ORGANIZATION AND FACILITIES

Engineering education at the University of Arkansas dates back to 1873, just two years after the founding of the University. The first degrees were given in Civil Engineering in 1888, but a separate department was not established until 1897. A Department of Electrical Engineering was founded that year, and a Department of Mechanical Engineering was added in 1903. A course in mining engineering was begun in 1880 but dropped in 1886 because of a lack of demand.

The College of Engineering was organized as a college of the University in 1913. In 1945, Chemical Engineering was established as a department of the College although a program had been offered continuously from 1903 as a division within the Department of Chemistry in the College of Arts and Sciences.

In 1948 programs in Agricultural and Industrial Engineering were established, and in 1966 the curriculum in Engineering Science was begun. In 1980 the Engineering Science curriculum was merged with the Mechanical Engineering curriculum and the Engineering Science degree program was discontinued. A computer science program was initiated in 1976, and the Department of Computer Systems Engineering was formed in 1985.

The College has been under the leadership of the following deans:

William N. Gladson 1913-1936

George P. Stocker 1936-1948

George F. Branigan 1948-1971

Loren R. Heiple 1971-1979

James E. Halligan 1979-1982

Neil M. Schmitt 1983-1996

Otto J. Loewer, Jr. 1996-Present

Engineering Experiment Station

Research is a major function of each of the facilities within the seven departments in the College of Engineering. Research coordination is achieved through the Engineering Experiment Station, which was established for that purpose by an act of the Arkansas Legislature in 1920.

The overall goal of research in the College of Engineering is to provide engineering solutions to important problems that face our society. We utilize our faculty, staff, students, and facilities to enhance the well-being of both public and private sectors. Student involvement in research is especially important in that it helps link students to the needs of their future employers. All departments -Biological & Agricultural, Chemical, Civil, Computer Systems, Electrical, Industrial, and Mechanical Engineering -conduct research over a broad spectrum of subjects, which includes areas such as biological and chemical processes; electronics manufacturing; environmental and ecosystems analysis; materials and manufacturing; software and telecommunications; and transportation, logistics and infrastructure. Funding for research within the college comes primarily through grants received from government and industry sources.

For further information, address Dr. Jim L. Gattis, Director, Engineering Experiment Station, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR72701.

Engineering Extension Center

In recognition of its responsibilities to the technical community of the state, the College of Engineering formed the Engineering Extension Center on July 1, 1975, to provide continuing educational services for practicing engineers.

The primary objective of the program is to provide the very latest information for updating and keeping current the technical competency of the practitioner. This is accomplished through various program modes such as seminars, short courses, conferences, and institutes, as well as through regular course offerings. An additional objective is that of providing an orderly means for a more productive interface between the faculty and practitioners in the different disciplines.

Program planning relies upon the ideas and suggestions of the various interested parties. Further information may be obtained from or transmitted to Dr. Robert C. Welch, Director, Engineering Extension Center, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville.

Instructional Facilities

Undergraduate instruction in engineering is conducted in the superior facilities of the Bell Engineering Center, Engineering Hall, and the Mechanical Engineering Building. These facilities contain state-of-the-art instructional equipment in both classrooms and laboratories.

Computer Facilities

The College of Engineering utilizes a wide variety of computing equipment to assist in engineering education including microprocessors, minicomputers, super mini computers, engineering workstations, and mainframe computers. Each faculty member has a microcomputer or engineering workstation. Student computer access is excellent either through general computer laboratories or computer facilities located in specialized laboratories. The computers are networked so that all the computing power of the University, including the mainframe computers, can be accessed from the microcomputers or workstations provided for engineering students.

Laboratory Fee

In lieu of requiring each student to purchase a microcomputer and software at significant initial cost, each student enrolled in the College of Engineering is assessed a laboratory fee each academic year semester. This fee is used to purchase and maintain equipment, and to operate and staff engineering laboratories including both computer labs and other teaching labs.

Library

The books and references used by engineering are housed principally in the University of Arkansas Mullins Library. This collection is the most useful and comprehensive engineering library in the state. Many publications pertinent to the engineering profession are being added continuously. Mullins Library is the depository for water resources papers, geological survey materials, and NASA publications, as well as other governmental and industrial series.