LSU College of Engineering Programs: Shaping the Future of Innovation

The College of Engineering at Louisiana State University (LSU) is dedicated to preparing individuals for impactful careers in engineering research, development, design, operation, or management within industry, business, education, and government. Consistent with the American Society for Engineering Education's definition of engineering, the college emphasizes the application of mathematical and natural sciences, gained through study, experience, and practice, to develop solutions that benefit mankind by utilizing natural resources economically.

Comprehensive Degree Offerings

The College encompasses seven degree-granting departments, alongside several advanced research centers, including:

Advanced Computational Solid Mechanics Lab
Center for Geoinformatics
Center for Rotating Machinery
Hazardous Substance Research Center (South and Southwest)
Louisiana Transportation Research Center
Louisiana Water Resources Research Institute
Energy Frontier Research Center
Gulf Coast Research Center for Evacuation and Transportation Resiliency
National Center for Advanced Manufacturing

In addition to traditional engineering disciplines, the College offers degrees in Computer Science and Construction Management, catering to a diverse range of interests and career aspirations.

Foundational Skills and Admission Requirements

Mathematical proficiency is paramount for engineers. Students planning to study engineering should prioritize mathematics courses in high school. Placement tests determine the appropriate starting point for university mathematics, and students who are not prepared for the prescribed freshman level may require additional time to complete their degree. A minimum grade of "C" is required in MATH 1550, MATH 1552, and PHYS 2110 before enrolling in engineering courses numbered above 2999, with individual departments potentially imposing more stringent requirements.

Admission to the university does not guarantee acceptance into the College of Engineering or a specific curriculum. Enrollment limitations may be necessary in certain departments. Students must achieve a grade of "C" or better in MATH 1550 or MATH 1551, or in both MATH 1530 and MATH 1540, to be automatically admitted to the College of Engineering from The Center for the Freshman Year (UCFY) and The Center for Advising and Counseling (UCAC). Transfer students with more than 60 hours attempted are evaluated based on their entire academic record. Transfer credits are accepted only if they satisfy courses in the College's curricula, and courses with grades of "D" earned outside LSU are not accepted for degree credit.

Undergraduate Programs

The College of Engineering offers a range of undergraduate programs designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary for success in their chosen fields. These programs include:

Biological and Agricultural Engineering

This field focuses on the intersection of engineering and biological systems, addressing challenges related to plants, animals, humans, and the environment. Specializations include bioprocessing and biomechanical engineering. The curriculum emphasizes applying engineering design principles to create or improve any type of system, product, or service, while also addressing safety concerns. This program addresses our traditional agricultural and coastal engineering emphasis.

Chemical Engineering

Chemical engineering deals with the design and operation of chemical processes, often involving chemical reactions or separations. Chemical engineers play a vital role in developing products and processes we use every day, from medical devices to new batteries. They design and oversee manufacturing processes in many industrial sectors.

Civil and Environmental Engineering

This program focuses on the design, construction, and maintenance of infrastructure, while also addressing environmental concerns. Key areas of study include the resilience of Louisiana and other coastal regions (soils, foundations, coastal subsidence, etc.) and geodesy (surveying). Civil engineering students must achieve a 2.00 average in all civil engineering (CE) and environmental engineering (EVEG) courses and on all work completed in the major field at U. S. institutions.

Computer Science

The computer science degree program provides a strong theoretical and applied background necessary for solving diverse problems related to software development. The curriculum covers core and applied/interdisciplinary areas.

Read also: Colby's Unique Engineering Program

Construction Management

This program equips students with the skills to manage complex construction processes effectively and efficiently, focusing on modeling, decision-making, and advanced productivity. Graduates are prepared for leadership roles in engineering, research, and industry.

Electrical and Computer Engineering

This broad field encompasses the design of products and systems that use electricity to run the modern world, including the distribution of electric energy, signals, and information. Electrical engineers may design components for a new medical device or cell phone. This program integrates knowledge from the fields of electrical engineering and computer science.

