There are four paths in the Honors College:
- Science and Technology Honors Program
- University Honors Program
- Global Community Leadership Program
- Personalized Pathway
You will have an honors advisor in addition to your engineering advisor to help you navigate both your major and honors requirements.
Science and Technology Honors Program
| Requirements | Courses | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| First-Year Honors Seminar | STH 199: Intro to Scientific Process | 3 |
| Scientific and Technical Communication | EH 102: English Composition II STH or EH 202: English Composition II: Scientific and Technical Communication |
3 |
| Research Methods and Applications | STH 201: Research Approaches: EGR | 3 |
| Advanced Honors Seminars | STH 240: Big Ideas: Science and Innovation STH 299: Interdisciplinary Seminar STH 340: Challenges Translating Science |
1 3 1 |
| Leadership Preparation | STH 151: Leadership Project Planning STH 250: Leadership Preparation II |
1 1 |
| Statistics | Select one course – PUH 250, PY 216, PY 226, or BME 423 | 3 |
| Honors Proposal and Thesis Seminars | STH 395 Honors Proposal Preparation STH 400 Honors Thesis Preparation |
1 1 |
| Honors Research | STH 398 Honors Research or STH 399 Honors Thesis Research |
6 |
| Honors Electives | EGR 103 Computer Aided Graphics and Design - Honors, EGR 150 Computer Methods in Engineering - Honors, honors sections of other required courses, etc. | 6 |
TOTAL HOURS = 30
An Option for a 4-year Plan for Engineering Majors
| Term | Courses | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Freshman: First Term | STH 199: Intro to Scientific Process EH 102: English Composition II STH or EH 202: English Composition II: Scientific and Technical Communication EGR 103: Computer Aided Graphics and Design - Honors |
9 |
| Freshman: Second Term | STH 151: Leadership Project Planning STH 201: Research Approaches: EGR |
4 |
| Sophomore: First Term | STH 250: Leadership Preparation II STH 299: Interdisciplinary Seminar |
4 |
| Sophomore: Second Term | Approved statistics course – PUH 250, PY 216, PY 226, or BME 423 EGR 150: Computer Methods in Engineering - Honors |
3 |
| Junior: First Term | STH 240: Big Ideas: Science and Innovation STH 398: Honors Research |
3 |
| Junior: Second Term | STH 395: Honors Proposal Preparation STH 398: Honors Research |
2 |
| Senior: First Term | STH 340: Challenges Translating Science STH 399: Honors Thesis Research |
3 |
| Senior: Second Term | STH 399: Honors Thesis Research STH 400: Honors Thesis Preparation |
2 |
TOTAL HOURS = 30
University Honors Program
| Term | Courses | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Freshman: First Term | Enroll in three 100-level Honors courses | 9 |
| Freshman: Second Term | One Honors Seminar or departmental honors course* | 3 |
| Sophomore: First Term | Enroll in three 100-level Honors courses | 9 |
| Sophomore: Second Term | One Honors Seminar or departmental honors course* | 3 |
| Junior: First Term | One Honors Seminar | 3 |
| Junior: Second Term | One Honors Seminar | 3 |
| Senior: First Term | One Honors Seminar | 3 |
| Senior: Second Term | No requirements | 0 |
TOTAL HOURS = 33
*Options include:
- EGR 103 Computer Aided Graphics and Design - Honors
- EGR 150 Computer Methods in Engineering – Honors
- Departmental Honors Research
- Engineering Electives taken at the 500- or 600-level
Global and Community Leadership
| Requirements | Courses | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Honors Seminar HC 110-120 | Seminar on a topic related to GCL's mission; topics vary annually | 3 |
| GCLH 150 | Burning Issues: Overview of various issues facing society (e.g., human rights, sustainability, healthcare access, educational reform). Course includes guest speakers, topical readings, and significant reflective writing. Ultimately, students will identify an issue that ignites their passion – their “burning issue.” | 3 |
| Variable courses | Fanning the Flame: Student will select a course that provides further exploration of the student’s “burning issue.” | 3 |
| GCLH 350 | Stoking the Fire - Leadership in Action: Students will learn, develop, and put into practice a pragmatic skill set for management and operations in social change leadership. | 3 |
| Required honors coursework | Students should take the remaining hours from approved honors courses relevant to GCL’s mission. GCL administration will designate appropriate honors courses for GCL students each semester, and students will choose the courses that are most applicable to their own passions and goals. | 3 |
| Additional honors coursework – optional* | For students who choose to earn 30 hours of honors credit, the additional 12 hours of honors coursework can be earned through non-GCL specific honors seminars, honors sections of core courses, honors by contract, and/or school/departmental honors programs. | 12 |
| Experiential Learning | GCL students are required to complete a minimum of one experiential learning course at UAB. These courses may include service learning, study abroad, research, or internships. If taken for honors credit, the experiential learning course may help fulfill the honors requirement. If not taken for honors credit, the course will not be applied to the total number of honors credit hours but can still satisfy the experiential learning requirement. |
TOTAL HOURS = 18-30
* Options include:- EGR 103 Computer Aided Graphics and Design - Honors
- EGR 150 Computer Methods in Engineering – Honors
- Departmental Honors Research
- Engineering Electives taken at the 500- or 600-level
Personalized Pathway
UAB Honors College students on the Personalized Pathway must complete a minimum of 18 credit hours of honors-level coursework in order to graduate with Distinguished Honors. Students who choose to earn 30 or more honors credits will graduate with High Distinguished Honors. In a Personalized Pathway, students earn honors credit in various ways. Honors classes are smaller in size (generally 25 or fewer students) and provide students with uniquely engaging curricular experiences. Options for honors credit include:
- Honors Seminars: These multidisciplinary seminars cover topics not typically offered at UAB and are taught by some of our most outstanding faculty. Prior examples include: Justice for All? Education and Opportunity in America; Persuasion: How to Get More of What You Want and Make Others Feel Good About Giving It to You; and 100 Things About the Brain.
