College of Engineering

University of South Florida
College of Engineering
4202 E. Fowler Ave ENB118
Tampa, FL 33620

Web address: http://www2.eng.usf.edu/

Phone: 813-974-3780
Fax: 813-974-0460
Email: n/a

Mission Statement

The mission of the USF College of Engineering is to improve the quality of life in our community by providing a high quality education for our engineering graduates and practicing professionals; by creating new knowledge and solving real world problems via innovative research; and by engaging in effective community service and outreach.

What We Do

At the graduate level students work in close collaboration with faculty, pursuing advanced topics within their disciplines, which will result in advancements in their fields and society-at-large.

Utilizing the expertise of its individual and collective faculty, the College is dedicated to the development of new fundamental knowledge and processes or procedures, which will benefit all humanity. The College promotes multi-disciplinary approaches, commitment to life-long learning, and awareness of societal issues, which are requisite for meeting technological challenges.

The College provides technical assistance and technology transfer to the region, state and nation. In all facets of teaching, research, and service, the College emphasizes close liaisons with industry and government to provide students and faculty with the skills and perspectives needed to ensure effective technological leadership.

College Requirements

General Major Requirements

The requirements for graduate degrees from the College of Engineering consist of University requirements, College requirements, and Major requirements. For University requirements, refer to the Office of Graduate Studies Policies and Procedures. College requirements are listed below. Refer to the degree sections for other requirements.

Master’s Degree Programs

The Master’s degree is awarded for advanced study beyond the baccalaureate degree within an area of specialty. The College of Engineering offers several majors leading to degrees at the master’s level.

Master of Science in Designated Engineering Field - This degree is normally awarded to a Master’s graduate who holds a Bachelor’s degree in the designated field. Some majors offer this degree in two options: (1) thesis option (30 credits), and (2) non-thesis option (30 credits).

College of Engineering Requirements for Master’s Degree

1. A thesis major contains a minimum of 6 credit hours of thesis. (If a student transfers from a thesis major to an all coursework major, no thesis hours may be transferred, converted or counted toward the degree.)
2. Non-thesis major requirements vary according to department but must contain a minimum of 30 credits of approved coursework.
3. Students must maintain an overall grade point average of 3.00. No grade below “C” will be accepted in a graduate major. If a student’s average falls below 3.00, the student will be placed on probation.
4. Most majors require students to pass a final oral or written comprehensive examination prior to receiving the degree. These examinations are arranged and administered by the student’s department.

Bachelor’s/Master’s Degrees Pathways

Students who are clearly interested in graduate study are invited to pursue an Bachelor’s/Master’s Pathway   leading to a Bachelor’s Degree and Master’s degree in the College of Engineering. Students in the Pathway may apply up to 12 credit hours of graduate level coursework, which must be approved by the Graduate Coordinator, to count towards both degrees.
Students apply for admission to this major through their advisors, who should be consulted regarding additional requirements. Several factors, which vary by academic department, are considered for admission.

Doctoral Degree Majors

The Doctor of Philosophy degree is awarded in recognition of demonstrated scholarly competence and ability to conduct and report original and significant research. Unlike the baccalaureate and Master’s degrees, the Ph.D. degree cannot be earned by an accumulation of course credits over a period of residence alone. After adequate fundamental preparation to gain competence, the student must demonstrate research capability through completion of an authoritative investigation in the chosen engineering field, culminating in a written dissertation. The dissertation must demonstrate that the student possesses the ability to reason logically, the talent for engaging in significant and original research, and the ability to organize and present conclusions in a professional manner.

Doctor of Philosophy in Designated Engineering Field - This degree is awarded to students pursuing a major in one of the following Engineering disciplines: Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Computer Science and Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Industrial Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering. Students receiving this degree must demonstrate a thorough foundation in the designated discipline.

College of Engineering Requirements for Doctoral Degrees

1. Supervisory Committee. An advisor will be appointed by the chair of the appropriate department or major for each student during the first semester of registration at the University of South Florida. The advisor will help determine the student’s area of research interest and will delineate preliminary course assignments. At the earliest possible date, a major professor will be appointed and a supervisory committee formed. This committee will monitor the student’s program of studies and has full responsibility for conducting the student’s qualifying examination. The Supervisory Committee consists of a minimum of five members. One member of the committee must be outside the College of Engineering. (The requirement may be waived if special reasons exist and prior approval is obtained from the Engineering Associate Dean for Academic Affairs.) A majority of the committee will be from the College of Engineering, with at least two departments of the College represented.
2. Credit Hours. A minimum of 72 hours beyond the baccalaureate degree, including a minimum of 20 hours of dissertation, and a minimum of 30 hours of coursework (excluding independent study and directed research) is required by the College. Further requirements may be imposed by the candidate’s doctoral major and supervisory committee. See individual majors for specific requirements.
3. Learning Focus. Throughout the student’s program of study, independent learning will be emphasized. For the first time in the participant’s career, in most cases, the student will be responsible for mastering a new domain of knowledge without the aid of organized lectures and textbooks. The principal information source will be current literature. Such experience is a necessary preparation for a meaningful career in engineering and other fields where the professional must keep pace with a large, ever-changing body of knowledge.
4. Qualifying Examination. A qualifying examination, conducted by the supervisory committee, will be taken by each Ph.D. student as soon as a substantial majority of coursework is completed.
5. Admission to Candidacy. Students must be admitted to candidacy before they register for dissertation. Before admission to candidacy, students must have officially formed a Ph.D. Supervisory Committee and passed the qualifying examination of paragraph 4. Once admitted to candidacy students must enroll for a minimum of 2 credit hours each semester of the academic year until completion of major.
6. Dissertation Research. The student must carry out an investigation resulting in an original and significant contribution to the knowledge in the field of research. The requirement of uniqueness means that the dissertation research will provide an important creative experience for the student. As the final stage of the student’s major, the candidate must prepare a written dissertation covering the research. Students in the Ph.D. major must take an appropriate number of doctoral dissertation credits, but not less than 20 hours; the exact number is determined by department and/or individual requirements. The defense of the dissertation will conform to Office of Graduate Studies general rules.
7. Residency. Minimum residency requirements may be satisfied by completing the University’s minimal requirement at the University of South Florida. 

Collaboration with Other Colleges and Departments

Advanced study and research challenges exist at the interfaces between engineering and other academic disciplines. 

Examples include:

• surface physics and chemistry applied to semiconductor processing technology; semiconductor physics applied to VLSI and analog integrated circuit design; 
• optimization and transportation, data analytics and physical infrastructure; 
• machine learning and cybersecurity; 
• chemical processing and its relation to chemical principles; 
• environmental engineering and chemical identification of minute impurities;
• environmental and transportation engineering and its relation to public health and public administration; 
• environmental and water resources engineering, public health, anthropology, integrative biology and geosciences to address complex socio-environmental problems; 
• engineering and medicine, Moffitt, pharmacy, and physical therapy; 
• biomedical engineering; and 
• cybersecurity. 

The College collaborates with other academic units of the University in research activities and selectively educates students to become proficient in such interdisciplinary fields.

Programs may be viewed on the Programs by College/Department  page.