The University of Virginia School of Engineering and Applied Science is the undergraduate and graduate engineering school of the University of Virginia. Established in 1836, the school is the oldest university-affiliated engineering school in United States, and oldest engineering school in the Southern United States. One of 12 schools and colleges at the University of Virginia, the school is home to nine departments: Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Engineering and Society, Materials Science and Engineering, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering and Systems and Information Engineering.

History

In 1836, the Board of Visitors made civil engineering a formal course of study at the University of Virginia. At the time, there were just three institutions of higher learning in the U.S. wholly devoted to engineering instruction. 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. 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 Washington, D.C. Science and Technology Policy Internship, Rodman Scholars, international studies, online courses, and hands-on activities such as the electric vehicle project. Starting in 2015, a 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. 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. In 2018 and 2019, teams consisting of computer science undergraduates twice won the Alamo Cup and repeat national championships at the National Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition. 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.

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. Clark Scholars are selected from underserved demographics for their academic excellence, track record of leadership, and commitment to community service. The inaugural cohort of 16, led in the 2018-2019 school year by Stephanie Gernentz, Joshua Arul, and Rachel Zhang, entered in June 2018.

Rodman Scholars Program

The Rodman Scholars Program, founded in 1979, consists of the top 5-6 percent of each class of engineering students.

The Society of P.R.I.

One of the many secret societies at U.Va., The Society of P.R.I. is exclusive to the engineering community. It is known for honoring faculty, staff, and students for exceptional service to their respective communities.

Departments and Degree Programs

There are nine departments home to eleven degree programs. 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:

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.