- Students are required to complete at least one honors seminar during their first year in the Honors College. Available seminars will be communicated each semester through the honors advisors.
- Honors Courses: These include enhanced sections of courses offered through regular academic departments that provide students with a high level of engagement and critical thinking as well as courses required for departmental honors programs.
- Honors Experiential Learning Courses: The UAB Honors College offers specific experiential courses, including recent study abroad courses in Cuba and Iceland as well as service learning with local community partners. Students may also participate in individual projects in service learning, research, internships, or education abroad.
- Students are required to complete a minimum of one experiential learning course at UAB. These courses may include service learning, study abroad, research, or internships.
- Honors by Contract: Students may augment their experiences in upper-level standard courses. An interested student should meet with a faculty member to devise an honors contract. Contract details vary, but they share a commitment to academic excellence above and beyond the minimum requirements for the course. Students interested in Honors by Contract should download the appropriate forms in the Honors College Canvas site. Except in rare circumstances, honors by contract is restricted to courses at the 300/400 level.
- Graduate Courses: All graduate-level coursework counts towards the Honors College requirements. See a list of recommended courses that can be taken for graduate credit. Honors students are encouraged to explore graduate courses and consider Accelerated Bachelors/Masters Programs or Fast-Track/Fifth-Year Masters Programs.
| Term | Courses | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Freshman: First Term | HC 100-level seminar EGR 103: Computer Aided Graphics and Design – Honors Honors Math or Science course |
7-10 |
| Freshman: Second Term | EGR 150: Computer Methods in Engineering – Honors* Honors Math or Science course |
4-7 |
| Sophomore: First Term | Honors Math or Science course | 3-4 |
| Sophomore: Second Term | Blazer Core: honors section | 3 |
| Junior: First Term | Blazer Core: honors section | 3 |
| Junior: Second Term | Blazer Core: honors section Graduate-level engineering elective or departmental honors research |
6 |
| Senior: First Term | Blazer Core: honors section Graduate-level engineering elective or departmental honors research |
6 |
| Senior: Second Term | Blazer Core: honors section Graduate-level engineering elective or departmental honors research |
6 |
TOTAL HOURS = 38-45
* BME majors should delay to sophomore spring.
Graduate Courses for Honors Credit
Any engineering course can be taken at the graduate level for honors credit, however the following courses may be most accessible for undergraduates:
BME Majors
- BME 543: Medical Image Processing
- BME 535: Tissue Engineering
- BME 562: Cardiac Electrophysiology
CE Majors
- CE 530: Water Supply & Drainage
- CE 546: Green Infrastructure and Transportation
- CE 547: Principles of Sustainable Development
- CE 597: Construction Engineering Management
EE Majors
- EE 526 – Control Systems
- EE 521 – Communications Systems
- EE 531 – Analog Integrated Electronics
ME Majors
- ME 577: Systems Engineering
- ME 580: Instrumentation and Measurements
- ME 530: Vehicular Dynamics
- ME 578: Automated Manufacturing
MSE Majors
- MSE 501: Materials Processing
- MSE 513: Composite Materials
- MSE 530: Polymeric Materials
- MSE 564: Metals and Alloys
Learn More About UAB
start building
your future now.
The UAB School of Engineering (SOE) is guaranteeing internships for incoming students. Eligible students must participate in the SOE Career Readiness Program during their first four semesters at UAB. Be a part of a program that prepares you for your career unlike any other engineering school in the state.
UAB is the only engineering school in Alabama to guarantee internships
Opportunities for hands-on training and experiential learning have long been key strengths of UAB's undergraduate engineering programs.
As of fall 2021, the School of Engineering is making those opportunities an official part of its undergraduate programs by offering guaranteed internships to all incoming students following their second year of engineering coursework.
To be eligible for a guaranteed internship, students must participate in the Career Readiness Program, a new initiative launched this fall by the SOE Office of Career Services.
“Our location in Birmingham gives us a great advantage over other schools because there are so many local companies that hire students for engineering internships and co-ops,” said SOE Dean Jeff Holmes, M.D., Ph.D. “We realized there is an opportunity here for us to make a guarantee that few engineering schools in the country can match.”
