Handbook for Prospective Parents and Students

2013-2014

[Parent & Student Guide to Engineer ing ]

GO.

LEARN.

BE.

What do engineers do and what are the different fields of

engineering? Engineers apply principles of science, math and

technology to solve problems that help enhance our quality of life.

There are many engineering specialties. See pages 4-5 for detailed

information about engineering careers and the different fields.

What kind of skills do I need to be an engineer? Engineers need a good foundation of math

and sciences (e.g. biology, chemistry and physics). They should be inquisitive, creative

and detail-oriented. Engineers are problem solvers. They must be able to analyze the

problem, determine the best solution, and communicate effectively to diverse groups of

people about their work all while working effectively with a team of co-workers.

What job opportunities are there for engineers? Are they in demand? In a word, YES!

Engineering jobs are plentiful locally, nationally and internationally. See page 4 for more details.

What engineering programs are offered at UAH? We offer eight accredited programs that lead to

the BS degree in Aerospace, Chemical, Computer, Electrical, Industrial & Systems, Mechanical,

and Optical Engineering. See page 5 for more information.

Can I graduate in four years (8 semesters)? Yes! Each UAH engineering program requires

between 127 and 129 hours. You can graduate in 4 years taking 15-17 hours per semester.

What is experiential learning? Experiential learning gives students the opportunity to get out of

the classroom and apply what they are learning in a real-world engineering setting. There are

several options for experiential learning include cooperative education, internships, research, and

engineering student organizations. See pages 8-9 for more information.

What is cooperative education and is it critical that I participate? A cooperative education

experience, known as a "co-op", provides students with a structured job experience while they

pursue their engineering degree. Students typically alternate work and school terms starting the

summer after their second year. The benefits of a co-op include work experience, networking and

career clarity. However, the cooperative experience may not be the “right” experience for every

student, and it will increase your time to earn your degree. We do encourage every student to

participate in some kind of experiential learning opportunity.

How can I succeed in the Engineering programs at UAH? Work hard—effort matters. Work

smart—stay organized and focused. Stay positive—a good attitude is important for success.

What impedes success in Engineering at UAH? Lack of intention—students don’t have a clear

educational or career goal. Lack of commitment—students lack motivation and focus.

What kind of academic support does UAH offer? The College of Engineering works closely with

the Student Success Center (SSC). The SSC provides academic coaching, tutoring, and

organized study sessions which are designed to help students be successful. See page 7 for

more information.

Does UAH offer career development? The SSC provides a variety of career development services

to UAH students including assistance in building a professional resume, developing good

interview skills, and researching companies and agencies. The SSC also sponsors career events

through the year like the Career Fairs and seminars.

Have questions about engineering and the

engineering experience UAH offers?

WE’VE GOT ANSWERS!!

Greetings from the Dean // Dear Future Students and Parents,

Welcome to the College of Engineering at UAH! Your path to an engineering career

begins right here with quality academic and experiential programs that UAH offers. The

College of Engineering allows you to study engineering in the traditional classroom setting

coupled with opportunities for hands-on learning in (1) our academic and research

laboratories, (2) our engineering student organizations and competition teams, and (3) our cooperative

education program. It is our mission to advance engineering knowledge through research and education to

address society’s technological challenges, while promoting innovation, discovery, and professional integrity.

Our faculty and staff engage students in research projects and mentor students to help shape their

academic program to meet their career goals. Our smaller engineering class size allows our students to get the

attention they need. The College of Engineering works diligently to help students make the connection between

engineering academics and engineering careers. We offer seminars given by local engineers to discuss

engineering jobs, and we work closely with the Career Services office to promote co-ops and internships.

This handbook will give you a broad picture of various Engineering programs at UAH, but it is impossible to

put everything the College offers into a single document. So, I invite you to take the first step towards an

engineering career by coming to campus to see close-up and in-person just how UAH can help you

engineer your future. See page 11 for details on planning your visit. On behalf of the College of

Engineering faculty, students, and staff, we welcome you to campus, and look forward to meeting you.

Sincerely,

Shankar Mahalingam, Ph.D

Dean of Engineering

A UAH EDUCATION HAS A GREAT RETURN ON INVESTMENT. UAH was ranked #1 in the state of

Alabama and #121 from over 1000 U.S. universities in a study by PayScale.Com.

