2024-2025 Academic Catalog
Welcome to Virginia Tech! We are excited that you are here planning your time as a Hokie.
Welcome to Virginia Tech! We are excited that you are here planning your time as a Hokie.
Mission: Anchored by our land-grant identity and the university’s motto Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), the College of Engineering educates and inspires students to be critical thinkers, innovators, and leaders. We create new knowledge, technologies, and sustainable solutions that address complex social and technical challenges.
Vision: The Virginia Tech College of Engineering will be the college of choice for aspiring engineers because of our innovative, dynamic, and integrated approach to education, research, and service. Our students and alumni will be sought globally for their talent, creativity, and work ethic. The impact of our transdisciplinary research will advance the boundaries of engineering knowledge and practice. Our solutions will make a difference in the Commonwealth and the world.
The Mission and Vision are informed by five Core Values:
Virginia Tech engineering students are among the best and brightest in the nation. During their time at the college, they engage with world-class faculty and participate in hands-on learning experiences that span course instruction, student design teams, internship opportunities, and study abroad programs. They learn to work across and outside disciplines to solve the world’s most complex problems, as part of a collaborative culture that has flourished at Virginia Tech.
The College of Engineering offers accredited programs leading to Bachelor of Science degrees in the following areas:
The Virginia Tech College of Engineering fosters opportunities for hands-on learning, interdisciplinary collaboration, and exploration of emerging and innovative subject areas.
The Ware Lab is one of the first spaces on Virginia Tech’s campus dedicated to the development of an undergraduate engineering build space. Prior to the founding of the Ware Lab, the university’s design teams meet in multiple spaces spread across campus in various academic buildings. Thanks to the generosity and vision of Ware, multidisciplinary teams can interact in a common space. The lab removes boundaries that often separate engineering professions. In real-world practice, engineers from different disciplines will work together. Students who work in the lab are highly recruited by top-tier companies who frequent the lab looking for the well-rounded, globally minded engineers who have had hands on experiences. Further information can be found: https://eng.vt.edu/academics/warelab.html.
The Advanced Engineering Design Lab (AEDL) provides additional space for engineering teams that focus on aerospace and rocketry projects. Further information can be found: https://eng.vt.edu/academics/aerospace-engineering-design-lab.html.
Students can participate in Undergraduate Research and Independent Research. Undergraduate Research offers students the opportunity to work closely with a faculty member in a research lab environment or performing directed work toward a research goal. Undergraduate Research can serve as valuable preparation for graduate study. Independent Study provides students an opportunity to pursue unique, self-directed study under the supervision of a faculty member. Further information can be found at: https://eng.vt.edu/academics/undergraduate-students/resources-support/undergraduate-research-independent-study.html
The College of Engineering has several options for students to have a global experience. Some notable opportunities include the Rising Sophomore Abroad Program (RSAP) which provides a 2-week abroad along with a 3-credit course (ENGE 1644); international internship experiences with SPTS International, Rolls-Royce, and GoinGlobal; and department specific study abroad programs that allow students to continue progress toward degree while taking courses at a non-U.S. university. Additional information can be found at: https://eng.vt.edu/academics/international-programs.html.
Approximately 75% of college of engineering students participate in a co-op or internship allowing them to experience professional work prior to completing their degree. One of the primary ways that students find these opportunities is the Engineering EXPO, a career fair organized by the Student Engineering Council (SEC) that is typically held early in the Fall semester each year. Engineering EXPO is one of the largest student-run career fairs in the nation and hosts hundreds of companies offering full-time employment or internship and co-op opportunities. Additional information on Engineering EXPO can be found at: https://www.sec.vt.edu/expo.html.
Many undergraduate engineering programs culminate in a capstone senior design course sequence in which student teams work under the supervision of a faculty advisor to complete a client-driven design project. Such projects replicate aspects of professional problem-solving experience, providing a transitional learning experience to help students prepare for a professional career. The college also offers an Interdisciplinary Capstone Course (ENGE 4735-4736) that brings together students from different majors to work on design projects that require multiple fields of expertise.
