College of Engineering

Chemical engineering is a respected and ideal profession for modern times and dynamic changing markets. Chemical engineers apply the principles of chemistry, biology, physics and mathematics to solve problems that involve the production or use of chemicals, fuel, drugs, food, and many other products in a variety of industries (i.e., petroleum, environmental, biotechnology, biomedicine, pharmaceutical, materials, food and others). Rooted in basic sciences, chemical engineering is mainly concerned with the design, scaling (up or down), operation and control of the transformation and separation of raw materials into valuable products. Chemical engineers are the inventors of nylon fibers, artificial heart valves, nasal drug deliveries and efficient processes to clean our environment, to name a few. A degree in chemical engineering is also an excellent choice for an undergraduate major for students wishing to pursue medical school.

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The bio-molecular engineering concentration in chemical engineering combines knowledge of biological processes and chemical engineering knowledge. Students interested in biological areas of chemical engineering, such as medicine, pharmaceuticals, biofuels, bio-remediation, etc., should consider enrolling in this concentration.

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From the tiniest of nanomaterials to global energy production, storage, and use, engineers trained in the core technologies of separations, materials and reactions can scale green energy for the world. As the world develops alternatives to fossil fuels, engineers are searching for ways to protect the environment, support economic prosperity across society and safeguard human health. Engineers are innovating to overcome the challenges facing use of batteries for electric cars, nuclear fuel production and shipping, solar sourcing, biomass-derived fuels and the reimagining of wastes as resources. Chemical engineers are needed for all aspects of the coming global transition to greener energy. The problem-solving skills and foundational scientific knowledge developed in the Energy and the Environment Concentration allows graduates to benefit their local and global communities through work in a broad range of fields, including chemical emissions reduction, reactor design, water and air purification and sustainable product design. 

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The goal of the undergraduate Civil Engineering program is to instill in our graduates the knowledge, skills, attitude, and ethical values necessary to be successful practitioners who are able to impart positive social impacts at the state, regional, national, and international levels. Civil engineers design and supervise construction of buildings, roads, harbors, airports, dams, tunnels, bridges, and water supply and sewage systems. Many engineers with experience are in supervisory or administrative positions. Students pursuing a degree in Civil Engineering can choose from the following areas of interest: Environmental/Water Resources; Mechanics; Structural Engineering; or Transportation and Materials.

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Construction engineering and management is focused on building our infrastructure. This discipline involves the planning and execution of construction projects while managing the project operations. Students are exposed to management principles in addition to technical knowledge necessary for successful project completion.

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Environmental and water resource engineers apply engineering principles and sustainable best management practices for the enhancement and protection of human health and the environment. Environmental engineers design water and wastewater treatment, wastewater collection and distribution systems, landfills, and hazardous waste treatment systems. They also assess the fate and transport of contaminants in the environment, design and apply best management practices, and develop low impact strategies to treat runoff.

Water resources engineers analyze water supply and demand. They also plan and design canals, locks, port facilities, offshore structures, and systems such as water supply and distribution networks, urban drainage, and flood damage reduction works. Other important tasks include hydrologic analysis and modeling for predicting future availability of water and for continuous improvement of best management practices for sustainable utilization of water resources.

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Geotechnical and geological engineers use the principles of geology, hydraulics and structural mechanics to provide safe, economical and environmentally conscious support to civil engineering structures. They interact regularly with all areas of civil and environmental engineering and provide recommendations to benefit their designs and plans.

Geotechnical and geological engineers must understand geology and soil deposition processes. They design and implement methods for exploring soil and rock conditions at project sites and use laboratory tests to determine soil properties. Geotechnical and geological engineers classify soil and rock for engineering purposes and implement soil compaction to create fill to support structures and highways. They predict the amount of water flow through natural ground, dams, and levees. Geotechnical engineers estimate settlement caused by the weight of buildings and calculate the bearing capacity of soil for supporting foundations. They also determine the stability of earth slopes and the soil forces on retaining walls.

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The Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering program is designed to meet the growing demand for engineers who have expertise in the design of both hardware as well as software of computers and computer-based systems. This program, a joint effort between the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering and the Department of Computer Science, is designed to prepare graduates for entry into the computer engineering profession. the field of design and engineering as applied to computer systems. It combines the study of both hardware and software of microcomputer systems. Computer engineers are needed to develop, design, manufacture, test, evaluate, market, sell, and manage computers and computer systems.

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In the era of the Internet of Things, computer engineers design secure hardware systems and mitigate security risks to protect our critical systems such as the power grid and transportation from cyber threats. You will learn computer engineering fundamentals, hardware design, network protocols, cybersecurity, computer architecture, programming and algorithms. to identify vulnerabilities, implement countermeasures, and design robust systems.

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The Computer Science undergraduate program is designed to educate students in the basic areas of computer science, including computer architecture, programming languages and operating systems, general approaches to problem solving and programming, as well as theoretical concepts dealing with models of computation and the design and analysis of algorithms. By appropriate choice of elective work, the student may prepare for a career in software development for scientific/engineering application, management decision support applications or graduate work in computer science. Students may elect to pursue the core curriculum or choose one of three concentrations.

