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College of Engineering
 

College of Engineering, Engineering I, Room 1016; Telephone (805) 893-3207
Undergraduate Office, Engineering I, Room 1030; Telephone (805) 893-2809
Engineering Student Support Center, Building 698; Telephone (805) 893-8333
MESA Programs, Building 698; Telephone (805) 893-4026
Web site: http:www.engineering.ucsb.edu (will open in a new browser window)

Dean: Venkatesh Narayanamurti
Associate Dean for College Advancement and Planning: Glenn E. Lucas
Associate Dean for Academic Affairs: Robert G. Rinker
Assistant to the Dean for Undergraduate Studies: Jacqueline A. Hynes
 

Index:

The College of Engineering at UCSB is noted for its excellence in teaching, research, and service to the community. The college has an enrollment of approximately 1000 undergraduate students and 500 graduate students with a full-time, permanent faculty of 108. This results in an unusually good student to faculty ratio and a strong sense of community in the college.

Our laboratory facilities, both departmental and in our research centers, are state-of-the-art, and most are available to undergraduate as well as graduate students. UCSB has an unusually high proportion of undergraduates who are actively involved in faculty-directed research and independent study projects.

The college offers the bachelor of science degree and graduate degree programs in four disciplines: chemical engineering, computer science, electrical engineering, and mechanical engineering. A graduate degree program is also available in materials. The undergraduate programs in chemical, electrical, and mechanical engineering are accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. The computer science undergraduate programs are accredited by the Computer Science Accreditation Commission of the Computing Sciences Accreditation Board.

The curriculum for the bachelor of science degree is designed to be completed in four years. Completion of the four-year program provides students with the background to begin professional careers or to enter graduate programs in engineering or computer science, or professional schools of business, medicine, or law. Our curricula are specifically planned to retain both of these options and to assure that our graduates are equally well prepared to enter industry and graduate study. The college and the university offer a wide variety of career counseling and job placement services.

The Undergraduate Office in Engineering I, Room 1030, provides general counseling for all undergraduates in the college. Faculty advisors for the individual majors are provided by the respective departments. The College of Engineering Announcement, which contains detailed information about the various programs and schedules, is published yearly and may be obtained by writing to the College of Engineering, Engineering I, Room 1030, University of California, Santa Barbara, California 93106-5130.

Admission

Applicants desiring to enter the College of Engineering must satisfy the general university admission requirements described in earlier sections of this catalog. The college strongly recommends that students who want to study engineering at UCSB plan their high-school programs to include the following courses:
 
English 4 years 
U.S. History 1 year 
Algebra 2 years 
Plane Geometry 1 year 
Trigonometry 1/2 year 
Physics or Chemistry  
(preferably both)		 1 year 
Foreign Language 2 years 
Additional recommended courses include advanced mathematics (pre-calculus/mathematical analysis, calculus) and computer science classes.

A high-school student who is admitted to UCSB and is deficient in one or more of these prerequisites may be required to complete equivalent courses at UCSB. Students lacking these prerequisite high-school courses may be delayed in entering the upper division and in graduating.

Any student who is admissible to the university may be accepted by the College of Engineering provided that the college does not have more qualified applicants than openings, in which case preference will be given to advanced-standing students who are ready to enter the upper division and to freshmen. Supplemental screening for admission to the College of Engineering is based on further consideration of prior coursework, grades, test scores, and other factors.

Students entering the College of Engineering either as freshmen or as transfer students must be enrolled in a particular curriculum within the Department of Chemical Engineering, the Department of Computer Science, the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, or the Department of Mechanical and Environmental Engineering.

Entrance to the Upper Division

Admission to the lower division (freshman and sophomore years) does not necessarily guarantee advancement to the upper division (junior and senior year) at some later time. Some departments have grade-point average requirements which must be met before a student is advanced to the upper-division major.

Continuing students shall have completed substantially all of the lower-division requirements for the major they are pursuing. Students who have not done so should go to the undergraduate office to determine eligibility for upper-division work.

Transfer students shall have (1) satisfied the general requirements for admission to the university at the junior level for transfer students, and (2) substantially completed a lower-division engineering or computer science program of not fewer than 90 quarter-units or 60 semester-units. The program must include the subject requirements listed in the table  "Subject Requirements for Entrance to the Upper Division."

(The university accepts a maximum of 105 quarter-units or 70 semester-units of credit for college courses completed at a two-year community college.)

