College of Engineering

Emmanuel (Manos) Maragakis, Dean
132 Scrugham Engineering and Mines
(775) 784-6925

Mission Statement

The College of Engineering is focused on serving the State of Nevada, the nation and the world by:

• Providing an outstanding state-of-the-art broad education for engineering and computer science graduates that prepares them to collaborate and compete in a global environment;
• Pursuing high quality competitively funded fundamental and applied research to create new knowledge and innovative technologies to address the technological, societal and economic diversification needs of the state, the nation and the world;
• Participating in high quality outreach activities and industrial partnerships regionally, nationally and internationally; and,
• Fostering a culture of respect, inclusiveness and diversity among students, faculty and staff.

Objectives

The College of Engineering’s educational objectives are:

• Our students will be provided with a strong technical and cultural education for their profession or for continued graduate education in an area of specialization.
• Our graduates will have the ability to work individually and in teams to identify and solve complex engineering and computer science problems and will have developed an understanding of interdisciplinary problem solving and system design.
• Our graduates will have a multi-disciplinary technical and practical education which has prepared them for a rapidly changing world based on the commonality of knowledge that engineering and computer science disciplines provide. This will allow our graduates to be able to continuously meet professional objectives throughout their careers.
• A firm foundation will be provided for professional advancement not just through acquired, advanced engineering and computer knowledge, but also through communication, humanity and social science skills, team and group activities and ethical/professional responsibility as engineers and computer scientists.

Accreditation

The chemical, civil, computer science and engineering, electrical, environmental, materials science and engineering and mechanical engineering undergraduate programs are accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, http://www.abet.org . The computer science and engineering undergraduate program is also accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET, http://www.abet.org

Engineering as a Preparatory Degree

Engineering majors currently have one of the highest rates of acceptance to U.S. medical schools. They also have an advantage over other majors in gaining acceptance to architecture, business, dental and law schools. However, engineering students may need to complete additional courses to gain the full benefits of their degree. Students interested in using engineering as a preparatory degree should consult with the associate dean.

Mathematics and Science Entrance Requirements

In addition to the university requirements for admission to the baccalaureate programs (see Admission section of this catalog), the College of Engineering specifically recommends the following entrance requirements for its degree candidates: four units of mathematics (including trigonometry or pre-calculus) and three units of science, including physics and chemistry, and a half year of computer programming. Advanced placement classes in calculus and science are particularly valuable.

Engineering Progression (effective Fall 2016) 

Only students who are eligible to enroll in MATH 181  (as demonstrated through placement tests) may enter specific major programs within the College of Engineering. Others may enter the undeclared engineering program. Undeclared engineering students must be admissible to a specific major program within four regular semesters (fall and spring).¹

To maintain good standing in the College of Engineering, students must:

• Complete the following classes with a “C” or better: MATH 181 , MATH 182 , MATH 283 , PHYS 180 , PHYS 180L  and PHYS 181 .
  • Students may attempt each of these courses a maximum of three times (including withdrawals).
• Maintain at least a 2.0 Engineering grade point average (included on the Academic Advising Report in MyNEVADA).
  • Students whose Engineering grade point average falls below 2.0 are placed on program probation at the end of the fall and spring semesters.
  • Students on program probation will be allowed two regular semesters to recover to at least a 2.0 if their major grade point average improves at the end of each probationary term (summer included). Access to a second regular semester is available only when it is possible for the student to reach a 2.0 by the end of the second semester.

Students who are not eligible to progress from the undeclared engineering program to a specific engineering major after four regular semesters and/or those who do not meet the progression and major grade point average requirements above will be removed from the College of Engineering and will be required to meet with an advisor in the University’s General Advising Center to select a new major.

After one year, undergraduate students who have been removed from the College of Engineering may petition to be reinstated on the basis of transcript evidence that they are now capable of meeting the College’s progression standards. A petition including a letter to the committee from the petitioner, letters of support from faculty and/or advisors, medical records, transcripts from transfer institutions, etc. must be submitted to the College Advising Office by April 1st to be reinstated for fall and by November 1st to be reinstated for spring.