Goal
- Empower students early in their academic career
- Prepare them for their desired career path
- Help them gain confidence in their selected majors
Eligibility
All engineering or pre-engineering students are eligible to participate.
Timeframe
Four-semester Career Readiness Program, followed by a one-semester internship (typically summer after sophomore year).
Objectives
- Communication and critical thinking
- Inclusion and teamwork
- Leadership and professionalism
- Technology
Examples of companies where our students intern and co-op
- Altec
- American Cast Iron Pipe Company
- BioHorizons
- Brasfield & Gorrie
- Honda
- Fluid Solutions
- LBYD
- Medtronic
- Mercedes
- Southern Company/Alabama Power
See Where Our Students are Interning
-
Jaron Gray
Electrical EngineeringInterned at NASA Pathways Program
My Pathways Internship experience with NASA was an awesome experience. From hardware design to researching new manufacturing methods, my internship was full of meaningful work that contributes to the future of space exploration.
The School of Engineering’s career center has been fundamental for the advancement of my professional development through resume workshops and mock interviews, contributing to my success in a professional environment. -
Jack McEwan
Mechanical EngineeringInterned at Mercedes-Benz U.S. International
My time at Mercedes-Benz over the past year has been an incredible journey. During this time, I contributed to various challenging and innovative projects. From improving part quality, designing material movement routes, to researching and developing material quality topics. My knowledge and perspective on automotive manufacturing has broadened drastically, and the people there have made my experience all the more rewarding!
-
Emma Taylor
Mechanical EngineeringInterned at Georgia Power Chattahoochee Hydro
Working at Georgia Power in their Hydro Department has been an irreplaceable part of my education. Not only have I gotten the opportunity to apply what I have learned in the classroom to hydro generation, but I have also been able to get experience in other areas of generation thanks to Southern Company's excellent student program. This type of work experience is key to developing a deeper understanding of what is taught in my engineering courses.
-
Bhumi Patel
Biomedical EngineeringInterned at Hardware Park
This past summer, I got the opportunity to bridge the gap between the classroom and the real world by applying engineering principles and the design thinking process to develop an assistive technology device at Hardware Park's MedTech program. Specifically, I collaborated in a multi-disciplinary team to create a portable and cost-effective solution for wheelchair users to traverse a 1-3 step incline independently. I gained valuable skills in communication and human centered design, and enjoyed bringing an idea into the 3D world to help improve lives.
Neil Adams
start building your future now.
At the UAB School of Engineering, we’re looking for students like you who want to build a better world. We have the resources to help you do it. We offer guaranteed internships to connect you with employers and you can do undergraduate research. You can even earn your bachelor’s and master’s degrees on an accelerated timeline. See for yourself how we can help you build your future at UAB.
Internships. Guaranteed.
UAB is the only engineering school in Alabama to guarantee internships. Opportunities for hands-on training and experiential learning have long been key strengths of UAB’s undergraduate engineering programs. The School of Engineering is making those opportunities an official part of its undergraduate programs by offering guaranteed internships to all incoming students following their second year of engineering coursework.
As part of the program, eligible students participate in an Internship Readiness Program and are encouraged to take advantage of other opportunities offered through the Engineering Career Center.
Learn More About UAB
Find Your Major
-
Biomedical Engineering
From medical products to stem cell engineering, biomedical engineers create engineering solutions for medicine. Our BSBME in Biomedical Engineering degree is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET and is a partnership with the UAB Heersink School of Medicine.
SEE WHAT OUR STUDENTS ARE BUILDING
I am a rehabilitation engineering intern at the Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services. In this role, I help improve the work, school, and leisure lives of fellow Alabamians living with disabilities. I love being an engineering student at UAB because I always feel like I’m among friends even when I don’t know anyone in the room.
Samantha Borglum, Biomedical Engineering
REAL WORLD APPLICATIONS
Sorace is studying how to reduce toxicity
in breast cancer therapyBiomedical engineering associate professor Anna Sorace, PhD, received a $1.4 million, three-year grant from the National Cancer Institute. Sorace is collaborating with faculty in the UAB Heersink School of Medicine and the University of Texas at Austin.
Civil Engineering
Civil engineers plan and design buildings, bridges, and roads, as well as evaluate their operational performance. Graduates from our undergraduate civil engineering program have gone on to careers in utilities, structural design, geotechnical engineering, and much more.
SEE WHAT OUR STUDENTS ARE BUILDING
My research project is designing interlocking bricks that do not need mortar. I am currently 3D-printing prototypes. The next steps for me are researching which materials would be best to use for these bricks to make them strong enough for construction, but lightweight enough to be used in a backyard garden.
Kiria Ford, Civil Engineering
REAL WORLD APPLICATIONS
Civil engineering professors lead traffic study
When the I-20/59 corridor through Birmingham was demolished and rebuilt over a period of 12 months in 2019, travel became a nightmare for thousands of truckers, daily commuters, and other travelers. But where most people saw chaos, a pair of UAB researchers found inspiration.
Electrical Engineering
In the UAB undergraduate electrical engineering program, you will study rapidly developing technologies, manufacturing and healthcare innovations, energy generation, and smart systems. You will get hands-on experience in many areas such as robotics and artificial intelligence.
