http://www.miami.edu/engineering

Mission

The College of Engineering transforms lives by: creating new knowledge, re-creating knowledge for education, translating knowledge for commercialization, and applying knowledge to serve the community.

The objective of the College of Engineering is to serve society by offering high-quality educational programs in the professional areas that it covers, and by performing research and community service, with high professional standards. The College is dedicated to educating engineers to deal with the major issues of society over the next generation - enhancing competitiveness, advancing health care, coming into harmony with the environment, utilizing technology for humankinds benefit, and supporting a sophisticated infrastructure. The goal of the faculty is to prepare students to be employed effectively in manufacturing, consulting, construction, information technology, service industries, and those related to the medical industry and health care, in roles involving planning, design and implementation at all levels of decision making. Students are broadly prepared in technical, leadership, and management skills. Student development accrues both inside and outside the classroom, with input from faculty, employers, alumni, and other students. They are made acutely aware of environmental and international perspectives. Professional competence in the traditional sense is complemented by a broad capability to function in society. The College places great emphasis on providing students with a learning experience which will enable them to develop productive careers while creating engineering solutions to problems of our society. Learning is centered around real life experiences, which involve an understanding of science, mathematics, social values, and aesthetics, to produce economical solutions to physical problems which society encounters. Protection and enhancement of the environment is stressed at all levels, and emphasis is placed on the creative application of knowledge which will improve the quality of life.

Department and Programs

The College of Engineering has six departments -

  • Biomedical Engineering,
  • Chemical, Environmental, and Materials Engineering
  • Civil and Architectural Engineering,
  • Electrical and Computer Engineering,
  • Industrial and Systems Engineering, and
  • Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

offering curricula leading to Bachelor of Science degrees in the following fields:

  • Aerospace Engineering
  • Architectural Engineering
  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Chemical Engineering
  • Civil Engineering
  • Computer Engineering
  • Electrical Engineering
  • Engineering Science
  • Environmental Engineering
  • Industrial Engineering
  • Innovation, Technology and Design
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Software Engineering

Interdisciplinary areas of study, areas of specialization within departments, and study in different areas are available through options, concentrations and dual degree programs.

Accreditation

The programs in Aerospace Engineering, Architectural Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Industrial Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering are accredited by the

Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, http://www.abet.org
415 North Charles Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
Telephone: 410-347-7700

The programs in Engineering Science,  Chemical Engineering, Innovation, Technology and Design, and Software Engineering are not accredited.

The College offers graduate programs leading to degrees both in the traditional and interdisciplinary areas of study. Programs leading to the M.S. degree may include specialization in the following areas of study: Architectural Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Engineering Management, Environmental Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Management of Technology, Medical Informatics, Structural Engineering, and Thermal and Fluid Sciences. .

Engineering Laboratories

The College of Engineering maintains a variety of well-equipped laboratories adequate for undergraduate instruction and providing for graduate and sponsored research.

Biomedical Engineering Laboratories

  • Instructional Cell and Tissue Engineering Lab, 
  • Biomedical Measurement Lab, Jorge Bohorquez and Weizhao Zhao
  • Biomedical Imaging Lab, Weizhao Zhao
  • Biomedical Design Lab, Jorge Bohorquez
  • Shared Orthopedic Bioengineering and Biomaterials Labs
     
    • Orthopedics Biomechanics Lab, Alicia Renee Jackson
    • Mechanobiology Lab, C.-Y. Charles Huang
    • Castilla-Casadiego Lab, David Castilla Casadiego
    • Stem Cell-Regenerative Medicine Lab , Gianluca D’Ippolito
    • Biomaterials Lab,  Fotios Andreopoulos
  • Neurosensory Lab, Ozcan Ozdamar
     
  • Scanning Electron Microscopy Lab, 

Chemical, Environmental and Materials Engineering Laboratories 

  • Adsorption & Separation Research Lab (ASRL)
  • Aerosol and Air Quality Research Laboratory (AAQRL)  
  • Aerosol and Particulate Research Laboratory (APRL), 
  • Environmental Engineering Lab, 
  • Nano-BioMaterials Laboratory for Energy, Energetics, & Environment (nbml-E3), 
  • Particle Measurement and Technology Laboratory (PMTL) 
  • Soft Matter Product Design Lab,

