Apr 19, 2024  
2016-2017 Graduate Catalog 
    
2016-2017 Graduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

College of Engineering and Applied Science


Dean Marc Ingber
Associate Dean for Research Ken Ortega
Associate Dean for Student Affairs Bruce Janson
Assistant Dean for International Education Chengyu Li

Contact

Office:
North Classroom 3034
1200 Larimer Street, 3rd Floor
Telephone: 303-556-2870
Fax: 303-556-2511
Email:  engineering@ucdenver.edu

Mailing Address:
College of Engineering and Applied Science
Campus Box 104
P.O. Box 173364
Denver, CO 80217-3364

Application Deadlines

Graduate Programs

Bioengineering

Master’s: February 1 (priority); March 15 (regular)
PhD: December 1 (priority); January 15 (regular)

Civil Engineering, Computer Science and Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering

Domestic

Fall: May 1
Spring: October 1
Summer*: February 15

International

Fall: April 15
Spring: September 15
Summer*: February 1

*Not all programs admit students for the summer term.

Overview

The College of Engineering and Applied Science at the University of Colorado Denver meets the needs of the Denver metropolitan area by providing nationally accredited engineering education programs in a flexible format that suits both students and employers. Recognizing the importance for students to pursue professional studies and related employment simultaneously, the college offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs in bioengineering, civil engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering and computer science and engineering through evening studies or through a more traditional schedule of day classes. As a practicing engineer, you can improve and update your professional capabilities and earn a graduate degree. Or, through our interdisciplinary master of engineering degree, you can obtain graduate education in business, management, computer science, behavioral science or other areas together with new engineering skills in your field.

A listing of the fields in which engineers work would have hundreds of entries. The following list is a brief summary of the engineering fields available at CU Denver.

Bioengineering offers opportunities for interdisciplinary undergraduate training for a bachelor of science degree and graduate training for master of science and doctor of philosophy degrees.  Our programs are uniquely integrated with the CU Anschutz Medical Campus.  Students enjoy opportunities to learn from clinicians and engineers and to perform research or medical device design in world-class hospitals and clinical research labs. Bioengineering is one of the fastest growing job markets this decade, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. A degree in this area provides numerous opportunities to work in health care, biomedical industry, government regulatory agencies and academia.

Civil engineering offers an interesting and challenging career in the design and construction of buildings, bridges, dams, aqueducts and other structures; in transportation systems including highways, canals, pipelines, airports, rapid transit lines, railroads and harbor facilities; in the distribution of water and the regulation of rivers; in the development of water resources for urban use, industry and land reclamation; in the control of water quality through water purification and proper waste treatment; in the construction and contracting industry; and in the problems concerned with our physical environment and the growth of cities.

Computer science and engineering offers graduates the solid foundation needed for jobs in computing and information technologies. Career paths in computer science involve designing and implementing software, devising new applications of computers and developing effective ways to solve computing problems.

Electrical engineering’s graduate program prepares students for technical leadership roles in industry, academia, and government in our rapidly changing technological world. The program offers numerous specialties within electrical engineering, including computer engineering, embedded systems, electromagnetics, microwave systems, optics, electrical neuroscience engineering, control systems, communications and signal processing, power systems, smart grids, renewable energies, VLSI system design, and electron devices.

Mechanical engineering offers a wide range of interesting and challenging career opportunities in research, design, development, manufacturing, testing and marketing for either private industry or government. Mechanical engineers help develop a wide range of products such as engines, transmissions, compressors, pumps, computer disk drives, oil field drilling rigs, missiles, space satellites, earth-moving equipment, container-manufacturing machines, medical equipment and many other products encountered in daily life.

Graduate Study in Engineering

The College of Engineering and Applied Science offers graduate programs in bioengineering, civil engineering, computer science and engineering, electrical engineering, and mechanical engineering, as well as an interdisciplinary doctoral degree in engineering and applied science.

For information regarding courses and requirements leading to the master of science, master of engineering or the PhD degree, see the appropriate discipline heading in this section. For general graduate admission information and policies, see the Information for Graduate Students  section of this catalog.

TOEFL/Language Requirements

For the most up-to-date information about TOEFL/language requirements, please visit the Office of International Admissions website.

Education for Employed Professional Engineers

Continuing education for employed engineers grows more important each year. Therefore, the college puts great emphasis upon making graduate courses available through late afternoon and evening  courses. The master of engineering degree permits graduate students more flexibility in defining specialized interdisciplinary fields that meet their professional needs. This degree has standards equivalent to those of the master of science degree.