Degree Requirements

To be eligible for a bachelor of science degree from the College of Engineering, a student must meet two sets of requirements: university degree requirements and college degree requirements.

University Degree Requirements

All undergraduate students must satisfy university academic residency, Subject A, American history and institutions, unit, and scholarship requirements. These requirements are described fully in the chapter "Undergraduate Education at UCSB."

College Undergraduate Degree Requirements

All undergraduate students must satisfy the preparation for the major, the major, the general education, and scholarship requirements. Preparation for the major and the major requirements for each program offered by the College of Engineering appear in subsequent sections of this catalog.
General Education Requirements
The aims of the General Education Program in the College of Engineering are to provide a body of knowledge of general intellectual value that will give the student a broad cultural base and meet the objectives of the engineering profession. An appreciation and understanding of the humanities and social sciences are important in making engineers aware of their social responsibilities and enabling them to consider related factors in the decision-making process.

Students in the College of Engineering must complete the General Education requirements in order to qualify for graduation. These requirements may be met with courses satisfactorily completed on this campus or with equivalent courses completed at another accredited college or university. Once a student has matriculated at UCSB, the writing requirement may be met only with designated UCSB courses. Lists of courses satisfying the various General Education area requirements are available in the Undergraduate Office of the College of Engineering.

The General Education requirements for the College of Engineering include:
 
Engineering 2A-B-C or Writing 2 or 
2LK and 50 or 50LK (Area A)		 8 units 
Social Sciences (Area D) and  
Civilization and Thought (Area E)		 8-15 units 
Arts (Area F) and Literature (Area G) 8-15 units 
A total of 23 units is required from areas D, E, F, and G. At least 8 units must be from Areas D and E combined, with at least 4 of these units from Area E-1. At least 8 units must be completed in Areas F and G combined, and at least 4 of them must be from Area G.

In the process of fulfilling the General Education area requirements, students must include the following:

  1. At least four courses designated as general education and writing requirement classes. (These courses are identified in the handout General Education Requirements, available in the College of Engineering Undergraduate Office.)
  2. At least two upper-division general education courses, from two separate departments, in each of which the student has already successfully completed one lower-division general education course.
  3. One course that focuses on the history and cultural, intellectual, and social experience of racial minorities and/or other ethnic groups in the United States. Courses that meet this requirement are included in the General Education Requirements list available in the College of Engineering.
  4. No more than two courses taken from the same department may be applied to the General Education requirement. Students should consult with the Office of Undergraduate Studies in the College of Engineering for additional information about General Education requirements.
Grade-Point Average Requirement
Students must maintain at least a 2.0 grade-point average in all courses taken in the overall major (including both lower- and upper-division classes), in all upper-division major courses, and in all work completed at the university. In addition, students who fail to earn a 2.0 grade-point average in either the preparation for the major or the major may, at the option of the department, be denied the privilege of continuing in the major. Individual departments may have higher grade-point average requirements.

Courses taken at any of the UC campuses, except those through UC Extension, are included in the computation of the grade-point average.

Courses appropriate for satisfying major requirements must be used in the computation of the grade-point average even if they are in excess of the minimum requirements of the major program. Courses graded Incomplete, except those taken on a passed/not passed basis, will be included as F grades in final computations. Certain courses designated as remedial are offered for work-load credit only and do not figure in calculation of the grade-point average.

