VCU School of Engineering

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Virginia Commonwealth University
School of Engineering
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VCU Engineering West Hall, Monroe Park campus.
Type Public university
Established 1996
Dean Barbara D. Boyan, Ph.D.
Academic staff
64
Students 1576 (1,329 undergraduate/247 graduate) [1]
Undergraduates 1064 male (80%) 262 Female(20%)
Address
601 West Main Street Richmond, VA
, , ,
Campus Monroe Park Campus
Website http://www.egr.vcu.edu/

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Establishing a School of Engineering was a major initiative of the first phase of Virginia Commonwealth University's strategic planning process. The initiative was a response to workforce and economic development needs of Richmond and Central Virginia. In 1996, initial courses were offered in mechanical, electrical and chemical engineering. The school added a new undergraduate major in biomedical engineering in the fall of 1998. The undergraduate biomedical engineering program is unique in the commonwealth and responds to the growing presence of biomedical companies in Virginia. VCU's long-standing degree programs in Computer Science joined the School of Engineering in fall 2001. In May 2000, a graduate degree program in engineering was created and added to the historic graduate programs of biomedical engineering.[2]

Facilities

The first two of the School of Engineering's planned facilities opened in the fall of 1998 — the main classroom building and the Virginia Microelectronics Research Center. Together, they total 147,000 square feet (13,700 m2) at a cost of $42 million. To foster growth in enrollment and faculty number, the school embarked on an ambitious campaign to expand facilities, fund endowed scholarships, chairs, and academic programs. The campaign raised more than $67 million to meet these needs.[2]

Current facilities

147,000 square feet (13,700 m2) West Hall [3]
131,000 square feet (12,200 m2) East Hall
28,000 square feet (2,600 m2) Microelectronics Lab
25,000 square feet (2,300 m2) Health & Life Science Engineering Lab

In January 2008, the School opened East Hall, a 120,000-square-foot (11,000 m2) facility housing 48 research labs, 50 faculty offices, six classrooms, and other student spaces allowing for future growth of the School.[2]

Future expansion

According to the recent Masterplan published in February 2013 there are two future buildings planned for expansion of the School of Engineering

  • School of Engineering Vivarium — The first expansion will be at the NW corner of Cary St and Belvidere St where the current engineering parking lot exists. The 92,000 square feet (8,500 m2) building is estimated to cost 62.6 million.
  • School of Engineering expansion — The second phase will be at the NE corner of Cary St and Belvidere St, south of the School of Business building. The 94,000 square feet (8,700 m2) building is estimated to cost 47 million.[4]

Rankings

VCU Engineering, started in 1996 has seen tremendous growth and completely new facilities. William F. Goodwin, Chairman of the VCU School of Engineering Foundation Board of Trustees, has set an ambitious objective for the engineering program. He's aiming for "25 in 25"- a top 25 engineering-school rank within 25 years.[5] As of 2012, the Biomedical Engineering program is ranked 66th overall while the School of Engineering is ranked 144th.[6]

Departments

  • Biomedical Engineering[7]
  • Chemical and Life Science Engineering[8]
  • Electrical and Computer Engineering[9]
  • Computer Science[10]
  • Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering[11]

Statistics

Alumni: 2,936 [1]
2010 Freshman Class: 291
2011 Freshman Class: 286
2011 Freshman Admit SAT Mid 50%: 1190 - 1350
2011 Freshman Admit SAT Average: 1280
Fall 2009 Freshmen returning as Sophomores: 80%

Placement after Graduation: 64% full-time employment, 36% Graduate School

Top Employers of Alumni: Mistubishi nuclear energy, Thomas & Betts Power, Altria, MWV, TRANE, and Infilco Degremont.

Student diversity

White - 750 students (57%) [1]
Asian - 217 students (16%)
Black/African American - 143 students (11%)
International - 87 students (7%)
Hispanic/Latino - 54 students (4%)
Two or More Races - 41 students (3%)
Unknown - 24 students (2%)
Native American/Alaskan - 3 students
Hawaiian/Pacific Islander - 1 student

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 History - VCU Engineering Archived July 20, 2011 at the Wayback Machine
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  4. http://wp.vcu.edu/vcu2020/files/2013/02/BOVFeb13MPFinal2.pdf
  5. [1] Archived December 26, 2009 at the Wayback Machine
  6. http://www.vcu.edu/ranking/
  7. [2] Archived October 12, 2011 at the Wayback Machine
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