The Klesse College of Engineering and Integrated Design (Klesse College) houses the Department of Biomedical Engineering and Chemical Engineering; the Department of Electrical Engineering; the Department of Mechanical, Aerospace, and Industrial Engineering; the School of Architecture and Planning; and the School of Civil & Environmental Engineering, and Construction Management.
Klesse College programs and experiences prepare students for the modern workforce. Klesse College faculty are a diverse group of scholars and practitioners. Among them are well-recognized educators, scholars, and designers who have achieved national and international recognition for their research, publications, and professional practices. Klesse College has excellent laboratory facilities where students receive hands-on instruction from faculty. Computer-aided design (CAD) facilities, including state-of-the-art workstations, are routinely used in all programs.
The Department of Biomedical Engineering and Chemical Engineering offers a Bachelor of Science degree in Biomedical Engineering (BME) and a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering (CME).
The Department of Electrical Engineering (ELCE) offers Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering (EE). ELCE also houses the certificate programs in Artificial Intelligence, Computer Programming for Engineers, and Semiconductor Engineering.
The Department of Mechanical, Aerospace, and Industrial Engineering (ME) offers a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering and a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial and Systems Engineering (ISE), and four certificate programs in: (1) Aerospace Engineering, (2) Heating, Ventilation, and Air-Conditioning, (3) Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering, and (4) Oil/Gas.
The School of Architecture and Planning (SAP) offers a Bachelor of Science degree in Architecture, a Bachelor of Science degree in Interior Design, and a certificate in Design Communication and Fabrication. SAP offerings also include undergraduate courses in Urban and Regional Planning and a certificate program in Design Communication and Fabrication.
The School of Civil & Environmental Engineering, and Construction Management (CECM) offers a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering (CE) and a Bachelor of Science degree in Construction Science and Management (CSM).
Klesse College programs in Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering are accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET. The Construction Science and Management degree is accredited by the American Council for Construction Education (ACCE).
Signature Experience Requirement
All undergraduate students in Klesse College are required to participate in an approved signature experience opportunity as a condition of graduation. The signature experience requirement will engage students in educational opportunities that allow them to gain real-world experience in their field of study. Students must complete one experience in one of the following four experiential learning categories: internship, research, study abroad programs, and service-learning (INTERESTS). A description of each category is provided below.
Internship: A short-term, supervised period of activities carried out in an organization closely related to a student's field of study. Internships provide students the opportunity to put their skills into practice and explore career interests. Internships are full-time or part-time, credit or non-credit, and occur during the fall, spring, or summer semesters. Students may conduct internships in the private, public, and nonprofit sectors. To earn academic credit for an internship, students must identify an opportunity that meets the conditions set by each Department/School and obtain approval. Co-op approval forms are available at Klesse College's website. The Student Success Center (SSC) serves as the central point of contact for industry professionals to connect with students regarding internship opportunities. Students can visit the SSC website to identify available internship opportunities.
Research: Participation in activities that promote academic inquiry and scientific discovery in a field closely related to a student's major of study. Examples of research activities include laboratory work, design research, literature review, data collection, data analysis, field assessment, and code development, among others. Research studies can be conducted in the student's home department or school; UT San Antonio laboratories and studios; national laboratories; academic institutions; nonprofit, applied research, and development organizations; and research centers. Students must conduct research under the direction of a qualified supervisor and complete all appropriate training before engaging in research. Several Klesse College programs offer research courses that satisfy technical elective requirements. The Office of Undergraduate Research (OUR) supports undergraduate students' participation in research activities by identifying opportunities. Students can visit the OUR website to search for research opportunities throughout the nation. In addition, research-track professors, schools, departments, Klesse College Institutes and Centers, and the SSC offer students several research opportunities. Students and supervisors are encouraged to present their research findings in professional meetings and scientific publications.
