Introduction
The William States Lee College of Engineering transforms lives, communities, and industries through student-centered applied learning, powerful partnerships, and research that solves complex problems that focuses on impacting society.
The Lee College of Engineering offers Baccalaureate degree programs in Engineering, Engineering Technology, and Construction Management. The College offers master’s degree programs in Engineering, Construction and Facilities Engineering, Applied Energy and Electromechanical Systems, Fire Protection and Safety Management, and Engineering Management. Ph.D. programs are available in Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering; as well as an interdisciplinary Ph.D. in Infrastructure and Environmental Systems. For details on the graduate programs, refer to the UNC Charlotte Graduate Catalog.
The College of Engineering consists of the following departments:
Degree Programs
Engineering Programs
The Baccalaureate programs in engineering offer professional engineering education that can be used as the foundation for different career objectives: workforce ready professional engineers in industry, business, or consulting; graduate study preparing for careers in research, development, or teaching; and a more general and liberal engineering education with the objective of keeping a variety of career paths open.
The course of study will involve the humanities, social sciences, physical sciences, mathematics, and engineering sciences and design. The student expecting to accept employment in industry may emphasize the engineering design and engineering science aspects of a program, while the student preparing for graduate study might emphasize the mathematics and science aspects. Some graduates take on executive and management responsibilities in industries and firms that are based upon engineering products and services. These students may choose to construct an elective option in their program to include economics and business-related courses that strengthen their communications and other non-technical skills.
Engineering students are strongly encouraged to pursue the requirements for registration as a Professional Engineer (PE). The first step in the registration process is the successful completion of the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) Examination. Students are encouraged to take this examination during their Senior year. Additional requirements for professional licensure subsequent to graduation include the accumulation of at least four-years of progressive engineering experience and successful completion of the Professional Engineer Examination (PE Exam). Students who complete the Cooperative Education Program or who complete their master’s degree only need three years of progressive engineering experience to be eligible to take the PE Exam in North Carolina.
All program-level Admission and Progression Requirements are in addition to the University of North Carolina at Charlotte Admissions Requirements .
Majors
- Civil Engineering, B.S.C.E.
- Civil Engineering, Energy Infrastructure Concentration, B.S.C.E.
- Civil Engineering, Land Development Engineering Concentration, B.S.C.E.
- Computer Engineering, B.S.CP.E.
- Computer Engineering, Machine Learning Concentration, B.S.CP.E.
- Physics and Computer Engineering, B.S. Dual Degree
- Electrical Engineering, B.S.E.E.
- Electrical Engineering, Machine Learning Concentration, B.S.E.E.
- Electrical Engineering, Power and Energy Systems Concentration, B.S.E.E.
- Environmental Engineering, B.S.
- Physics and Electrical Engineering, B.S. Dual Degree
- Mechanical Engineering, B.S.M.E.
- Mechanical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering Concentration, B.S.M.E.
- Mechanical Engineering, Energy Engineering Concentration, B.S.M.E.
- Mechanical Engineering, Motorsports Engineering Concentration, B.S.M.E.
- Mechanical Engineering, Precision Engineering and Metrology Concentration, B.S.M.E.
- Physics and Mechanical Engineering, B.S. Dual Degree
- Systems Engineering, B.S.S.E.
- Systems Engineering, Energy Systems Concentration, B.S.S.E.
Minors
Honors Programs
Graduate Early Entry Programs
- Applied Energy and Electromechanical Engineering, M.S., Early Entry Civil Engineering, M.S., Early Entry
- Computer Engineering, M.S., Early Entry
- Construction and Facilities Engineering, M.S., Early Entry
- Electrical Engineering, M.S. or Ph.D., Early Entry
- Engineering Management, M.S., Early Entry
- Fire Protection and Safety Management, M.S., Early Entry
- Mechanical Engineering, M.S., Early Entry
- Optical Science and Engineering, M.S. or Ph.D., Early Entry
Engineering Technology Programs
Engineering technology is the profession in which knowledge of mathematics and natural sciences gained through higher education, experience, and practice is devoted primarily to the implementation and extension of existing technology for the benefit of humanity. Engineering technology education focuses on the applied aspects of science and engineering aimed at preparing graduates for practice in the technological spectrum closest to product improvement, manufacturing, construction, and engineering operational functions.
