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Department of Engineering

Faculty

Jeannette Herring Russ (2002). Professor of Engineering and Department Chair. B.S., Mississippi State University; M.B.A., Colorado State University; Ph.D., Vanderbilt University; P.E. 

Georg Pingen (2010). Director for HUB and Professor of Engineering. B.A., Samford University; B.S. and M.S., Washington University; Ph.D., University of Colorado at Boulder; P.E.

Randal S. Schwindt (2004). Professor of Engineering. B.S., Hardin-Simmons University; M.S., Texas A&M University; Ph.D., University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign; P.E.

Don Van (2001). Professor of Engineering. B.S. and M.S., University of Illinois in Chicago; M.S. and Ph.D., New Jersey Institute of Technology; P.E., CEM.

 

 

Staff

Susan Lockett (2024). Academic Secretary for Engineering, Computer Science, and The HUB.

 

Objectives

  1. Graduates will make contributions through engineering practice, graduate school, or other professional pursuits.
  2. Graduates will solve problems through inventive thinking.
  3. Graduates will participate in continuing education.
  4. Graduates will exemplify Christian principles and ethical standards.

Curriculum

Union offers the Bachelor of Science in Engineering, BSE, with concentrations in electrical and mechanical engineering. The curriculum is designed to expose students to a broad base of engineering knowledge and the basic science and math upon which that knowledge rests. In addition, the curriculum at Union includes a strong general education component that provides a greater understanding of the world in which engineering products will ultimately be used.

Because engineering courses build upon one another, the prerequisite sequences that exist in the curriculum must be closely followed. Incoming freshmen will ideally be ready to begin the calculus sequence in their first semester in order to satisfy the various prerequisites and complete the degree in four years.

The engineering major must complete all General Core Requirements to include CHE 105 or CHE 111 and MAT 211. The major must also complete the following foundational math and science courses:  MAT 212, MAT 213, MAT 314 (11 hours); either MAT 208 or MAT 315 (3 hours); and PHY 231 and PHY 232 (10 hours).  In addition, the major must complete engineering coursework as outlined below.

The student with an acceptable bachelor's degree seeking the BSE as his second baccalaureate will complete CHE 105 or CHE 111 and MAT 211, as well as the foundational courses listed in the previous paragraph and the engineering coursework outlined below.

The minor in engineering will benefit non-engineering students who are interested in applied science or fields that involve instrumentation and technology. It can also be useful for students who intend to pursue graduate work in related disciplines not offered at Union.

The minor in computational engineering science will benefit science, engineering, and mathematics students who are interested in the intersection of these three fields. It combines Union's existing strengths in these disciplines to offer an innovative program of study that introduces students to the field of computational modeling and simulations.

The Union BSE program is accredited by the EAC Accreditation Commission of ABET, www.abet.org. Accreditation is a consideration for professional licensure in many states and for admission to some engineering graduate schools. ABET does not accredit minors.

Assessment of Majors

Assessment of majors culminates with three courses that comprise the senior design sequence:  EGR 391, EGR 491, and EGR 492.  These courses require students to select a project, perform analysis and design, and build a prototype.  Successful completion of the senior design project requires integration of a wide variety of information and ability gained throughout the BSE curriculum.  Additionally, students have the option of taking the Fundamentals in Engineering (FE) exam during the senior year. The test, prepared by the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying, is administered by the State of Tennessee as the first step toward becoming a licensed professional engineer.

Student Award

The Service through Engineering Award is given by the faculty of the Department of Engineering to the senior who best exemplifies the use of engineering knowledge in service to society.