students working in lab

School of Engineering + Technology

Whether in concept design and development or in applications and manufacturing, students in programs offered by WCU's School of Engineering + Technology work enjoy small classes with outstanding faculty members who bring industry and business expertise to the classroom. Our programs emphasize the hands-on application of theoretical and technical concepts through project-based learning, and students work on real-world assignments with companies across Western North Carolina, and beyond, through our nationally recognized Rapid Center.
Cristian Trujillo Tavera | Mechanical Engineering

 

Undergraduate Degree Programs

student working in lab
CONCENTRATIONS: Comprehensive, Electric Power & Energy, and Computer Engineering
student working with robot
CONCENTRATIONS: Civil, Industrial, and Robotics & Automation
student working in lab
CONCENTRATION: Applied Systems Technology

 

student and professor working in lab

Master of Science in Engineering Technology

The Master of Science in Engineering Technology focuses on enhancing technical knowledge and management skills necessary in our competitive technology-intensive world. This program combines qualitative approaches and quantitative techniques in a balanced curriculum that strengthens problem-solving skills and managerial competence. 

Explore the Program

 

 

Engage and Excel

Explore hands-on learning and opportunities that take your education beyond the classroom at WCUin the panels below.

As part of the School of Engineering + Technology's focus on project-based learning, students are required to participate in a two-semester senior capstone project. Working under the guidance of faculty and industry mentors, teams of two-to-four seniors tackle complex, real-world challenges proposed by industry sponsors who have been invited by The Rapid Center.

Working with course instructors, a faculty mentor, and a mentor selected by the project sponsor, teams will use a multidisciplinary approach including electrical engineering, electrical and computer engineering technology and engineering technology. To simulate a real work environment, teams use a stage/gate process, progressing from a project proposal to a minimum of three conceptual designs; continuing to a preliminary design review, a critical design review, and fabrication and testing of a prototype or proof of concept; and finishing with a wrap-up of documentation, test results and modifications, if needed, to resolve any issues revealed through testing.

Students gain valuable experience by working on a real industry-sponsored project; analyzing and solving engineering problems; learning teamwork and presentation skills; setting goals, specifying deliverables and meeting deadlines; testing and modifying their work; and achieving measurable results. The proof that students can apply what they are learning will give them a distinct advantage in launching a career or applying for graduate school.

The College of Engineering is unique in making project based learning an integral part of the entire curriculum. From a student's first day on campus, our faculty and staff are committed to providing both instruction in the fundamentals of the courses they teach and guidance in how to apply the fundamentals to solve problems, improve processes and create new knowledge. As a result, our graduates have a distinct advantage, based on the theory they have learned and the experience they have gained, when they go on to advanced studies or begin to work in their chosen careers.

Our students work with other students, faculty and staff, corporate partners and project sponsors to solve problems and find solutions that will have impact. We have undergraduates who are receiving patents and getting their work published in prestigious journals. A significant number of our graduates have gone on to earn prestigious fellowships for study at the masters and Ph.D. levels.

Working before graduation is a great way to earn money and gain experience. Internships are the most popular option. Students work in professional environments with engineers on practical problems. What you gain supports academic studies and professional preparation. Internships involve design, manufacturing, and testing. Internships are offered by many companies across the region, state, and nation. Companies require interns from all programs in the school. Industries include aerospace, automotive, medical, electronics, utilities, and defense agencies.

The School of Engineering + Technology supports students in the internship process. The Project-Based Learning core prepares all students with professional skills for the workplace and technical applications. Regional employers seek students through campus career fairs, college social media, and on-campus recruiting events. The Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓÆµCenter for Career and Professional Development provides numerous resources including resume preparation, practice interviews, employment opportunities, and professional practice seminars.

The School of Engineering + Technology at Ä¢¹½¶ÌÊÓÆµ has several student chapters of national engineering societies. Activities include meetings, guest speakers, trips, competitions, service projects, leadership opportunities, scholarships, networking, career guidance and more.

Professional engineering societies can support students while in school and in their future careers. These societies help members stay informed, connected, and growing professionally. They coordinate public outreach, education and service opportunities. Several of the professional societies provide scholarship, internship, and job opportunities for students.