Engineering technology programs are characterized by a focus on application and practice with an approximately equal mix of theory, practice, and laboratory experience.
Graduates of the engineering technology programs are recruited by most major technological companies in the U.S. They are employed across the technological spectrum but are best suited to areas that deal with application, implementation, production, and construction. Technical sales and customer service fields also account for many placements.
Engineering technology students are encouraged to pursue the requirements for registration as a Professional Engineer. The first step in the registration process is the successful completion of the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) Examination. Students are encouraged to take this examination during their Senior year. Additional requirements for professional licensure following graduation include the accumulation of at least eight years of progressive experience and successful completion of the Professional Engineer Examination (PE Exam). Students who complete the Cooperative Education Program or who complete their master’s degree only need seven years of progressive engineering experience to be eligible to take the PE Exam in North Carolina.
Majors
- Civil Engineering Technology, B.S.E.T.
- Civil Engineering Technology, Applied Energy and Sustainable Systems Concentration, B.S.E.T.
- Electrical Engineering Technology, B.S.E.T.
- Electrical Engineering Technology, Applied Energy Concentration, B.S.E.T.
- Electrical Engineering Technology, Electromechanical Systems Concentration, B.S.E.T.
- Fire and Safety Engineering Technology, Fire Safety Concentration, B.S.E.T.
- Fire and Safety Engineering Technology, Occupational Safety Concentration, B.S.E.T.
- Mechanical Engineering Technology, B.S.E.T.
- Mechanical Engineering Technology, Applied Energy Concentration, B.S.E.T.
- Mechanical Engineering Technology, Electromechanical Systems Concentration, B.S.E.T.
Honors Programs
Graduate Early Entry Programs
Construction Management Program
Construction management provides the education necessary for entry into the construction industry in a variety of careers in the residential, commercial, and industrial sectors, as well as infrastructure, and heavy horizontal construction. Related careers in real estate and land development, infrastructure development, code enforcement, and insurance are also career options.
The program is enhanced by a business/management core that includes courses in statistics, computer applications, economics, accounting, engineering economics, business management, business law, finance, and construction law. The Construction Management program shares a common lower division (First-Year and Second-Year) curriculum with the Civil Engineering Technology Program. This provides a two-year opportunity to determine which program best fits the desired academic objective and allows students who are interested to complete a double major in both Construction Management and Civil Engineering Technology.
Majors
Honors Programs
Graduate Early Entry Programs
Additional Engineering Programs and Opportunities
Maximizing Academic and Professional Success Program (MAPS)
The goals of the MAPS Program are to improve the retention, academic performance, and professional development of students who are committed to earning a degree from the William States Lee College of Engineering. The MAPS Program serves as a process for transition, as new College of Engineering students establish personal connections; learn, understand, and apply academic success and professional development strategies; and grow in self-confidence and personal independence. The MAPS Program also supports the University Center for Academic Excellence (UCAE) through funding of Peer Assisted Learning (PAL) leaders to provide additional student services for foundational first-year College of Engineering courses.
Assessment results consistently indicate that students who attend seven or more transition coaching sessions earn an average first-semester GPA of 3.20, as compared to non-participants with an average first-semester GPA of 2.70. Additionally, students who attend five or more PAL sessions during a semester for a given course typically earn a final course grade that is one-half, to one full letter grade higher compared to other students. For more details, please visit osds.charlotte.edu/maps-program/mission.
First-Year Learning Community (FLC)
The FLC is home to more than 200 College of Engineering First-Year students who live, study, and interact in a single residence hall. Students benefit from having similar interests and course schedules. Students have free access to the Creativity Lab, a maker space, in the building. In addition, MAPS peer coaching and tutoring for a variety of First-Year courses are offered on-site. Other events such as engineering site visits, special study nights, and social activities are also available to participants. For details, visit osds.charlotte.edu/freshman-learning-community.
Student Leadership Academy
The Leadership Academy is an optional two-year extracurricular program designed to develop the leadership capabilities of College of Engineering students through a series of weekend retreats with other students, faculty, and industry partners. Top industry executives help facilitate specific activities providing current, real-world perspectives on effective communication, integrity, positive influence, and goal-setting, characteristics of a successful leader and communicator in business and the community. Selected students who fulfill all requirements of the program receive transcript notation. For details, visit osds.charlotte.edu/leadership-academy.