Study Abroad Programs: International experiences expand students' worldview and provide them access to unique sites to obtain valuable knowledge relevant to their major. Architecture and Interior Design students have an international studies requirement in their respective curricula, fulfilled through programming in Urbino, Italy. In addition, Architecture, Civil Engineering, Construction Science and Management, and Interior Design students can participate in a semester program in Urbino, Italy, that allows them to fulfill curriculum requirements while abroad. Students must consult their academic advisors to prepare a plan to complete prerequisite requirements for Urbino course offerings. Students must also be advised as to options by major, as there may be specific related requirements/constraints. Klesse College also offers faculty-led summer programs that permit students to earn UT San Antonio course credits in international settings. Klesse College study abroad opportunities are advertised by organizing departments or schools and the SSC. UT San Antonio Study Abroad provides students with several international opportunities, including exchange programs and programs through affiliated institutions. Students must consult with their Academic Advisors about their plans and determine how credits completed abroad may apply to their UT San Antonio degree.
Service Learning: An experiential learning opportunity that allows students to offer solutions to problems and issues of public concern by applying the knowledge gained in the classroom. Klesse College offers service-learning design and design-build programs in which students partner with local and global community organizations to address human, community, and environmental needs. Students can also participate in service-learning experiences through service-oriented organizations, such as Engineering without Borders, which assist less fortunate communities throughout the world. To satisfy the signature experience requirement, students must complete a community project and not simply enroll in an organization. Students can access the SSC website to identify the list of student organizations that have been granted a service-oriented designation. The Civic and Community-Engaged Leadership website hosts several service-learning initiatives that can be used to fulfill the Signature Experience requirement.
Students may choose to meet their signature experience requirement in one of two ways, which are further described below:
A. completing a Klesse College course associated with an INTERESTS category with a grade of C- or better, or
B. successfully participating in an approved co-curricular experience.
Students must review their program of study requirements, as some programs within Klesse College have experiences embedded in their curriculum that can be applied to satisfy the College signature experience requirement. Students enrolled in Architecture and Interior Design programs must participate in an international signature experience. Students in the Construction Science and Management program must complete a required internship before graduation.
A. Signature Experience Courses
Students who opt to satisfy the experience requirement through a designated INTERESTS course are highly encouraged to choose a course that allows them to simultaneously fulfill the signature experience requirement and a core-curriculum requirement, a technical elective requirement within their program of study, or a certificate program requirement. The following courses have been approved to satisfy the College Experience Requirement.
1. Internship
2. Research
1 To satisfy the signature experience requirement, instructors must indicate that independent studies are research-oriented.
3. Study Abroad Programs
- Urbino program courses in Architecture: ARC 4816 International Studies Studio, ARC 4833 International Studies Drawing Seminar, and ARC 4843 International Studies History Seminar
- Urbino program courses in Interior Design: IDE 4816 International Studies Studio, IDE 4833 International Studies Drawing Seminar, and IDE 4843 International Studies History Seminar
- The study abroad/ Urbino program section of CE 4543 Project Design and Construction Management and CE 4813 Civil Engineering Design
- The study abroad/ Urbino program section of CSM 4713 Construction Capstone
4. Service Learning
- EGR 4953 Special Studies in Engineering with an approved community service component
Students enrolled in these courses must also enroll in the corresponding EID zero-credit hour course from the options listed below. These courses are graded on a pass/fail basis. Passing is contingent upon uploading documentation relevant to the experience at a specified link and completing surveys throughout the semester to report activities conducted during the experience.
EID 3100. Klesse College Signature Experience - Internship. (0-0) 0 Credit Hours.
Prerequisite: Co-enrollment in a linked course or consent of the department chair or school director. An experiential learning internship opportunity in which students conduct supervised professional activities in an organization closely related to their field of study. May be repeated when topics vary.
EID 3200. Klesse College Signature Experience - Research. (0-0) 0 Credit Hours.
Prerequisite: Co-enrollment in a linked course or consent of the department chair or school director. An experiential learning research opportunity in the student's field of study. Students must conduct research under the direction of a qualified supervisor and complete all appropriate training before engaging in research activities. May be repeated when topics vary.
EID 3300. Klesse College Signature Experience - Study Abroad. (0-0) 0 Credit Hours.
Prerequisite: Co-enrollment in a linked course or consent of the department chair or school director. An international experiential opportunity that allows students to obtain valuable knowledge relevant to their field of study by providing them access to sites abroad. May be repeated when topics vary.
EID 3400. Klesse College Signature Experience - Service Learning. (0-0) 0 Credit Hours.
