Engineering Science Undergraduate Program

With the interdisciplinary Engineering Science program, students can chart their own academic path. The core of the program consists of minors in two different departments, allowing students breadth and flexibility. Engineering Science has a unique structure that allows students to keep up with the rapid pace of technology and societal change by charting a course into emerging areas.


"The thing that makes Engineering science so special is the fact that it introduces a level of creativity and freedom that most people would never expect."

Tosan Johnson, Class of 2020

As the only interdisciplinary degree program at UVA Engineering, Engineering Science students can create an undergraduate program that matches their interests or career goals by combining a minor in one engineering discipline with a second minor in mathematics, science or another engineering discipline. These two minors, in combination with additional technical elective courses, allow each student to define for themselves an academic program that fits their professional interests. 

Our Engineering Science major has the advantage of moving students to the interface between disciplines, where solutions to the complex challenges society faces are likely to be found. Both graduate schools and employers find this interdisciplinary perspective compelling and our graduates can be found in both academics and industry.

 

"ES allowed me to customize my courses to meet my interests more than any other engineering major would have. "

Hamilton Ibbeken, Class of 2019

 

  • How does ES work?

    Charting your own course - the interdisciplinary Engineering Science major

    The BS in Engineering Science allows students to create a unique undergraduate experience that matches their interests and career goals.

    The program consists of two minors: the first is a SEAS-approved technical engineering minor, and the second is a minor in mathematics or science or a second SEAS technical minor.

    Students round out their program with three technical courses which create their "Area of Concentration" and two advanced technical electives. These courses are selected by the student, approved by the Program and comprise a self-defined area of study that can link the student’s minors, interests and career goals.

    Finally, all fourth-year students participate in an Advanced Research Project which consists of either a 6-credit engineering design sequence or 6-credits of an independent research project.

    The ES degree is ideal for students whose interests span more than one traditional discipline and are seeking ways to find complex and interdisciplinary solutions to challenges presented in our modern society.

    ES-rotunda with explanations.JPG

    For more information or guidance on the ES Program, please contact our UNDERGRADUATE COORDINATOR.

    The information contained on this website is for informational purposes only. The Undergraduate Record and Graduate Record represent the official repository for academic program requirements. These publications may be found here. (http://records.ureg.virginia.edu/index.php

  • Meet Our Students
  • Minor Options

    The ES degree consists of TWO MINORS - the first must be a SEAS-approved technical minor. The second minor can be a natural science or math from the College of Arts & Sciences or another SEAS technical minor.  Each department granting a minor defines the requirements of their minor. Minor requirements can be found in the Undergraduate Record (select specific departments under "programs" and then scroll to find their minor requirements).

    SEAS Approved Technical Minors include:

    Applied Mathematics

    Biomedical Engineering

    Chemical Engineering 

    Civil Engineering 

    Computer Science 

    Electrical Engineering 

    Materials Science and Engineering 

    Systems Engineering

    Approved Science and Math Minors in College of Arts & Sciences include:

    Astronomy 

    Biology 

    Chemistry 

    Environmental Sciences 

    Mathematics 

    Physics 

    For more information or guidance on the ES Program, please contact our Undergraduate Coordinator.

    The information contained on this website is for informational purposes only. The Undergraduate Record and Graduate Record represent the official repository for academic program requirements. These publications may be found here. (http://records.ureg.virginia.edu/index.php

"The ES program gave me the opportunity and flexibility to explore more than just one area of engineering and find what I was passionate about."

Ryan Crosser, Class of 2021
  • Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

    The Engineering Science welcomes diversity and strives to be a welcoming environment. The ES program is administered by the Department of Materials Science & Engineering - please see the MSE DEI page for more information on our efforts to create an inclusive community.

  • Careers after ES

    Because of the interdisciplinary quality of the Engineering Science Program, our students can be found in diverse and wide-ranging careers. Our graduates pursue careers in academia and industry as well as medicine, law and business. To explore if ES is a good choice for your individual career goals and paths, please contact our Undergraduate Coodinator.

"The Engineering Science program allowed me to combine my passions for engineering and education, and it provided dedicated and supportive advisors to help me along my path."