WCU's School of Engineering + Technology has Student Chapters of the following professional engineering societies:

Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE)

  • For more information on how to join, please visit the  or contact Adam Harris.

Society of Automotive Engineering International (SAE)

  • For more information on how to join, please visit the  or contact Tom Spendlove.

American Society of Mechanical Engineering (ASME)

  • For more information on how to join, please visit the  or contact Matt Clontz.

National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE)

  • For more information on how to join, please visit the   or contact Paul Yanik.

Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME)

Society of Hispanic Professional Engineering (SHPE)

  • For more information on how to join, please visit the  or contact Scott Pierce

Tau Beta Pi The Engineering Honor Society (TBP)

  • For more information on how to join, please visit the  or contact Martin Tanaka

 

Faculty

       
Stone, Wesley Department Head/Director, Professor Mechanical and Manufacturing wstone@wcu.edu 828.227.2181
Abdallah, Abdallah Associate Professor abdallah@wcu.edu 828.227.2804
Alsayyed, Basel Assistant Professor, Engineering Technology Program Director alsayyed@wcu.edu 828.227.2745
Borra, Chaitanya Assistant Professor, Mechanical Engineering vborra@wcu.edu 828.227.2069
Clontz, Matthew Assistant Professor clontzm@wcu.edu 828.227.3118
Denton, Jerry Instructor, Lab Supervisor, Electrical Engineering jdenton@wcu.edu 828.227.2516
Dietz, Gretchen Assistant Professor, Engineering Discover Director gdietz@wcu.edu 828.227.2352
EisaZadeh, Hamid Assistant Professor heisazadeh@wcu.edu 828.227.2437
 Elgarhy, Islam Assistant Professor  ielgarhy@wcu.edu  828.227.2216 
Ferguson, Chip Professor, Mechanical Engineering cferguson@wcu.edu 828.227.7368
Harb, Samir Farag Assistant Professor of Practice sharb@wcu.edu 828.227.2150
Harris, Adam Assistant Professor, Electrical and Computer Engineering adamharris@wcu.edu 828.227.2168
Kandil, Tarek Assistant Professor, Electrical Engineering thassankandil@wcu.edu 828.227.2543
Karayaka, Bora Professor, Electrical Power hbkarayaka@wcu.edu 828.227.2472
Kim, Namhee Assistant Professor nkim@wcu.edu 828.227.2153
Muth, Timm Assistant Professor of Practice mutht@wcu.edu 828.227.2207
Pierce, Scott Associate Professor, Mechanical Engineering rspierce@wcu.edu 828.227.2175
Ritenour, Andrew Associate Professor, Electrical and Computer Engineering Program Director aritenour@wcu.edu 828.227.2177
Rowe, Scott Assistant Professor, Mechanical Engineering srowe@wcu.edu 828.227.2439
Shehan, Josh Assistant Professor jshehan@wcu.edu 828.227.2347
Spendlove, Tom Assistant Professor of Practice, Engineering (AST) tspendlove@wcu.edu 828.227.2238
Sun, Zeyi "Joe" Assistant Professor zsun@wcu.edu 828.227.2280
Tanaka, Martin Professor, Engineering Program Director mtanaka@wcu.edu 828.227.2561
Thompson, Amber Associate Professor of Practice, Distance Learning Program Coordinator acthompson@wcu.edu 828.227.2517
Torabi, Mona Assistant Professor mtorabi@wcu.edu 828.227.2438
Yan, Yanjun Professor, Electrical Engineering Program Director yyan@wcu.edu 828.227.2648
Yang, Weiguo "Bill" Professor, Electrical Engineering wyang@wcu.edu 828.227.2693
Yanik, Paul Interim Associate Dean, Professor, Electrical and Computer Engineering pyanik@wcu.edu 828.227.2166
Zhang, Yang Associate Professor, Mechanical Engineering, Graduate Program Director yzhang@wcu.edu 828.227.2564
Adams, Robert Emeritus, Retired - '23 radams@wcu.edu  
Ball, Aaron Emeritus, Retired - '16 ballaaron@wcu.edu  
Desain, George Emeritus, Retired - '05 desain@wcu.edu