School of Engineering Accreditation

Degree Programs

• Computer Engineering (B.S., M.S.)
• Computer Science (B.S., M.S.)
• Electrical Engineering (M.S.)
• Mechanical Engineering (M.S.)
• Technology Management (M.S.)

Mission Statement

The University of Bridgeport School of Engineering is both an education provider and a knowledge resource. Our clients are students, the companies that hire them, and various other institutions in Bridgeport and the surrounding region, the United States, and all parts of the world. In the programs we offer, we are responsive to the technology-driven evolving trend in the workplace toward concurrent processes involving design, engineering, and technical project management, while providing a sound foundation built upon fundamental knowledge. We promote creativity and emphasize a team approach to problem-solving. Among institutions in the Northeast, we are uniquely positioned to offer integrated engineering curricula. Graduates of our programs possess broad knowledge, professional training, learning skills, and leadership ability that enable their success in an evolving global economy and allow for the betterment of the communitites in which they live.

Undergraduate

The Computer Engineering program prepares graduates for the practice of engineering at the entry level and helps graduates develop the ability to pursue a course of lifelong learning. A secondary aim is to provide a foundation for those interested in and qualified to pursue graduate studies.The program emphasizes a sound broad-based interdisciplinary technical education, with the integration of the practice of engineering design throughout the curriculum. The program in Computer Science prepares students to solve theoretical and applied problems relating to programming and programming applications. Acquiring both skills and fundamental knowledge is stressed in the curriculum. An additional goal is to provide students an excellent foundation for advanced study in graduate programs.

Graduate

The graduate offerings of the School of Engineering are intended for those who wish to enhance their expertise with an emphasis on professional applications. Accordingly all programs for the Master of Science degree require at least one of the following: comprehensive examination, writing a thesis based on independent research, or completion of an appropriate special project.

Accreditation

All degree programs in the School of Engineering are licensed and accredited by the State of Connecticut Department of Higher Education and the New England Association of Schools and Colleges. The Bachelor of Science degree program in Computer Engineering is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology

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Admission Criteria and Procedures

Undergraduate Engineering

Students who perform well in the undergraduate programs are generally found to have met the following criteria:

A. SAT scores of 530(R) verbal and 560(R) math; or composite ACT score of 22.
B. Grade point average of "B", (2.5) or better.
C. Rank in the top half of the high school graduating class.
D. Four years of mathematics; two lab sciences and an additional science unit in high school.

At the discretion of the Admissions Committee, students who meet two out of the above standards can be admitted into the major.

Graduate Engineering

Candidates for admission to the graduate programs of the School of Engineering and Design must present the following for review:

A. Bachelor of Science degree or its equivalent in Engineering or related applied sciences from an accredited institution or recognized international institution.
B. Two letters of recommendation.
C. 2.8 recommended grade point average.
D. Demonstrated capacity for independent study and the ability to pursue graduate level work

For information concerning undergraduate and graduate admission procedures, please refer to the section on University Admissions.

General Criteria for Degrees from the School of Engineering

Upon recommendation of the faculty of the School of Engineering the University of Bridgeport will award the Bachelor's degree to the student of good character who fulfills the following minimum requirements, in addition to those listed in the chapter on Academic Regulations.

1. Participation in such departmental seminars as the faculty prescribes.
2. Earning the total semester hours required for the individual curriculum as listed in the following pages.
3. Earning a "C-" or better in every course in the major and with a cumulative average of 2.0 in the major courses.

Each department designates the courses to be included in the major and decides the procedure necessary to remove each deficiency, including any "D" in a major course. When a course is a prerequisite to another, a "C-" or better in the prerequisite course may also be a requirement.

Requirements for the Master of Science Degrees

ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE

Students in a degree program who do not maintain a satisfactory record will be separated from the Graduate School. Normally, the accumulation of one "F" grade, or more than one "D" grade, or more than three "C" grades will result in separation.

COURSE LEVELS

400-499-Open to graduate students and to qualified undergraduates.500-599- Open to graduate students only.

TIME LIMITATION AND PROGRAM CONTINUITY

All requirements for the degree of Master of Science must be completed within six years (twelve consecutive semesters) of the effective start of an approved graduate program of study. Once a program is initiated, the student must maintain continuous enrollment until completion.

Under certain circumstances, a student may be granted permission to interrupt his/her program by petitioning the director in writing, stating the underlying circumstances. Program interruption without formal permission will constitute grounds for dismissal from the Graduate School.

DEGREE PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

All students studying for the Master of Science degree must have on file an approved program of study on the form provided. Programs of study are worked out between the student and his/her advisor to meet both the student's desires and the graduate faculty's philosophy of an integrated program. The program of study must carry the approval of the chair of the department awarding the degree. Changes in the approved program of study must be approved by the student's program advisor and the department Chair.

GENERAL THESIS REGULATIONS

Students are encouraged to include a thesis investigation in their approved program of study. Accumulation of thesis semester hours and work done during a thesis investigation must be continuous up to the time of its completion. Only those students designated as regular graduate students who have satisfied the following requirements will be permitted to accumulate thesis credits. During the semester prior to that in which the student desires to initiate his/ her thesis investigation, he/she must have:

1. Included a thesis investigation in his/ her approved program of study;
2. Sought and obtained a member of the graduate faculty who agrees to act as his/her thesis advisor;
3. Submitted a completed thesis investigation form to the department in which the degree is to be awarded;
4. Obtained a Thesis Committee, appointed by the department chair, consisting of three members of the graduate faculty (including the advisor as committee chair).

Students should obtain a copy of "Specifications for Master's Thesis" from the office of the department chair which describes requirements in detail.

All theses in Engineering must be presented at a faculty-graduate seminar. It is the student's responsibility to ensure that this requirement is fulfilled, and that written notice of the presentation is distributed to all interested persons at least one week before the event.

Students who are in the process of completing a thesis are required to register for at least two semester hours of thesis in each semester, including summer, that they actively engage in that activity under faculty guidance. Semester hours thus accumulated that total more than the approved program-of-study requirement are not counted toward the degree.

Upon successful completion of the thesis, and acceptance by the Thesis Committee, provided all other requirements in the program of study are completed, the student becomes eligible for the degree.

Completion of Master's Degree

The Master of Science degree will be awarded only to those students successfully completing the following requirements:

1. A minimum of 30 semester hours with a QPR of "B" or better in an approved program of study. The number of semester hours which may be transferred from another institution is an individual matter that will be reviewed by the major department, but is normally no more than 6 semester hours (8 semester hours in the case of laboratory courses).
2. Satisfactory completion of the state licensure requirements as prescribed by the faculty of the major department, and a favorable recommendation from the faculty upon review of the student's program and performance, after the student has made formal application for a Master's diploma.

When the degree is completed with a thesis, a minimum of eight courses of three semester hours each are required for the Master of Science degree in Electrical Engineering or Mechanical Engineering. For the Master of Science degree in Technology Management, nine courses of three semester hours each plus six semester hours (minimum) of thesis are required; for students holding the Bachelor of Science in Manufacturing Engineering or Industrial Engineering from an approved program, this requirement may be reduced to eight courses of three semester hours each, plus six semester hours (minimum) of thesis.

Cooperative Education Program

The School of Engineering offers an optional cooperative education program. See the Cooperative Education section of this Catalog for further information.

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