Engineering
Students interested in making the world a better place and helping solve 21st century challenges in areas such as energy, new product design, advanced manufacturing, advanced mechatronics, the environment, and human health, may choose to pursue a degree in engineering. The Bachelor of Science in Engineering (B.S.E.) program provides a foundation in mathematics, sciences and engineering augmented with engineering specializations.
The program combines the strengths of a traditional engineering curriculum such as sustainability, design and system analysis with extensive hands-on laboratory and real world experience. The focus is on project-based learning and high faculty-student interaction.
We believe successful engineers must have a broad base of technical skills to assure they can meet the engineering challenges of the future. Graduates will be prepared to succeed in the engineering workforce or in graduate engineering degree programs.
About the Program
Concentrations and Locations
The mechanical and electrical power concentrations are offered at WCU's main campus in Cullowhee for traditional full-time students. Every semester a few courses for the mechanical concentration are offered at WCU's instructional site in Asheville at Biltmore Park. For more information about any of the BSE programs, contact the School of Engineering + Technology at set@wcu.edu.
The B.S.E. is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, under the General Criteria.
The Mechanical concentration focuses on mechanics, 3D visualization and simulation, analysis of static and dynamic systems, energy, and machine design. Students work with outstanding faculty members who bring industry and business expertise to the classroom. The program emphasizes the hands-on application of theoretical and technical concepts through project-based learning (PBL), and students work on real-world assignments with companies across Western North Carolina, and beyond, through The Rapid Center, WCU's on-campus research and development facility.
Students in this discipline work in a wide range of fields. This concentration will provide students with knowledge of mechanical and electrical systems, robotics, automation, and motion control. Graduates work in a wide variety of sectors including automotive, aerospace, medical, construction, government, consulting, manufacturing, and management.
This concentration will provide students with knowledge of structures, construction engineering, management, geotechnics, environmental engineering, transportation, water resources, and materials. Graduates work in the public and private sectors on projects including roads, buildings, airports, tunnels, dams, bridges, and systems for water supply and sewage treatment.
Curriculum
The B.S. in Engineering requires 126 total hours. The major requires 96 hours, 12 of which also meet the Liberal Studies requirements (ENGR 199, MATH 153, CHEM 139 AND PHYS 230), 31 hours from the Engineering Core, 36 hours from the Mathematics and Science Core, 3 hours from Technical Electives and 26 hours must be from one concentration only (Mechanical, Civil, Eobotics & Automation). To graduate with a BS Engineering degree, all students must have a cumulative GPA of 2.3 or higher for all courses in the major taken at Western Carolina University.
For more information on the Engineering program course descriptions visit the WCU course catalog. For the eight semester plans for each concentration, see below:
- Engineering - Mechanical, 8 Semester Plan
- Engineering - Robotics & Automation, 8 Semester Plan
- Engineering - Civil Engineering, 8 Semester Plan
- Engineering - Electrical Power, 8 Semester Plan
- Students currently in the Electrical Power program can remain in the program, but new students should consider the B.S. Electrical Engineering - Electric Power & Clean Energy concentration.
Transfer Students
Transfer Information: Transfer as seamlessly as possible from a community college to one of the College of Engineering and Technology’s programs.
ME 302 - Design of Machine Elements I Credits: 3
ME 311 - Mechanical Engineering Lab II Credits: 1
ME 312 - Mechanical Engineering Lab III Credits: 1
ME 321 - Fluid Dynamics Credits: 3
ME 332 - Heat Transfer: Analysis and Applications Credits: 3
ME 401 - Design of Machine Elements II Credits: 3
ENGR 202 - Mechanics of Materials Credits: 3
ENGR 231 - 3-D Solid Modeling Credits: 3 Contact Hours: 4
ENGR 315 - Electrical Engineering Fundamentals Credits: 3
ENGR 353 - Thermodynamics Credits: 3
Coming soon...
Coming soon...
Program Objectives
ABET definition: Program Educational Objectives are broad statements that describe the career and professional accomplishments that the program is preparing graduates to achieve.
Graduates of the Engineering Program will:
- Apply their technical knowledge as practicing professionals or engage in graduate education.
- Work successfully in their chosen career individually and within a professional team environment.
- Engage in professional development in their profession by adapting to new technology and career challenges.
ABET Definition: Student Outcomes are statements that describe what students are expected to know and be able to apply by the time of graduation.
Upon graduation, Engineering students will have:
- an ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics
- an ability to apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors
- an ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences
- an ability to recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgments, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts
- an ability to function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives
- an ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions
- an ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.
*This table represents first-time full-time fall semester enrollment.
| Academic Year | First Year | Second Year | Third Year | Fourth Year | Fifth Year or More | 2nd Bachelors | Total | Degrees Conferred |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 2022 | 48 | 23 | 32 | 42 | 13 | 23 | 181 | 47 |
| Fall 2021 | 61 | 27 | 28 | 55 | 19 | 1 | 191 | 28 |
| Fall 2020 | 64 | 29 | 41 | 49 | 11 | 0 | 194 | 30 |
| Fall 2019 | 47 | 46 | 37 | 42 | 10 | 4 | 186 | 25 |
| Fall 2018 | 64 | 31 | 28 | 39 | 10 | 4 | 176 | 24 |
| Fall 2017 | 60 | 34 | 35 | 32 | 11 | 3 | 175 | 8 |
*This table represents first-time full-time fall semester enrollment.
| Academic Year | First Year | Second Year | Third Year | Fifth Year | Fifth Year or More | 2nd Bachelors | Total | Degrees Conferred |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 2022 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | - |
| Fall 2021 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | - |
| Fall 2020 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | |
| Fall 2019 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | - |
| Fall 2018 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | - |
| Fall 2017 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | - |
*This table represents first-time full-time fall semester enrollment.
| Academic Year | First Year | Second Year | Third Year | Fourth Year | Fifth Year or More | 2nd Bachelors | Total | Degrees Conferred |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 2022 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 6 | 4 |
| Fall 2021 | 6 | 1 | 2 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 16 | 1 |
| Fall 2020 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 12 | 4 |
| Fall 2019 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 13 | 3 |
| Fall 2018 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 10 | 0 |
| Fall 2017 | 7 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 13 | 0 |
Accreditation
The Rapid Center
