Student Development & Recruitment
Promoting Global-minded Professionals
Undergraduate Student Organizations
Undergraduate Club Officer's Guide: Look here for a thorough guide to being a club officer as a student.
Engineering Joint Council Member Clubs and Professional Society Chapters
Engineering Joint Council (EJC): The EJC represents the undergraduate student body of the College of Engineering to the college, university, and community. EJC acts as a liaison between undergraduate students and the faculty and administration of the college. It organizes and sponsors college-wide student activities, in coordination with engineering student organizations, including the National Engineering Week held in February. Its membership is made up of one representative from each engineering student organization and the engineering Academic Peer Advisers.
American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES): AISES identifies and supports American Indian youth and college students studying science and engineering while helping them to preserve their rich cultural heritage. The organization brings together students, scientists and educators to facilitate information exchange, to develop strategies to increase the number of Indians in the science and engineering fields, and to explore and facilitate practical applications of science and technology to serve Indian reservations and communities.
American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA), Student Chapter: The AIAA is an interdisciplinary organization made up of people interested in the aeronautics and aerospace field. The student chapter has members from a variety of engineering disciplines. The chapter links the professional world-industry, research, and the space program-and students who may one day take part in aerospace activities. The group has regular meetings and informal gatherings to discuss recent events and topics of interest with professors, graduate students and representatives of industry and government; sponsors speakers; and organizes field trips to aerospace industries and research facilities.
American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE): The student chapter of AIChE strives to introduce the chemical engineering student to the professional world of chemical engineers and to serve the students and faculty as a social focal point to increase cooperation and communications. AIChE schedules speakers on topics of interest to its members.
American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE): The student chapter of the ASCE serves as a connection between the civil engineering student and the profession. Because university education emphasizes the technical and theoretical aspects of engineering, little information about engineering practice may be presented in the classroom. To fill this gap, ASCE has presented informative lectures by practicing engineers, on such topics as career opportunities and environmental problems. Other activities include inter-club and interscholastic competitions in engineering.
American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME): The ASME student section advances and disseminates knowledge about mechanical engineering, presents a proper perspective on engineering work, and promotes professional awareness and fellowship. The section has regular meetings to discuss ASME activities and hear guest speakers on various engineering topics, engineering faculty on their current research, and recent UC Davis graduates discussing their engineering assignments since graduation. Activities of the UC Davis chapter include field trips, participation in a national student design contest and student regional conference, and a few social functions designed to increase interaction between students and faculty.
Biomedical Engineering Association (BMES): The BMES promotes the increase of biomedical engineering knowledge and its use to those with both biomedical and engineering interests. The student chapter strives to introduce students to the profession of biomedical engineering and to the social role and obligations of the biomedical engineer. It provides an environment for social interaction and exchange of ideas between all levels of undergraduate students, graduate students, and faculty; and serves as a link between students and professional engineers. BMES schedules speakers on topics of interest to its members. Contact the Biomedical Department at (530)754-5720.
Black Engineers Association (BEA): BEA is a student chapter of the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) promoting Black student interest and active participation in engineering. BEA participates in community projects to exemplify the cultural value of the engineer to his/her community. Special services to students include a course file on required engineering courses and a tutorial service. Membership is open to students in all majors. Yearly activities include a job fair, a resume book, an awards banquet, and alumni night.
Chicano and Latino Engineers and Scientists Society (CALESS): CALESS, a student chapter of the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineer (SHPE), is a service-oriented organization of engineering and physical science students. The work of the society includes academic tutoring, counseling, and orientation to the campus and its policies. Information and advising about engineering and the physical sciences are made available to interested high school and community college students. Members participate in the Partnership Program, a University of California high-school recruitment program, in a role-model capacity. CALESS provides assistance in engineering job placement for permanent and summer work and sponsors job seminars throughout the school year. CALESS also sponsors recreational and social functions.
Computer Science Club: This is an official student chapter for the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM). Our members are interested in the design and use of software and hardware, the theory and application of modern computing and the history of computers.
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE): IEEE is an international organization which serves as a focal point for electrical and electronics engineers to express their ideas and to maintain contact with new developments. The student chapter act as a link between the student and the world of the professional engineer and sponsors field trips, speakers on various topics, a newsletter, a ham radio project, lunches with industry and social activities. The chapter also supports the micromouse (robot) project. In addition, the IEEE student branch provides a chance to meet the electrical and computer engineering faculty and to exchange ideas relating to the curriculum and the profession.
International Society of Life Sciences & Engineering: ISPE stands for the International Society of Life Science Professionals and has historically been a society for pharmaceutical engineers. However, the UC Davis chapter of ISPE caters to all majors but has an emphasis on the life science industry.