¹ Because the coursework is so interdependent, students who must complete preparatory courses, e.g., MATH 96  , MATH 126  , and/or MATH 127  should plan to attend summer school prior to their freshman year.

Degree Programs

Baccalaureate Degrees: Upon satisfactory completion of the prescribed curriculum, engineering students are awarded the degree of bachelor of science in chemical engineering, civil engineering, computer science and engineering, electrical engineering, engineering physics, environmental engineering, materials science and engineering or mechanical engineering.

Minors: The College of Engineering offers undergraduate minors in civil engineering, computer science and engineering, digital interactive games, electrical engineering, engineering physics, environmental engineering, extractive metallurgy, materials science and engineering, mechanical engineering, nanotechnology, renewable energy and unmanned autonomous systems. Specific requirements can be found under the appropriate department or program. It is mandatory for students to satisfy all prerequisites before entering an engineering or computer science course.

In addition to the general university requirements of at least a “C” (2.0) GPA for graduation, all engineering majors and minors must earn at least a “C” in those courses designated with an asterisk (*) and a “C” average for all courses used to satisfy the major and minor requirements.

Graduate Degrees: Subject to the general requirements of the university, the corresponding department and the UNR Graduate School, the following degrees may be earned.

• Master of Science: biomedical engineering*, chemical engineering, civil and environmental engineering, computer science and engineering, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, materials science and engineering, and hydrological sciences*. 
• Doctor of Philosophy: biomedical engineering*, chemical engineering, civil and environmental engineering, computer science and engineering, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, materials science and engineering and hydrological sciences*.

*Interdisciplinary  Programs.

Baccalaureate Degree Requirements

In any major field of study, the degree requirements consist of the University Core Curriculum requirements and the departmental major requirements. Transfer students may meet Core Curriculum and departmental requirements with similar course work from other colleges and universities. To satisfy degree requirements, students must earn a total of at least 125 to 129 semester credits depending on the degree program.

In addition to the university requirement of at least a “C” (2.0) average for graduation, College of Engineering students must maintain at least a “C” average in the core mathematics, core science and the major requirements courses. College of Engineering students must also earn at least a “C” in courses designated with an asterisk (*) as shown in each of the degree requirements. The “C” requirement applies to all students including transfers.

Most courses required by College of Engineering students have prerequisites and/or corequisites. Satisfying these requirements is mandatory. Course prerequisites will be enforced in the registration system. When the College of Engineering requires a “C” or better for a course, then this requirement must be met before continuing to a course that has it as a prerequisite.

Engineering students may register for a maximum of nine satisfactory/unsatisfactory (S/U) credits in courses not specifically required in the core curriculum and departmental requirements. This limitation does not apply to AP credits transferred to the university.

Differential Fee

The Nevada Board of Regents has approved a differential fee that applies to upper division (300-400 level) and graduate level courses in the College of Engineering. Please see the Cashier’s Office website for current fee structure: http://www.unr.edu/tuition-and-fees.

FE Exam

All chemical, civil, electrical, environmental, material science and mechanical engineering students should enroll in ENGR 490  during their senior year to earn credit for completion of the national Fundamentals of Engineering Examination. Passing the FE exam is the first step toward becoming a licensed professional engineer, an important credential in the practice of engineering in many fields. In conjunction with registration for ENGR 490  , the student must complete the application process for the FE examination. Registration details can be found at the College of Engineering website under the student resources section or in the Dean’s office located in SEM 132. Alternately, students may satisfy the requirement by completion of a 3-credit, 400-level course selected within the student’s major, in consultation with the faculty advisor and approved by petition through the student’s major department.

Field Trips

Course requirements in the College of Engineering may include field trips as an integral part of the educational experience. Field trips may be scheduled by the college’s student organizations and may also be organized by the college’s faculty to meet educational goals and needs.

Advisement

All freshmen, sophomores, and incoming transfer students are required to meet with College of Engineering academic advisors. There is an advising hold placed on the student’s account in MyNEVADA and the hold is removed by one of the academic advisors after the student has completed the mandatory advising. Juniors and seniors should meet with their faculty advisor prior to registration as well as for questions regarding career or graduate schools.

