Tufts University School of Engineering

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The School of Engineering is one of the eight schools and colleges that comprise Tufts University . The school offers undergraduate and professional degrees in several fields of engineering and computer science. Along with the School of Arts and Sciences (A&S) and the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, the School of Engineering is located on the university's main campus in Medford and Somerville, Massachusetts. Currently, the Engineering School enrolls approximately 800 full-time undergraduates and 300 graduate students. The school employs 90 full-time and part-time faculty members.

[edit] Organization and Degree Programs

The School of Engineering is under the supervision of a dean, appointed by the president and the provost, with the approval of the Trustees of Tufts College (the university's governing board). The dean oversees undergraduate and graduate education and research in six academic departments and the Gordon Institute.

The School of Engineering and the School of Arts and Sciences form the Faculty of Arts, Sciences, and Engineering (AS&E), a deliberative body under the chairmanship of the president of the university. Historically, the Arts and Sciences and Engineering were part of the same administrative division, sharing a common leadership and budget. The two schools continue to share many administrative functions including undergraduate admissions, student affairs, library, and information technology services.

The School of Engineering currently offers bachelor of science degrees in chemical engineering, civil and environmental engineering, computer science, electrical engineering, computer engineering, mechanical engineering, and biomedical engineering. There are also bachelor of science programs in engineering psychology, engineering science, and engineering physics. Graduate degree programs include Master of Science, Master of Engineering, and Doctor of Philosophy degrees, as well as the master of science in engineering management through the Gordon Institute for Engineering Management. The School of Engineering maintains dual degree programs with the School of Arts and Sciences and the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy and joint degree programs with the School of Medicine, the Sackler School of Graduate Biomedical Sciences, and the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine.

[edit] History

Engineering instruction began at Tufts College in academic year 1865 - 1866, with the introduction of a three-year degree program in civil engineering. Students in this program received the degree of civil engineer. In 1890, the Department of Electrical Engineering was created, and in 1892 - 1893 the course of study was extended to four years. With the advent of the four year program the degrees granted were bachelor of civil or electrical engineering. Tufts College added the Department of Mechanical Engineering and the Department of Chemical Engineering in 1894 and 1898, respectively. In 1898, the trustees voted to formally establish an undergraduate College of Engineering. As part of an administrative reorganization in 1904, the College of Engineering became part of the new Faculty of Arts and Sciences, along with the School (later the College) of Liberal Arts, the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, and after 1910, Jackson College for Women.

The College of Engineering added graduate study to its curriculum beginning in 1961, with masters degrees available in all four departments. It added Ph.D. programs in mechanical engineering in 1963, electrical engineering in 1964, engineering design in 1981, and civil engineering in 1985. In 1999, the College of Engineering became the School of Engineering, when oversight of graduate engineering programs was transferred from the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. As part of the same reorganization the Faculty of Arts and Science became the Faculty of Arts, Sciences, and Engineering (AS&E).