Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering Programs: A Comprehensive Overview
Established in 1910, the University of Florida's Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering (UF-HWCOE) stands as one of the nation's largest and most dynamic engineering programs. This article provides a detailed overview of the college's programs, resources, and opportunities for prospective and current students.
Academics and Degree Programs
The Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering offers a wide array of degree programs spanning various engineering disciplines. These programs are designed to provide students with a strong foundation in engineering principles and prepare them for successful careers in their chosen fields.
The college has responsibility for teaching all computer courses included in computer-related degree programs at the University of Florida. Computer Engineering (CPE) is a joint program of the Computer and Information Science and Engineering (CISE) and the Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) departments. Qualified students can pursue a bachelor’s and a master’s degree concurrently.
The college offers the following courses:
- MS in Computer Engineering
- M.Eng in Chemical Engineering
- Master in Biomedical Engineering
- MS in Aerospace Engineering
- M.Eng in Civil Engineering
- M. Eng in Mechanical Engineering
- M.Eng in Industrial and Systems Engineering
- MS in Electrical and Computer Engineering
- M. Eng in Electrical and Computer Engineering
- M.Eng in Materials Science Engineering
- MS in Mechanical Engineering
- MS in Industrial and Systems Engineering
- MS in Materials Science Engineering
- MS in Digital Arts and Sciences
- MEng in Computer Engineering
- MS in Chemical Engineering
- M.Eng in Geographic Information System
- M.Eng in Hydrologic Sciences
- M.Eng in Wetland Sciences
- MS in Geographic Information Systems
- M.Eng in Environmental Engineering Sciences
- M.Eng in Nuclear Engineering Sciences
- MS in Environmental Engineering Sciences
- MS in Hydrologic Sciences
- MS in Artificial Intelligence Systems
- M.S.
Here's a glimpse into some of the specific programs:
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- Aerospace Engineering: This program focuses on the design, construction, and operation of aircraft and spacecraft, addressing the need for improved performance at lower costs. The B.S., M.S., M.E. and Ph.D. are offered.
- Agricultural and Biological Engineering: This interdisciplinary field applies engineering principles to the biological sciences, focusing on the production of biofuels, food, fiber, and other agricultural commodities from renewable resources.
- Biomedical Engineering: This program combines engineering expertise with biology and medicine to enhance healthcare through innovative solutions. Biomedical engineers use traditional engineering expertise to analyze and solve problems in biology and medicine, providing an overall enhancement of health care. Students choose biomedical engineering to serve people, to work with living systems and to apply advanced technology to the complex problems of medical care.
- Chemical Engineering: This field explores the design of processes for diverse products, including consumer goods, pharmaceuticals, and semiconductors, addressing challenges across various industries. As a chemical engineer, you’ll explore a range of dynamic career paths. From designing processes for diverse products like consumer goods, pharmaceuticals, and semiconductors to tackling challenges across many industries, chemical engineers employ a blend of science and mathematics. This expertise extends from nanoscale materials to large-scale industrial operations.
- Civil Engineering: As the oldest and most diverse branch of engineering, civil engineering adapts the physical features of the earth to societal needs. Civil engineering is the oldest and most diverse branch of engineering. Broadly defined, civil engineers adapt the physical features of the earth to the needs of society.
- Coastal and Oceanographic Engineering: This program focuses on the design and development of equipment for harsh ocean environments, enabling the collection of valuable data. Coastal and oceanographic engineering is closely tied to other marine disciplines such as marine biology, oceanography, and marine geology, Ocean engineers design and develop equipment that functions in the harsh conditions of the ocean environment to allow the collection of valuable data.
- Computer Science: This program combines a strong technical foundation with interdisciplinary components and emphasizes communication skills. The computer science program combines a strong engineering-oriented technical basis with a flexible interdisciplinary component and an emphasis on communication skills.
- Environmental Engineering: This field applies engineering and scientific principles to protect human health and the environment. Environmental engineers apply engineering and scientific principles to protect and preserve human health and the environment.
