Engineering

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"The University of Kentucky has been home to many students. In a profession where the lives of others are dependent on precision and unerring detail, the University of Kentucky's College of Engineering succeeds in preparing its future engineers as leaders in the profession. In addition to excelling in the classroom, the College of Engineering also provides a powerful network of friendships and experiences that will equip and sustain its students throughout future endeavors. Through the many innovative programs and challenging opportunities provided, students have an advantage unlike any other engineering program to uniquely develop their career paths. The personal support provided by the engineering staff and faculty is unsurpassed in their dedication to the success of each student. The College of Engineering affords opportunities, both scholastically and socially from Tau Beta Pi and Chi Epsilon to the Student Chapter of American Society of Civil Engineers."

-- Emily D. Elwood -- Civil Engineering Senior -- ASCE UK Student Chapter Officer 2001-03 -- Chi Epsilon Engineering Honor Society Officer 2003-04 -- Delta Delta Delta Sorority, Member 1999-2003, Alumnus 2003-present -- Buckner Hinkle Scholarship Recipient - Fall 2003, Spring 2004 -- Outstanding Student of the Year, UK College of Civil Engineering - 2002 • Eileen Blain Rudolph Scholar Award-given to the Senior with the highest GPA, Delta Delta Delta National Organization - 2002 -- Tau Beta Pi Engineering Honor Society - Member

Thomas W. Lester, Ph. D., is Dean of the College of Engineering; Donn E. Hancher, Ph.D., is Associate Dean for Administration and Academic Affairs; Eric A. Grulke, Ph.D., is Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Studies; G.T. Lineberry, Ph.D., is Associate Dean for Commonwealth and International Programs; Bruce L. Walcott is Associate Dean for Economic Development and Innovations Management.

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.

Accreditation

All engineering undergraduate programs offered by the College of Engineering are accredited by the Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technology/Engineering Accreditation Commission (ABET/EAC).

Undergraduate Programs in Engineering

The University of Kentucky grants the following degrees in the College of Engineering:

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.

ADMISSION POLICY

Admission to the University of Kentucky also provides admission to one of the pre-engineering programs in the College of Engineering.

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.

Engineering Standing Admission

Admission to engineering standing in a degree program is necessary in order to be granted a baccalaureate degree in engineering or computer science. Students must complete at least 30 of the last 36 hours of their programs in residence at the University. Specific departmental requirements for admission to engineering standing are as follows. The same criteria are applied to transfer students with the equivalence of courses determined by the Director of Undergraduate Studies. A student must apply to the specific department for admission to engineering standing. Note: The cumulative grade-point average includes all college-level work taken at the University of Kentucky or elsewhere.

Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering

Completion of CHE 105, CHE 107, CS 221, 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 a group of core courses consisting of 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. A minimum cumulative grade-point average (GPA) of 2.75 in these core courses and a C or better in each core course are required for automatic acceptance into Engineering Standing. University repeat options may be utilized by all students. Students who do not meet these requirements may request a waiver of them based on a departmental review provided the core GPA is 2.25 or higher. A student may not apply for Engineering Standing more than twice.

Computer Sciencei

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 Engineeringi

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.

COMBINED DEGREE PROGRAM

The College of Engineering has transfer agreements with many institutions throughout the state. Some of these institutions offer a "3/2" year dual degree program. Other academic institutions choose to offer this option to their students without benefit of a formal agreement. These programs enable students to enroll in a pre-engineering curriculum for the first three years at their respective schools and then transfer to the College of Engineering for the final two years. Upon completion, they receive two degrees, one from the school at which they originally enrolled and the other a Bachelor of Science in the appropriate field of engineering from the University of Kentucky.

COOPERATIVE EDUCATION PROGRAM

The nationally recognized engineering co-op program gives students the opportunity to gain practical work experience before graduation by allowing them to alternate semesters of academic study with salaried, full-time career-related employment. Students who wish to participate in the Cooperative Education program in the College of Engineering should contact the Director of Cooperative Education.

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. 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 success with job offers upon graduation. One-third of our students and nearly 100 employers nationwide participate in the UK program.

CONTINUING EDUCATION AND EXTENSION

The College of Engineering recognizes the rapid changes occurring in modern engineering technology. Students in engineering are made aware of the need to continue their studies after graduation. One of the ways to keep abreast of advances in engineering is for graduates to participate in continuing education programs now available through the engineering colleges throughout the country.

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 Manufacturing at the University of Kentucky are to:

create and manage appropriate intensive noncredit technical courses of interest to and needed by practicing engineers;
develop appropriate video-based courses and materials to be of interest to practicing engineers. Such activity includes taping, live satellite uplinking, and two-way video/audio of engineering-related courses and activities, Web-based instruction; and,
provide assistance in extension activities with other college and University units to be of assistance to engineers throughout the state.

SCHOLARSHIPS

The College of Engineering awards merit-based scholarships to incoming freshman and transfer students as well as to students already enrolled in the College. Freshman scholarship applications are due January 15; transfer scholarship applications and continuing student applications are due March 15. Awards are made for the upcoming academic year; no new awards are made for the spring semester.

For further information, contact the College of Engineering Office of Student Services.

ENGINEERING DEAN'S LIST

Students enrolled in the College of Engineering can make the Engineering Dean's List for a fall or spring semester by meeting the following requirements during the semester:

3.6 or better semester GPA;
12 or more credit hours;
no E, I or F grades;
no grades out; and
no more than 3 hours pass/fail.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR GRADUATION

NOTE: The following graduation requirements apply to engineering programs only. Separate graduation requirements currently apply to the Computer Science program as described in the corresponding section.

To be awarded a Bachelor of Science degree in any field of engineering, a student must:

complete the University and College requirements relating to writing and University Studies.
complete a minimum of 128 hours, exclusive of those earned in freshman college algebra and freshman college trigonometry, with a cumulative standing of not less than 2.0 on a 4.0 scale. In all departments the course requirements exceed this 128 hour minimum.
be admitted to engineering standing in an engineering program for at least the final semester, and complete the requirements of that program.
complete a minimum of 24 credit hours of departmental courses at or above the 300 level.
complete all departmental courses and technical electives with a cumulative standing of 2.0 or higher.
complete any additional departmental graduation requirements that may be listed below.

Additional Departmental Graduation Requirements

In the B.S. program in Civil Engineering, the student must earn a C or better in each CE prefix course, except that a maximum of one D is permitted in a CE prefix course numbered 400 or higher. In addition, a C or better must be earned in EM 221 and EM 302.

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.

Second Bachelor's Degree Requirements

A student who has earned a bachelor's degree in the College of Engineering may earn a second bachelor's degree by meeting the following three conditions on the work applicable to the second degree:

The student must have been admitted to engineering standing in the program leading to the second degree at least for the final semester, or equivalent terms, prior to the completion of the degree requirements, and must be enrolled as a student in that degree program during the final semester or term. No student can be simultaneously enrolled in two degree programs.
The student must complete a minimum of 15 credit hours of departmentally approved courses at or above the 300 level.
To earn a second degree, a student must complete all degree requirements in that program.

ACADEMIC ADVISING

Sophomores, juniors, and seniors are advised by faculty in the department of the student's major. Professional staff provide academic advising and support services to entering freshman students through the Freshman Advising Center.It is the students' responsibility to satisfy University and College requirements with consultation from their advisor.

PROBATION AND ACADEMIC SUSPENSION

Students should refer to the Academic Requirements section for information concerning the College of Engineering's probation and academic suspension rules.

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Last updated: 10/03/08