SEE WHAT OUR STUDENTS ARE BUILDING
My experience with Southern Company has been invaluable in furthering my career in electrical engineering. I was able to build relationships with other engineering professionals. I learned how to manipulate drawings in order to achieve a specific design goal and became proficient in AutoCAD Electrical. Participating in this co-op position has been the best decision I made in developing my professional engineering experience.
Rebecca House, Electrical Engineering
REAL WORLD APPLICATIONS
Nakhmani receives NIH grant to develop software to study the brain
Arie Nakhmani, Ph.D., an associate professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, received an $85,000 award from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to develop software that processes data from the glymphatic and lymphatic systems of the brain.
Engineering Design
UAB’s engineering design program allows you to tailor your undergraduate engineering experience specifically for the career that you want. The program is intended for students whose interests aren’t aligned with a current engineering discipline. It’s focused on innovation and design.
SEE WHAT OUR STUDENTS ARE BUILDING
We were genuinely solving problems. We would build a prototype, and that might lead to a more advanced prototype, and so on. I think sometimes in class, you don’t see how the classwork connects to anything practical, but in these projects, you could see where the things we were learning could be applied to projects.
Alivia Sims and Bailee Isbell, Engineering Design Graduates
REAL WORLD APPLICATIONS
Isbell, Sims Become First Engineering Design Graduates
When Bailee Isbell and Alivia Sims enrolled at the UAB School of Engineering, they knew they would be in a minority in a field that historically enrolls more men than women. But they had no idea they would become pioneers.
Materials Engineering
Materials engineering involves the development and application of engineering materials that meet specific needs in our society. Materials Engineers are employed in every major industry, including aerospace, chemical, automotive, metals casting, biomedical, and microelectronics.
SEE WHAT OUR STUDENTS ARE BUILDING
My research was in recycled polyethene terephthalate reinforced with E-class glass fiber. The purpose of this research was to develop a sustainable method reprocessing PET without thermal degradation while increasing the overall strength (tensile, compression) for applicational use. I came up with positive data that was accepted at the Society of Plastic Engineers Conference.
Zachary Newman, Materials Engineering Graduate
REAL WORLD APPLICATIONS
Materials Engineering Researchers Design “Game Changing” Utilities Vault
A new type of utility vault invented by researchers in the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Engineering and commercial partner Vista Engineering, has the potential to revolutionize the way utility companies operate.
Mechanical Engineering
Mechanical engineers design the devices, machines, and systems that we rely on every day. They work in many different areas including, manufacturing, aerospace, and robotics. At UAB, our undergraduate mechanical engineering students gain both industry and research experience.
SEE WHAT OUR STUDENTS ARE BUILDING
My favorite thing about being a UAB engineering student is the network of help available to me. Engineering is a tough field to get into, but UAB Engineering provides helpful resources to both learn the material in the classroom and gain experience in our fields.
Aidan Calvert, Mechanical Engineering
REAL WORLD APPLICATIONS
UAB researchers examine effects of equestrian helmets
Faculty in the Department of Mechanical Engineering teamed up with researchers in the UAB Heersink School of Medicine to study the effects of equestrian helmets on head and neck injuries.
-
Biomedical Engineering
Biomedical Engineering
From medical products to stem cell engineering, biomedical engineers create engineering solutions for medicine. Our BSBME in Biomedical Engineering degree is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET and is a partnership with the UAB Heersink School of Medicine.
REAL WORLD APPLICATIONS
Sorace is studying how to reduce toxicity
in breast cancer therapyBiomedical engineering associate professor Anna Sorace, PhD, received a $1.4 million, three-year grant from the National Cancer Institute. Sorace is collaborating with faculty in the UAB Heersink School of Medicine and the University of Texas at Austin.
- Civil Engineering
Civil Engineering
Civil engineers plan and design buildings, bridges, and roads, as well as evaluate their operational performance. Graduates from our undergraduate civil engineering program have gone on to careers in utilities, structural design, geotechnical engineering, and much more.
Real world Applications
When the I-20/59 corridor through Birmingham was demolished and rebuilt over a period of 12 months in 2019, travel became a nightmare for thousands of truckers, daily commuters, and other travelers. But where most people saw chaos, a pair of UAB researchers found inspiration.
- Electrical Engineering
Electrical Engineering
In the UAB undergraduate electrical engineering program, you will study rapidly developing technologies, manufacturing and healthcare innovations, energy generation, and smart systems. You will get hands-on experience in many areas such as robotics and artificial intelligence.
Real World Applications
Arie Nakhmani, Ph.D., an associate professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, received an $85,000 award from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to develop software that processes data from the glymphatic and lymphatic systems of the brain.
- Engineering Design
Engineering Design
UAB’s engineering design program allows you to tailor your undergraduate engineering experience specifically for the career that you want. The program is intended for students whose interests aren’t aligned with a current engineering discipline. It’s focused on innovation and design.