Transfer Students

A student from outside the University of Nevada, Reno, who wishes to be accepted into the College of Engineering must follow general university policy for admission. Transfer students should schedule an appointment to meet with one of the College of Engineering academic advisors once they have been admitted.

Internships

Several internships are available, in which students may gain practical experience during the summer (three months), a semester, or for an academic year. For details, please refer to your major department or contact the College of Engineering Internship and Career Support Coordinator at (775) 682-7736.

Exchange Programs

Today’s engineers are often called on to solve problems with global impact. The College of Engineering has established exchange programs with top technical universities worldwide to expose students to engineering in other cultures.

English-language course offerings make study abroad accessible and programs that span in length from a few weeks to one year allow you to customize your experience.

Studying abroad can be a life changing experience. You will be exposed to new ideas, new people, and new experiences. And you will develop some of the skills most valued by today’s employers: independence, teamwork, leadership, and adaptability.

We currently have exchange opportunities available in the following locations: China, Germany, Israel, Italy, Spain, and South Korea.

In an exchange program, you pay University of Nevada, Reno tuition and fees, and are generally exempt from tuition at your host university for student services, housing or other campus services. Check with the Office of International Students and Scholars and your host institution for more specific information and program fees.

You are also responsible for your own travel and living expenses while living abroad. To help with the costs, the College of Engineering is offering $500 scholarships to eligible students participating in an exchange program.

Application for Graduation

Candidates for graduation should submit a graduation application one semester prior to the anticipated graduation date after meeting with the major advisor. The due dates for graduation applications can be found in the university’s online calendar and at the front of the general catalog. Only Admissions and Records can certify that a student has officially met all graduation requirements.

BS/MS Degree Program

An accelerated BS/MS program enables our outstanding students to obtain a master’s degree in engineering or computer science and engineering in a shorter time. Data from the National Science foundation shows that approximately one-third of engineering and computer science degrees in the United States are master’s degrees, and graduate education is increasingly necessary for leadership and management roles.

Students can choose from two options: Plan A, which requires a thesis, and Plan B, which does not. Programs are available in the following departments:

• Chemical and Materials Engineering: Plan A only
• Civil and Environmental Engineering: Plan A or Plan B
• Computer Science and Engineering: Plan A or Plan B
• Electrical and Biomedical Engineering: Plan A or Plan B
• Mechanical Engineering: Plan A or Plan B

Admissions Requirements

• At least 75 credits toward bachelor’s degree completed.
• Basic science courses completed.
• At least 30 credits of engineering science or design coursework completed (minimum of 24 of these at the University of Nevada, Reno).
• Minimum 3.2 GPA.
• Faculty advisor selected for M.S. degree.

Program Requirements

To enable students to earn both degrees in five years, the accelerated BS/MS program allows you to take up to six credits of technical electives for your bachelor’s degree as 600-level graduate courses. These courses may also be applied to your master’s degree, provided you receive a B or better.

The 600-level courses you select for this program must be approved by the department, your graduate advisor and the Graduate School. You can complete up to nine credits of graduate work before entering the Graduate School. Specific courses and thesis requirements for the master’s degree will be determined with the help of your graduate advisor.

The Graduate School requires students to maintain an average GPA of 3.0 in all courses applied to the master’s degree. The College of Engineering requires all students participating in the accelerated program to maintain a GPA of 3.2 or higher in required courses.

If your GPA drops below a 3.2, you will be placed on academic probation for one semester, which allows you to raise your GPA to 3.2 or higher and return to good standing. If you are unable to do so, you will be removed from the program. Students who are removed from the accelerated program can continue to pursue a bachelor’s and master’s degree under the normal requirements.

Financial Impact

By submitting the application form above, students will be able to use their approved 600-level classes toward their full-time undergraduate status.

Students must pay graduate credit tuition for the 600-level tuition. Not all scholarships can be used for graduate credit, but some financial support may be available through the graduate program.

We recommend you consult with the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships if you have any questions about your financial aid eligibility.