Civil and Architectural Engineering Laboratories 

  • Advanced Cement Chemistry, Engineering, Sustainability and Science (ACCESS) Lab 
  • HVAC and Sustainability Lab 
  • Advanced Infrastructure Materials Research Lab
  • Structures and Materials Laboratory
  • Sustainable Materials and Resilient Infrastructure Lab (SMARIN)

Electrical and Computer Engineering Laboratories

  • Digital Design Laboratory
  • DATA Mining, Database and Multimedia (DDM) Research Group
  • Digital Signal Processing Lab
  • Electronics Laboratory
  • Embedded Systems Laboratory

  • Microprocessor Laboratory
  • Networks Lab 
  • Nanophotonics
  • Photonics and Micro- Devices Laboratory
  • Underwater Imaging Laboratory
  • Networks Laboratory

Industrial and Systems Engineering Laboratories

  • Biomechanics Research Lab
  • Data Analytics Laboratory
  • Center for Advanced Supply Chain Management (CASCM)
  • Simulation and Optimization Research Lab (SimLab)
  • Systems and Operations Research Laboratory
  • Supply Chain Innovation and Resilience Laboratory (SCIRL)
  • Work Design Laboratory

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Laboratories

  • Advanced Nano Systems Laboratory (ANSL), 
  • Advanced Aerospace Materials Simulation Lab, 
  • CFD Lab, 
  • Internal Combustion Engines Lab,
  • Materials Lab, 
  • Tissue Biomechanics Lab, 
  • Advanced Materials, Devices & Integrated Systems Lab, 
  • Advanced Materials Fabrication Characterization and Testing Lab, 
  • Air and Aerosol Sensing Group, 
  • Membrane & Catalysis Research Lab, 
  • Micromechanics of Extreme Materials Lab,
  • Musculoskeletal Biomechanics Lab,
  • Wind Tunnel Lab, 

Academic Policies

Admission

Admission to the College of Engineering is covered under the section on Admission to the University in the General Information section of this Bulletin. Algebra, trigonometry, analytic geometry, chemistry, computer literacy, and physics are high school subjects that are appropriate for students planning on entering the College.

The academic work of each transfer student will be evaluated on an individual basis, and the student will be enrolled in the College at an appropriate level.

Requirements for Graduation

The College of Engineering believes that emphasis should be placed on the student’s ultimate level of attainment in selected subject areas. For those students whose preparation is advanced beyond that of the average secondary school graduate, the University provides proficiency examinations and schedules the students for more advanced work. Graduation for these students may be accelerated. For those students whose secondary school preparation has not provided an adequate background, the University offers preparatory courses. Graduation for these students may be delayed accordingly.

The student’s program of study is selected jointly with their Faculty Mentor and their academic adviser, with special attention to the individual student’s needs. Flexibility is ordinarily possible within the framework of sound education in the essential fundamentals and within the development of depth in selected fields of design and analysis. An examination of a typical curriculum given under the various department sections of this Bulletin shows that there is a strong common core of studies. Therefore, students uncertain of their ultimate field of specialization retain a high degree of mobility to enable them to transfer from one curriculum to another.

Each student must demonstrate upon admission an adequate preparation in the necessary skills of reading, writing, and mathematics. Placement test scores will indicate which, if any, supplementary courses must be taken the first semester. Although these courses are recorded for University credit hour, the student must take the full curriculum, as listed, in addition to these courses. Students not prepared in these areas are advised to make every effort to correct deficiencies before the first semester.

Completion of any of the prescribed curricula, except Engineering Science, with an overall grade point average of at least 2.0 (C) in all course work, to include all accepted work from other institution(s), is the basic requirement for graduation in the College. An average of C also must be attained in all work attempted at the University of Miami and the professional studies. The Engineering Science curriculum, because of its special purpose, has a higher requirement, i.e., a grade point average of 3.0 (B).

The requirements for graduation as specified by each Department and Program reflect the general education requirements of the University of Miami and the requirements of the appropriate accrediting agencies. The curricula contain required courses and elective courses. No course required for graduation may be taken under the credit-no credit (Credit-Only) option.

Students are expected to make satisfactory progress toward graduation by meeting the criteria established above. Whenever a student fails to demonstrate positive academic progress, he/she may be placed on academic probation or dismissed by the College of Engineering Scholastic Standards and Advising (SSA) Committee.

General Educational Requirements

Written Communication Skills

Effective writing skills advance ideas efficiently and persuasively, so the expectation is that students become adept at using writing as an effective communication tool. Students fulfill this requirement by satisfactorily completing WRS 105  together with WRS 107 , or the equivalent. Appropriate Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) scores in English composition may be used to satisfy this requirement.