HUNTSVILLE IS A GREAT PLACE FOR ENGINEERS. UAH is co-located with Cummings Research

Park, the 2nd largest research park in the U.S. with over 285 companies and Redstone Arsenal,

home to NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center and AMRDEC. The Bureau of Labor and Statistics

notes that Huntsville is #1 in the concentration of electrical and aerospace engineers, #4 in

concentration of computer engineers, and #10 in concentration of mechanical engineers.

UAH ENGINEERING PROGRAMS ARE HIGHLY-RANKED. For 20115, US News and World Report

ranked UAH in the top 100 engineering universities in the U.S.

UAH ENGINEERING FACILITIES ARE TOP-NOTCH. Popular Science named the Propulsion

Research Center laboratories #3 in the nation on their 20 Most Awesome Laboratory list.

UAH ENGINEERING ALUMNI ARE LEADERS. Our alumni include a woman astronaut, a Graduate

Dean and Associate Provost, Directors at AMRDEC, an Associate Director at NASA, Distinguished

Professors, CEOs and Vice-Presidents of large and small corporations.

UAH Engineering Rocks!

Engineers: They make things happen! //

Why choose engineering? {It’s a great question and it’s easy to answer.}

Forbes, The Wall Street Journal, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics (among others)

all report the same trend. Engineering majors are valuable to companies and

government agencies and career prospects are good. Engineering appears on top 10

career lists from a variety of sources.

Engineers solve problems in innovative ways and improve our lives with new

technologies and systems. The next generation of engineers will build complex

robotics systems, sustainable space stations, powerful smart phones, buildings that

withstand severe weather and clean fuels to power our cars and homes. Engineering

is where science and ingenuity come together to change the world.

Multiple sources report that engineers earn good salaries throughout the span of their

careers. Studies show that engineers have higher than average job satisfaction and

report a good work/home balance.

Engineers work in large cities, small towns, rural communities, oil-fields, swamps,

deserts and mountains. They work for global companies and local start-up firms.

They work in offices or in the field. They work on large teams or small groups.

Engineers engage in research and development, build devices and systems, manage

projects and people, and market engineering products to consumers.

Engineers serve the world and impact peoples’ lives. Engineers design prosthetic

limbs for amputees, water treatment systems that bring clean water to impoverished

communities, and develop new alternative energy sources that keep our environment

safe and clean.

What do different types of engineers do? {Again, great question, but it’s harder to answer.}

Why? Because engineers are diverse, even within the

same discipline. This guide would be 100 pages long

if we tried to list everything engineers do, but we can

give a general summary of what to expect from the

different engineering disciplines (see next page).

However, this is only scratching the surface of what

engineers can do. So, how can you find out more?

Ask an engineer! Talk to engineers you know and ask

them what they do and what they like best about their

job. Use the internet to research engineering careers

and see what the future holds.

ENGINEERS

ARE IN

DEMAND

ENGINEERS

DO COOL

THINGS

ENGINEERS

ARE

HAPPY

ENGINEERS

ARE

DIVERSE

ENGINEERS

MAKE A

DIFFERENCE

“Our son’s freshman year in the College of Engineering was very

successful. This success in part, stems from small class sizes and

the engaging discussions and the ability of the students to have

questions answered in class. That just does not happen in the large

lecture hall environment. He speaks very highly of his professors

and advisor who seem to be very dedicated to their students. As a

student athlete, he travels a lot, and is able to view lectures, notes,

and power points all online, so UAH is utilizing technology to

provide the opportunity for success. We could not be happier with

his choice of program, as an Engineering Student at UAH.”

Tom and Kim White // Ontario. Canada

Parents of Anderson White // Sophomore, Chemical Engineering &

Member of UAH Charger Hockey Team.

Aerospace engineers

design aircraft, spacecraft,

missiles and satellites,

including airplanes and

helicopters, unmanned aerial

vehicles, launch vehicles,

space shuttles and rockets.

They specialize in areas

such as aerodynamics,

materials, structural design,

guidance, and navigation,

controls, or propulsion.

Chemical engineers apply

the principles of chemistry,

biology and engineering to

solve problems involving the

environmentally safe

production or use of

chemicals in areas like

petrochemicals, biotechnical,

materials, and

pharmaceutical applications.

