Lin Li, Ph.D., PE, Interim Dean, and Professor
ET 230 Andrew P. Torrence Hall

General Statement

Engineering is the profession in which knowledge of mathematics and natural science is applied with judgment to develop ways to economically utilize the materials and forces of nature for the benefit of mankind.

The College of Engineering offers Bachelor of Science degree programs in Architectural Engineering, Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, and Applied and Industrial Technologies. Concentrations include Computer Engineering in Electrical Engineering, Bioinformatics Data Science, Cybersecurity and Networking in Computer Science, Aviation Management and Mechatronics Technology, and Industrial Electronics Technology in Applied and Industrial Technologies. 

The College’s curricula in these programs are structured to graduate quality students capable of taking their places in the mainstream of the engineering/technology/computer science profession. Students are prepared to satisfy the manpower needs of industry and to tackle the complex technical challenges facing a technology-based society.

The educational goal of the College is to prepare students to think critically, interpret knowledge, pursue lifelong learning, and transfer knowledge within the profession. 

Mission

Tennessee State University, established in 1890, as a land-grant institution is a major urban comprehensive university. The College of Engineering was established in 1951. Its Statement of Mission reads:

1. The College shall have an educational delivery system and research of uncompromisingly high quality which addresses the needs of the people and the goals of the State of Tennessee, and the nation in the areas of analysis, design, and development of systems, system components, and processes.
2. The College shall prepare students to think critically, apply knowledge, communicate effectively and function productively as members of professional teams, pursue graduate studies, and engage in lifelong learning.
3. The College shall pursue basic and applied research in critical technologies in civil engineering, architectural engineering, mechanical engineering, manufacturing engineering, computer engineering, electrical engineering, computer science, data science, and industrial systems and facilities.
4. The College shall fully partner with business, and related government agencies to enhance Tennessee’s economy through research activities in critical technologies, continuing education, and technology transfer.

The College of Engineering strives to educate and inspire every student to think critically, engage in lifelong learning, and transfer knowledge within the profession. In carrying out this diverse mission, the College of Engineering at Tennessee State University serves Nashville and middle Tennessee, the State of Tennessee, the Nation, and the international community. “Think, Engage, Transfer ” is the Motto of the College’s Mission. The College seeks to provide its students with these experiences which lead to a wholesome, well-rounded, and well-balanced quality of life.

The College serves a diverse population of students of all races: traditional, non-traditional, commuter, residential, undergraduates, graduates, non-degree, full-time, and part-time. In doing so, the College seeks to develop the talents of its students, including those with special academic talents as well as those who have educational, cultural, environmental, social and/or economic constraints.

Educational Objectives

The College’s educational objectives are to prepare graduates to think critically, interpret knowledge, pursue lifelong learning, and transfer knowledge within the profession. The graduates within a few years of graduation exhibit the following characteristic:

1. Familiarity with the systematic scientific approach to problem-solving, including modern tools and current technology.
2. Development of a strong foundation in engineering /technology/computer science fundamentals.
3. Development of habits of orderliness, carefulness, and objectivity.
4. Development of professional attitudes, communication skills, and professional ethics, including the understanding of the engineering/technology/computer science profession.
5. Development of an understanding and sensitivity for social, political, economic, and environmental implications of a technological system in the real world.
6. Familiarity with intellectual challenges designed to arouse curiosity and a desire for lifelong learning.
7. Development of experiences that will prepare them to function effectively in multi-cultural and multi-discipline groups.

Student Outcomes

Graduates from an engineering program in the College of Engineering, shall demonstrate the ability:

1. to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics.
2. to apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors.
3. to communicate effectively with a range of audiences.
4. to recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgments, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts.
5. to function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objective.
6. to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, interpret data, and use engineering judgment to conclude.
7. to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.

 

Engineering Design Experience

A major engineering curriculum objective is to provide engineering students with the ability to systematically apply engineering fundamentals to the design of engineering components, and processes.

Engineering design is the process of devising a system, component, or process to meet desired needs. It is a decision-making process (often iterative). The fundamental elements of the design process are the establishment of objectives and criteria, synthesis, construction, testing, and evaluation, and may include a variety of realistic constraints, such as economic and environmental factors, safety, and reliability, aesthetics, and social impact. In this regard, the College has a series of required courses with engineering design content, which are integrated throughout the curriculum of each engineering program.

The engineering design experience is integrated throughout the curriculum, starting with the definition of engineering and engineering design in ENGR 1020 - Freshman Engineering Seminar (1), in the freshman year. The design experience continues in the sophomore year with ENGR 2010 - Thermodynamics (3) (or ENGR 2250 - Transport Phenomena (3)) and ENGR 2110 - Statics (3)).

Engineering design continues in the junior year with the required course ENGR 3200 - Introduction to Design (3) or ENGR 3250 Introduction to Systems Engineering (3) or embedded design course project into junior major civil engineering or architectural engineering courses where upper divisions students are once again introduced to the design process in a much more rigorous and comprehensive manner, building upon concepts introduced at the freshman and sophomore levels. Specialization in each program begins in the junior year with program design courses. Program-specific design courses are listed in each department’s curriculum. Further specialization takes place in the senior year.

Each program offers at least one course which is 100% engineering design. The engineering design sequence is completed with a two-semester capstone design course. Computer Science students are required to complete two senior project courses. An integral part of the design experience is the introduction of ethical, economic, social, and safety factors required to make a design successful. These concepts are introduced during the freshman year, reinforced during the year, and integrated into design projects in the junior-level and senior-level design courses. At each level, a formal written report and a formal oral presentation are required to communicate the design.

 

Specific College Requirements

1. No student will be allowed to take any departmental courses, major courses, engineering courses, mathematics, and/or science courses without having completed the proper prerequisites for those courses.
2. Engineering students earning a grade of “D” or lower in a mathematics course(s), science course(s), departmental course(s), or a major course(s) must repeat that course(s) the very next time the course(s) is offered.
3. Students earning a grade of “D” or lower in a major course(s) must repeat that course(s) the very next time the course(s) is offered.
4. Each engineering student must complete a practicum prior to graduation. A practicum may include but is not limited to, an industrial internship, co-operative education experience, research experience, assistant in an engineering or technology laboratory, and other engineering/technology practical experiences. The practicum must be approved in advance by the student’s academic advisor and department chair. The practical experience must be at least eight (8) continuous weeks in length. A comprehensive report on at least one practicum is required. The report must be cosigned by a supervisor. The practicum report is to be given to the student’s faculty advisor. The departmental and college offices will assist students in locating a practicum.

Engineering Programs Core Requirements:

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All engineering students are required to take the following engineering core courses:

Graduation Requirements

In addition to the University requirements for graduation, the following specific College graduation requirements must be met by students in the College:

All engineering students must repeat “D” grades earned in mathematics, science, departmental, or major courses the very next time the courses are offered until a minimum grade of “C” is earned. However, students may graduate with a maximum of two “D” grades in these courses.

All College graduating seniors must take and successfully complete all components of the ETS Exit Examination during the senior year.

Engineering students should take ENGR 4201 EIT/FE Review Laboratory and they are encouraged to take the Fundamentals of Engineering Examination ONLY with the consent of the department chair.

Accreditation: The Bachelor of Science degree programs in Architectural Engineering, Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering are accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (EAC/ABET). The Bachelor of Science degree program in Computer Science is accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET (CAC/ABET). The Bachelor of Science degree program in Applied and Industrial Technologies is accredited by the Association of Technology, Management, and Applied Engineering.

 

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