J. Slater, Dean
V. Motevalli, Associate Dean for Research and Innovation
J. Oswalt, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs
H. Ingle, Director, Student Success Center
Departments and Programs
The College of Engineering awards degrees in nine engineering, computing, and technology disciplines that exemplify Tennessee Tech’s role as the state’s only technological university. Engineers, computer scientists, and engineering technologists solve complex problems and use creativity to turn inventions into innovations. They build machines, develop software, and design systems that power our everyday lives. The College of Engineering at Tennessee Tech prepares students for careers that help shape the future and advance humankind.
Objectives of educating engineers, computer scientists, and technologists at Tech include the mastery of mathematical, scientific, technical, and professional knowledge specific to the student’s major. It is also the acquisition of experience in decision making through the analysis and resolution of problems. Students are taught to hone an awareness of societal, environmental, and economic needs of their disciplines, as well as adhere to high ethical standards.
Senior-level classes concentrate on collaboration in teams to design, construct, and test innovations. Graduate-level students are involved in research, development, and instruction to further their knowledge and skills. Students who earn degrees from the College of Engineering at Tech are in high demand in government, industry, and other organizations. Most become managers or supervisors, with many advancing to roles in upper management as CEOs and other positions.
Mission and Vision
The mission of the College of Engineering is to provide a balanced academic environment of teaching, research, and service to prepare career-ready engineering, computing, and technology professionals. The College’s vision is to achieve national recognition as a college of engineering known for innovative education, use-inspired research, and graduates who are solving tomorrow’s societal challenges.
In carrying out its mission, the College of Engineering is committed to the University’s core principles of academic excellence, community engagement, meaningful innovation, student success, supportive environment, and value creation.
Undergraduate Studies
The College of Engineering offers eight 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. All students entering the College must select a particular major. The Basic Engineering curriculum is a first-year curriculum for engineering majors who have not yet selected a degree-specific engineering program.
The undergraduate programs in Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering are accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, (https://www.abet.org). The Computer Science program is accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET, (https://www.abet.org). The Engineering Technology program is accredited by the Engineering Technology Accreditation Commission of ABET, (https://www.abet.org).
Graduate Studies
The College of Engineering offers programs leading to the Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees.
A research-oriented Master of Science degree program is offered with majors in Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Computer Science. Some majors include a non-thesis option. A full-time student usually completes the degree in 18 to 24 months.
The Master of Science in Engineering Management is an online, non-thesis degree program offered collaboratively by the College of Engineering and the College of Business. It is designed for part-time enrollment by engineering and technology-based professionals who will complete the degree program in 24 to 48 months.
The Doctor of Philosophy, is awarded at the College level, but a student can choose a major (concentration) in an area offered by one of five Departments: Chemical Engineering, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or Computer Science. A student’s faculty advisory committee and course of study are determined in coordination with the department in which the student is majoring, including any specific additional requirements the department may have for PhD students. A highly qualified student, possessing a Master of Science degree in engineering or computer science, 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 Program
Students of all curricula of the College of Engineering are eligible to participate in the University’s Cooperative Education program which integrates classroom study with practical industrial experience. In this program students alternate on-campus study with off-campus employment in industry or with a governtmental agency or other organization.
A student on the cooperative education program must complete the same course work as required of 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 and inclusive student body through scholarships and extracurricular programming. A strategic goal is to be recognized among peers for the quality and diversity of the student body, and in retention and graduation rates. Programming strategies include: peer mentoring, cooperative education, internship experiences, study-abroad opportunities, ongoing student support, programs to inform students about and assist with Graduate School opportunities, and career advisement.
Centers of Excellence
The College operates two state-supported Centers of Excellence: the Center for Manufacturing Research and the Center for Energy Systems Research. In addition, the nationally recognized Cybersecurity Education, Research, and Outreach Center is supported by both the state and the National Science Foundation. 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 a College of Engineering major must have at least a 3.0 high school grade point average (on a 4.0 scale) 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 cannot 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 needing additional preparation 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 a College of 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 or a higher-level 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-College of Engineering program to a College of Engineering program. 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 of coursework for 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.
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 an engineering discipline (Chemical, Civil, Computer, Electrical, General or Mechanical 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 American 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 ABET, the professional accreditation agency for engineering, computer science, and engineering technology programs. In the interest of helping engineering, computer science, and engineering technology students become fully aware of their societal responsibilities and the need to consider related factors in decision-making, courses in humanities and fine arts and social and behavioral sciences are required. Each student is obligated to understand these requirements and know any special requirements within the student’s 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 excluding courses listed as not for credit for these students. For computer engineering majors, ECE and CSC courses constitute the “major subject.”
Advising
Advising, both curricular and career, is considered to be a very important aspect of student success. Advising in the College of Engineering is provided by 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 help from the College’s advising resources whenever needed or desired.
