"Through a class in high school, I was exposed to the numerous interesting disciplines in engineering. It was at that time I knew I wanted to pursue a degree in engineering, but because each major is uniquely interesting and challenging, it was very difficult for me to narrow my choice to one discipline. Now as a student in the College of Engineering, I am amazed at the myriad of organizations, clubs, and associations that are available. The differing fields and opportunities for getting involved are so numerous whether one is interested in biomedics, chemistry, robotics, computers, mining, electronics, environment, construction, materials, optics, or agriculture, one can find somewhere they fit in. I value my experience here because to the faculty and staff a student is not one of many but instead a unique individual. The genuine interest that instructors have for students has aided in my attainment of academic excellence thereby resulting in offers of internship positions from prominent national and international corporations. Through organizations such as the Society of Woman Engineers, Engineering Student Council, American Society of Mechanical Engineers, National Society of Black Engineers, research clubs such as Weightless Wildcats, and leadership opportunities in these and other organizations, the College of Engineering equips each student with the proper tools needed to succeed both as an intern and a professional."
- Janelle Merritt
Mechanical Engineering Sophomore
National Recipient of NSBE Academic Excellence Member of the Year Award
Pi Tau Sigma Outstanding Sophomore Mechanical Engineering
Thomas W. Lester, Ph. D., is Dean of the College of Engineering; Bruce L. Walcott, Ph.D., is Associate Dean for Administration and Academic Affairs; Alan Male, Ph.D., is Associate Dean for Research; G.T. Lineberry, Ph.D., is Associate Dean for Extended Campus Programs.
The College of Engineering offers programs leading to undergraduate and graduate degrees in biosystems and agricultural, chemical and civil engineering, computer science, and electrical, materials, mechanical and mining engineering. Graduate training in biomedical engineering is also offered through the Colleges of Engineering and Medicine. A multidisciplinary master of engineering degree and a master of science in manufacturing systems engineering address the growing need for advanced engineering education by engineers throughout the Commonwealth.
Creative accomplishment in the career of an engineer or computer scientist depends upon an education that stresses major ideas and fundamental concepts of engineering rather than specific technologies. The academic programs in engineering provide a sound background in the mathematical, physical and engineering sciences blended with the social sciences and humanities to ensure both a thorough education in engineering and a liberal education. Such an approach provides the best preparation for the engineer or computer scientist who must envisage and develop the technologies of the future and deal with scientific advances at present unknown.
The various curricula in the College of Engineering are broad, so that no student is limited to a narrow field of specialized knowledge but receives sufficient technical depth to provide a sound preparation for a professional career.
The first engineering degree from the University of Kentucky was granted in 1890. Since that time over 16,000 degrees have been awarded in the various fields of engineering. Among the alumni of the College of Engineering are those who have distinguished themselves in the major fields of industry, government and education.
Concern for the individual is a most important feature of education in the College of Engineering. Close faculty-student relationships are necessarily a meaningful part of the educational process. The faculty, in addition to their duties related to instruction and research, serve as advisors to the student in the preparation of the academic program best matched to the student's needs and intellectual capabilities.
While these are the official degrees granted at the bachelor's level in the college, the prospective student is encouraged to study the wide variety of options available through technical electives, some of which are listed following the degree requirements of each department. Technical electives are included in each curriculum to allow the student to apply the fundamentals of a particular discipline to an area of special interest during the senior year.
Students in any department interested in biomedical engineering may make special arrangements to include a limited amount of such studies in the undergraduate program. Biomedical engineering is primarily the application of engineering principles to the solution of medical problems.
The Department of Chemical Engineering has approved an optional program in premedicine or predentistry. Students majoring in chemical engineering may arrange through their advisor to take courses that will satisfy the degree requirements for this program.
In response to industry requests, the College of Engineering and the College of Business and Economics have joined to offer a coordinated Bachelor of Science in Engineering and Masters of Business Administration. This intense, five-year program involves summer classes, corporate work opportunities, and study abroad. Students are selected for the program from all engineering majors after an application process during the spring semester of the freshman year. Selection is based on past academic performance, communication skills, and commitment to the program.
Graduate programs in the engineering fields of study are listed in The Graduate School section.
Application must be made for admission to a specific pre-engineering program. However, subsequent transfer between programs will be permitted and may be accomplished by applying and satisfying the appropriate specified criteria.
All undergraduate degree programs are divided into pre-engineering and engineering. Pre-engineering is broadly defined as the first two years of a program, while engineering is broadly defined as the last two years of the program. Every student must be admitted to engineering standing in a specific program prior to graduation.
Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering - Completion of BAE 202, BIO 150, BIO 152, CHE 105, CHE 107, ENG 101 and ENG 102 (or ENG 105), EM 221, MA 113, MA 114, MA 213, MA 214, PHY 231, PHY 232, PHY 241, and PHY 242 with a minimum grade-point average of 2.25 (computed using grades from the last attempt at each course) in these courses and a minimum overall cumulative grade-point average of 2.25. University repeat options may be applied as appropriate.
Chemical Engineering - Completion of CHE 105, CHE 107, CHE 115, MA 113, MA 114, MA 213, MA 214, PHY 231, PHY 232, PHY 241, ENG 101 and ENG 102 (or ENG 105) with a minimum cumulative grade-point average of 2.70 in these courses. Completion of CS 221 with a passing grade and completion of CME 200 with a grade of C or better. University repeat options may be applied as appropriate.
Civil Engineering - Applicants must have completed at least 45 semester hours acceptable towards the degree. Furthermore, applicants must have completed ENG 101 and ENG 102 or ENG 105 or the Honors Program; CHE 105, CHE 107, PHY 231, PHY 241, MA 113, MA 114, MA 213, CE 106, CE 120 and CE 211 or equivalent with a minimum cumulative grade-point average (GPA) of 2.75 in these courses. University repeat options may be utilized by both on-campus and transfer students. Students who do not meet this GPA requirement may request consideration based on a departmental review if this GPA is 2.25 or better. A student may not apply for engineering standing more than twice.
Computer Science - Completion of CS 100, CS 115, CS 215, CS 216, EE 280, ENG 101 and ENG 102 (or ENG 105), MA 113, MA 114, PHY 231, and PHY 241 with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 in these courses. University repeat options may be utilized as appropriate.
Electrical Engineering - Completion of EE 211, EE 221, EE 222, and EE 280 with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.4 in these courses. University repeat options may be utilized as appropriate. In addition, the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department will not permit a third admission into any of these courses.
Materials Engineering - Completion of ENG 101 and ENG 102 (or ENG 105), MA 113, MA 114, MA 213, MA 214, PHY 231, PHY 232, PHY 241, CHE 105, CHE 107 and CHE 115 with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.50 in these courses and completion of CS 221 with a passing grade. University repeat options may be utilized as necessary.
Mechanical Engineering - Completion of at least 50 semester hours applicable to the degree program with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5. Completion of ENG 101 and ENG 102 (or ENG 105), MA 113, MA 114, MA 213, MA 214, CHE 105, CHE 107, PHY 231, PHY 241, PHY 232, and PHY 242 with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.7 in these courses. A student may exercise official University of Kentucky repeat options as appropriate. Written request for an exception to the number of repeats should be submitted to the Director of Undergraduate Studies.
Mining Engineering - Completion of a minimum of 50 semester hours acceptable towards the degree in mining engineering with a minimum cumulative grade-point average of 2.5. Completion of ENG 101 and ENG 102 (or ENG 105), MA 113, MA 114, MA 213, MA 214, CHE 105, CHE 107, PHY 231, PHY 232, PHY 241, and PHY 242 with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.50 in these courses. University repeat options may be utilized as appropriate. Students who do not meet these GPA requirements may request consideration based upon departmental review if both of these GPAs are 2.25 or greater.
To be eligible for this program, students should have a minimum grade-point average of 2.5. In addition, they should complete all the courses in the first two semesters of the degree program prior to the first work tour. Students will remain on a full-time, continuing student status while they are at work by registering for a one-hour, pass/fail course. The grade, assigned by the director, is based on both a work report written by the student and an evaluation completed by the immediate supervisor. Students who follow the program directives will extend their time in college by about one year. Six months of the year's co-op experience counts toward total experience required to sit for the Professional Engineer exam in Kentucky.
The Cooperative Education program contributes significantly to the student's academic motivation, career preparation, and interpersonal skills development. One-third of our students and 120 employers nationwide participate in the UK program.
The responsibilities of the Office for Informational Services and Technical Liaison (OISTL), the Technology Exchange Program within the Kentucky Transportation Center, and the Lean Manufacturing Program within the Center for Robotics and Manufacturing Systems at the University of Kentucky are to:
For further information, contact the College of Engineering Office of Student Services.
To be awarded a Bachelor of Science degree in any field of engineering, a student must:
In the Mining Engineering Department, the student must have earned a grade of C or better in the following courses that are valuable for safe operation of mines: MNG 341, Mine Ventilation; MNG 551, Rock Mechanics; MNG 591, Mine Design Project I; and MNG 592, Mine Design Project II.