Departments

The academic departments offer undergraduate and graduate education in the fundamental engineering of their disciplines while preparing students to creatively address society’s most challenging technological problems. The faculty, who are often national or international leaders in their disciplines, engage students in a research mission that advances the leading edge of engineering knowledge.

Biological and Agricultural Engineering

As part of both the College of Engineering and the College of Agriculture & Environmental Sciences, BAE integrates engineering principles with biological systems for research and education in the production, distribution and processing of biological products. Our research and educational programs focus on agricultural, aquaculture, bioenvironmental, bioinstrumentation, biomedical, energy systems, food, forest, fiber and postharvest engineering. We benefit greatly from our location in California, the national leader in agricultural production and diversity, and home to one-third of the nation’s biotechnology firms.

Biomedical Engineering

BME research and teaching applies engineering principles and techniques to solving medical problems, striving to translate new discoveries into the clinic and operating room. Faculty researchers, 25 percent of whom have appointments in the School of Medicine, work on better ways to detect, study, reverse or cure such problems as cancer and heart disease, for example, or repair and regenerate tissues and design vaccines. Undergraduates prepare for interdisciplinary careers by choosing among six areas: bioinstrumentation, biomaterials and tissue engineering, biomechanics, medical imaging, systems engineering and premed. Research and graduate study focus in the broad areas of imaging, cellular and molecular systems, orthopedic biomechanics, sensor and MEMs systems, targeted therapeutics, computational modeling and biofluids & transport.

Chemical Engineering and Materials Science

CHMS offers a unique combination of undergraduate majors and a wide range of subject matter for graduate research, in a highly interdisciplinary environment where faculty from two dynamic disciplines collaborate. Students prepare for careers in such diverse fields as surface science, colloidal science, transport phenomena, biochemical engineering, systems analysis, processing and properties of advanced materials, modern characterization techniques, alternative energy research, computational materials science, catalysis and applications of chemical engineering and materials science to problems in human health.

Civil and Environmental Engineering

CEE provides research, education and professional service in areas related to civil infrastructure and the environment, specializing in environmental, geotechnical, structural, transportation and water resources technology and management. Our civil engineering undergraduate and graduate programs prepare students to use fundamentals of mathematics, basic sciences and engineering to address a wide range of civil and environmental needs in society.

Computer Science

CS conducts research and educational programs focused on computer science, software and information technology. Undergraduates prepare for careers in hardware, software or electronics, either in industry or postgraduate study, and computer systems design and its application to science, industry and management. Graduate study includes algorithms, computational biology, computer architecture, graphics and visualization, systems design, security and networks, database and information systems, programming languages and compilers, parallel and distributed systems, operating systems, performance evaluation, scientific computation and software engineering.

Electrical and Computer Engineering

ECE’s undergraduate program equips students with the fundamental principles of electrical and computer engineering, as well as concepts and methodologies needed for analysis, design, and development of electronic components and systems, including information processing systems. Graduate students engage in research in the following department strengths: communications, control, networking and signal processing; computer engineering; electronic circuits; optoelectronics; RF, micro and millimeter waves; and physical electronics.

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

The Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering offers multi-disciplinary education and research programs in the analysis and design of mechanical, thermo-fluid, and aerospace systems, products, and processes. Areas of emphasis include the applications of modern computer and advanced computations, laser diagnostics, smart materials, robotics, and mechatronics in design and manufacturing. Also included are dynamics and control of machines and vehicles, transportation systems, thermal and energy systems, combustion and air pollution, fluid dynamics, and aerospace structures and vehicles, micro-electro mechanical systems (MEMS) and bio-MEMS.