Real World Applications
Mohammad Haider, Ph.D., an associate professor in the UAB Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering received a National Science Foundation (NSF) award to help develop a machine-learning platform on a flexible substrate for personal protective equipment (PPE).
- Materials Engineering
Materials Engineering
Materials engineering involves the development and application of engineering materials that meet specific needs in our society. Materials Engineers are employed in every major industry, including aerospace, chemical, automotive, metals casting, biomedical, and microelectronics.
REAL WORLD APPLICATIONS
Vinoy Thomas, Ph.D., an associate professor in the Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering led an interdisciplinary team to develop a new plasma-enabled process that could limit the proliferation of toxins from implants into a patient’s bloodstream.
- Mechanical Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Mechanical engineers design the devices, machines, and systems that we rely on every day. They work in many different areas including, manufacturing, aerospace, and robotics. At UAB, our undergraduate mechanical engineering students gain both industry and research experience.
REAL WORLD APPLICATIONS
Faculty in the Department of Mechanical Engineering teamed up with researchers in the UAB Heersink School of Medicine to study the effects of equestrian helmets on head and neck injuries.
SEE WHAT OUR STUDENTS
ARE BUILDING-
Biomedical Engineering
I am a rehabilitation engineering intern at the Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services. In this role, I help improve the work, school, and leisure lives of fellow Alabamians living with disabilities. I love being an engineering student at UAB because I always feel like I’m among friends even when I don’t know anyone in the room.
Samantha Borglum, Biomedical Engineering
-
Civil Engineering
I was asked to design a mural to go on the street near Railroad Park, and I had to do it in one day. I had used my AutoCad design program in a class during my freshman year, but that was more than two years ago, and I never thought I would use that program again. I was nervous, but the first time I saw an aerial image of the mural I was surprised at how similar it was to what I’d created in AutoCad.
Mariam Massoud, Civil Engineering
-
Electrical Engineering
My experience with Southern Company has been invaluable in furthering my career in electrical engineering. I was able to build relationships with other engineering professionals. I learned how to manipulate drawings in order to achieve a specific design goal and became proficient in AutoCAD Electrical. Participating in this co-op position has been the best decision I made in developing my professional engineering experience.
Rebecca House, Electrical Engineering
-
Materials Engineering
I’ve been a part of resiliency and distributed energy resource projects for residential and industrial customers. I’ve also worked on solar program customer projects which involved customer account data analysis for solar power generation. Additionally worked on webpage remodeling and general solar education.
Khaleed Blocker, Materials Engineering
-
Mechanical Engineering
My favorite thing about being a UAB engineering student is the network of help available to me. Engineering is a tough field to get into, but UAB Engineering provides helpful resources to both learn the material in the classroom and gain experience in our fields.
Aidan Calvert, Mechanical Engineering
-
Engineering Design
I love getting hands-on work and having the ability to truly choose how involved I want to be in my field. I have been able to network and build myself into the type of engineer I wanted to be.
Lulu Smith, Biomedical Engineering
start building your future now.
At the UAB School of Engineering, we’re looking for students like you who want to build a better world. We have the resources to help you do it. We offer guaranteed internships to connect you with employers and you can do undergraduate research. You can even earn your bachelor’s and master’s degrees on an accelerated timeline. See for yourself how we can help you build your future at UAB.
Internships. Guaranteed.
UAB is the only engineering school in Alabama to guarantee internships. Opportunities for hands-on training and experiential learning have long been key strengths of UAB’s undergraduate engineering programs. The School of Engineering is making those opportunities an official part of its undergraduate programs by offering guaranteed internships to all incoming students following their second year of engineering coursework.
As part of the program, eligible students participate in an Internship Readiness Program and are encouraged to take advantage of other opportunities offered through the Engineering Career Center.
Learn More About UAB
Find Your Major
-
Biomedical Engineering
From medical products to stem cell engineering, biomedical engineers create engineering solutions for medicine. Our BSBME in Biomedical Engineering degree is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET and is a partnership with the UAB Heersink School of Medicine.
SEE WHAT OUR STUDENTS ARE BUILDING
I am a rehabilitation engineering intern at the Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services. In this role, I help improve the work, school, and leisure lives of fellow Alabamians living with disabilities. I love being an engineering student at UAB because I always feel like I’m among friends even when I don’t know anyone in the room.
Samantha Borglum, Biomedical Engineering
REAL WORLD APPLICATIONS
Sorace is studying how to reduce toxicity
in breast cancer therapyBiomedical engineering associate professor Anna Sorace, PhD, received a $1.4 million, three-year grant from the National Cancer Institute. Sorace is collaborating with faculty in the UAB Heersink School of Medicine and the University of Texas at Austin.
Civil Engineering
Civil engineers plan and design buildings, bridges, and roads, as well as evaluate their operational performance. Graduates from our undergraduate civil engineering program have gone on to careers in utilities, structural design, geotechnical engineering, and much more.
SEE WHAT OUR STUDENTS ARE BUILDING
My research project is designing interlocking bricks that do not need mortar. I am currently 3D-printing prototypes. The next steps for me are researching which materials would be best to use for these bricks to make them strong enough for construction, but lightweight enough to be used in a backyard garden.
