The William States Lee College of Engineering at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte is one of the finest engineering colleges in the Southeast. Emphasizing applied research in its educational programs, the college prepares students for careers in engineering through meaningful hands-on involvement and interactive teamwork. Students and faculty work with government, the private sector, and other universities to develop practical advances in technology. Locally and throughout the world, their efforts effect positive economic and environmental change.
With cross-disciplinary expertise and capabilities, UNC Charlotte’s renowned engineering research centers provide the tools to tackle real-world challenges in a strong academic environment. The centers, together with the funded research programs of the faculty, support graduate programs in the Departments of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Engineering Technology and Construction Management, Mechanical Engineering and Engineering Science, and Systems Engineering and Engineering Management.
Civil and Environmental Engineering
Faculty from the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering are active participants in the University’s Infrastructure, Design, Environment, and Sustainability Center (IDEAS). Its research focus on the environment and developing sustainable solutions enhances the interactions of the built and natural environment and sustainable transportation systems. The Department, in conjunction with the Department of Geography and Earth Sciences, also assumes a key role in the Infrastructure and Environmental Systems doctoral program.
Electrical and Computer Engineering
The Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering takes great pride in its research in UNC Charlotte’s Center for Optoelectronics and Optical Communications. There, researchers exploit the interplay between photons and electrons in quantum confined nanostructures leading to the design, development, and fabrication of next generation optical sources and smart integrated optical devices.
The faculty are also integral to the work of the Energy Production and Infrastructure Center (EPIC). EPIC serves the Charlotte region’s energy hub and is interdisciplinary in its approach to meeting the needs of local, national and governmental entities. It provides educational experiences focusing on the regional and national advancement of current and developing energy production and distribution methodologies in state of the art facilities such as the Duke Energy Smart Grid Laboratory.
Engineering Technology and Construction Management
The college offers graduate programs in Applied Energy and Electromechanical Systems, Construction and Facilities Management, and Fire Protection and Administration through the Department of Engineering Technology and Construction Management . These programs focus on applied technology and meet the requirements for expanded education and training in these growing areas of technical importance.
Mechanical Engineering and Engineering Science
The Center for Precision Metrology, under the direction of the Department of Mechanical Engineering and Engineering Science , helps manufacturers in many industries, including automotive, aircraft, and computer manufacturing to produce perfect parts through the aid of state-of-the-art measurement systems. The center’s measurement capability ranges from the atomic scale in environmentally controlled laboratories to meter scale parts in the Siemens Energy Large Manufacturing Solutions Laboratory. The department’s research programs in computational modeling and the Center for Biomedical Engineering and Science focus on improving the design, control, and manufacturing of engineered and biological systems. The North Carolina Motorsports and Automotive Research Center provides an opportunity to develop systems for the next generation of vehicles as well as providing a platform for development in automotive competition.
Systems Engineering and Engineering Management
The Center for Lean Logistics and Engineered Systems provides industry access to the expertise of the Department of Systems Engineering and Engineering Management faculty assisting them in remaining competitive in global markets. The faculty provide educational opportunities ranging from traditional coursework to continuing education and certificate programs. The offerings span topics from healthcare to energy analytics and industrial systems optimization.
Graduate Programs
Civil and Environmental Engineering
Construction and Facilities Management
Electrical Engineering
Energy and Electromechanical Systems
Fire Protection and Administration
Infrastructure and Environmental Systems
Mechanical Engineering
Systems Engineering and Engineering Management