Students will be able to:

  • ·         Demonstrate effective written communication skills in relation to specific rhetorical tasks.
  • ·         Construct original, well-reasoned arguments using a range of materials.
  • ·         Integrate and synthesize appropriate and relevant primary and secondary sources in their writing.
EFFECTIVE FALL 2017, NEW STUDENTS WITHOUT PRIOR COLLEGE CREDIT IN WRITTEN COMMUNICATION SKILLS WILL BE PLACED AS FOLLOWS:
  • ·WRS 103: ACT English score below 18 or SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing or Critical Reading score below 430, or TOEFL iBT Writing score below 18.
  • ·WRS 105: ACT English score 18 or above or SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing or Critical Reading score 430 or above, or TOEFL iBT Writing score 18 or above
  • WRS 107: ACT English score 32 or above or SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing or Critical Reading score 700 or above

First-Year Writing I (WRS 105) is a required course for all engineering students.

  • Your placement in English Composition in the University of Miami is determined according to your scores on AP or IB tests.
  • Should you receive the appropriate AP or IB or GCE scores, you will NOT need to take WRS 105 or WRS 106 and will earn 3 credits each. AP or IB or GCE CREDITS FOR WRS 106 CAN SUBSTITUTE FOR WRS 107 (First-Year Writing II: STEM) IN THE COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING.

Should you receive an exemption from (not credit in) WRS 105 through appropriate SAT/ACT scores, you will still need to take 6 credits in writing in the COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING.

Written Communication Skills General Education Requirements must be completed prior to attaining junior year classification.

Advanced Writing and Communications Skills

Engineering students satisfy the University’s Advanced Writing and Communication Skills requirement by completing a set of classroom courses, laboratory courses and/or design courses where they learn effective oral, graphical and technical writing skills.  These requirements are specified under each department.

Quantitative Skills

All students in the College of Engineering meet the quantitative skills proficiency requirement by completing MTH 151 or equivalent. 

Areas of Knowledge

Students at the College of Engineering fulfill the Areas of Knowledge requirement by completing three cognates, one from each of the three areas of the university curriculum:

  • Arts & Humanities;
  • People & Society; and
  • Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics.

For students in the College of Engineering, their engineering major will count as a cognate in Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics. These students have to complete a cognate in People & Society and Arts & Humanities.

A cognate is a group of at least three courses for at least nine credit hours, related in a topical, thematic, interdisciplinary, sequential, or other fashion, so that completion of a cognate provides coherent depth of knowledge. Each cognate has course options that allow students to complete the cognate in a manner that meets their interests, while staying within the coherent focus of the cognate. While students are required to take three cognates to fulfill the Areas of Knowledge requirement, there is no limit to the number of additional cognates students may complete. All cognates completed by students are listed on the students’ transcripts, thus certifying their depth of knowledge in those areas.

The university offers a large number and range of cognates.  All approved cognates are visible in a cognate search engine (at www.miami.edu/cognates) that allows students to search for cognates based on cognate features, cognate courses, and keywords. Each cognate is administered by a department or program that is designated as the Responsible Academic Unit (RAU) for the cognate. Inquiries regarding a cognate should be directed to the cognate's RAU.

Individualized Cognates

Students may create an individualized cognate to fulfill an Area of Knowledge requirement.   All of the courses used in an individualized cognate must have the Area of Knowledge attribute in CaneLink for the requirement that they are being used to fulfill, even if they are transfer credits.  If a course has been approved to be utilized in an individualized cognate, an Area of Knowledge attribute will be listed in CaneLink.  No exceptions will be accepted. A searchable list of courses eligible to be used in individualized cognates is available at this link (https://ua.miami.edu/indiv-cognate-courses.html).

Other Educational Requirements

  • The student may not take any core engineering course (300 and above) online taken outside of the University of Miami to fulfill their degree requirements.
  • Engineering students are limited to 12-credits in a summer term for courses taken outside of the University of Miami as long as they do not violate the 45-credit residence rule for the University.

The student’s official records are maintained by the Office of Enrollment Services. It is the student’s obligation to take the initiative to assure that all requirements are being met in conformity with his/her own graduation plans.

