As an engineering hub for energy, manufacturing, automotive, microelectronics, transportation, construction, environmental and biotechnology industries, North Carolina relies on strong engineers to move it forward. As one of the top engineering programs in North Carolina, the William States Lee College of Engineering practices learning by doing, often in partnership with industry leaders. UNC Charlotte engineering students prepare themselves to take on engineering challenges that will shape the future of North Carolina, the country and the world.
Civil engineers and environmental engineers work with some of our planet's most basic building blocks to develop new uses and applications. They are builders, designing and constructing skyscrapers, bridges, roads and even entire cities – while also solving some of our planet's most serious problems, such as environmental pollution, aging infrastructure, need for alternative energy sources and overcrowded transportation systems.
The work of electrical and computer engineers touches almost all aspects of modern technology — from developing alternative energy sources and smart grids, to microscopic circuits on the chip of a laptop computer. Electrical and computer engineers are innovators in research, development, design, testing, manufacturing and operation of new and complex technologies like nuclear power reactors or even small robots.
Mechanical engineering impacts technology of the past, present and future — from the early manufacturing of Model Ts, to the launching of today's International Space Station, to the development of tomorrow's alternative energy sources. The traditional mechanical components of machinery and manufacturing are now being altered with new developments in superconductivity, precision engineering, robotics and energy conversion.
To succeed in today’s changing global business environment, organizations need professionals who can integrate engineering and business operations. Industrial and Systems Engineering graduates do this by incorporating both fields in design, production, manufacturing, logistics, sales and service. These professionals graduate with the ability to succeed in many industries like manufacturing, energy, transportation, automotive and health care.
Engineering technology combines skills in mathematics with natural sciences to implement existing technology for the benefit of humanity. By bringing together the applied aspects of science and engineering and emphasizing laboratory experiences, the William States Lee College engineering technology programs prepare graduates for roles in product improvement, manufacturing and engineering operational functions.
At the William States Lee College of Engineering, we study, design, research and build together. From the bachelors to the doctoral level, college of engineering students participate in experiential, hands-on projects; learning to visualize, design, create, build and apply.
During your first year, you’ll design and build projects like spring-powered cars, electronic circuits and balsa wood bridges that complement your in-class learning with hands-on experiences. Seniors tackle real-world industrial and often interdisciplinary projects such as bomb-detecting robots and high-pressure piping systems for nuclear plants through our Industrial Solutions Lab. All undergraduate and graduate students work alongside top faculty and gain valuable real-world experience.
With over 18,000 alumni employed across industries, joining the the William States Lee College of Engineering puts you in touch with an extensive network of professionals who are as dedicated to driving the future of engineering as you are. Many of these alumni live and work in the Charlotte region, as well as Atlanta, Washington, D.C. and New York. Our graduates are highly recruited by companies like Duke Energy, Eli Lilly, Freightliner, Hendrick Motorsports, Honda, Ingersoll-Rand, NAVAIR, NC-DOT, Trane Technologies, and Siemens.
Researchers in the William States Lee College of Engineering are intentionally recognized, including NSF CAREER Awards, Fulbright, NIST Flemming and more. Our interdisciplinary research centers range from Precision Metrology, to Energy Production and Infrastructure, to Battery Complexity, Autonomous Vehicles and Research (BATT CAVE).
From Freightliner and Daimler Trucks to Caterpillar and Bridgestone, North Carolina touts the 10th-largest automotive sector employment in the country.
North Carolina’s plastics and chemicals industry is growing at 1.5 times the rate of the national average and holds the title of being the fifth-largest plastics and chemicals workforce in the U.S.
North Carolina's biotechnology industry is comprised of 600+ companies and over 60,000 employees spanning pharmaceutical manufacturing and health informatics to crop genetic engineering.
UNC Charlotte alumni live, work, teach and support communities throughout the state.
Take the first step and contact the William States Lee College of Engineering and enroll in one of North Carolina’s top engineering programs.