- Human-Centered Computing (HCC): HCC draws on the disciplines of digital media, engineering psychology, assistive technologies, architecture, industrial and systems engineering, industrial design, music, and public policy to name a few.
- Industrial and Systems Engineering: This program focuses on improving efficiency by considering both human and material elements. Industrial and systems engineers specialize in improving efficiency. They are trained to have a broad perspective and understand the big picture, taking into account human as well as material elements.
- Materials Science and Engineering: This field focuses on the composition of materials used in various applications, from computer chips to skyscrapers. Everything we use is composed of materials, from computer chips to flexible concrete skyscrapers, from plastic bags to artificial hips, from fiber optic cables to automobiles.
- Mechanical Engineering: This program involves the design, manufacture, testing, and marketing of devices that convert energy into motion. Mechanical engineers are involved in the conception, design, manufacture, testing and marketing of any device that converts energy into motion.
- **Engineering Education: ** The Department of Engineering Education specializes in engineering education research and the delivery of innovative and effective instructional methods in engineering undergraduate courses, as well as assessment. The EED faculty design and teach large enrollment undergraduate engineering courses that span multiple majors using methods that promote conceptual understanding and student retention.
Admissions and Enrollment
Admission to the Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering is selective and based on the applicant's overall record. Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission.
The application deadline is rolling. The application fee is $30 for Florida residents and $30 for international students.
- Minimum High School Preparation: Students should possess a strong foundation in mathematics and sciences. Minimum high school preparation should include the basics outlined below.
- General Education and Foundation Coursework: Students must complete General Education and prescribed foundation coursework in Mathematics and the Physical and Biological Sciences before pursuing junior or senior-level courses in the college. All courses used to satisfy General Education requirements must be taken for a letter grade and a minimum grade of C is required.
- Transfer Students: Florida state college students with an Associate of Arts degree and required technical foundation courses in calculus, differential equations, chemistry, and physics with calculus are eligible to apply for transfer. All students who transfer from four-year institutions must meet the general admission requirements of the university. In addition, students must meet the college’s admission requirements to transfer directly into an engineering program. Transfer students are expected to graduate from the major to which they were admitted.
- Critical Tracking: Complete critical-tracking courses in calculus, differential equations, chemistry, and physics with calculus with minimum grades of C in each course and a minimum GPA specified for the intended major (as computed on the last of a maximum of two attempts allowed for each course, including withdrawals).
- Postbaccalaureate Students: A student with a baccalaureate degree who wants to meet specific requirements for admission to graduate school may be admitted as a postbaccalaureate student.
International Students
International applicants must have an equivalent Bachelor’s degree from a recognised institution. They must demonstrate academic excellence, relevant research experience, and alignment with their chosen field of study, as the college values diverse backgrounds and experiences. Irrespective of their chosen programme, they must use the UF graduate school application on CollegeNET. Indicate their preferred college and major within the admission application provided by the University of Florida. It is important to check the departments of graduate programmes students are interested in for additional requirements, admission deadlines, and guidelines, as these may vary per department. Proof of proficiency in English (e.g.
International students can use the UF’s Career Connections Center which offers guidance, advisory services, and workshops to assist international students in honing their job search abilities and identifying job prospects in the US or elsewhere. Additionally, the College organises career fairs to help international students connect with prospective employers and network to find job opportunities.
Prodigy Finance offers borderless financing to international students. There is no need to provide guarantors, collateral, or cosigners. Furthermore, there are no hidden fees! Our loan facilities include no penalties for early repayment and a 6-month grace period after graduating from full-time study.
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Tuition and Fees
Tuition for full-time students is $10,770 per year for in-state residents and $27,335 per year for out-of-state residents. Part-time tuition is $449 per credit for in-state residents and $1,139 per credit for out-of-state residents.
Student Support and Resources
The Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering provides numerous resources to support students' academic, professional, and personal growth.