Kiria Ford, Civil Engineering
REAL WORLD APPLICATIONS
Civil engineering professors lead traffic study
When the I-20/59 corridor through Birmingham was demolished and rebuilt over a period of 12 months in 2019, travel became a nightmare for thousands of truckers, daily commuters, and other travelers. But where most people saw chaos, a pair of UAB researchers found inspiration.
Electrical Engineering
In the UAB undergraduate electrical engineering program, you will study rapidly developing technologies, manufacturing and healthcare innovations, energy generation, and smart systems. You will get hands-on experience in many areas such as robotics and artificial intelligence.
SEE WHAT OUR STUDENTS ARE BUILDING
My experience with Southern Company has been invaluable in furthering my career in electrical engineering. I was able to build relationships with other engineering professionals. I learned how to manipulate drawings in order to achieve a specific design goal and became proficient in AutoCAD Electrical. Participating in this co-op position has been the best decision I made in developing my professional engineering experience.
Rebecca House, Electrical Engineering
REAL WORLD APPLICATIONS
Nakhmani receives NIH grant to develop software to study the brain
Arie Nakhmani, Ph.D., an associate professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, received an $85,000 award from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to develop software that processes data from the glymphatic and lymphatic systems of the brain.
Engineering Design
UAB’s engineering design program allows you to tailor your undergraduate engineering experience specifically for the career that you want. The program is intended for students whose interests aren’t aligned with a current engineering discipline. It’s focused on innovation and design.
SEE WHAT OUR STUDENTS ARE BUILDING
We were genuinely solving problems. We would build a prototype, and that might lead to a more advanced prototype, and so on. I think sometimes in class, you don’t see how the classwork connects to anything practical, but in these projects, you could see where the things we were learning could be applied to projects.
Alivia Sims and Bailee Isbell, Engineering Design Graduates
REAL WORLD APPLICATIONS
Isbell, Sims Become First Engineering Design Graduates
When Bailee Isbell and Alivia Sims enrolled at the UAB School of Engineering, they knew they would be in a minority in a field that historically enrolls more men than women. But they had no idea they would become pioneers.
Materials Engineering
Materials engineering involves the development and application of engineering materials that meet specific needs in our society. Materials Engineers are employed in every major industry, including aerospace, chemical, automotive, metals casting, biomedical, and microelectronics.
SEE WHAT OUR STUDENTS ARE BUILDING
My research was in recycled polyethene terephthalate reinforced with E-class glass fiber. The purpose of this research was to develop a sustainable method reprocessing PET without thermal degradation while increasing the overall strength (tensile, compression) for applicational use. I came up with positive data that was accepted at the Society of Plastic Engineers Conference.
Zachary Newman, Materials Engineering Graduate
REAL WORLD APPLICATIONS
Materials Engineering Researchers Design “Game Changing” Utilities Vault
A new type of utility vault invented by researchers in the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Engineering and commercial partner Vista Engineering, has the potential to revolutionize the way utility companies operate.
Mechanical Engineering
Mechanical engineers design the devices, machines, and systems that we rely on every day. They work in many different areas including, manufacturing, aerospace, and robotics. At UAB, our undergraduate mechanical engineering students gain both industry and research experience.
SEE WHAT OUR STUDENTS ARE BUILDING
My favorite thing about being a UAB engineering student is the network of help available to me. Engineering is a tough field to get into, but UAB Engineering provides helpful resources to both learn the material in the classroom and gain experience in our fields.
Aidan Calvert, Mechanical Engineering
REAL WORLD APPLICATIONS
UAB researchers examine effects of equestrian helmets
Faculty in the Department of Mechanical Engineering teamed up with researchers in the UAB Heersink School of Medicine to study the effects of equestrian helmets on head and neck injuries.
-
Biomedical Engineering
Biomedical Engineering
From medical products to stem cell engineering, biomedical engineers create engineering solutions for medicine. Our BSBME in Biomedical Engineering degree is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET and is a partnership with the UAB Heersink School of Medicine.
REAL WORLD APPLICATIONS
Biomedical engineering associate professor Anna Sorace, PhD, received a $1.4 million, three-year grant from the National Cancer Institute. Sorace is collaborating with faculty in the UAB Heersink School of Medicine and the University of Texas at Austin.
- Civil Engineering
Civil Engineering
Civil engineers plan and design buildings, bridges, and roads, as well as evaluate their operational performance. Graduates from our undergraduate civil engineering program have gone on to careers in utilities, structural design, geotechnical engineering, and much more.
REAL WORLD APPLICATIONS
When the I-20/59 corridor through Birmingham was demolished and rebuilt over a period of 12 months in 2019, travel became a nightmare for thousands of truckers, daily commuters, and other travelers. But where most people saw chaos, a pair of UAB researchers found inspiration.
- Electrical Engineering
Electrical Engineering
In the UAB undergraduate electrical engineering program, you will study rapidly developing technologies, manufacturing and healthcare innovations, energy generation, and smart systems. You will get hands-on experience in many areas such as robotics and artificial intelligence.