Industrial Engineering

Industrial engineering applies engineering design principles to improve systems, products, or services, focusing on efficiency and productivity. Industrial engineers work in companies of all sizes.

Mechanical Engineering

Mechanical engineering covers a wide breadth of topics, including sensors, tools, engines, and machines of all kinds. Mechanical engineers are involved in the design of both power-producing and power-consuming machines to fulfill their purpose and oversee manufacturing processes.

Petroleum Engineering

Petroleum engineering focuses on the design of systems for safe and efficient access to the earth’s subsurface. Emerging fields include carbon sequestration and geothermal energy.

Minors

Students can enhance their education by pursuing a minor in a second field. The specific requirements are determined by the department offering the minor, and students must maintain a minimum 2.00 LSU and cumulative GPA in the minor field (some minors may have higher GPA requirements). Minor options include:

Digital Media Arts and Engineering -Technology Minor: Requires 21 credit hours of coursework.
German for Engineers Minor: Requires a minimum of 18 credit hours of coursework, including specific German language courses and an approved internship/praxis option with relevant electives.
Robotics Engineering Minor: Requires 21 credit hours of coursework with a minimum GPA of 2.5 in the minor field and a grade of “C” or better in each of the minor courses, including mathematics, engineering, and computer science courses.

Graduate Programs

The College of Engineering offers Master of Science (MS), Master of Digital Media Arts and Engineering, and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degrees through the Graduate School.

Master of Science

The Master of Science program is primarily research-oriented and emphasizes fundamental theory. It is offered in various engineering disciplines, including engineering science, coastal and ecological engineering, construction management, computer science, and biological and agricultural, chemical, civil, electrical, industrial, mechanical, and petroleum engineering. Roughly evenly split between the MS and PhD programs, the Computer Science department is the highest of any department at LSU. Key graduate courses are offered in the early evening to meet the needs of part-time students already working in industry.

Doctor of Philosophy

The Doctor of Philosophy degree is awarded in chemical engineering, civil engineering, computer science, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, petroleum engineering, and engineering science. Seven PhD graduates per year and 10 master’s graduates per year.

Admission to Graduate Programs

Admission is open to students with and without baccalaureate engineering degrees. Those without engineering degrees can work toward a degree through the Donald W. Clayton program on a competitive basis. Applicants must apply through the online application site for the LSU Graduate School.

The Donald W. Clayton Program

The Donald W. Clayton program allows individuals with a bachelor's degree in a pure or applied science to pursue a master's degree in engineering. Students in this program must complete a thesis or, with approval from their graduate advisory committee, a project consisting of a three-credit hour course, a report, and an oral presentation to the committee. The program is housed in a $29.3 million facility.

Areas of Study in Engineering Science

The Engineering Science program allows students to design an area of study in engineering that may not be available through traditional departments. This includes interdisciplinary areas such as Information Technology Engineering and Materials Science and Engineering.

Additional Opportunities and Resources

Engineering Council: A college-wide student organization representing various professional and honorary student organizations.
LSU Olinde Career Center: Offers a cooperative education program in all curricula, providing students with valuable work experience through alternating periods of classroom attendance and employment.
Independent and Distance Learning Program (DPL): Allows students to take courses online, with approval from the Office of Engineering Student Services.

Policies and Procedures

Students seeking readmission to the College must submit an application for admission.
To earn a degree, students must complete a minimum of 30 hours of residence in the College of Engineering, including 15 hours of required major department courses or approved technical electives at the 3000- or 4000-level (nine of these hours must be at the 4000-level in the major).
Students holding a prior baccalaureate degree must complete a minimum of 30 semester hours while enrolled in the department granting the second degree and attain a minimum 2.00 GPA average on all work scheduled while enrolled in the College of Engineering and on all work subsequent to receipt of the first degree.
Students must initiate the checkout procedure with their departmental advisor in the semester prior to graduation.
All technical electives must have the approval of the chair of the engineering department in which the student registers. Remedial courses or courses preliminary to the first courses in engineering (e.g., MATH 1021, MATH 1022) are not allowed as electives.

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