- First Year Advising: First year engineering students receive individualized academic, career, and personal coaching from the Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering's professional academic advisors in the comprehensive First Year Advising program. One-on-one and small group sessions are offered to assist students in identifying majors, resources, and opportunities that will enhance their personal, professional, and academic goals. First Year students receive academic advising through the Center for Student Excellence. All first year students complete a required First Year Engineering Advising course designed to teach them how to navigate their academic planning and successfully transition from high school to college. Students who successfully complete their first year are transitioned to their major department for advising in their second year and beyond. Engineering Peer Advisors are also available to answer questions, discuss student organizations and design teams, and provide mentoring to new students.
- STEP-UP Program: STEP-UP is a multifaceted bridge program designed to promote academic and personal success among entering engineering students throughout their first year (Summer B, Fall, and Spring). This program combines faculty and peer mentoring with team-building, industry involvement, and academic enhancement classes in engineering foundation courses.
- Career Connections Center: Professional development guidance is available from academic advisors, faculty, and the Career Connections Center. Visit the Career Connections Center in the J. The division informs students of educational opportunities such as scholarships, co-op and internship opportunities, and available campus resources.
- HWCOE International Engineering Programs: HWCOE International Engineering Programs offers students the opportunity to participate in international experiences, through study, research, internship, and service learning abroad. Students can study abroad for a semester and take major classes or participate in a summer program to gain research or internship experiences. There are more than 40 semester-long exchange programs in more than 20 countries that offer engineering classes in English to help students stay on track for their academic program. Every engineering student has a unique academic plan, and the college works with individual students to customize their international experience. With department approval, a student can receive practical industry work experience under supervision. Students can receive credit for research work by registering for EGN 4912.
- Changing Majors: Students who want to change to an engineering major in terms 1-2 must meet with an advisor in the HWCOE Center for Student Excellence. Students who want to change to an engineering major in terms 3-5 must meet with an advisor in the department that offers the desired major. Students must meet the critical tracking criteria for their engineering major of choice. The further along a student is, the harder it will be to change majors and progress towards graduation in a timely fashion.
- Flexible Learning Courses: An enrolled engineering student will not be permitted to register for flexible learning courses unless approved by the college. Engineering students interested in taking a flexible learning course must first consult with their academic advisor. The student must have a cumulative UF GPA of 2.0 or better. A minimum grade of C is required for credit in a flexible learning course.
- Honors and Accelerated Courses: Honors and accelerated courses can be taken in place of their regular tracking counterparts. A prerequisite for any college course can be met by an honors or accelerated equivalent. Accelerated physics and honors chemistry courses are not restricted to students in the honors program, but honors calculus courses are controlled by the university honors program.
- Independent Study: Under certain circumstances, credit toward graduation may be obtained through independent study by registering for a course carrying a department prefix. A student cannot apply more than eight credits of independent study toward a degree program, including magna cum laude or summa cum laude honors projects, co-op work experience, practical work experience, and special problems or special topics.
- Petitions: Students who have an extenuating circumstance that prevents them from adhering to a college regulation may petition for an exception. The HWCOE petitions committee reviews petition requests weekly. College petitions to drop courses beyond the allotted number will be approved only when circumstances beyond the student’s control prevented the satisfactory completion of a course.
- Academic Probation: An undergraduate student whose university, upper-division, or department grade point average falls below 2.00 will be placed on academic probation. An undergraduate student who is off-track for their major will be placed on critical tracking probation. Students on probation will be allowed up to two semesters to attain good academic standing and are expected to make satisfactory academic progress in probation semesters. Students may not be on probation for more than two semesters during their undergraduate program. A student who fails to meet the conditions of probation must petition their department to be allowed to continue in the major. As a condition of probation, students must see an academic advisor at designated intervals to review progress toward meeting the conditions of probation.
- ROTC Programs: Engineering students can enroll in the advanced ROTC programs offered by the Army, Navy, and Air Force.
