Engineering
• ENGR 4010 - Senior Capstone Design Project I
• ENGR 4020 - Senior Capstone Design Project II
• ENGR 4033 - Entrepreneurship and Intellectual Property
• ENGR 4501 - Special Topics in Engineering
• ENGR 4502 - Special Topics in Engineering
• ENGR 4503 - Special Topics in Engineering
• ENGR 4510 - Practice of Professional Engineering I

• ENVE 3103 - Water Quality
• ENVE 3203 - Water and Wastewater Treatment
• ENVE 3303 - Air Quality Engineering
• ENVE 4103 - Engineering Surface Water Hydrology
• ENVE 4203 - Engineering Groundwater Hydrology

• ISE 3010 - Principles and Methods of Industrial and Systems Engineering
• ISE 3060 - Systems Optimization
• ISE 4010 - Work Measurement and Human Factors
• ISE 4020 - Analysis of Production Systems and Facility Design
• ISE 4065 - Discrete Systems Modeling
• ISE 4203 - Integrated Systems Engineering
• ISE 4303 - Engineering Logistics
• ISE 4410 - Lean and Six-Sigma Quality Systems for Engineers

• MENG 3073 - Engineering Thermodynamics
• MENG 3624 - Solid Mechanics
• MENG 4013 - Advanced Engineering Thermodynamics
• MENG 4153 - Engineering Fluid Mechanics
• MENG 4263 - Engineering Heat Transfer
• MENG 4343 - Composite Materials
• MENG 4350 - Electromechanical Systems Design
• MENG 4650 - Machine Design

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