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The Data Science and Artificial Intelligence concentration (DSAI) of Computer Science equips students to solve real-world problems by combining data analysis skills with computational techniques that enable computers to behave intelligently. Students in the Data Science and Artificial Intelligence concentration will learn the full data science lifecycle through classes and real-world projects that cover data management, statistical inference, data mining and machine learning algorithms, and data visualization. Students have the benefit of experienced faculty who have done research with the Department of Homeland Security, National Science Foundation, and the National Institutes of Health and also gain practical experience in the university's Knowledge Discovery Lab.

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The future of computer science is parallel computing. The world is no longer getting large gains in performance by packing more integrated circuits onto a chip—thus, parallel platforms, including multicore machines, Graphics Processing Units (GPUs), and cloud environments are the future. To make use of these new parallel platforms, computer scientists must know the techniques for programming them. People in the field of high performance, parallel and distributed computing build exciting applications that can monitor air traffic flow, visualize molecules in molecular dynamics apps and identify hidden plaque in arteries.

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Computer science involves the study of how software systems and programs are developed to run efficiently on computer hardware. A computer science major is exposed to programming languages, algorithms, methods, tools and techniques for writing effective programs. A concentration in cybersecurity teaches students the knowledge and techniques necessary for the protection of information stored on computing devices, like computers or forms of mobile technology, as well as transmitted through both public and private networks.

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Electrical engineering is an exciting field that has been on the cutting edge of technology for over a century. Electrical engineers design, develop, build, and test electrical and electronic devices such as cell phones, embedded microprocessor systems, solar power micro-grids, automotive engine controllers, electronic amplifiers, laser sources, robots and intelligent systems. Electrical engineering majors learn the physics of electricity and magnetism, mathematics of circuits and systems, and engineering tools of analysis and design.

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In addition to getting a strong foundation in the fundamentals of electrical engineering, students in the Mechatronics concentration learn the integration of mechanical, electrical, and electronic components connected by a control scheme. Mechatronics is a vital component in advanced manufacturing and automation, and in modern product design such as robots, driverless cars, and other smart machines. Mechatronics engineers are familiar with and competent in the cutting-edge technology in mechanical, electrical and computer engineering and are prepared to develop innovative products to address societal needs.

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In addition to getting a strong foundation in the fundamentals of electrical engineering, students in the Vehicle Engineering concentration learn about the electronics, controls, safety systems, and vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-smart grid communications systems in powered vehicles. A specialization in vehicle engineering prepares students to work in the design of hybrid and electric vehicle, as well as connected and autonomous vehicles.

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The Department of Manufacturing and Engineering Technology (MET) prepares competent technologists and an applied engineering workforce dedicated to solving complex technological problems in the manufacturing industry and management/supervisory positions. This background enables graduates to learn the planning responsibilities of the engineer, scientist, or manager, as well as the production responsibilities of the technician, craftsman or laborer. Students pursuing the Bachelor of Science in Engineering Technology choose from two concentrations: Engineering Technology Management or Mechatronics.

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Engineering technology is designed to prepare technical and management-oriented professionals for employment in business, industry, education and government. It involves the management, operation and maintenance of complex technology systems. Engineering technology looks for qualified technical managers who are able to contribute to better product reliability, efficiency and improved productivity.

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Mechatronics is the multidisciplinary field of engineering that deals with the design of products whose function relies on the integration of mechanical, electrical, and electronic components connected by a control scheme. Mechatronics is a vital component in advanced manufacturing and automation, and in modern product design such as robots, driverless cars, and other smart machines. The Mechatronics concentration prepares engineers that are familiar with and competent in the cutting-edge technology in mechanical, electrical and computer engineering and are prepared to develop innovative products to address societal needs.

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General engineering course work covers several engineering disciplines. The general engineering area is one of the more rapidly growing engineering degrees in the United States with many similar programs already in existence. Students are prepared to use their focused study in math, science, and engineering to solve problems and design solutions in a variety of industries and settings. The multi-disciplinary nature of the program will prepare students to serve needs in general manufacturing, technical services, construction, and engineering management. The program leads to a Bachelor of Science in Engineering and is delivered jointly between Tennessee Tech and East Tennessee State University.

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Mechanical engineering is the knowledge of the design and manufacture of mechanical systems and thermal devices and processes. Some examples of products and processes developed by mechanical engineers include engines and control systems for automobiles and aircraft, electric power generation plants, lifesaving mechanical devices, robotics and a wide variety of consumer products. Mechanical engineers are needed to design or improve manufacturing processes in a team setting.

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The Aerospace Engineering concentration of the Mechanical Engineering degree program offers students who dream of working in aeronautical and astronautical engineering fields a chance to pursue their professional potential. The program focuses on aerodynamics, propulsion (including electric propulsion), and noise control. Students will be given an interdisciplinary foundation in both mechanical and aerospace technologies and prepare graduates to thrive professionally in aerospace fields spanning from space exploration to urban transport and even small, unmanned aircraft.

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Mechatronics is the interdisciplinary field of engineering that deals with the design of products whose function relies on the integration of mechanical, electrical, and electronic components connected by a control scheme. Mechatronics is a vital component in modern product design and advanced manufacturing, and these skills are in high demand with employers for engineers from Tennessee Tech.

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As the only undergraduate degree program of its kind in the region, this concentration combines mechanical, electrical, and computer engineering, and is based on input from top companies looking for employees that will shape the industry's future. The concepts and technologies in vehicle engineering apply to all modes of transportation and cover a wide range of vehicle types, including traditional combustion engines, hybrid and electric vehicles, as well as automated and connected vehicles, and improve vehicle safety, traffic congestion, air quality, energy efficiency, and more.

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