Department of Engineering and Computer Science

Department Mission

The Department of Engineering and Computer Science provides a professionally focused education in the fields of computer science and engineering. Students are prepared to practice in their chosen field and to focus on the industrial and business needs of the region. Students have opportunities for close interaction with faculty, business, and the industrial community in a practice-oriented, student-friendly environment. The department maintains Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET)-accredited curricula that foster interdisciplinary teamwork as well as scholarly development through special projects, internships, discussions of professional ethics, and training with regional business or industries. Students are prepared to study for advanced degrees and/or work in regional business or industries upon graduation.

Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering, Bachelor of Science in Engineering, & Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering

The Department of Engineering and Computer Science offers a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering; Bachelor of Science in Engineering with concentrations in civil engineering, computer engineering, and electrical engineering; and a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering.

Engineering Program Educational Objectives (PEOs)

• To prepare graduates to practice engineering and to be successful in solving the engineering problems encountered in industry, government, or private practice;
• To provide graduates with the motivation and skills to advance into positions of increased responsibility and to pursue continuing education or graduate studies; and
• To produce graduates who are not only ethical and professional as engineers but also responsible members of their communities and the larger society.

Engineering Student Learning Outcomes

At the time of completion of the engineering program, graduates of the program will be able to:

1. Identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics;
2. Apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors;
3. Communicate effectively with a range of audiences;
4. Recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgements, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts;
5. Function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives;
6. Develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgement to draw conclusion; and
7. Acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.

Engineering Curriculum

The engineering curriculum consists of general education courses, core engineering courses, and concentration courses. The core courses are required for all engineering students and include study in chemistry, English, humanities, mathematics, physics, and basic engineering sciences. Core courses extend from the freshman year into the senior year. The concentration courses form a coherent unit in civil, computer, or electrical engineering and are taken during their junior and senior years.

Professional Activities

The Department of Engineering and Computer Science encourages students to participate in the activities of the McNeese Engineering Society, which is McNeese’s student chapter of the Louisiana Engineering Society. Students are also urged to participate in student chapters of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE), American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), Association for Computing Machinery (ACM), Association for Women in Computing (AWC), Association of Computer Engineers (ACE), Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), International Association of Computer Science and Information Technology (IACSIT), National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE), and the Society of Women Engineers (SWE). Additionally, juniors and seniors with high academic achievements are invited to join the McNeese Engineering Honor Society, Mu Omega Sigma.

Registration as a professional engineer continues to become increasingly important in the future of engineering, and seniors are encouraged to take the Fundamentals of Engineering examination (formerly the Engineer-in-Training examination) prior to graduation.

Enrollment in Upper-level Courses

Enrollment in upper-level (300/400-level) courses requires completion of the following courses with a grade of C or higher. Admission to the program also requires a GPA of 2.5 or better (calculated after completing 30 or more hours that count toward the engineering degree).

• CHEM 101 (4 Cr.) (Grade of C required only for civil engineering and electrical engineering concentrations as well as chemical engineering and mechanical engineering majors)
• CHEM 102 (4 Cr.) (Grade of C required only for chemical engineering and mechanical engineering majors)
• ENGL 101 (3 Cr.)
• ENGL 102 (3 Cr.)
• ENGR 101 (2 Cr.) (Grade of C required only for civil engineering concentrations and mechanical engineering majors)
• ENGR 109 (2 Cr.)
• ENGR 110 (1 Cr.)
• MATH 190 (4 Cr.)

Graduation Requirements

Students in the Department of Engineering and Computer Science must meet the graduation requirements listed in the Degree and Graduation Requirements  section of the Academic Regulations page. Courses transferred to McNeese must have a grade of C or better to be applied toward the degree. In addition, students must earn a grade of C or better in all ELEN and ENGR courses taken at McNeese and applied toward the degree.

Graduate Studies

The Department of Engineering and Computer Science offers a program leading to a Master of Engineering degree. The Master of Engineering program is a flexible, professionally oriented, post-baccalaureate education program that offers courses leading to advanced degrees for both recent graduates and experienced engineers. The program may be tailored to provide expertise in areas supportive of mid-career advancement or to simply continue an individual’s education in his/her chosen field. Course offerings for the degree include topics in project management, topics in the participant’s engineering specialization, and topics in mathematics, science, and other related areas. The selection of courses is made under the direction of an advisor. Additional information and curricula are available on the program pages below.

Bachelor of Science in Computer Science

The Department of Engineering and Computer Science offers a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science with concentrations in applied computer science, general computer science, and industrial computer science.

Computer Science Program Educational Objectives (PEOs)

Students will:

1. Become productive, responsible computing science professionals capable of conducting research and/or designing, developing, or maintaining projects in the various areas of computer science; 
2. Understand and apply ethical issues and social aspects of computing science in performing their duties as computer science professionals; and
3. Continue learning new technologies in the computer science area through self-directed professional development or post-graduate education. 

Computer Science Student Learning Outcomes

At the time of completion of the computer science program, graduates of the program will have an ability to: 

1. Analyze a complex computing problem and to apply principles of computing and other relevant disciplines to identify solutions;
2. Design, implement, and evaluate a computing-based solution to meet a given set of computing requirements in the context of the program’s discipline;
3. Communicate effectively in a variety of professional contexts;
4. Recognize professional responsibilities and make informed judgements in computing practice based on legal and ethical principles; and
5. Function effectively as a member or leader of a team engaged in activities appropriate to the program’s discipline.

Professional Activities

The Department of Engineering and Computer Science encourages students to participate in the activities of the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM), a student chapter of ACM professional society. Students are also urged to participate in student chapters of the Association for Women in Computing (AWC), Computing Research Association (CRA), Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), International Association of Computer Science and Information Technology (IACSIT), and the Society of Women Engineers (SWE).

Students in the computer science program are encouraged to seek professional certifications in one or more computing fields. Examples of some of these areas are database management systems, hardware, web development, artificial intelligence, and network and operating systems.

Graduation Requirements

Students in the Department of Engineering and Computer Science must meet the graduation requirements listed in the Degree and Graduation Requirements  section of the Academic Regulations page. In addition, students must earn a grade of C or better in all CPEN, CSCI, MATH, and STAT courses applied toward the degree. Students are also required to complete a capstone experience, which includes taking a departmental test in the major area.

Graduate Studies

The Department of Mathematical Sciences offers a Master of Science in Mathematical Sciences with a concentration in computer science. Additional information about this program can be found on the Department of Mathematical Sciences  page.

Programs

• Computer Science, Applied Computer Science Concentration, BS
• Computer Science, General Computer Science Concentration, BS
• Computer Science, Industrial Computer Science Concentration, BS
• Engineering, Civil Engineering Concentration, BS
• Engineering, Computer Engineering Concentration, BS
• Engineering, Electrical Engineering Concentration, BS

• Chemical Engineering, BSChE

• Mechanical Engineering, BSME

• Automation Engineering, Minor
• Chemical Engineering, Minor
• Computer Engineering, Minor
• Computer Science, Minor
• Electrical Engineering, Minor
• Mechanical Engineering, Minor
• Power Engineering, Minor

• Engineering, Chemical Engineering Concentration, MEng
• Engineering, Civil Engineering Concentration, MEng
• Engineering, Electrical Engineering Concentration, MEng
• Engineering, Mechanical Engineering Concentration, MEng