Unit Requirement
The unit differences between the 180 units specified for the baccalaureate degree and the number of units specified for the preparation for the major, the major, and general education are designated as free elective units. Students may choose from any course offering open to them to meet this requirement.
College Board Advanced Placement Credit
Students may satisfy some of the requirements of the College of Engineering through the College Board Advanced Placement Tests. Credit for these tests is assigned as follows:
Computer Science-AB
With a score of 3, 4, or 5 on Examination AB, equivalent credit will be granted for Computer Science 5PA. A score of 4 or 5 may be substituted for Computer Science 10 at the student's request by petition; however, students with high scores may take Computer Science 10 for full credit. Students substituting AP credit for Computer Science 10 must take Computer Science 11JA before enrolling in Computer Science 20.
English
With a score of 3, equivalent credit will be granted for the Subject A requirement (Writing 1 or 1LK). With a score of 4, equivalent credit will be granted for the Subject A requirement and Writing 2 or 2LK. With a score of 5, equivalent credit will be granted for Writing 2 or 2LK and Writing 50 or 50LK.
History
With a score of 3, 4, or 5 in American history, 8 units of credit toward graduation will be awarded, and the student will be given credit for one course in general education Area D. If the score of 3, 4, or 5 is in European history, 8 units of credit toward graduation will be granted, and the student will be given credit for one course in general education Area E-2. Advanced placement credit in American history will satisfy the American history and institutions requirement.
Mathematics
With a score of 3, 4, or 5 on Examination AB, equivalent credit will be granted for Mathematics 3A. A score of 4 or 5 may be substituted by petition for Mathematics 3A and 3B at the student's request; however, students with scores of 4 or 5 may take Mathematics 3B for full credit. With a score of 3, 4, or 5 on Examination BC, equivalent credit will be granted for Mathematics 3A-B; students should enroll in Mathematics 3C.
Minimal Progress Requirements
A student in the College of Engineering will be placed on academic probation if the total number ofunits passed at UCSB is fewer than 36 at the end of the third term of enrollment, 72 at the end of the sixth term of enrollment, 108 at the end of the ninth term, or 144 at the end of the twelfth term. At least three-fourths of the minimum number of academic units passed must include courses prescribed for the major.

The following courses may be counted toward the unit minimums: courses repeated to raise C-, D, or F grades; courses passed by examination; courses graded IP (In Progress); courses passed during summer session at UCSB or at another accredited college or university and transferred to UCSB.

Students must obtain the approval of the dean of engineering to deviate from these requirements. Approval normally will be granted only in the case of medical disability, severe personal problems, or accident.

Students enrolled in dual-degree programs or in individualized programs of study must submit their proposed programs of study to the dean of engineering for approval. The individual programs must contain comparable standards of minimal academic progress.

Five-Year B.S. Engineering/M.S. Materials Degree Program

A combined B.S. Engineering/M.S. Materials program provides an opportunity for outstanding undergraduates in chemical, electrical, or mechanical engineering to earn both of these degrees in five years. This program enables students to develop all of the requisite knowledge in their core engineering disciplines and to complement this with a solid background in materials. This combination provides highly desirable training from an industrial employment perspective and capitalizes on the strengths of our internationally renowned materials department. For additional information, see the "Materials" section.

Five-Year Joint B.S./M.A. Program with Economics

A program which combines a B.S. in any engineering major (including computer science) with a master of arts in economics with an emphasis in business economics provides an opportunity for outstanding engineering undergraduates to earn both degrees in five years. Information about this program is available in the College of Engineering Undergraduate Office or from the Department of Economics. Interested students should inform the Undergraduate Office of their interest in the program at the end of the sophomore year in order to plan their upper-division classes differently from other engineering undergraduates. After completing undergraduate degree requirements in an engineering program, students in this joint program must fulfill master's degree requirements for the degree in economics, as described in the chapter, "Graduate Education at UCSB."

Honors

The College of Engineering gives public recognition to its outstanding undergraduate students by awarding Dean's Honors at the end of each regular academic term to students who have earned a 3.5 grade-point average for the quarter and have completed a program of 12 or more graded units. (Grades of Incomplete or Not Passed automatically disqualify students for eligibility for Dean's Honors.) The Dean's Honors List is posted quarterly, and the award is noted quarterly on the student's permanent transcript.

Graduating students of the College of Engineering who have achieved distinguished scholarship while at the university may qualify for Honors, High Honors, or Highest Honors at graduation.

Tau Beta Pi. Tau Beta Pi is the nation's oldest and largest engineering honor society. Its purpose is to honor academic achievement in engineering. Election to membership is by invitation only. To be eligible for consideration, students must be in the top one-eighth of their junior class or the top one-fifth of the senior class. Graduate students and faculty also belong to this honor society. In addition to regular meetings on campus, the organization participates in regional and national activities and sponsors local events, such as tutoring and leadership training, to serve the campus and community.

The College of Engineering also has chapters of Pi Tau Sigma, the mechanical engineering honor society, and Eta Kappa Nu, the electrical engineering honor society. Membership in these societies is based on scholastic achievement. Students who are elected will be contacted directly by the societies during their junior or senior year.

Change of Major and Change of College

Students planning to enter an engineering major or to change from one engineering major to another will be expected to complete at least 30 units at UCSB before petitioning for a change of major. Students normally must satisfy the prerequisites of the prospective department.

