D. Hoy, Interim Dean
V. Motevalli, Associate Dean for Research and Innovation
J. Matson, Assistant Dean for Assessments
T.D. Marable, Director of Diversity
H. Ingle, Director, Student Success Center
Departments and Programs
Vision
21st Century Renaissance Engineers Revolutionizing Engineering to Solve Societal Problems
Mission
To graduate innovative engineers who solve technological challenges to meet societal needs.
Core Values
The college core values underscore and support its vision and mission through its commitment to ASPIRE to greatness.
AIM HIGH
We aim for the highest levels of excellence in teaching and scholarship.
STUDENTS FIRST
We place the interest of the students first.
PROFESSIONALISM
We foster high standards of integrity and professionalism.
INNOVATIVE
We strive continuously for innovations through research to attain excellence in everything we do.
RECOGNITION
We recognize efforts that accelerate us towards our vision.
EMINENCE
We drive towards attaining eminence in engineering education and research.
Undergraduate Studies
The College of Engineering offers seven programs with curricula leading to Bachelor of Science degrees in Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, General Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, and Engineering Technology. Most students entering the College may select a particular major. However, if a student is not sure which major to enter, a common first-year curriculum for most majors is provided by the Basic Engineering Program, allowing additional time for the student to select a field of specialization.
The undergraduate programs in Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering are accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET; (http://www.abet.org). The Computer Science program (Computer Science, Software and Scientific Applications) is accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commissions of ABET, (http://www.abet.org). The Manufacturing and Engineering Technology program is accredited by the Engineering Technology Accreditation Commissions of ABET, (http://www.abet.org).
Graduate Studies
The College of Engineering offers programs leading to the Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees.
The Master of Science, a research-oriented degree program, is offered with majors in Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Electrical/Computer Engineering, Computer Science and Mechanical Engineering. Some programs include a non-thesis option. A full-time student usually completes the degree in 18 to 24 months.
The Doctor of Philosophy, is awarded at the College level. The student’s faculty advisory committee and course of study are determined in coordination with the department in which the student is focusing their studies, including any specific additional requirements the department may have for PhD students. A highly qualified student, possessing an M.S. degree in Engineering, will normally need three to four years of full-time study to complete the degree. Admission to the PhD program directly from the Bachelor’s level is also available to exceptionally qualified candidates.
For more information see the Graduate Catalog.
The Cooperative Education Programs
Students of all curricula of the College of Engineering are eligible to participate in the University’s Cooperative Education program. This program is one in which classroom study is integrated with practical industrial experience in an organized program under which students alternate on-campus study with off-campus employment in industry or with a governmental agency.
A student on the cooperative education program must complete the same course work as required of the regular four-year students. Co-op assignments are typically one to three semesters in duration and may be repeated. Participation in the Co-op program provides excellent hands-on experience in the profession and is considered highly desirable by many employers. See Cooperative Education for more details.
Diversity Program
The College of Engineering is committed to the development of a diverse student body through scholarships and awareness programming. The strategic goal is to lead among peers in the quality and diversity of the student body, and in retention and graduation rates. Programming strategies include: Summer Bridge program, Peer Mentoring, Cooperative Education, Internship Experiences, Study-Abroad Opportunities, Ongoing Student Support, Assistance with Graduate School entrance, and Career Advisement.
Centers of Excellence
The College operates three State- or NSF-supported accomplished Centers of Excellence: the Center for Manufacturing Research; the Center for Energy Systems Research, and the Cybersecurity Education, Reseach, and Outreach Center. These Centers provide financial support and state-of-the-art facilities for undergraduate and graduate research projects.
Admission of Freshmen
In addition to meeting the requirements for admission to the University, students seeking admission to an Engineering major must have at least a 3.0 high school average and must have achieved a composite score of at least 20 and a mathematics subtest score of at least 22 on the ACT Test. It is advisable for engineering students to have completed 4 units of science (including physics, if possible) and at least 3 1/2 units of college preparatory mathematics, including a study of trigonometric identities, in high school. Applicants who have met the necessary prerequisites and have scored at least 27 on the mathematics ACT subtest will be admitted to Calculus I (MATH 1910 ). Precalculus courses ( MATH 1710 , MATH 1720 , or MATH 1730 ) or other math courses intended as preparation for MATH 1910 may not be utilized to satisfy any curricular requirement for graduation in an Engineering major. Students with less than the recommended preparation in mathematics are encouraged to enter the College of Engineering during summer semester immediately following high school graduation. Course offerings are normally available during the summer semester for students with deficiencies and for students who wish to begin their studies early.
Students selecting the Engineering Technology curriculum must have completed two units of high school algebra.
Admission of Transfer Students
In addition to meeting the requirements for admission to the University, transfer students seeking admission to an Engineering major must have
- a cumulative higher education QPA of at least 2.0 (excluding credit for remedial and developmental courses) and
- a grade of “C” or higher in a pre-calculus mathematics course that includes a study of the trigonometric identities.
The College of Engineering will assist transfer students in making the transition to Tennessee Tech at any point in their academic programs.
These requirements also apply to current TTU students desiring to change their major from a non-engineering program to Engineering. Tennessee Tech’s engineering curricula are designed so that the needs of students who choose to initially attend a community college or other college/university not offering a B.S. engineering program may be met. Students who complete the first two years coursework of an applicable Tennessee Transfer Pathway Agreement at another institution can complete curricular requirements for a B.S. degree at Tennessee Tech in approximately two years.
Students who wish to transfer to the Engineering Technology program should consult with the Chairperson of the Department of Manufacturing and Engineering Technology.
B.S. Degree and General Education Requirements
The student must complete the curriculum for the major subject chosen and must comply with General Requirements for a Baccalaureate Degree and the General Education Requirements. However, students majoring in engineering who completed one unit of American history in high school are exempt from the requirement of six semester hours of American history. Computer Science and Engineering Technology majors are not exempt and must take American History. If a student is deficient in high school history, the student must remove the deficiency by earning credit in HIST 2010 and 2020 before earning 60 credit hours. This includes most international students.
Studies in the General Education Requirements serve not only to meet the objectives of a broad education but also to meet the objectives of the professional accreditation agencies ABET (for Engineering and Computer Science programs) and ATMAE (for Engineering Technology). In the interest of making engineering/computer science/technology students fully aware of their social responsibilities and their ability to consider related factors in decision-making, courses in the humanities/fine arts and the social/behavioral sciences are required. Each student is obligated to understand these requirements and know any special requirements within their particular major.
The courses offered in the “major subject” (used to calculate Major QPA) include all courses taken which bear the student’s departmental designation. This excludes courses listed as not for credit for these students. For computer engineering, ECE and CSC courses will constitute the “major subject.”
Advising
Advising, both curricular and career, is considered to be a very important aspect of student success. Advising in College of Engineering is provided by both the professional advisors of the Clay N. Hixon Student Success Center, as well as the faculty and chairs of the academic departments. Students are strongly encouraged to seek out help from the College’s advising resources whenever needed or desired.