In the 2022-2023 academic year, over three million dollars in scholarship funds were awarded to undergraduate students in the College of Engineering. Scholarships are available at two levels: departmental & college. The scholarship opportunities are varied. Some require a minimum GPA for eligibility while others require a demonstration of financial need per the FAFSA. Some others have specific eligibility criteria such as in-state residency, participation in the Corps of Cadets, etc., however, the College of Engineering uses a single application process for all scholarships. More information about the types of scholarships awarded can be found at https://eng.vt.edu/academics/undergraduate-students/resources-support/scholarships-financial/scholarships-for-current-students.html.
All students admitted to the College of Engineering as First Time in College (FTIC) students with an intent to pursue an engineering or computer science major are placed in the Department of Engineering Education and are designated as General Engineering majors. General Engineering provides an innovative learning environment that embraces a hands-on, minds-on approach, which leverages the latest advances in educational technologies to fully engage students in the learning experience. The first-year course sequence integrates professional and technical skills to give students tools for tackling the grand challenges of the 21st century. The program introduces students to the wide range of engineering majors in the College of Engineering so that students are able to make informed decisions about their educational pathways. Further information on General Engineering can be found in the overview for the Department of Engineering Education in the undergraduate catalog.
While in the General Engineering program, students will complete the courses required to matriculate to a degree-granting engineering or computer science program. Further information on the process to enter a degree-granting engineering or computer science program is available at: https://eng.vt.edu/academics/undergraduate-students/resources-support/change-of-major/restricted.html.
Students admitted to the College of Engineering as FTIC students with an intent to pursue the Building Construction major are directly admitted to that major.
All students admitted to the College of Engineering as transfer students will be directly admitted to the major indicated on their application. Transfer applications are competitive and prospective transfer students are strongly encouraged to consult the Admissions Transfer Roadmaps posted by the university to prepare themselves for success in their intended major. (https://vt.edu/admissions/transfer/roadmaps.html)
Students wishing to transfer into an engineering major or change majors from another college or degree program within the university must meet current standards set by the college for each engineering program. All major changes are processed by the Director of Enrollment Management in the Academic Affairs office.
The college has a guaranteed admission agreement with the Virginia Community College System. VCCS students who complete the transferable Associate Degree in engineering with a minimum 3.2 overall grade-point-average are guaranteed admission to the College of Engineering. Not all Virginia Community Colleges offer engineering courses. Please review Guaranteed Admission Agreement (posted at https://www.vt.edu/admissions/transfer/vccs.html) for specific information on this agreement.
Engineering Technology credits are not accepted for transfer by the College of Engineering.
The University requires a student to maintain a 2.0 or higher overall GPA to remain in Good Academic Standing.
Additionally, departments have minimum requirements for graduation, which include the attainment of at least a 2.0 Grade Point Average (averaging "C" grades or better), both overall and in-major. Some departments may have additional requirements or specifications concerning the acceptability of C- or lower grades for in-major courses. Students are expected to sustain progress towards completion of their degree requirements, consulting with their academic advisor regularly.
Failure to meet the criteria for satisfactory progress towards degree (University Policy 91) can result in suspension from the major. Individual departments establish the criteria for their majors which are listed for each program in the undergraduate catalog.
Although pass/fail courses may be authorized for those who maintain a GPA above 2.0, students should recognize future disadvantages when transferring to other departments or applying for admission to other professional or graduate colleges. Engineering students are expected to take all major department courses on a grade basis.
The College of Engineering will accept advanced ROTC credit as free elective credit towards graduation. Some departments in engineering may allow the use of selected ROTC courses to meet technical elective requirements. Consult specific departments in the College of Engineering for information.
Additional academic policies may apply. Students should also be aware of the requirements listed in the Academic Policies section of the undergraduate catalog.
The graduation requirements in effect during the academic year of admission to Virginia Tech apply. Requirements for graduation are listed in the undergraduate catalog. Students must satisfactorily complete all requirements and university obligations for degree completion. The university reserves the right to modify requirements in a degree program.