The Optics Club: OSA (Optical Society of America) and SPIE (International Society of Optical Engineering). Contact the Applied Science Engineering Department at (530)754-7058
Pilipino Americans in Science and Engineering (PASE): PASE is an independent student organization that orients and assists students of similar cultural and educational backgrounds through the academic rigors of engineering. PASE offers peer tutoring, study groups, and social gatherings. The organization develops identity, motivation, and self-confidence through field trips, speakers and professional programs. A student-run organization, PASE provides opportunities for members to develop their leadership and organizational skills.
Robotics Club: The Robotics team is an enthusiastic group of students from the University of California Davis. Our goal is to design and build an autonomous robot to enter into The SAE Walking Machine Challenge.
Rocket Club: Monthly sport launches on IM field south of The Pavillion, long-term design project/competition using Hybrid L-motors, possible field trips to LUNAR in Livermore for High-Powered launches.
Society of Women Engineers (SWE): The student chapter of SWE is open to both women and men. Dedicated to encouraging and assisting young women to enter the engineering profession, SWE has developed a very successful orientation program for freshmen and transfer students. The student chapter at Davis provides numerous opportunities, particularly through the Center for Women in Engineering, for networking with professional engineers in a wide variety of disciplines to develop a support system, to learn about the challenges women face in the professional practice, and to become aware of the career opportunities available in engineering. Activities and services include the annual Dinner with Industry; a resume book; meetings with guest panels; leadership seminars; conferences; participation in the High School Awareness Program; sponsorship of Little Sister Day; and a number of social activities designed to promote interaction among the membership and with other engineering organizations.
Tau Beta Pi: Tau Beta Pi is the national engineering honor society. Students in the top eighth of their junior class or the top fifth of their senior class are eligible for membership, as are outstanding graduate students and eminent professional engineers. However, distinguished scholarship is not the sole criterion for membership; candidates must also possess exemplary character and breadth of interest. Members of Tau Beta Pi have an obligation to society to use their knowledge and skills for the enhancement of human welfare To meet this obligation, student members tutor in lower-division subjects and are active in other service programs in the community.
Theta Tau: As the only Professional Engineering Fraternity on campus, the Theta Tau Omicron Gamma Chapter at UC Davis is a Co-ed Professional Engineering Fraternity dedicated to professionalism, brotherhood, and academic excellence. Supported by several engineering faculty members, Theta Tau strives to develop its members from all engineering disciplines into exemplary leaders. Theta Tau hosts and involves itself in a number of professional development workshops and also provides a helping hand to the Davis community by participating in various community service projects. Some of our social activities included the Annual Brotherhood Barbecue, broomball at the local ice rink, and intramural sports. Motivated, ambitious, and energetic engineering students who have the desire to build friendships, improve their professional lives, and become the strong foundation upon which the Fraternity is built are invited rush in the Fall and Spring quarters!
Other Clubs and Professional Society Chapters
American Society of Agricultural Engineers (ASAE): The purposes of the student chapter are to promote the activities and goals of the ASAE among students; to give students the opportunity to become aware of the workings of the profession, the college, and the department; and to promote fellowship among the biological and agricultural engineering students, faculty, and staff. Activities include an annual spring picnic, a field trip each quarter, guest lecturers, and participation in the national society's functions when possible.
Antique Mechanics Club: The Club collects, restores, and displays vintage agricultural equipment, focusing mostly on tractors of all kinds, of the Agricultural Machinery Collection right here on campus. The Club has access to the Restoration Facility which also includes a display hangar, a bone yard, a pretty good shop, and a "town square" club area with office, snack shack, tables,and music/lecture platform. Club members come from all majors and all skill levels. The best way to see what this is all about is to come out and take little walk around the facility during Saturday public hours from 12-4.
Structural Engineers Association of California (SEAOC): The student chapter of SEAOC is composed of civil engineering students whose curriculum emphasizes structural, geotechnical, or construction engineering. This organization supplements academic education with an exposure to real-world engineering practice and provides a connection between students and professionals with interests in these specializations. These goals are primarily achieved through the scheduling of guest speakers, field trips, and open forums.
The Materials Society (TMS): Incorporating ASM International/The Metallurgical Society of the American Institute of Mining, Metallurgical and Petroleum Engineers (ASM/TMS-AIME) and the American Ceramic Society (ACS), the TMS chapter serves to stimulate student interest in the latest scientific and engineering developments in the field of engineering materials, and to familiarize students with the professional attractions of a career in materials research and production. The section holds regular meetings, sponsors field trips, and hosts social events.