Engineering Science
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.
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.
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.
For more information or guidance on the ES Program, please contact our UNDERGRADUATE COORDINATOR.
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).
Applied Mathematics
Biomedical Engineering
Chemical Engineering
Civil Engineering
Computer Science
Electrical Engineering
Materials Science and Engineering
Systems Engineering
Astronomy
Biology
Chemistry
Environmental Sciences
Mathematics
Physics
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.
ES Worksheets
These worksheets can help you understand the ES requirements and help you plan your own path:
Frequently Asked Questions
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.
- Applied Mathematics
- Biomedical Engineering
- Chemical Engineering
- Civil Engineering
- Computer Science
- Electrical Engineering
- Materials Science and Engineering
- Systems Engineering
- Astronomy
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Environmental Science
- Mathematics
- Physics
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.
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.
Advanced Technical Electives are two additional technical courses at the 3000-level or above selected by the student and approved by the advisor.
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.
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.
- Civil Engineering and Environmental Science
- Computer Science and Systems Engineering
- Applied Mathematics and Physics
- Civil Engineering and Biomedical Engineering
- And more!
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.
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.
Information about internal and external transfers to UVA SEAS can be found HERE.
Email our UNDERGRADUATE COORDINATOR - we look forward to hearing from you!
How to Learn More
We welcome the opportunity to meet with you and discuss if Engineering Science is right for you. 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.