By Haley Davis
The Texas Tech Edward E. Whitacre Jr. College of Engineering has been nationally ranked among the best in the country for its research institution, intimate classes and award-winning faculty.
The engineering program prides itself on being a “community of scholars,” encouraging students to hit the ground running with their knowledge and experience, according to the College of Engineering website.
Nurcan Bac, the senior associate dean of the college, said the programs available to engineering students on this campus prepare them for real world, global opportunities.
The petroleum engineering building is one of the newest on the Texas Tech campus. Blaine Hill/The Hub@TTU
“The best part is in addition to the fundamental principles and theoretical background of the curriculum, the education is also incredibly hands on,” Bac said.
The college offers a variety of undergraduate academic programs, including chemical, civil, environmental, computer science, electrical, computer, industrial, mechanical, and petroleum engineering.
Students pursuing a degree in engineering must meet a GPA requirement of 3.0 or higher to be admitted to the Edward E. Whitacre Jr. College of Engineering, depending on their particular area of study, according to the Texas Tech University Advising website.
Ed Anderson, is an associate professor in the mechanical engineering department who specializes in heat transfer and energy conservation.
“Tech engineering students develop an impressive work ethic,” Anderson said. “You could give me the brightest student, but if they don’t want to do the work, I can’t do anything for them. We as a faculty do anything we can to make them work, that’s why our students are in high demand.”
Outside of their demanding coursework, engineering students can also get involved in the U.S. Green Building Council, an organization that provides a way for young leaders to come together and participate in hands-on green building experiences with their own campuses through sustainability initiatives, according to the Tech USGBC website.
Richard Hancock is a senior construction engineering major as well as the president of Tech USGBC.
“USGBC allows students to get their foot in the door before these green-building techniques become mainstream,” Hancock said. “Before it becomes a part of your career, you get a leg up to know trends, information, and products that can make an impact on the future of your career.”
Photo from Texas Tech University’s Whitacre College of Engineering website.
In response to industry requests, all undergraduate engineering students at Texas Tech are required to have international experience under their belt before graduation.
Anderson said international experience helps these students mature and take on a more serious mindset.
“The exposure to other cultures is useful because students learn to survive in an unusual situation,” Anderson said. “They learn the skill of getting things done even if you’re not sure what you’re doing or don’t speak the same language. That’s a very valuable skill.”
The engineering research center has received national attention because of a faculty committed to cultivating future research areas and future engineers who will impact society by contributing to new scientific discoveries, according to the Whitacre College of Engineering website.
This campus houses seven research facilities in the engineering field including nano-technology, water resources, electrical pulses for military technology, and material characterization.
Bac said the material characterization center is the largest research facility on campus and utilizes state of the art equipment.
“Material characterization equipment serves all aspects of the college as well as other people in the engineering industry,” Bac said. “We can analyze the composition of almost any substance, different types of materials, solids, liquids, gases.”
After receiving a bachelor’s degree, engineering students can also pursue graduate school at Tech and have the opportunity to attend one of the top 20 ranked online engineering programs in the country.
The Tech engineering graduate program was ranked based on student engagement, faculty credentials, training, student services, technology, peer reputation, and admissions selectivity, according to the Texas Tech Today website.
“Companies want to come here to find bright young minds and look to recruit us,” Hancock said. “Recruiters don’t feel that way about every school, they want Tech students because this university gives birth to well-rounded individuals that are successful right out of the gate.”
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