They may work in producing

energy, electronics, food,

clothing, and paper.

Civil engineers design and

construct infrastructure like

roads, buildings, tunnels,

airports and bridges. They

develop and optimize traffic

design and planning and

methods for soil

improvement, water and

wastewater treatment, air

and water pollution control

and advanced construction

materials.

Computer engineers

design both hardware and

software components from

standard desktop computers

to the most complex robotic

systems. They design and

test circuit boards and work

to optimize graphical user

interfaces, parallel

processing algorithms and

strategies for information

security.

Electrical engineers deal

with all applications of

electricity, electronics and

electromagnetism. They

design and build devices and

systems for everything from

portable music players and

computers to remote

guidance systems and

alternative energy sources.

They work in diverse fields

like automotive, power,

bioengineering and

communications.

Industrial & Systems

engineers design, improve,

or manage technical

systems. They may analyze

organizational or production

problems and develop new

processes using statistical

data, computer models, and

human factors. They also

design and improve supply

chains or determine the most

efficient plant locations to

minimize cost. involving

quality and safety.

Mechanical engineers

focus on energy, mechanics

and manufacturing. They

specialize in the design,

construction, and use of

systems for the conversion

of energy. They develop

and build mechanical

elements for machines and

structures and they develop

and manufacture materials

for these elements.

Optical engineers research

and develop technologies

that employ light. They

design optical devices and

systems like lenses,

telescopes, flat panel

displays, and optical fiber

communications. They

develop and build tools for

diagnostic imaging, infrared

sensing, and navigation.

They may also develop new

materials for optical systems.

What do Engineers Do?

What engineering field is best? {Well, that depends entirely on YOU!}

Typical approaches for answering this question are to research job statistics to see which “in-demand”

engineering fields are projected to have shortages of engineering graduates or to identify engineering fields that

are expected to grow or decline significantly, or to identify which engineering fields tend to have the highest

starting or average salaries. There are two problems with these approaches. First, you are basing your future

on predictions and guesswork. Engineering and technology fields experience rapid advancements that can

render these predictions completely inaccurate. Second, you are taking

YOU out of your future!

So, forget the crystal ball approach and focus on the present and on your

interests. What about engineering gets you excited—that motivates

you? What is your passion? You are going to work very hard in for the

next several years to have a career that could last over 40 years. Make

sure that you are going to do something that you enjoy and is fulfilling.

Talk to engineers, do some research on the internet, and meet with your

guidance or college counselor. You can also come to UAH and visit the

College of Engineering. You can talk to faculty and students and find out

more about the different disciplines.

"The UAH College of Engineering is great. The professors are incredibly personable and always willing to give additional help whenever a student is struggling to understand a particular topic. There are also a large variety of electives from which students can choose—ranging from canoe construction to spacecraft design. The COE administration is exceedingly helpful too. If I needed advice or had concerns about my program, I was always able to meet with someone and get the answers I needed. The faculty and staff within the COE truly care about their students."

Chrissa Mayhall // Huntsville, Alabama

BS Mechanical Engineering, 2013

The College of Engineering offers eight ABET-accredited engineering programs that lead to a Bachelor of

Science in Aerospace, Chemical, Civil, Computer, Electrical, Industrial and Systems, Mechanical, and Optical

Engineering. Each program gives students a dynamic and challenging experience with an emphasis on

solving the real-world problems.

Our engineering programs are structured to introduce engineering fundamentals as early as the first

semester and reinforce math and science concepts students take their first year. During the second and third

years, students will be exposed to more rigorous engineering fundamentals and begin to learn more about

design and implementation principles. In the fourth year, students specialize within their major. The fourth

year typically culminates with a capstone senior design experience where students work in a team

environment to design, build and test a device or system to address an engineering challenge.

Freshman admission to the College of Engineering is based on

several factors including ACT/SAT test scores, grade point

average in high school, and extra-curricular activities. The

minimum requirements are:

Cumulative Grade Point Average: 2.5/4.0

ACT or SAT overall score: 21 or 990

Go to uah.edu/apply for comprehensive admissions information

and to apply to become a Charger Engineer!

Engineering Education //

Engineering students take courses in composition, math,

chemistry, physics, humanities and social sciences. As a group,

these courses are referred to as the General Education

Requirements (GERs) and give students foundational material,

skills in critical thinking, reading, writing, and oral

communications, and develops cultural literacy.

