Mar 19, 2024  
2022-2023 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2022-2023 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

College of Engineering


College of Engineering students working on a project 


Mission

The mission of the College of Engineering at the University of Delaware is to cultivate learning and the advancement of knowledge in the engineering sciences and the computer and information sciences. Our outstanding undergraduate, graduate, and continuing education programs teach students how to reason critically and independently, yet cooperate productively. Graduates are equipped with technical skills, cultural understanding, the ability to communicate clearly, and the foundation to develop into leaders. The College enjoys a strong tradition of applying its distinguished scholarship, research, and educational resources to serve the local, state, and national communities through collaborative efforts with individuals, industry, and government. The College of Engineering at the University of Delaware strives to create an atmosphere in which all people feel welcome to learn and participate in the free exchange of ideas.

Degrees

For a full list of degrees offered, see Departments and Programs below

4+1 Degrees

The College of Engineering offers several Bachelor/Master Degree programs that allow well-qualified students to earn a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in an engineering field. Current 4+1 Degree Programs exist in:

  • Chemical Engineering
  • Civil and Environmental Engineering
  • Computer and Information Sciences
  • Electrical and Computer Engineering
  • Materials Science and Engineering
  • Mechanical Engineering

The Materials Science and Engineering (MSEG) department offers a special 4+1 BS/MMSE program for highly-qualified undergraduate students from the University of Delaware. This program allows the student to earn a bachelor’s degree from one of several partnering departments in the College of Engineering (Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Civil and Environmental Engineering) or the College of Arts and Sciences (Biology, Chemistry, Physics) and the Master’s of Materials Science and Engineering (MMSE) degree in five years of full-time study at the University of Delaware.

Additionally, the College of Engineering and the Lerner College of Business and Economics offer a joint five-year program that leads to a bachelor’s degree in any engineering major and a Master of Business Administration degree. Inquiries should be made to the Assistant Dean for Undergraduate Services at (302) 831-8659 during the first semester of the freshman year.

Air Force ROTC

The University’s Air Force ROTC  program is also administered through the College of Engineering.

Common Fall Semester

Incoming Freshmen interested in majoring in an engineering or computer and information science field may be admitted directly into one of our thirteen majors, or they may enter the first fall semester as Engineering Undeclared (EGU). Students who choose the EGU option begin their studies in the fall by taking a special set of courses called the Common Fall Semester. Successful completion of the Common Fall Semester coursework enables students to finish any engineering or computer and information science major in four years, provided they are on track with the calculus sequence for the chosen major. The Introduction to Engineering (EGGG 101) course taught in the fall semester and attentive academic advising prepares students to make an informed choice of major during the latter part of the semester as they begin registration for the spring. EGGG 101 satisfies the University’s First Year Seminar requirement.

Resources to Inspire Successful Engineers (RISE)

RISE is a comprehensive academic enrichment and support program for students in the College of Engineering. Throughout their college experience, RISE Program participants receive guidance in time management, academic mentoring, career and professional development workshops, interaction with faculty, student organization participation, academic recognition, and tutorial assistance, as needed. These services are designed to promote academic and career-related success.  For further information, call (302) 831-6315 or visit www.engr.udel.edu/rise.

Advisement

Undergraduate student advisement begins during summer New Student Orientation and continues through graduation. All College of Engineering students are assigned a professional department academic advisor and a faculty advisor. Students are strongly encouraged to consult with their advisors before course registration periods and when adding or dropping courses. Students are also encouraged to meet with their faculty advisors at other times to learn more about undergraduate academic options, including research and internship opportunities, engineering and computer and information sciences professions, and graduate school opportunities.

The College Undergraduate Advisement Office provides advisement to students who experience academic difficulties or who require additional guidance. The Assistant Dean for Undergraduate Services, in conjunction with academic advisors in each department, coordinates a preliminary degree checkout for each College of Engineering student early in their senior year to help identify any impediments to graduation.

Curriculum Organization

Engineering

The undergraduate curriculum in each engineering major consists of a core of required courses, a group of technical elective courses, and a group of breadth requirement courses. The core includes courses in mathematics, chemistry, physics, computer science, and engineering. The technical elective courses allow students to investigate the sciences in more depth and to develop a concentration within their engineering discipline. Most of the breadth requirement courses are taken from the humanities and social sciences to provide a well-rounded education. Additional academic requirements specified by individual engineering departments are given in the appropriate departmental sections.

Computer and Information Sciences

The undergraduate curriculum in each computer science major consists of a core of major requirements, breadth requirements, and electives. The core courses consist of computer science, math and science courses, as well as courses in business and information systems for the Information Systems major. Most of the breadth requirement and elective courses are taken from the humanities and social sciences to provide a well-rounded education.