Engage ME!
Engage ME! is a diversity and inclusion program intended to build a strong community of College of Engineering students and connect them with multiple resources inside and outside of the college. The program delivers a message that each community member has the full opportunity to access and thrive in all College of Engineering degree programs. Social networking connections, peer activities, mentoring programs, and outreach events foster academic and professional development. Additionally, the program introduces resources that students use in recognizing and seizing opportunities for academic and professional success. For details, visit osds.charlotte.edu/engage-me/3.
WE Engage!
WE Engage! supports the academic and professional development of women in engineering, engineering technology and construction management. The program promotes and fosters peer and professional networking among women engineers through interactions that increase the recruitment, retention, graduation, and job placement for College of Engineering women students. For details, visit WE Engage.
Experiential Learning and Service Learning Opportunities
Students are encouraged to participate in professional work experiences in support of their academic and career development through the cooperative education, internships and service learning programs offered to students in the College. The College works with the University Career Center to expand experiential learning offerings to enable more students to graduate with career related experience. For more information about experiential learning opportunities, see the University Career Center section of this Catalog and visit osds.charlotte.edu.
Cooperative Education (Co-op) Program
Students may obtain practical work experience while pursuing their degree by participating in cooperative education whereby a student alternates semesters of full-time academic study with semesters of full-time work experience in industry. Students may also do back-to-back Co-op experiences if their Fall or Spring semester Co-op session is combined with a Summer session. The work experience is under the direction of the student’s major department and is closely related to his or her field of study. Students who fulfill all requirements of the Co-op program receive transcript notation, can earn up to three credit hours for a technical elective, and will receive partial credit toward the professional practice requirement for registration as a Professional Engineer in North Carolina.
To be eligible for the Co-op program, a student must have completed at least 30 credit hours at UNC Charlotte, including a number of specified courses with an overall minimum GPA of 2.50. A transfer student is expected to have completed at least 12 credit hours at UNC Charlotte.
The Co-op student works closely with their academic advisor to ensure a clear path to graduation. Students who participate in Co-op traditionally are more highly recruited at higher starting salaries than other students.
Students interested in learning more about the advantages and opportunities of participating in this program should contact the College’s Director for Student Professional Development and Employer Relations or the University Career Center. For details, visit osds.charlotte.edu.
Domestic Internships
A number of opportunities for internships (either for-credit or not) exist for students at local and regional employers. Internships for College of Engineering students are almost always paid positions. UNC Charlotte University Career Center defines an Internship as requiring a minimum of 80 work hours which need to be completed in no less than five weeks for one semester. Fall and Spring semester internships are part-time. Summer internships may be full- or part-time. All students are eligible to apply for and accept internships posted in Hire-A-Niner.
Internships posted by the University Career Center do not routinely offer academic credit. Students can earn credit, when other options are not available, by registering for UCOL 3410 (Career Development Internship). UCOL 3410 allows Junior- and Senior-level students to earn one to three hours of elective credit, depending on criteria set by the employer and the University Career Center in consultation with the student’s major department. Approval for enrollment must be arranged before the student begins the work experience.
Students interested in learning more about the advantages and opportunities of participating in this program should contact the College’s Director for Student Professional Development and Employer Relations or the University Career Center. For details, visit osds.charlotte.edu.
International Experiences
The College provides opportunities for overseas study, research, and/or an industrial experience. In many cases, students who meet eligibility requirements receive special scholarships and/or grants to help defray the cost of these programs.
Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) Exam
The first step in professional licensure is the FE exam. Students in ABET accredited programs may take the FE Exam at any time. The College encourages students to take and successfully pass this national examination during their Senior year. For details, visit pd.charlotte.edu/licensure.
Continuing Engineering Studies
The College of Engineering sponsors various special educational programs for practicing engineers, technologists, technicians, and others, in addition to its regular academic degree programs and courses. These include conferences, short courses, seminars, and other continuing education programs designed to aid those practicing in technical professions and occupations to keep abreast of the latest developments in the rapidly expanding technology. For more information, visit the School of Professional Studies at professional.charlotte.edu.
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