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College of Engineering (COE)
-Overview-

College of Engineering Vision

"A global leader in engineering education and research."

College of Engineering Mission

The College of Engineering is a diverse community of scholars, learners, and professional staff dedicated to the development and application of advanced technologies, and working together to enhance the quality of life for all. We are creative problem solvers, innovators, inventors, and entrepreneurs, applying our skills for the advancement of knowledge, service to our community, and the economic development of the state of Rhode Island and beyond. We prepare our graduates to be global leaders in a wide range of engineering disciplines and to create new knowledge, products, and services.

Accreditation

Continuous accreditation of URI’s engineering programs by ABET, Inc. has been in place since 1936 for the curricula of civil, electrical, and mechanical engineering, 1954 for chemical engineering, 1957 for industrial engineering, 1992 for computer engineering, 1995 for ocean engineering, and 1989 for the M.S. in manufacturing engineering.

URI’s College of Engineering is a member of ASEE (American Society for Engineering Education).

Student Outcomes

All graduates receiving baccalaureate degrees in all engineering disciplines will demonstrate:

(a) an ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science, and engineering;
(b) an ability to design and conduct experiments, as well as to analyze and interpret data;
(c) an ability to design a system, component, or process to meet desired needs within realistic constraints such as economic, environmental, social, political, ethical, health and safety, manufacturability, and sustainability;
(d) an ability to function on multi-disciplinary teams;
(e) an ability to identify, formulate, and solve engineering problems;
(f) an understanding of professional and ethical responsibility;
(g) an ability to communicate effectively;
(h) the broad education necessary to understand the impact of engineering solutions in a global, economic, environmental, and societal context;
(i) a recognition of the need for, and an ability to engage in life-long learning;
(j) a knowledge of contemporary issues; and
(k) an ability to use the techniques, skills, and modern engineering tools necessary for engineering practice.

Engineers from all fields are heavily involved in the solution of technological and socio-technological problems; industry’s needs are for balanced teams of both men and women from different engineering areas. Therefore, the COE's goal is to stimulate our students to become creative, responsible engineers, aware of the social implications of their work, and flexible enough to adjust to the rapid changes taking place in the world and, consequently, in all branches of engineering.

Undergraduate Majors

The COE offers eight undergraduate B.S. majors as follows:


Because the same fundamental concepts underlie all branches of engineering, the freshman-year courses are similar for all curricula, and the choice of a specific branch of engineering may be delayed until the beginning of either the second term or the second year of study. All of the engineering curricula are based on an intense study of mathematics and the basic sciences supporting the fundamentals of each engineering discipline. These principles are applied to the understanding and solution of problems of current interest and importance in the field. Each curriculum is designed to provide the knowledge and ability necessary for professional practice in engineering, or for successful graduate study, which may include law, business administration, or medicine, as well as engineering and science disciplines.

Curriculum Requirements

Entering engineering students who have chosen a specific major should follow the particular program listed in this section. It is recommended that those students who have decided to major in engineering but have not selected a specific program take the following courses: CHM 101/102; EGR 105; MTH 141; PHY 203/273, and a general education requirement during their first semester. Students who are still undecided about their choice of major after completing the first semester should review their choice of courses for the second semester with their advisor to be certain that they meet the prerequisites for the sophomore year.

Students who are undecided about engineering but wish to keep it open as an option should note that CHM 101/102; MTH 141, 142; PHY 203/273, 204/274 are required for graduation from the College of Engineering, and are prerequisites for many engineering courses.

To transfer from University College (UC) to the COE, students must not only complete at least 24 credits (including transfer credits) with a grade point average of 2.0 or better, they must also have completed 20 credits from the following list of required courses with a grade point average of 2.0 or better: CHM 101/102; EGR 105, 106; MTH141, 142; PHY203/273, and either PHY 204/274 or CHM 112/114.

To meet graduation requirements, students enrolled in the COE must satisfactorily complete all courses of the degree program in which they are enrolled and obtain a grade point average of 2.00 or better in all required science, mathematics, and engineering courses (including professional electives). Students are also required to complete an Exit Interview with the Associate Dean of Engineering at least one semester prior to their anticipated graduation date. At the discretion of the Dean, students who do not demonstrate satisfactory progress may be required to leave the COE.

General Education Requirements

Engineering students must meet University's published General Education requirements. These elective courses provide a venue for students are exposed to and challenged by concepts from the humanities and social sciences to ensure that the social relevance of their engineering activities will never be forgotten. In selecting courses to satisfy these requirements, students should consult with their advisors to be certain that they have met any department-specific course requirements. Requirements in mathematics and natural sciences are satisfied by required courses in the engineering curricula.

Student Advisement

Engineering students are advised by engineering faculty members. While the student is in University College (UC), the advising takes place at UC; once the student transfers to the COE, advising takes place at the departmental level. The office of the Associate Dean of Engineering provides non-routine advising. The links below provide important information about the advising process and advising of engineering students.

    • List of Engineering Faculty Advisors by department/program.

International Engineering Program (IEP)

In conjunction with the College of Arts and Sciences, the COE offers a five-year in which students earn two degrees: a B.S. in engineering and a B.A. in a foreign language. The foreign languages currently offered by the IEP are Chinese (dual minor), German, French, and Spanish. In addition to their engineering and language-related courses, students spend six months abroad in a paid professional internship working at an international engineering company in Europe, Latin America, the Caribbean, or Asia. Upon graduation, students are well prepared to compete in the global marketplace and are highly sought after in the USA and abroad.

To enroll, an engineering student registers and follows the recommended outline of courses for the specific language.  The Association of International Educators has recognized the University of Rhode Island as one of eight national recipients of the 2011 Senator Paul Simon Awards for internationalizing its engineering curriculum. In addition, the IEP also has previously been recognized by ABET, Inc. for Educational Innovation.

Accelerated Five-Year B.S/M.S. Degree Programs

The COE offers accelerated B.S/M.S Degree Programs in all engineering majors  that allow qualified students to complete both the B.S. and M.S. degrees within five years. Specific requirements vary by major; therefore refer to engineering majors of interest for program details.

Engineering and M.B.A. Five-Year Degree Program

This five-year program offers students the opportunity to earn a B.S. in engineering and an M.B.A. degree. Students with a CGPA of at least 3.00 may enroll during their senior year with successful completion of the GMAT.  Details for this program can be found here.

Graduate Degrees

Graduate study is available in the College of Engineering at the Master of Science (M.S.) and Doctorate (Ph.D.) level.