The Bachelor of Science in Computer Science major allows students to choose from one of several concentrations. Each of these programs provides a broad background in core computer science areas supplemented by an in-depth specialized curriculum in the chosen field. The traditional BS Computer Science (without concentration) is also an option; this program includes a 12-credit “focus area” that can be tailored to the interests of the individual student. The first two years in all of the BS Computer Science programs are very similar, allowing students to become familiar with the different areas before choosing a concentration.

University and College Breadth Requirement Information

Background

A college education requires some breadth of knowledge across diverse fields and perspectives. Therefore, the University requires all students in each College to take a minimum of 12 credits in courses designated as University Breadth Requirements. These courses must be chosen from the University Breadth Requirement list. If a student changes his/her major to one that resides in a different college, these 12 credits are guaranteed to count toward the University Breadth Requirements in the new college.

The College of Engineering requires students to take between 9 and 25 credits of additional breadth course work depending on their major. These credits may be satisfied by taking courses on the University Breadth Requirements list or courses on the College of Engineering Breadth Requirements list as specified by the major. The College of Engineering Breadth Requirement list contains foreign language courses, humanities courses, social science courses, and Professional and Career Preparation courses the College deems valuable to a broad education.

Breadth Requirement Resources:

Academic Enrichment Opportunities

Dean’s Scholar Program

The Dean’s Scholar Program exists to serve the needs of students whose clearly defined educational goals cannot effectively be achieved by pursuing the standard curricula for all existing majors, minors, and interdepartmental majors sponsored by the University. Driven by an overarching passion or curiosity that transcends typical disciplinary bounds and curricula, a Dean’s Scholar’s intellectual interests may lead to broad interdisciplinary explorations of an issue or to more intense, in-depth studies in a single field at a level akin to graduate work. The Dean’s Scholar Program exists to serve the needs of these extraordinary students by allowing them to design, in consultation with faculty advisors, imaginative and rigorous individual plans of study to meet the total credit hours required for graduation. It is expected that the course of study outlined by the Dean’s Scholar candidate will represent a program that cannot be effectively achieved using other options already available within the University  However, it is important to note that because engineering degrees are professionally accredited, it is difficult for a Dean’s Scholar to complete an engineering degree within four years.

Dean’s Scholar Program

Cybersecurity Scholars Program

The Cybersecurity Scholars Program integrates with any major and trains students to become thought leaders in cybersecurity. Students collaboratively assess the most pressing cyber-defense questions and develop both cultural and technical solutions. They network with policymakers, defense specialists, and other experts in government and finance, and get connected to defense internships, mentoring and employment. Please see the Cybersecurity site for more information about coursework and the range of possible co-curricular activities.

Grand Challenges Scholars Program

The Grand Challenge Scholars  Program (GCSP) is designed to provide UD Engineering undergraduate students with the opportunity to be immersed and engaged in the most pressing societal concerns of our time. Specifically, GCSP provides a developmental framework for students to focus on academics and extracurricular activities organized around the National Academy of Engineering’s Grand Challenges, which broadly include Health, Security, Sustainability and Joy of Living.

As a UD GCSP Scholar you will engage in coursework and experiential opportunities that integrate five core educational components:

  • Hands-on project or research experience
  • Interdisciplinary Curriculum
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Global Dimension
  • Service Learning

Please see the Grand Challenges Scholars site for more information.

Changing Major or Transferring into the College of Engineering

The College of Engineering curricula are very demanding. Therefore, applicants should have a record of good grades in mathematics and science courses. Students who wish to change their major or transfer into the College of Engineering should contact office of the Assistant Dean for Undergraduate Services at (302) 831-8659 for advisement on the process.

All majors in the College have restricted access due to capacity. Therefore, current UD students who wish to change into a major within the College of Engineering should first read the following information about Restricted Majors . Students who meet the change of major criteria may request a change of major by completing the “Change Major/Minor/Concentration” web form available from their UDSIS Student Homepage under the Forms tile and the Undergraduate Students folder.

Students from outside the University of Delaware who wish to transfer into a major in the College of Engineering must make a formal application through the University Admissions Office. The Admissions Office maintains a list of minimum academic criteria for students wishing to transfer.

Departments and Programs

Department of Biomedical Engineering

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Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering

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Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering

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Department of Computer and Information Sciences

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Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering

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Department of Materials Science and Engineering

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Department of Mechanical Engineering

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Air Force ROTC

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