Students planning to enter the pre-computer science program must complete at least 16 units of pre-major coursework at UCSB, including 8 units in computer science, with at least a 3.0 grade-point average for all pre-major courses completed with the University of California. Students who have completed the entire computer science pre-major with at least a 2.75 University of California grade-point average will be admitted to full major standing upon petition whether or not they have been officially declared pre-majors. Petitions for changing to the pre-computer science or computer science majors may be filed any time upon meeting the above requirements.

Before petitioning for a change of major to chemical, electrical, or mechanical engineering, the following courses or their equivalents must be completed: Mathematics 3A-B; Chemistry 1A-AL, 1B-BL; Engineering 1A-B or 2A-B or Computer Science 5FO; Physics 1.

Petitions for changing to an engineering major will be accepted only during the first four weeks of the spring quarter. Only a limited number of petitions will be approved, and selection for entry into the major will be based on UC grade-point averages and applicable courses completed.

Students who have completed more than 105 units will not be considered for a change of major/change of college in engineering or computer science unless they can demonstrate that they will be able to complete all the degree requirements for the proposed program without exceeding 195 total units.

Student Organizations

Student chapters of a number of engineering professional organizations are active on the UCSB campus. Students interested in any of these organizations may contact the Undergraduate Office of the College of Engineering for more information.
 
  • American Indian Science and Engineering Society
  • American Institute of Chemical Engineers
  • American Society of Mechanical Engineers
  • Association for Computing Machinery
  • Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
  • Los Ingenieros (Mexican-American Engineering Society/Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers)
  • National Society of Black Engineers
  • Society of Automotive Engineers
  • Society of Women Engineers

    • Engineering Research Centers

    Center for Computational Modeling and Systems (Alexandria Digital Library)
    Director: Terence R. Smith
    Girvetz Hall, Room 1205
    Telephone: (805) 893-7665

    Center for Control Engineering and Computation
    Director: Petar V. Kokotovic
    Associate Director: Mohammed Dahleh
    Engineering I, Room 5119A
    Telephone: (805) 893-7066

    Center for Information Processing Research
    Director: Allen Gersho
    Engineering I, Room 3162
    Telephone: (805) 893-8555

    Center for Non-Stoichiometric Semiconductors
    Director: Umesh Mishra
    Associate Director: Herbert Kroemer
    Engineering I, Room 5107
    Telephone: (805) 893-8956

    Center for Risk Studies and Safety
    Director: Theofanis G. Theofanous
    Engineering Research Center (ERC)
    6740 Cortona Drive, Goleta, CA 93117
    Telephone: (805) 893-4936

    Center for Robust Nonlinear Control of Aeroengines
    Director: Petar Kokotovic
    Engineering I, Room 5119
    Telephone: (805) 893-7066

    Compound Semiconductor Research Laboratories
    Director: Mark Rodwell
    Engineering I, Room 5153
    Telephone: (805) 893-4130

    Engineering Computing Infrastructure
    Director: Steven Butner
    Engineering I, Room 3112
    Telephone: (805) 893-3221

    High Performance Composites Center
    Co-director: Anthony G. Evans
    Co-director: Frederick Leckie
    Engineering II, Room 1355D
    Telephone: (805) 893-4634, (805) 893-2652

    Innovative Microwave Power Amplifier Consortium Center
    Director: Umesh Mishra
    Associate Director: Robert York
    Engineering I, Room 5107
    Telephone: (805) 893-8956

    Multidisciplinary Optical Switching Technology Center
    Director: John E. Bowers
    Associate Director: Mark Rodwell
    Engineering I, Room 4165
    Telephone: (805) 893-2149

    Ocean Engineering Laboratory
    Director: Marshall P. Tulin
    Engineering Research Center (ERC)
    6740 Cortona Drive, Goleta, CA 93117
    Telephone: (805) 893-4937
     

    National Research Centers

    Center for Quantized Electronic Structures
    Director: Evelyn Hu
    Building 981
    Telephone (805) 893-2368

    Materials Research Laboratory
    Director: Anthony K. Cheetham
    Associate Director: Jacob Israelachvili
    Materials Research Laboratory, Room 3004
    Telephone: (805) 893-7233

    National Nanofabrication Users Network
    Director: Evelyn Hu
    Building 981
    Telephone: (805) 893-4130

    Optoelectronics Technology Center
    Director: Larry A. Coldren
    Engineering II, Room 1339
    Telephone: (805) 893-7105
     

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