Departments

The University of Virginia School of Engineering and Applied Science offers bachelor, master and doctoral degrees in a broad array of engineering disciplines and is home to nine departments. The department sites listed below are the best source for information on degree programs offered.

Biomedical Engineering BME Web | BME Brochure	Chemical Engineering ChE Web | ChE Brochure
Civil & Environmental Engineering CEE Web | CEE Brochure	Computer Science CS Web | CS Brochure
Electrical & Computer Engineering ECE Web | ECE Brochure	Materials Science & Engineering MSE Web | MSE Brochure
Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Department Web site | Department Brochure	Science, Technology & Society STS Web | STS Brochure
Systems & Information Engineering SIE Web | SIE Brochure

General Descriptions of Departments:
BME | ChE | CEE| CS | ECE | MSE | MAE | STS | SIE

Department of Biomedical Engineering

Biomedical engineering is one of the most important disciplines of the new millennium, with an impact on health, prosperity and daily life. Biomedical engineers discover new fundamental knowledge and applying that knowledge in innovative ways to improve human health. Ranked as a “Top 20” program, the department is the University of Virginia’s highest-ranked science or engineering program.

Department of Chemical Engineering

Chemical engineering involves the application of mathematics, physics, chemistry and other natural sciences, such as biology, to find economic ways of using energy and materials for the benefit of humankind. The department’s state-of-the art research takes place in superior facilities including Wilsdorf Hall which offers advanced features that enhance the educational experience of students and create opportunities for interdisciplinary research.

Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering

Civil and environmental engineering applies science and technology to the planning, design, analysis, construction, operation and maintenance of infrastructure and the natural environment. The department’s focus is on two program areas: environmental and water resources engineering and civil infrastructure systems. Within civil infrastructure systems students specialize in transportation engineering, structural engineering and solid mechanics or pavement engineering.

Department of Computer Science

Computer science students participate in world-class research projects alongside renowned, published faculty and are aggressively sought by research universities and by industry. The department meets the needs of today’s graduate students with reduced course loads, more seminars, smaller classes and a strong focus on building complex systems as well as an emphasis on student involvement in research.

Charles L. Brown Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering

The largest branch of engineering, electrical and computer engineering is a highly-collaborative field involving areas such as bio-imaging and –electronics, quantum physics, information technology, sensor and communication networks, computer architecture and nanoelectronics. The department’s faculty and the programs they lead allow for extensive collaborations with leaders in industry and programs across Grounds to create numerous opportunities for students.

Department of Materials Science and Engineering

Internationally recognized areas of research in the materials science and engineering department include amorphous, nanocrystaline and multi-functional high-performance metals, astrophysics and space sciences, computational materials science, fatigue and fracture, electrochemistry and corrosion, magnetism, microscopy and spectroscopy with electrons, ions and X-rays, thermodynamics and kinetics and surface and interfaced science. The department houses six interdisciplinary centers for excellence.

Department of Mechanical and Aerospace and Engineering

Mechanical and aerospace engineers complete novel research in the areas of solid mechanics, dynamics and controls, and thermofluids with an emphasis that includes aeroacoustics, nanomechanics, computational biomechanics, neuronal control, control theory and heat-assist devices. When mechanical and aerospace engineers approach their research, they begin with the questions “How does this work?,” “How can I make it better?”

Department of Science, Technology, and Society

This department houses the only program of its kind within an engineering school at a national, comprehensive university. It provides U.Va. engineering students with a distinctive perspective not found in other engineering programs. Students in all engineering majors benefit from the STS perspective, which both broadens and deepens their understanding of technology and its significance – and what it means to be an engineer.

Department of Systems and Information Engineering

Systems and information engineering involves improving the performance of systems formed of multiple components. Through identification and modeling of problems and deficiencies – followed by careful implementation of solutions – systems engineers improve the performance of complex systems through the use methodologies from the fields of operations research, statistical modeling and data mining, human computer interaction and risk analysis.