- Grading Policy: All courses taken at the university to satisfy engineering degree requirements, General Education, and Writing Requirements must be taken for letter grade, unless the course is offered only on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory (S/U) basis. A minimum grade of C is required for each tracking course. Some departments require a grade higher than C in critical tracking courses. All grade point averages are based on a 4.0 scale. If a student feels that their performance in a course has not been evaluated accurately, the situation should be discussed with the instructor.
- Technical Coursework: Technical coursework is required of all students. This coursework also satisfies the Mathematics and Physical and Biological Science categories of the General Education requirement. Generally, all technical coursework must be completed or be in final progress before a student can register for junior or senior-level engineering courses.
- Critical Tracking Criteria: The Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering has established tracking criteria for all programs. Students must fulfill the performance criteria for their program’s tracking courses. Students who are off-track will be placed on probation. Students may repeat a maximum of three critical tracking courses. Students must meet the minimum critical tracking GPA for their specific major to continue to the upper-division engineering program. 1 Calculus and chemistry placement will be determined by student scores on the online ALEKS assessment test, which is required for all engineering students. 2 Industrial and systems engineering majors: CHM 2045 is not required for tracking; however, it is required for graduation. CHM2045 is not required for Computer Science or Computer Engineering. 3 Aerospace engineering, civil engineering, computer engineering, computer science, digital arts and sciences, electrical engineering, industrial and systems engineering, mechanical engineering, and nuclear engineering either do not require CHM 2046/CHM 2096 or may substitute another course. 4 Additional critical tracking requirements for specific majors are listed in the major degree programs.
- Dropping Courses and Withdrawal: Students who want to drop all courses for any current term are able to do so via ONE.UF prior to the withdrawal deadline. Courses dropped via full term withdrawal do not count toward a student's number of unrestricted drops. Students must discuss with an academic advisor how the withdrawal will affect their academic standing and discuss with a financial aid advisor how it will affect their financial aid. Students receiving VA benefits should talk to the Veterans Services office. Any undergraduate who withdraws from the university a second time will be automatically placed on college probation. Students must ensure that a final transcript is sent to UF after completion of the course(s).
- Writing Requirement: Each student in the college is required to complete ENC 1101 or ENC 1102.
- Thesis: A thesis is not required for the baccalaureate degree.
Campus Environment and Student Life
Nestled in Gainesville, Florida, UF's Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering benefits from its proximity to various industries, including technology, healthcare, and aerospace. Gainesville, FL campus has a Humid subtropical climate: Tropical-like summers, warm to hot shoulder seasons (July avg. 91.1°F/32.8°C) with mild winters (Jan avg.
Students are part of a diverse community at UF-HWCOE, which encourages collaboration, innovation, and personal growth. Off-campus housing options are also abundant, providing students with choices that suit their preferences and budgets. The university offers resources such as a house locator to help international students find off-campus accommodations. Various dining halls, cafes, and restaurants across campus offer a range of cuisines, fostering a scrumptious culinary experience.
The university values the holistic well-being of its students. Hence, facilities such as fitness centres, sports courts, wellness programmes, and spaces for relaxation are readily available. On-campus parking lots and garages ensure convenient access to classes and activities.
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Notable Alumni
Some notable alums of the College include William Cirioli (vice president, Global Technology, ExxonMobil Chemical), Norman Augustine (former chairman & CEO, Lockheed Martin), and Erin J. Wallace (executive vice president, Operations Integration, Walt Disney Parks & Resorts).
Research and Innovation
The University of Florida - Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering (UF-HWCOE) fosters one of the nation's largest and most dynamic engineering programmes while developing inventions at twice the national average.
Metrics are extracted from SciVal based on Elsevier’sdata. Last Updated 2024.
- Citations per publication 12.1
- Field weighted citation impact 1.6
- Publications Cited in top 5% of Most Cited Journals 21.5%
- Publications Cited in top 25% of Most Cited Journals 65.3%
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