In addition to credit course work, the college also offers courses of interest to practicing engineers through its Continuing Engineering Education Program, 303-556-4907. (See also Continuing Engineering Education Program.)

Nondegree Students

Nondegree graduate students may apply 9 semester hours of graduate-level course work toward a master’s degree in engineering from CU Denver.

Research Centers

Transportation Research Center

Director: Bruce Janson
Telephone: 303-556-2831

The Transportation Research Center (TRC) involves both students and faculty on the Denver campus in a range of education and research activities. The TRC works on projects in collaboration with other departments and colleges such as business, urban planning and public affairs. TRC projects address local, state, national and international concerns with funding from federal, state, local or private sources.

Some focuses of the Transportation Research Center are transportation modeling; traffic monitoring technologies and data analysis techniques; transportation planning and travel demand forecasting for both person and freight movements; traffic engineering and control; facility design and management; sustainable transportation systems; safety studies; use of geographic information systems in transportation; environmental impact assessment; transportation investment decision analysis, including cost-benefit and life-cycle analyses and cross-subsidization issues; and accident studies. Several studies on advanced system development involve partnerships with Colorado’s high-tech industry.

Center for Geotechnical Engineering Science

Director: Nien-Yin Chang
Associate Director: Brian Brady
Telephone: 303-556-2362

The Center for Geotechnical Engineering Science aims to advance the understanding of the safety, reliability, performance and environmental impact of engineered geostructures. Resolutions of geostructural and geoenvironmental remediation problems are addressed through research sponsored by public funding agencies and private industry. The center seeks the opportunity for cooperative research with other institutions. Research interests include soil-structure interaction (SSI) effects on the response of structures under strong seismic shakings (high rises, bridges, retaining walls, deep foundations and other infrastructures); load and resistance factors designs (LRFD) of deep foundations; seismic responses of mechanically stabilized earth (MSE) structures; and expansive soils foundation designs.

The Center can provide technical expertise pertaining to expansive soil investigation, foundation designs, forensic investigation and rehabilitation of damaged structures. With billions of dollars lost due to expansive soil damage to structures, much is desired in formulating prediction mechanisms for expansive soil behaviors and design procedures for the mitigation of severe damage and technology for the rehabilitation of the damaged structures. Severe expansive soil problems have led to a Center research effort aimed at a better understanding of expansive soil mechanics, foundation performance and forensic investigation of the damage to structures (buildings, highways, airport taxiway and runway).  The Center promotes technology transfer through engineering education and public forums.

Center for Sustainable Infrastructure Systems

Director: Arunprakash Karunanithi
Telephone: 303-556-2370

The Center for Sustainable Infrastructure Systems (CSIS) is an interdisciplinary research center between the College of Engineering and Applied Science and the School of Public Affairs , bringing together engineers with professionals from science, public policy and health and business development for the advancement, rapid diffusion, review and redesign of resilient and sustainable infrastructure systems in society. There are four unique aspects of CSIS sustainable infrastructures research:

  • Systems Approach-integrating research across various infrastructures and/or sectors, with efficiency benchmarks in each sector to aid in scenario modeling and quantitative goal setting.
  • Multi-objective-taking into consideration infrastructure performance and its impact on people, prosperity and the planet
  • Outcomes and metrics driven
  • Considers people and processes-understanding the policy process and engaging with communities and institutions

In addition to conducting research, CSIS provides educational programs (curriculum, professional development and outreach); conducts outreach for development of sustainable infrastructure projects and activities; and develops and disseminates a body of knowledge related to CSIS.

Continuing Engineering Education Program

Program Manager: Heidi Utt
Telephone: 303-556-4907
Website:  ucdenver.edu/CEEP

Continuing Engineering Education Program (CEEP) courses are offered at convenient times and locations, are taught by academic and industry professionals, and are responsive to changing technologies. By addressing topics for both engineers and non-engineers, the curriculum supplies the knowledge, skills, and competitive edge required in many professional fields. Moreover, CEEP students finish with ready-to-apply expertise. Program disciplines encompass civil, electrical, mechanical, environmental, systems, information technology, project management and more, with a focus on key industry certifications, such as the FE, PE, CAPM, PMP, CCENT, CCNA, SCJP and others. Most CEEP offerings are non-credit Continuing Education Unit earning courses, although some courses are available for graduate credit. Visit the website at ucdenver.edu/CEEP for more information and a list of current offerings.

Programs of Study

Courses listed in the following curricula are typical illustrations. Changes in specific courses may be necessary to accommodate students’ needs and/or changes in institution requirements; students should take courses in logical sequence.