REAL WORLD APPLICATIONS
Arie Nakhmani, Ph.D., an associate professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, received an $85,000 award from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to develop software that processes data from the glymphatic and lymphatic systems of the brain.
- Engineering Design
Engineering Design
UAB’s engineering design program allows you to tailor your undergraduate engineering experience specifically for the career that you want. The program is intended for students whose interests aren’t aligned with a current engineering discipline. It’s focused on innovation and design.
REAL WORLD APPLICATIONS
Mohammad Haider, Ph.D., an associate professor in the UAB Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering received a National Science Foundation (NSF) award to help develop a machine-learning platform on a flexible substrate for personal protective equipment (PPE).
- Materials Engineering
Materials Engineering
Materials engineering involves the development and application of engineering materials that meet specific needs in our society. Materials Engineers are employed in every major industry, including aerospace, chemical, automotive, metals casting, biomedical, and microelectronics.
REAL WORLD APPLICATIONS
Vinoy Thomas, Ph.D., an associate professor in the Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering led an interdisciplinary team to develop a new plasma-enabled process that could limit the proliferation of toxins from implants into a patient’s bloodstream.
- Mechanical Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Mechanical engineers design the devices, machines, and systems that we rely on every day. They work in many different areas including, manufacturing, aerospace, and robotics. At UAB, our undergraduate mechanical engineering students gain both industry and research experience.
REAL WORLD APPLICATIONS
Faculty in the Department of Mechanical Engineering teamed up with researchers in the UAB Heersink School of Medicine to study the effects of equestrian helmets on head and neck injuries.
SEE WHAT OUR STUDENTS
ARE BUILDING
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Biomedical Engineering
I am a rehabilitation engineering intern at the Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services. In this role, I help improve the work, school, and leisure lives of fellow Alabamians living with disabilities. I love being an engineering student at UAB because I always feel like I’m among friends even when I don’t know anyone in the room.
Samantha Borglum, Biomedical Engineering
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Civil Engineering
I was asked to design a mural to go on the street near Railroad Park, and I had to do it in one day. I had used my AutoCad design program in a class during my freshman year, but that was more than two years ago, and I never thought I would use that program again. I was nervous, but the first time I saw an aerial image of the mural I was surprised at how similar it was to what I’d created in AutoCad.
Mariam Massoud, Civil Engineering
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Electrical Engineering
My experience with Southern Company has been invaluable in furthering my career in electrical engineering. I was able to build relationships with other engineering professionals. I learned how to manipulate drawings in order to achieve a specific design goal and became proficient in AutoCAD Electrical. Participating in this co-op position has been the best decision I made in developing my professional engineering experience.
Rebecca House, Electrical Engineering
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Materials Engineering
I’ve been a part of resiliency and distributed energy resource projects for residential and industrial customers. I’ve also worked on solar program customer projects which involved customer account data analysis for solar power generation. Additionally worked on webpage remodeling and general solar education.
Khaleed Blocker, Materials Engineering
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Mechanical Engineering
My favorite thing about being a UAB engineering student is the network of help available to me. Engineering is a tough field to get into, but UAB Engineering provides helpful resources to both learn the material in the classroom and gain experience in our fields.
Aidan Calvert, Mechanical Engineering
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Engineering Design
I love getting hands-on work and having the ability to truly choose how involved I want to be in my field. I have been able to network and build myself into the type of engineer I wanted to be.
Lulu Smith, Biomedical Engineering
The Bachelor of Science in Engineering degree with a major in Engineering Design offers undergraduates a unique opportunity to earn an engineering degree tailored to their interest, with an emphasis on innovation and design.Why Engineering Design?
The Engineering Design program is intended for students whose academic/scientific interests aren’t aligned with an existing engineering discipline or limited to one engineering discipline. The ideal student will be highly adaptable to different learning environments, prepared to work in interdisciplinary teams, and adept at hands-on learning.
Designed to Prepare You for a Career
A bachelor’s degree in engineering design can provide students with the ability to synthesize engineering, business, and societal priorities. Graduates will have the essential skills they need to work in diverse industries, as well as a thorough understanding of the following:
- Product innovation
- Project management
- Product development
- System integration
Getting Started
Learn more about the Engineering Design major from program manager Timothy Wick.
Requirements
The program covers a 15-hour engineering design and innovation core that includes a three-course progression in engineering design and a two-semester capstone (senior design) project.
In addition to courses in mathematics, science, physics and engineering fundamentals, each student selects an engineering focus area in which to minor. The program is designed such that students may opt to include a second minor, which could be in another engineering concentration or in any of UAB’s approved minors.
The program requires 128 credit hours to complete.
Program Educational Objectives
The Educational Objectives of the Engineering Design undergraduate program are the following:
- Achieve one or both of the following:
- establish careers in engineering or other professional fields in which they apply their critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
- earn or be enrolled in a graduate or professional degree program.
- Pursue opportunities for professional growth, development, and service.
- Contribute to the advancement of society.
