The University of Michigan College of Engineering is the engineering unit of the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. With an enrollment of 4,874 undergraduate and 2,704 graduate students as of 2004 [1], the College of Engineering is one of the top engineering schools in the United States. In many cases, the college is ranked as one of the top ten.
The college was founded in 1854, with courses in civil engineering. Since its founding, the College of Engineering established some of the earliest programs in various fields such aeronautical engineering, computer science, electrical engineering, and nuclear engineering. Biomedical engineering is one of the newest programs established at the College of Engineering.
The college was first located on the University's Central Campus before moving to the University's North Campus, starting in the late 1940s. Today, the College of Engineering is primarily located on North Campus, which is shared with the School of Information, School of Music, School of Art and Design, and the Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning.
Academic programs
The college grants degrees at the Bachelors, Masters, and PhD levels. Engineering fields covered at the college include:
- Aerospace Engineering
- Atmospheric and Oceanic Space Sciences (AOSS)
- Biomedical Engineering (newest field)
- Chemical Engineering
- Civil Engineering
- Computer Science
- Computer Engineering
- Electrical Engineering
- Engineering Physics
- Environmental and Water Resources Engineering
- Industrial Operations Engineering (IOE)
- Mechanical Engineering
- Naval and Marine Architecture and Engineering
- Nuclear Engineering
Many of these programs are ranked in the top ten in the United States according to US News and World Report [2].
Labs and facilities
Various labs are located at the college of engineering, including the Center for Wireless Integrated MicroSystems (WIMS) and the Center for Reconfigurable Manufacturing Systems (RMS), both of which are NSF laboratories. Another major laboratory is the Center for Ultra-Fast Optical Sciences. The Phoenix Memorial Laboratory is a laboratory dedicated to research into the peaceful use of nuclear technology. It once housed the Ford nuclear reactor, which has been decommissioned.
The college of engineering also has a wind tunnel, electron microscope and ion beam laboratories, a civil engineering test facility, and solid state manufacturing facilities. Various laboratories dedicated to automotive engineering, optical sciences, and robotics are scattered throughout the college. A hydrodynamics laboratory is located on the University's Central Campus. The Weather Underground is located at the College of Engineering as well.
The Duderstadt Center, formerly the Media Union and named after former University president James Duderstadt, houses the College of Engineering Library. It also contains computer clusters, audio and video editing laboratories, galleries, and studios, as well as usability and various digital media laboratories, including virtual reality. The Millenium Project, which focuses on the future of the university learning environment, is housed at the Duderstadt Center.
Computer services and networking is provided by CAEN, the Computer-Aided Engineering Network. CAEN operates various computer laboratories throughout the College of Engineering and the University campuses. It also operates the college's wireless network.
Student organizations
There are student branches of various professional organizations such as IEEE and ASME as well as honor societies. Most are housed in Pierpont Commons (the student union on North Campus) or the Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EECS) building.
Project teams are primarily housed in the Wilson Student Project Center. Several major project teams include Concrete Canoe, Formula SAE M Racing Team, Mars Rover, Steel Bridge, and the University of Michigan Solar Car Team.
Notes
References
- The University of Michigan College of Engineering Bulletin 2004-05. Vol. 33, number 2. Ann Arbor, Michigan: Marketing Communications (University of Michigan), July 7, 2004.
- 150th Anniversary of the College of Engineering.