University of Virginia School of Engineering and Applied Science


The University of Virginia School of Engineering and Applied Science (SEAS), established in 1836, is the oldest engineering school in the American South and the fourth oldest in the United States.[1] SEAS is one of 12 schools and colleges at the University of Virginia. The school currently has 2,861 undergraduate and 1,057 on-Grounds graduate students.[2] There are 264 faculty with research and/or teaching roles.

School of Engineering and Applied Science
TypePublic Engineering school
Established1836
DeanCraig H. Benson
Students3,918
Undergraduates2,861
Postgraduates1,057
Location
Charlottesville
,
Virginia
,
U.S.

38°02′00″N 78°30′35″W
AffiliationsUniversity of Virginia
Websitewww.engineering.virginia.edu

History
Thornton Hall, the long-time home of the SEAS

In 1836, the Board of Visitors made civil engineering a formal course of study at the University of Virginia.[3] The board was responding to the needs of a nation embracing the Industrial Revolution. The U.S. required engineers to build machinery for its factories, bridges for its turnpikes and locks for its canals. The University created the course of study to prepare young people to take on these challenges.

At the time, there were just three institutions of higher learning in the U.S. wholly devoted to engineering instruction.[4] With its 1836 resolution, the University of Virginia became the first enduring engineering program established in the South and the first in the nation at a comprehensive university.[4]

Wilsdorf Hall

A department of mechanical engineering was added in 1892;[5] electrical in 1897;[6] chemical engineering in 1908;[6] English in 1936;[6] aeronautical and nuclear engineering in 1956;[7] materials science, biomedical, applied math, computer science and systems engineering in 1963-74.[7] A master's degree was first offered in 1948;[7] a doctoral degree was first offered in 1955.[7] Distance education offerings began in 1983 and the Center for Diversity in Engineering was launched in 1990.[7]

In 2012, the Engineering School established the Department of Engineering and Society (E&S). Along with providing many of the foundational courses in the School's curriculum, E&S is responsible for the following programs for undergraduates: the undergraduate thesis, the engineering business minor, the Washington, D.C. Science and Technology Policy Internship, Rodman Scholars, international studies, online courses, and hands-on activities such as the electric vehicle project.

Markings along Engineer's Way

Starting in 2015, a SEAS team led by mechanical engineering professor Eric Loth began research into a UVA design of offshore wind turbines that would potentially dwarf the size and scope of any being produced or researched anywhere else.[8] The innovative design inspired by palm trees led to Roth being named to a Popular Science list of “The Brilliant Minds Behind The New Energy Revolution” in June of that year.[8][9][10]

In 2018 and 2019, SEAS teams consisting of computer science undergraduates twice won the Alamo Cup and repeat national championships at the National Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition.[11] This is the best known collegiate information security competition in the United States, and the University of Virginia won the 2019 competition over 235 competing universities.[11]

Special Scholars and Societies

Clark Scholars Program

The A. James Clark Scholars Program was established in 2018 as the result of a $15 million gift from the A. James and Alice B. Clark Foundation in 2017.[12] Clark Scholars are selected from underserved demographics for their academic excellence, track record of leadership, and commitment to community service. With an emphasis on cultivating business acumen in high-achieving engineers, the program provides scholars an opportunity to take special courses through the McIntire School of Commerce.[13] Additional benefits for Clark Scholars include a semester of study abroad, priority registration, small section academic study, and scholarships. The inaugural cohort of 16, led in the 2018-2019 school year by Stephanie Gernentz, Joshua Sahaya Arul, and Rachel Zhang, entered in June 2018.

Rodman Scholars Program

Founded in 1979, the Rodman Scholars Program (named for Walter Sheldon Rodman, former professor and dean of the engineering school)[14] consists of the top 5-6 percent of each class of engineering students. There are many benefits for Rodman Scholars, which include living in the honors dorms first year, exclusive versions of common first-year courses, and priority registration. While most are selected automatically by the admissions office, some may apply during their first semester. Rodmans are expected to maintain at least a 3.0 GPA throughout their academic career.

