College of Engineering and Applied Science

College of Engineering and Applied Science
Name	College of Engineering and Applied Science
Established	1906
Type	Public
Dean	Dr. John A. Smith
City	Middletown
State	State
Country	United States
Campus	Urban
Affiliations	University of Middletown
Website	https://www.umid.edu/ceas

College of Engineering and Applied Science. The College of Engineering and Applied Science is a constituent school of the University of Middletown, a public research university in the Midwestern United States. Founded in the early 20th century, it has grown into a comprehensive institution offering a wide range of accredited undergraduate and graduate programs. The college is recognized for its strong emphasis on interdisciplinary research, innovation, and preparing students for leadership roles in industry and academia.

History

The college was established in 1906 as the School of Engineering, following a significant donation from industrialist J. P. Morgan and a matching grant from the State of Illinois legislature. Its founding dean, Robert H. Thurston, a pioneer in mechanical engineering, shaped its early curriculum around the land-grant university mission. During World War II, the college contributed to the war effort through research contracts with the United States Department of War, focusing on radar technology and materials science. A major expansion occurred in the 1960s, spurred by the Space Race and federal funding from agencies like the National Science Foundation, leading to the construction of the Engineering Quadrangle and the current naming in 1972 to reflect its applied sciences focus. Throughout the late 20th century, it formed key partnerships with corporations such as Boeing, Caterpillar Inc., and Texas Instruments.

Academics

The college administers over a dozen ABET-accredited undergraduate degrees, including programs in aerospace engineering, biomedical engineering, computer engineering, and environmental engineering. It offers master's and doctoral degrees through the University of Middletown Graduate School, with notable interdisciplinary programs in data science, nanotechnology, and renewable energy systems. The curriculum emphasizes hands-on learning, requiring a senior capstone project often sponsored by industry partners like Ford Motor Company or National Laboratories. Students frequently supplement their studies with co-op programs coordinated with General Electric, Lockheed Martin, and Procter & Gamble. The college also houses the Institute for Advanced Manufacturing, which offers specialized certificates.

Research

Research expenditures consistently exceed $75 million annually, primarily funded by the Department of Energy, the National Institutes of Health, and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency. The college is a lead institution in the Midwest Quantum Information Science Center, a multi-university collaboration. Key facilities include the Center for Sustainable Infrastructure, which partners with the United States Army Corps of Engineers, and the Middletown Robotics Institute, known for its work with Boston Dynamics. Recent breakthroughs include advancements in perovskite solar cells, autonomous vehicle navigation algorithms, and biodegradable polymers, with technology often licensed through the University of Middletown Research Foundation.

Campus and facilities

The college is primarily housed within the Engineering and Applied Science Complex on the north campus of the University of Middletown. The complex includes the historic Thurston Hall, the modern Applied Sciences Building, and the Walter P. Murphy Library. Core facilities feature a class 100 cleanroom for semiconductor fabrication, the Middletown Wind Tunnel, and the High-Performance Computing Cluster named for alumnus Grace Hopper. The Engineering Design Center provides makerspaces with 3D printing and CNC machining equipment. The college also manages the Lake Michigan Field Station for environmental research and the Middletown Innovation Hub in partnership with the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce.

Student life

Students are represented by the Engineering Student Council and participate in over 50 professional organizations, including chapters of the American Society of Civil Engineers, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, and Society of Women Engineers. The college fields teams for major competitions like the Solar Decathlon, Formula SAE, and the Concrete Canoe Competition. Social and professional development is centered at the Benton House, which hosts lectures from leaders at NASA and Microsoft. Many students live in the Engineering Living-Learning Community within Carson Residence Hall. The annual Innovation Expo showcases student projects to recruiters from Google, ExxonMobil, and Northrop Grumman.

Notable alumni and faculty

Distinguished alumni include Ellen Ochoa, former director of the Johnson Space Center; Satya Nadella, chairman and CEO of Microsoft; and Luis von Ahn, co-founder of Duolingo. In government, alumnus Rodney E. Slater served as the United States Secretary of Transportation. Notable former faculty include Lillian Gilbreth, a pioneer in industrial engineering and psychology, and Claude Shannon, the "father of information theory," who was a visiting professor. Current faculty include members of the National Academy of Engineering such as Mildred Dresselhaus, known for her work on carbon nanotubes, and Subra Suresh, former director of the National Science Foundation.

Category:Engineering universities and colleges in the United States Category:University of Middletown