Department of Engineering

Barbara J. Muller-Borer, Chair

The Department of Engineering offers a bachelor of science 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 ECU’s Department of Engineering is to provide a quality, multidisciplinary engineering education in a collaborative environment that prepares graduates to design innovative solutions to lead regional and global transformation. 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 in engineering program have: (1) an ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics; (2) an ability to apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors; (3) an ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences; (4) an ability to recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgments, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts; (5) ability to function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives; (6) an ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions; (7) an ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies; (8) and 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 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. 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.

Engineering Living Learning Community. Incoming freshmen are encouraged to live in the engineering living 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 .

Faculty and Staff: https://cet.ecu.edu/engineering/faculty-and-staff/

Programs

Accelerated

Bachelor’s

Engineering, BS

Courses

Biomedical Engineering

Bioprocess Engineering

Bioprocess Engineering Banked Courses

BIOE 3016 - Engineering Applications in Microbial Systems

Electrical Engineering

Engineering Core

Environmental Engineering

Industrial and Systems Engineering

Mechanical Engineering