Degree Programs

Dual Majors

Dual majors are offered for engineering students with strong interest in related fields of study such as Physics or Mathematics. In order to obtain a dual major in one of these areas, the student will have to obtain, in parallel, a degree in one of the engineering programs, plus additional course work approved by the dual majors department. Further information on this dual major program may be obtained from the Dean’s Office of the College.

Minors

Minors are offered by the College of Engineering. The departments of:

  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Chemical, Environmental and Materials Engineering
  • Civil and Architectural Engineering,
  • Electrical and Computer Engineering,
  • Industrial and Systems Engineering, and
  • Mechanical Engineering

offer minors with various areas of specialization. Details of each area of concentration and its requirements may be found under each departmental listing.

Engineering students can earn a minor offered by any other College/School within the University of Miami, including the College of Engineering.  In cases where the major degree requirements satisfy some of the requirements for the minor, at least six credit hours beyond the major degree requirements must be taken in the minor subject area to earn a minor. Minors in Engineering require a minimum GPA of 2.0 in the courses required for the minor.

Departmental Honors Program

A student in the College of Engineering may graduate with Departmental Honors noted upon his/her diploma and transcript upon fulfillment of the following requirements:

  1. Completion of 6 credit hours of Undergraduate Research on a topic related to the student’s disciplinary area.  The 6 credit hours of research must be beyond the requirements of the undergraduate degree.  In addition, the student must write a paper or poster under the guidance of a COE Faculty member, and present their results at a Research Forum, Research Day, or an approved conference.
  2. Attainment of at least a 3.4 overall grade point average. Transfer students must also attain at least a 3.4 grade point average in all work taken at the University of Miami.
  3. Attainment of at least a 3.5 average in the departmental major courses.
  4. A written request from the student to the departmental faculty during the semester of expected graduation stating the desire to graduate with Departmental Honors and providing evidence of compliance with the above requirements.

Certificate Programs in Engineering

In cooperation with the University’s School of Continuing Studies, the College of Engineering offers practicing engineers advanced or specialized training without having to meet the stringent entrance requirements of the Graduate School. Persons holding Bachelor’s degrees, registered as Professional Engineers, or possessing equivalent qualifications can be granted Certificates of Proficiency by the University after completing fifteen credit hours of course work in a specified field of engineering. Study programs are arranged on an individual basis by each student and his/her advisor. Detailed information on Certificate Programs can be requested from the Office of the Dean of Engineering.

Study Abroad Programs

The College of Engineering encourages its students to take advantage of one of the University of Miami’s numerous study abroad options in Latin America, Europe, Asia, Australia and the Middle East. Of particular interest to Engineering students are the following: internships (unpaid and paid) in Spain, England, France, Argentina, Colombia, Chile, and Australia in which professional work experience is carried out abroad; course work at Engineering schools abroad for a semester or an academic year; summer programs in intensive Language instruction, Humanities and Social Sciences abroad. The cost of attending these programs is equivalent to University of Miami tuition and fees. Almost all University of Miami financial aid is granted. With prior approval and detailed curriculum advice, courses taken abroad will apply towards graduation.

The College is primarily housed in the J. Neville McArthur Building. Completed in 1959 and renovated in 1984, this attractive building is the gift of the late J. Neville McArthur, who was a member of the Board of Trustees and a prominent citizen and dairyman. The Engineering Addition is also a gift of the McArthur family. Students in the College of Engineering come from all parts of the United States and from many nations throughout the world, comprising one of the most diverse and cosmopolitan engineering student bodies in the country.

Combined BS/MS Program

The College offers a five-year Bachelor of Science and Master of Science BS/MS degree program in all engineering disciplines. Students can select an MS degree in the same discipline as their BS degree or in a different engineering discipline. This program is specifically designed for those students who want to pursue their graduate study as they are completing their undergraduate study.  Both degrees are awarded at the completion of required coursework for both the BS and MS degrees.  The special conditions and processes for the five-year BS/MS Program are as follows:

Requirements

Only undergraduate students in the College of Engineering (CoE) are eligible to apply for the BS/MS program.  The Admission Committee will carefully review academic credentials for admission into our M.S. program. Students opting for an M.S. degree in a discipline different from their B.S. degree may need to take some prerequisite coursework. Students should discuss the program and possibility of entering with an academic adviser. Admission to the program must occur during the student’s junior year. 

Application Process

Interested CoE students must complete the application process during the semester before starting the last 2 semesters of their undergraduate career.  Applicants will need to provide all the required documentation outlined on the on-line graduate application including 3 letters of recommendation.  An admission decision will not be made until all required application materials have been received and processed for review by the Admission Committee.