Dean: Julia Ross
Associate Dean for Academic Affairs: Keith Thompson
Associate Dean for Administration and Chief of Staff: Edward L. Nelson
Associate Dean for Information Technology: Glenda R. Scales
Associate Dean for Graduate and Professional Studies: Holly Matusovich
Assistant Dean Advancement: Jeremy Weaver
The following courses are applicable to study in several departments and do not carry departmental designations. Several of the undergraduate courses listed below were developed specifically for students in both engineering and non-engineering majors with the objective of broadening the base of knowledge in cross-disciplinary areas with some background within a technology driven focus. Some of these courses were created for students living in the College of Engineering's Living Learning Communities of Hypatia and Galileo, and are restricted to those students. Others were created as part of the academic, professional and personal support services provided for engineering students. Most students will use these courses to satisfy free electives in their programs. Engineering students also may find these courses of value in broadening their perspectives regarding their fields of study and may wish to use them as free electives in their programs.
Discussion of current research topics in the College of Engineering by Virginia Tech Faculty. (1C, 1H)
Success strategies that are designed for first-year female engineering students who are residents of the Hypatia learning community are presented. Students are provided information on study skills; resources and academic support for Virginia Tech students; gender issues in engineering; service learning; leadership; technology; and the College of Engineerings departments/majors.
Success strategies that are designed for first-year male engineering students who are residents of the Galileo learning community are presented. Students are provided information on study skills; resources and academic support for Virginia Tech students; gender issues in engineering; service learning; leadership; technology; and the College of Engineerings department/majors. (2H, 2C)
Engineering International Education course reflects academic effort in study abroad settings as defined by the college. No degree applicable credit awarded. Enrollment in this course does not apply toward the definition of full time status. 0 Credits.
Engineering Experiential course reflects college defined experiential learning experiences for undergraduates. No degree applicable credit is awarded. Enrollment in this course does not apply toward the definition of full time status.
Engineering Undergraduate Exploratory Activity course is an undergraduate research experience as defined by the college. No degree applicable credit is awarded. Enrollment in this course will not apply toward the definition of full time status. 0 Credits.
Engineering Service Learning course reflects academic effort in service learning settings as defined by the college. No degree applicable credit is awarded. Enrollment in this course will not apply toward the definition of full time status. 0 Credits.
Second-Year Galileo and Hypatia seminar for student leaders. Success strategies designed for second-year engineering students who are participants of the Galileo and Hypatia Living-Learning Community; topics include communication skills, critical thinking skills, diversity, leadership, networking with peers and future employers, and goals associated with academic and professional success.
Seminar-based course providing a survey of current interdisciplinary science and engineering research problems; introduction interdisciplinary thinking and communication; issues related to interdisciplinary research teams.
Introduction to the engineering profession and basic engineering skills for students pursuing science majors. Fundamentals of graphing, technical communication, ethics, the design process, project management, and problem solving as applicable to engineering. Partially duplicates ENGE 1024. May not be used for credit towards any degree from the College of Engineering.
Success strategies designed for third year engineering students who are participants of the Galileo and Hypatia Living-Learning Community; topics include critical thinking skills, diversity, leadership, networking with peers and future employers, and goals associated with academic and professional success.
Introduction to green engineering and global environmental issues. Impacts of human and engineering activities on the environment, and techniques that can be utilized to minimize adverse environmental impacts with emphasis on environmentally conscious design and manufacturing.
A capstone experience centered around an open-ended, faculty-advised senior project involving the design of a process, material, or technique for solving an interdisciplinary problem. Pre: Enrollment in Interdisciplinary Engineering and Science Minor.
Quantification of the environmental impacts for products, processes, and systems across all engineering disciplines. A detailed look at life cycle phases and formal and informal Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodologies including ISO standards, stream-lined LCA, green building ratings systems, carbon footprints, and other environmental ratings systems.
Honors
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