Departments and Degree Programs

There are eight departments home to eleven degree programs.[15][16]

  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Chemical Engineering
  • Computer Science
  • Electrical and Computer Engineering
  • Engineering and Society
  • Engineering Systems and Environment
  • Materials Science and Engineering
  • Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
UndergraduateGraduatePh.D.
Aerospace EngineeringXXX
Biomedical EngineeringXXX
Chemical EngineeringXXX
Civil EngineeringXXX
Computer EngineeringXXX
Computer ScienceXXX
Electrical EngineeringXXX
Engineering ScienceX
Materials Science and EngineeringXX
Mechanical EngineeringXXX
Systems EngineeringXXX

Undergraduate students at the U.Va. Engineering School may minor in applied math, engineering business, the history of science and technology, materials science and engineering, science and technology policy, technology and the environment, technology leaders and any variety of studies within the College of Arts & Sciences.

The School offers four online and collaborative programs: the Accelerated master's degree in Systems Engineering, the Commonwealth Graduate Engineering Program, Engineers PRODUCED in Virginia and the MBA/ME Program.

Centers and Institutes

Listed are the Centers and Institutes associated with the School of Engineering and Applied Science:[17]

  • Center for Advanced Biomanufacturing
  • Center for Applied Biomechanics
  • Center for Automata Processing
  • Center for Electrochemical Science and Engineering
  • Center for Risk Management of Engineering Systems
  • Center for Transportation Studies
  • Center for Visual and Decision Informatics
  • Commonwealth Center for Advanced Logistics Systems (CCALS)
  • Commonwealth Center for Advanced Manufacturing (CCAM)
  • Commonwealth Center for Aerospace Propulsion Systems (CCAPS)
  • Environmental Resilience Institute
  • Global Infectious Diseases Institute
  • nanoSTAR Institute
  • NSF I/UCRC Center for Laser & Plasma For Advanced Manufacturing (LAM)
  • Mid-Atlantic Transportation Sustainability University Transportation Center (MATS UTC)
  • Multi-Functional Integrated System Technology (MIST) Center
  • NSF Nanosystems Engineering Research Center for Advanced Self-Powered Systems of Integrated Sensors and Technologies (ASSIST)
  • Rolls-Royce University Technology Center
  • Virginia Center for Grid Research
  • UVA Center for Wireless Health

Undergraduate Research Journal

Founded in 2009 and first issue published in April 2010, The Spectra: The Virginia Engineering and Science Research Journal, is a peer reviewed undergraduate research journal published by the U.Va. School of Engineering and Applied Sciences.[18][19][20] [21]

References
  1. Chemical Engineering Department History. http://www.che.virginia.edu/history.html. Retrieved June 28, 2006.
  2. Facts and Stats. https://engineering.virginia.edu/about/facts-and-stats. Retrieved November 22, 2019.
  3. "1836 to 1860: Getting Started". virginia.edu. University of Virginia School of Engineering. Retrieved August 19, 2014.
  4. Aylor, James. "175 Years of Engineering at the University of Virginia". virginia.edu. Retrieved August 19, 2014.
  5. "1861 to 1895: Rising From the Ashes". virginia.edu. Retrieved August 19, 2014.
  6. "1896 to 1945: Building for the Future". virginia.edu. Retrieved August 19, 2014.
  7. "1946 to Present: Moving to the National Stage". virginia.edu. Retrieved August 19, 2014.
  8. Palm Trees Inspire UVA Team's Revolutionary Design of Offshore Wind Turbines, accessed April 30, 2019
  9. The Brilliant Minds Behind The New Energy Revolution: These Are The Faces of Change, accessed April 30, 2019
  10. Eric Loth Builds Smarter Wind Turbines, accessed April 30, 2019
  11. University of Virginia Defends National Cyber Title, accessed April 30, 2019
  12. "New $30 Million Clark Scholars Program Supports Underrepresented Engineering Students". UVAToday. Retrieved November 20, 2018.
  13. "A. James Clark Scholars Program". Retrieved November 20, 2018.
  14. Vaughan, Joseph. Rotunda Tales: Stories from the University of Virginia, 1920-1960. pp. 150–153.
  15. "Departments". Retrieved November 27, 2019.
  16. "UVA Engineering Degree Programs". Retrieved November 27, 2019.
  17. "Centers and Institutes". engineering.virginia.edu.
  18. https://news.virginia.edu/content/undergraduate-students-initiate-academic-engineering-and-science-research-journal Retrieved JUL 9, 2019.
  19. https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/79bd/f8bf7d3e7f26bb99ce5152a497edc40c1ad9.pdf Retrieved JUL 9, 2019
  20. https://www.flipsnack.com/UVAengineering/the-spectra-volume-x-spring-2019.html Retrieved JUL 9, 2019
  21. https://issuu.com/uvaseas/docs/spectra_2010
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