Engineering students must complete 6 hours of composition, 15

hours of humanities/fine arts and history/social and behavioral

sciences, a minimum of 15 hours in mathematics and 12 hours

of natural sciences. Other mathematics and science courses

may be required according to the specific engineering program.

Complete information about the GERs and program

requirements is available at uah.edu/engineering.

Degree Programs

Admissions

General Education Requirements

“The College of Engineering provided me with the

guidance I needed to become an Electrical

Engineer. From the first day of orientation, the

advisors in the engineering department guided

me with what classes to take and when to take

them. The engineering professors were also very

knowledgeable in their field and able to explain

concepts to me easily. Because of the teaching of

the UAH College of Engineering, I was able to

find a job in Electrical Engineering before I

graduated. I would definitely recommend UAH to

any student interested in going into engineering.”

Evan Colvard // Florence, Alabama

BSE in Electrical Engineering, Class of 2013

Students may receive credit for coursework via Advanced Placement (AP) examinations or the International

Baccalaureate (IB) program. You may find specific information about minimum scores and course credit

awarded at uah.edu/engineering. Students may also receive credit for courses taken through a dual-

enrollment program. Students should send official AP scores, IB results or their official dual-enrollment

transcripts to UAH for processing.

The typical first semester for engineering students includes courses in composition, math, science, an

introductory engineering course and FYE 101—Charger Success. Students are placed in composition and

mathematics based on ACT/SAT scores as follows:

Students will see College of Engineering academic advisors to assist them in choosing classes each semester.

The engineering academic programs are demanding and are meant to challenge each student’s abilities.

UAH is committed to supporting student success and offers several programs that provide students with

academic assistance, counseling and general academic support. Data shows that students who take

advantage of the academic support programs improve their academic performance. Most of the academic

support programs are housed in the Student Success Center (SSC) and are provided to students at no cost.

Peer-Assisted Study Sessions (PASS) and Tutoring Program The PASS Program provides academic support for students enrolled in

classes that have been designated as historically difficult. Peer leaders

attend course lectures along with the students and then facilitate group

study sessions three times per week. The Tutoring Program provides peer

tutors to assist students in a variety of subjects.

Academic Coaching Academic coaches assist students to take ownership of their academic success. Coaches help students with

organizational skills, provide encouragement, and connect students to campus resources.

Counseling and Disability Services The Counseling Center is staffed by professional counselors trained to help students cope with problems in

living and to support the educational process by assisting students in their academic, personal, and social

development. Disability Support Services is responsible for assuring that students with disabilities have

equal, effective, and meaningful access to all aspects of university life, while remaining as independent as

possible.

The First Semester

AP, IB and Dual-Enrollment Credit

Academic Support Programs

UAH Placement ACT English SAT Critical

English 101S 19 or lower 480 or lower

English 101 20 or higher 490 or higher

UAH Placement ACT Math

Score

SAT Math

Score

Math 112: Pre-Calculus Algebra 21-24 450-550

Math 113: Pre-Calculus Trig. 25-26 560-590

Math 171: Calculus A 27-36 600-800

Experiential Learning // Learning by doing—that’s the underlying theme of the undergraduate

engineering experience at UAH. Hands-on, or experiential learning,

allows our students to practice their engineering skills, gain valuable

experience and network with engineering professionals. This experience

helps them in their job search upon graduation, but it also improves their

understanding of the concepts taught in the traditional classroom. At

UAH, engineering students have several options for experiential learning,

and we encourage all our students to Just Do It!

A cooperative education experience, known as a "co-op", provides

students with a structured job experience while they pursue their

engineering degree. Students typically alternate work and school terms

starting the summer after their second year. The benefits of a co-op

include work experience, networking and career clarity. The Student

Success Center provides support to students to be successful in their co

-op job search including resume-building and interview skills. A Career

Library is also available with information about the companies and

government agencies for which students are interested. While a co-op

job will increase the time needed to earn a degree, we know that

students who participate in co-op graduate at a higher rate than students

who don’t. Plus, a significant number of co-op students have a job offer

from their employer upon graduation. All students are encouraged to

consider a cooperative education experience.