Financial Implications

Many financial aid programs, including those offered by the University and the federal and state governments are restricted to coursework required to complete an undergraduate degree. For further information contact the University of Miami Financial Aid Office.

Once admitted into BS-MS program

In the student’s senior year when you have a full time undergraduate status, you may take a maximum of twelve (12) graduate credit hours (a maximum of six (6) credit hours per semester) with approval of your academic advisor.  In order to register for these classes, you must complete and submit the UM Graduate School's "Application for Undergraduate to Take Graduate Course” form.

During your last one or two semesters, when you are taking graduate course work only, register as a graduate student.

A student wishing to withdraw from the BS/MS Program without the MS degree must complete all the requirements for the BS degree.

To qualify for the MS degree, the student must meet all the pertinent Graduate School requirements, including a minimum of 3.0 GPA in the credit hours applied toward the MS degree.

The student is awarded both the BS and MS degrees at the end of the fifth year when all degree requirements are satisfied.

The Doctor of Philosophy Degree is currently offered in the area of:

  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Chemical, Environmental and Materials Engineering
  • Civil Engineering
  • Electrical and Computer Engineering
  • Industrial Engineering
  • Mechanical Engineering 

The Ph.D. programs in Interdepartmental Graduate Studies permit, with approval of the Graduate Council, highly qualified students to pursue a privileged individualized program which cuts across disciplinary lines.

The Bulletin of the Graduate School presents more detailed information on these graduate programs.

Foote Fellows in CoE

The Foote Fellows Honors Program recognizes the most educationally accomplished incoming students at the University of Miami. Foote Fellows have distinguished themselves both in and out of the classroom at their previous schools, are self-motivated, and think independently. Admission to the Foote Fellows Honors Program is by invitation.

Foote Fellows in the College of Engineering are exempt from the Cognates Program of General Education requirements within the curricular framework of their major. Within the curricular framework of their majors, Foote Fellows enjoy unmatched freedom and flexibility to explore a multitude of educational resources. Many Foote Fellows leverage this opportunity to take additional majors and/or minors and to study abroad. 

At each of the nine undergraduate schools at the University of Miami, a dedicated adviser helps Foote Fellows chart their academic path and attain access to distinctive learning opportunities at the University, such as special school-based seminars, faculty-mentored research, networking opportunities, and off-campus internships. 

Foote Fellows also will be invited to join advanced, interdisciplinary Foote Fellow seminars taught by leading faculty members from across the University. An example is Books That Matter, a rigorous seminar in non-fiction reading that is offered in sessions for first-year and for upper-class students. Further, Foote Fellows receive focused advising on post-baccalaureate distinguished fellowships and awards. 

The Foote Fellows Honors Program reflects the educational vision of former University of Miami President Edward T. Foote, who retired in 2000 after serving the University for twenty years.

Beginning in the Fall of 2024 incoming Freshmen class, the College of Engineering will invite additional Freshman to the Foote Fellows Honors Program.  The criteria outlined below will be used to invite eligible students to become a Foote Fellow:

Criteria:

Engineering Majors

  • Freshmen at the end of their second semester who have successfully completed Calculus 1 and Calculus 2 and are in the top 10% of the qualified students based on their UM GPA. or

ITD Majors

  • Freshmen at the end of their second semester who have successfully completed Calculus 1 and have been recommended by their ITD 120 and ITD 134 instructors with a minimum GPA of 3.75 and in the top 10% of their cohort for ITD.

Application Process:

  1. If a student meets the criteria, then the student will be invited to apply to the Foote Fellows Honors Program by the Associate Dean of Undergraduate Studies for the College of Engineering.
  2. Each applicant will be required to submit their application and response to a guided essay question.  In addition, the student will be required to provide a CV that highlights the activities that they have done here at the University that might include research, etc..
  3. Students will be given a window of 2- 3 weeks to submit their applications.
  4. The CoE Scholarship Committee of the College of Engineering will review the applications and determine who will be accepted to the Foote Fellows Program.
  5. Upon acceptance to the Foote Fellows Program, the student will enjoy the same benefits as other Foote Fellow in the College of Engineering.

Note:

  • Transfer students are not eligible.
  • The total number of Foote Fellows cannot exceed 15% of the undergraduate class in the College of Engineering.