College of Engineering (COE)
Overview

College of Engineering Vision

"A global leader in engineering teaching 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.

Expected Learning Outcomes

As required by ABET, Inc.’s engineering accreditation criteria, 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 undergraduate majors in biomedical, chemical, chemical and ocean, civil, computer, electrical, industrial, mechanical, and ocean engineering. 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 and 102, EGR 105, MTH 141, PHY 203 and 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 MTH 141, 142; PHY 203, 204 and 273, 274; and a course in chemistry are required for graduation from the College of Engineering, and are prerequisites for many engineering courses. They must be taken before transferring from University College (UC) to the COE.

To transfer from 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: MTH141, MTH142, CHM101/102, PHY203/273, EGR105, EGR 106, 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 curriculum in which they are registered 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), advising takes place at UC in Roosevelt Hall; once the student is transferred to COE, advising takes place at the departmental level. The office of the Associate Dean provides non-routine advising.

International Engineering Program (IEP)

The COE in conjunction with the College of Arts and Sciences also offers a five-year International Engineering Program (IEP) in which students earn two degrees: a Bachelor of Science in engineering and a Bachelor of Arts in a foreign language. The foreign languages currently offered by the IEP are German, French, and Spanish; and Chinese (our most recent addition to the IEP). In addition to their engineering and language-related courses, students also spend six months abroad in a paid professional internship 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. In 1992, the IEP received a prestigious Award for Educational Innovation from ABET, Inc., the national Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology.

Cooperative Education Program

Optional for juniors and seniors (with a GPA of at least 2.50) in all engineering departments, the Cooperative Education Program assists students with placements for part-time or full-time work directly related to a student’s field of study. Information may be obtained from the Dean’s Office, 102 Bliss Hall.

Engineering and M.B.A. Program

This five-year program offers students the opportunity to earn a Bachelor of Science in engineering and a Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.). Students with a GPA of 3.00 or better may enroll during their senior year with successful completion of the Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT).

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 the American Society for Engineering Education.

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

Demystifying India

Public programs presented by the Honors Colloquium, Tuesdays, 7:30pm, Chaffee Auditorium. Coordinated by Professors Ruby Roy Dholakia, Nikhilesh Dholakia, Arun Shukla. Click here for information.

New Server (ZULU) Update

The migration to the new server, Zulu, is complete! Click here for more information.

COE Quad Webcam

View activity on the Engineering Quad!
Click here for the COE Webcam.

More about the College

College of Engineering

College of Engineering (COE) Overview