If the cooperative experience is not a good fit, students should consider

an internship. Similar to a co-op in that students spend a semester

working in a structured job experience, internships are typically for a

single semester, often in the summer months.

"As a Co-Op for International Paper work-

ing in the environmental division, I am not

only able to work in a field that pertains to

my major, I am also gaining knowledge

and valuable work experience not obtain-

able from inside the classroom alone. I am

looking forward to my next two semesters

here!"

Erica McDonald // New Hope, Alabama

Junior, Civil Engineering

Cooperative Education & Internships

Sample Co-Op & Internship

Employers

Aerospace

AEgis Technologies

Boeing

Lockheed-Martin

Chemical

Georgia Pacific

Nucor Steel

Valspar

Civil

Brasfield & Gorrie

Southern Company

Thyssen Krupp

Computer

Digium

Emerson

Intergraph Corporation

Electrical

Dynetics

Adtran

SAIC

Industrial

General Electric

Honda

Parker Hannifin

Mechanical

Mercedes-Benz

Northrup Grumman

Raytheon

The College of Engineering supports several student-led engineering organizations like:

Concrete Canoe Team Student Launch Initiative

Society of Women Engineers Society of Black Engineers

Space Hardware Club Chem-E Car Team

Engineers without Borders Formula SAE

SPIE Optical Society Society of Hispanic Engineers

IEEE Robotics Moonbuggy Team

These groups compete (and win!) in regional and national competitions,

perform community service and outreach, network with engineers in their fields and best of all—they

practice their engineering skills on real-world projects. We encourage students to participate with an

engineering student organization. It’s a great way for students to meet their peers and grow a new group

of friends. It’s also a good way to give the science and engineering concepts they are learning in the

classroom some real-world context. And, you don’t have to be a particular major to join any group.

Whether you spend a few hours a week or a few hours a month, working with a student organization will

provide access to experiential learning.

Undergraduate Research

Opportunities for undergraduate research are often

only found at large, flag-ship institutions. UAH is

unique in that we offer those very same opportunities

while also affording students a lower student to faculty

ratio. What does that translate to for our students? A

unique, hands-on learning environment where

students truly get to know their professors while

engaging in cutting edge research. Whether it’s

through one of our research centers like the Rotorcraft

Systems Engineering & Simulation Center or the

Propulsion Research Center or working on

independent projects with engineering faculty,

students can actively engage in scientific research

utilizing engineering processes.

Engineering Student Clubs and Organizations

“My involvement in engineering research and student

organizations has been the most influential part of my

college education. Participating in the UAH Space

Hardware Club gave me the opportunity to engineer

flight hardware for student competitions, high-altitude

balloon science experiments, and an orbital satellite. Not

only did I learn technical skills like designing circuit

boards and satellite control systems, I also learned how

to document my work and present my research to

professionals at NASA and the aerospace industry. As a

part of my research, I have had the opportunity to attend

technical conferences and the experience of presenting

my research at conferences and exhibitions across the

US and internationally. These opportunities have helped

me fine tune my career ambitions, engage with

professionals, and become a competent member of the

world's technological community.”

John Alcorn // Taft, Tennessee

Senior, Aerospace Engineering

“I have been very impressed with the personal interest that faculty have taken in my

daughter. Because of the engineering program at UAH, she will be more than prepared to

enter a career in civil & environmental engineering. Already her UAH education is paying off!

She received an internship with the US Department of Agriculture that will possibly lead to a

full-time job upon graduation. She is most excited to have this opportunity and I know that

would not have been possible had she not been thoroughly prepared by the College of

Engineering at UAH.”

Jackie South // Hartselle, Alabama

Mother of Hannah South// Senior, Civil Engineering

Final Advice //

Service Organizations. If you haven’t already, join a service organization where you can give

back to your community. It may be through a civic or a faith-based organization. Look

for groups where you might be able to apply engineering principles such as Habitat for Humanity or

other groups that design and build. Not only is this a great way to gain a “hands-on” learning

experience early, but you are bettering the local area in which you and your family live.

Network now. You can never start networking too early! The engineer that you sit down with

now to ask about the field of engineering could evolve into a mentor during college and then open

doors for a co-op or internship (or they may know someone else who can). They may even help you

find a full-time job down the line. Sometimes, it really is about who you know!