Student Outcomes
Upon completion of the BSE in Engineering Design degree program, our graduates will have:
- an ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics
- an ability to apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors
- an ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences
- an ability to recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgments, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts
- an ability to function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives
- an ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions
- an ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.
Questions?
For more information, contact program director Timothy M. Wick at
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .The Engineering Peer Tutoring Lab is a tutoring service offered by the UAB School of Engineering. The center is funded by a gift from Alabama Power. This financial assistance enables tutors to earn a stipend while providing extra instruction, guidance or encouragement to undergraduates in engineering or related science and math courses. Tutoring sessions are free and open to all currently enrolled UAB engineering students. Students currently enrolled in an Engineering class can find more information and access Zoom sessions through the Engineering Peer Tutoring Lab page on Canvas.
Hours and Location:
Check Canvas course ("Engineering Peer Tutor Lab") for current hours and location.
Courses Covered:
- CE 210 Statics
- CE 220 Mechanics of Solids
- EE 312 Electrical Systems
- EE 314 Electrical Circuits
- EGR 150 Computer Methods in Engineering
- EGR 265 Math Tools for Engineering Problem Solving
- ME 102 Engineering Graphics
- ME 215 Dynamics
- ME 251 Introduction to Thermal Sciences
- MSE 280 Engineering Materials
- Chemistry
- Mathematics
- Physics
Questions about the Engineering Peer Tutoring Lab? Contact Molly Kate Lallone at
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .Each UAB engineering student must have a laptop with the necessary software installed for each of their classes. Students who need assistance installing required software can request help from the School of Engineering IT group in EEC 264. Please check with instructors on the first day of class to learn what software is required for each course.
Additionally, UAB IT operates TechConnect, a computer store in the Hill University Center where students and employees can purchase computers and software at discounted prices. Any questions may be directed to
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by calling (205) 934-8333.Note: Engineering software may also be accessed through the School of Engineering's "virtual computer lab" with no installation required. Public-use computers in the Sterne Library are also able to connect to the virtual computer lab. While students may use the library computers at any time, they do not exempt a student from the above laptop requirement.
Things to Know
- Windows-based laptops only. Apple products or computers that use a Linux operating system may not run required engineering software.
- Software will be installed on each student’s laptop, allowing remote access to School of Engineering resources through a virtual private network (VPN).
Engineering students may participate in honors study in two ways: through the University Honors College or through the School of Engineering Honors Program…or both! Students in the University Honors College complement their engineering curriculum with courses that promote hands-on service learning and critical thinking. Students in the Engineering Honors Program take advanced courses and participate in research in their chosen field of study. Both programs help students develop confidence and independence while boosting communication and research skills.
University Honors College
Many engineering students participate in the University Honors College. Students take special classes and seminars that promote critical thinking, leadership, and communication. Visit the Honors College website for details about admission and programs. Click here for An Engineering Student’s Guide to Honors College Requirements that will help you navigate the different Honors College programs.
Engineering Honors Program
Engineering Honors programs are also offered by all undergraduate degree programs in the School of Engineering. Visit each department's website to see specific honors program requirements. You can also view the general Engineering Honors requirements in the UAB Undergraduate Catalog. Invitations to participate in the program are extended by the Dean’s office in May of each year. Students who complete an honors program in engineering with a minimum GPA of 3.0 will receive a bachelor’s degree “with Honors” in addition to any university honors designations.
Andrew Sullivan
Associate Dean for Undergraduate Programs, Associate ProfessorThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Hoehn Room 115D
(205) 934-8400- The Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering degree program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, https://www.abet.org, under the commission’s General Criteria and Program Criteria for Bioengineering and Biomedical and Similarly Named Engineering Programs.
- The Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering degree program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, https://www.abet.org, under the commission’s General Criteria and Program Criteria for Civil and Similarly Named Engineering Programs.
- The Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering degree program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, https://www.abet.org, under the commission’s General Criteria and Program Criteria for Electrical, Computer, Communications, Telecommunication(s) and Similarly Named Engineering Programs.
- The Bachelor of Science in Materials Engineering degree program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, https://www.abet.org, under the commission’s General Criteria and Program Criteria for Materials, Metallurgical, Ceramics and Similarly Named Engineering Programs.
- The Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering degree program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, https://www.abet.org, under the commission’s General Criteria and Program Criteria for Mechanical and Similarly Named Engineering Programs.
- The Bachelor of Science in Engineering degree program in Engineering Design is seeking accreditation from the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET under the commission's General Criteria in 2024-25.
Educational Objectives & Student Outcomes
What is an engineer? That’s not always an easy question to answer. At the UAB School of Engineering, there are five separate departments offering six undergraduate majors. In any one of them, students will find a solid foundation that will help mold a highly versatile engineer with a variety of marketable career choices.In addition to six majors, the School of Engineering offers 13 minors that allow students to customize their education according to their interests and career objectives. Interested in biomedical engineering and world health? There is a major/minor combination for that. Materials engineering and business? You can do that too!
The School of Engineering also has fast-track programs that allow students to earn a bachelor’s and master’s degree in less time, accelerating the path to career or graduate study goals.
- Civil Engineering
- Civil Engineering
