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For aspiring engineers, the leap from theoretical knowledge to practical application can be daunting. Traditionally, graduate programmes focused heavily on research and technical expertise. But today the emphasis is shifting towards ensuring graduates are “real-world ready,” equipped with the skills to seamlessly integrate into the workforce. The William States Lee College of Engineering at UNC Charlotte tackles this challenge head-on, preparing students with in-demand skills for a smooth industry transition from day one.
Located in the heart of North Carolina, the college has had a stellar reputation for over 60 years. Part of this is due to UNC Charlotte’s prime location. The Charlotte metro area, with a population of 2.2 million, is centrally located on the East Coast of the US. Charlotte Douglas International Airport, a major international hub, offers direct flights to destinations worldwide. Such access makes Charlotte an attractive location for both domestic and international students. What’s more, Forbes ranked it fifth nationally for the best big cities for jobs, partly because Charlotte houses more Fortune 500 company headquarters than any other city in the Carolinas.
The W.S. Lee College of Engineering capitalises on this advantage through its extensive industry partnerships. Over 200 large, mid-sized, and startup organisations collaborate with the college, engaging students through research projects, internships, seminars, and course instruction. This close association between academia and industry ensures graduates are well-prepared for the demands of the real world, with many students securing employment with their industry partners upon graduation.
All doctoral degree engineering programmes at W.S. Lee College of Engineering are ranked in the top 100 by US News and World Report. Source: UNC Charlotte
UNC Charlotte’s commitment to applied, interdisciplinary research is reflected in its strong graduate engineering programmes, several of which are ranked in the top 100 by US News and World Report. The college offers programmes in various disciplines, including Civil and Environmental Engineering, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Industrial and Systems Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Engineering Science, and Engineering Technology and Construction Management.
The MS and PhD programmes in Electrical Engineering, for example, provide a comprehensive curriculum that prepares students for careers in cutting-edge fields like wireless communication and networking, traffic modelling, pattern recognition, computer vision, multivariable and optimal controls, hardware security, cyber-physical systems, embedded mobile computing, fibre optic sensors, optical and optoelectronic networks, photovoltaics, quantum devices, power electronics and power systems, microgrids, smart grids, energy systems and renewable energy.
Similar opportunities exist in Mechanical Engineering’s MS and PhD, where students can focus on areas like precision metrology, advanced manufacturing, and battery technology. The college’s state-of-the-art facilities, including the Center for Precision Metrology (ranked first in the US), provide unparalleled access to advanced equipment and research opportunities.
The MS in Applied Energy and Electromechanical Engineering programme offers a unique blend of coursework and research, allowing students to tailor their studies to their specific interests. It caters to both those seeking a broad understanding of the intersection between energy and electromechanics, as well as those who wish to specialise in one of these two areas. What’s more, This STEM-approved programme qualifies international graduates for Optional Practical Training (OPT) extension. International students on F-1 visas who receive science, technology, engineering, and mathematics degrees may apply for a 24-month extension of their post-completion OPT.
Civil Engineering students — both MS and PhD — benefit from world-class research facilities, such as the US Department of Transportation-funded Center for Advanced Multimodal Mobility Solutions and Education, the NSF-funded Sustainability Integrated Building Sites, and the Center for Transportation Policy Studies.
About 70% of the faculty at W.S. Lee College of Engineering possess industry experience, allowing them to uncover new methods and translate them into practical solutions that directly benefit society. Source: UNC Charlotte
The MS programme in Computer Engineering equips students with expertise in cybersecurity, cyber-physical systems, computer vision, edge computing, embedded systems, IoT, robotics, smart grids and other areas alongside leading faculty members. Industry partnerships provide options for the practical application of theoretical knowledge, ensuring graduates are prepared for the evolving landscape of computer engineering.
Regardless of your chosen programme, you’ll learn from a distinguished faculty with extensive industry experience. Approximately 70% of faculty members have worked in the field, bringing a wealth of practical knowledge and problem-solving skills to the classroom. This means you’ll be taught core engineering concepts while learning how to apply the theory to real-world solutions that benefit society.
Throw in impressive facilities, and you’ll have a dynamic learning environment. These include maker spaces, cutting-edge laboratories, and specialised research centres like the Energy Production and Infrastructure Center (EPIC) — established through public and private funding to address the growing demand for skilled professionals in the energy sector. EPIC actively works with industry partners to research new alternative energy solutions. Another facility is the BATT CAVE (Battery Complexity, Autonomous Vehicle and Electrification) facility — the first university-led centre in North Carolina focused on battery technology advancement.
The best part? No matter what your area of expertise, you will have access to other cutting-edge research facilities. These include advanced/additive manufacturing, airport development and design, artificial intelligence, autonomous vehicles, battery safety, clean energy, concrete and construction, cybersecurity, digital twinning, energy smart grids, next-generation battery manufacturing, optics, photonic devices, power electronics, smart and sustainable cities, transportation, vehicle and rail electrification, and wireless power transfer.
Interested? Apply to UNC Charlotte’s Engineering programmes today.
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