Participate in Engineering Week activities. Engineering Week, or DiscoverE, is held

annually throughout the U.S. during the third week in February to celebrate all that engineers do

and contribute to our society. Engaging and interactive activities are planned to help students

better understand the profession. Check with your high school guidance counselor , local

community college or university for events.

ACT/SAT. The ACT or SAT is required of most colleges and universities for college

admission. Make sure to take the exam during your Junior year so you have ample time

to retest should you want to attain a higher score. Many colleges and universities utilize

your college entrance exam scores to place you in your initial college courses so keep that

in mind as you prepare.

AP/IB/Dual Enrollment. If AP (Advanced Placement) classes, the IB (International

Baccalaureate) program, or a Dual Enrollment program are offered at your high school,

students seeking additional academic challenge should take advantage and enroll.

Colleges and universities look for students to challenge themselves academically, and this

is a great way to do just that. Plus, the potential for earning college credit is an added bonus!

Engineering Summer Camps. Take advantage of your summer break to dive into the

exciting world of engineering! Camps are typically offered for a week at a time and offer you

the opportunity to learn more about the different disciplines of engineering while often also

completing a hands-on project. Check with your local university or community college for

offerings.

School Activities. Students who are considering a major in Engineering are strongly

encouraged to participate in available school activities that focus on problem solving and

utilize engineering principles such as Future Cities, BEST Robotics, FIRST Robotics,

science/engineering fairs, engineering club, or similarly related organizations.

Applying to colleges and selecting a major can often be a challenging experience. We hope this guide

has been helpful in illuminating all that the UAH College of Engineering has to offer and how we may be

a great fit for you. Below is some parting advice to assist in making the most of your high school experi-

ence and assisting you craft an outstanding and memorable student resume for college and scholarship

applications.

Ready to Engineer Your Future?

We hope you are excited about the engineering

experience at UAH. Perhaps you have questions

about our programs or you would like to take a

closer look at UAH. There are several ways for you

to find out more about the College of Engineering

and UAH.

Visit the College of Engineering webpage at

uah.edu/engineering.

Meet with an Engineering Advisor. Call

256.824.6877 and schedule an appointment.

When you call, let us know if you would like a

tour of the Engineering facilities.

Arrange a campus visit. Go to uah.edu/

admissions and select “ Visiting Campus”

from the admissions menu to register for a visit.

Come to one of the Open House events on

campus. These events are held on Saturday

mornings periodically throughout the academic

year. Go to uah.edu/admissions and select “Visiting Campus” from the admissions menu to register for

Open house and see the schedule of events.

Talk with your Guidance or College Counselor to find out when a representative from UAH will be

visiting your high school. Admissions and College of Engineering staff often visit high schools, and we

would love to talk with you when we visit next.

Innovation

Research

Team Work

Discovery

“When I entered the Industrial and Systems Engineering

department in 2010 to take my first engineering class, I didn't

know what to expect from professors and fellow students. Now,

as a senior, the faculty know me on a first name basis and really

make me feel important in the ISE department. I have also met

many like minded friends these past three years across all of

campus. Overall, the UAH College of Engineering is awesome!

You should check it out."

Anna Hester // Huntsville,Alabama

Senior, Industrial and Systems Engineering

“After learning about my son’s interest in engineering at UAH, I

immediately researched the university and learned that UAH was

amazing for providing opportunities and following through on their

commitments. UAH also empowered my son to come back home

to share his new-found knowledge with local high school

students, vastly changing their lives by giving them opportunities

they would have never received elsewhere. UAH has changed my

son’s life as well as my own by showing us this gem tucked away

close to home, for which I am forever grateful!

Anna Martin Harbison // Haleyville,Alabama

Mother of Adam Martin, BSME 2013

Campus Resources

Career Development & Cooperative Education 256.824.6741

uah.edu/ssc/career-support

Center for Undergraduate Engineering Education 256.824.6877

uah.edu/engineering

Financial Aid & Scholarships 256.824.6650 or 800.824.2255

uah.edu/finaid

Student Affairs 256.824.6700

uah.edu/student-affairs

Student Success Center 256.824.2478 uah.edu/ssc

Undergraduate Admissions 256.824.2773 or 800.824.2255

uah.edu/apply

University Housing 256.824.6108

uah.edu/housing