Raina Clasen, Class of 2020
  • ES Worksheets

    These worksheets can help you understand the ES requirements and help you plan your own path:

    Engineering Science Worksheet by Requirement.xlsx

    The information contained on this website is for informational purposes only. The Undergraduate Record and Graduate Record represent the official repository for academic program requirements. These publications may be found here. (http://records.ureg.virginia.edu/index.php

  • FAQs

    1) What are the primary differences between ES and other engineering majors?

    The ES program is an interdisciplinary degree consisting of two minors which create the Engineering Science major. This gives students greater latitude in the technical content of their curriculum and allows students to craft a program of study that suits their interests and career goals. ES does NOT give students greater latitude in the non-technical content than other majors in the Engineering School.

    2) What are the approved School of Engineering Technical Minors (for the first minor or first and second minors)?

    • Applied Mathematics
    • Biomedical Engineering
    • Chemical Engineering
    • Civil Engineering
    • Computer Science
    • Electrical Engineering
    • Materials Science and Engineering
    • Systems Engineering

     

    3) What are examples of Math and Science minors are offered by the college (an option for the second minor)?

    • Astronomy
    • Biology
    • Chemistry
    • Environmental Science
    • Mathematics
    • Physics

     

    4) What about other Minors, like Science & Technology Policy or Engineering Business?

    Like all other students in the Engineering School, all ES major students CAN pursue non-technical minors, or other non-technical minors in College, by allocating their HSS and/or Unrestricted Electives to fulfill the requirements of their additional chosen minor. However, the two minors which create the ES major must come from either SEAS technical minors or a SEAS technical minor and a math or science minor from the College.

    5) What is an Area of Concentration?

    An Area of Concentration (AOC) consists of three technical electives chosen by the student and approved by the advisor that provides identity and definition to a student’s ES degree. These courses must be at the 2000-level or above.

    6) What are the Advanced Technical Electives?

    Advanced Technical Electives are two additional technical courses at the 3000-level or above selected by the student and approved by the advisor.

    7) What is the Advanced Project?

    The Advanced Project (or capstone) is a 6-credit experience usually completed in a student's final two semesters. ES students may choose from any department's capstone course, the interdisciplinary capstone course or an independent study to complete this requirement.  Please contact the undergraduate coordinator for further information on Advanced Project options.

    8) What is the connection between ES and the MSE Department? Do all ES students minor in MSE? 

    The MSE Department administers the Engineering Science program. ES students are free to choose from any approved technical minors and are not required to do a minor in MSE.

    9) What are some examples of ES students’ programs?

    • Civil Engineering and Environmental Science 
    • Computer Science and Systems Engineering
    • Applied Mathematics and Physics 
    • Civil Engineering and Biomedical Engineering 
    • And more!

    10) Can I combine an ES major with a pre-med or pre-health track?

    Yes!  Many of our minors include courses that overlap with pre-health requirements. To learn more about pre-health options, contact the PRE-HEALTH ADVISING CENTER.

    11) Where can I find the list of SEAS-approved HSS courses?  Where can I find the list of SEAS-approved Math and Science Electives?  

    The list of approved HSS courses and the list courses that fulfill the Math and Science Elective can be found HERE or in A-122 Thornton Hall.

    12)  I want to transfer to UVA Engineering - where can I find more information?

    Information about internal and external transfers to UVA SEAS can be found HERE.

    13)  If I still have questions or want to learn more about ES, whom should I contact?  

    Email our UNDERGRADUATE COORDINATOR - we look forward to hearing from you!

    The information contained on this website is for informational purposes only. The Undergraduate Record and Graduate Record represent the official repository for academic program requirements. These publications may be found here. (http://records.ureg.virginia.edu/index.php

  • How to learn more

    We welcome the opportunity to meet with you and discuss if Engineering Science is right for you. Please contract our Undergraduate Coordinator. We look forward to hearing from you.

"With the support of the ES Department during my last semester, I was able to perform my Fourth Year Recital for Voice, star in the UVA Drama Department production, and complete my Capstone for ES. The department was extremely supportive of my goals and worked with me to fit everything in my schedule. "

Marcha Kiatrungrit, Class of 2019