Prerequisite: Co-enrollment in a linked course or consent of the department chair or school director. An experiential service-learning opportunity in which students offer solutions to problems and issues of public concern by applying the knowledge gained in the classroom. May be repeated when topics vary.
B. Signature Experience Co-Curricular Activities
A list of pre-approved experiences will be updated each semester at the college website before each registration period. Students interested in fulfilling the signature experience requirement through an alternative experience must obtain approval from the School Director or Department Chair of their program of study and the Associate Dean of Undergraduate Programs before committing to the experience. The experience approval application form is available on the Klesse College website. Students must provide supplementary documentation demonstrating that the experience meets one of the INTERESTS category descriptions and requires a time commitment of at least 100 hours.
Students must complete a Signature Experience Alternative Co-Curricular Activities Approval Form during the registration period corresponding to the semester the experience will be completed. On the form, students must indicate the Signature Experience Interest they would like to participate. Approved students must enroll in the zero-credit-hour EID course (EID 1100, EID 1200, EID 1300, or EID 1400) associated with the category of the experience. These courses are graded on a pass/fail basis. Passing is contingent upon uploading documentation relevant to the experience at a specified link and completing surveys throughout the semester to report activities conducted during the experience.
Waivers will be granted only under exceptional circumstances and will be considered only a year before graduation. Students must submit a written request explaining the exceptional circumstances and include supporting documentation. Waivers to departments or school experiences will not exempt students from Klesse College’s signature experience requirement.
EID 1100. Klesse College Signature Experience - Internship. (0-0) 0 Credit Hours.
Prerequisite: Complete and submit the Klesse College Signature Experience Approval Form. An experiential learning internship opportunity in which students conduct supervised professional activities in an organization closely related to their field of study. May be repeated when topics vary.
EID 1200. Klesse College Signature Experience - Research. (0-0) 0 Credit Hours.
Prerequisite: Complete and submit the Klesse College Signature Experience Approval Form. An experiential learning research opportunity in the student's field of study. Students must conduct research under the direction of a qualified supervisor and complete all appropriate training before engaging in research activities. May be repeated when topics vary.
EID 1300. Klesse College Signature Experience - Study Abroad. (0-0) 0 Credit Hours.
Prerequisite: Complete and submit the Klesse College Signature Experience Approval Form. An international experiential opportunity that allows students to obtain valuable knowledge relevant to their field of study by providing them access to sites abroad. May be repeated when topics vary.
EID 1400. Klesse College Signature Experience - Service Learning. (0-0) 0 Credit Hours.
Prerequisite: Complete and submit the Klesse College Signature Experience Approval Form. An experiential service-learning opportunity in which students offer solutions to problems and issues of public concern by applying the knowledge gained in the classroom. May be repeated when topics vary.
Degree Requirements Common to All Engineering Programs
During their first semester, students should specify their interest in a specific engineering program by selecting biomedical, chemical, civil, electrical, or mechanical engineering as a major. Undecided engineering students should select a major closest to their area of interest (refer to the program descriptions). Students may obtain additional information about each program from their academic advisor or a faculty advisor in the appropriate department or school.
Students must satisfy the University’s Core Curriculum and ABET accreditation requirements. Recommended degree plans and current ABET requirements may be obtained from the specific engineering programs.
Course requirements common to all engineering degree programs follow.
I. Core Curriculum requirements
Students seeking a Bachelor of Science degree in any engineering field must fulfill University Core Curriculum requirements in the same manner as other students at UT San Antonio.
MAT 1213 Calculus I, PHY 1943 Physics for Scientists and Engineers I, and PHY 1963 Physics for Scientists and Engineers II (also listed under section II, General Engineering requirements) may be used to satisfy the Core Curriculum requirements for Mathematics and Life and Physical Sciences.
II. General Engineering requirements
All degree-seeking candidates in engineering must complete the following:
Course List
| Code |
Title |
Credit Hours |
| CHE 1103 | General Chemistry I | 3 |
| EGR 2302 | Linear Algebra for Engineers | 2 |
| EGR 2313 | Multivariable Calculus and Series for Engineers | 3 |
| EGR 3423 | Ordinary and Partial Differential Equations for Engineers | 3 |
| MAT 1213 | Calculus I | 3 |
| MAT 1223 | Calculus II | 3 |
| or EGR 1333 | Calculus II for Engineers |
PHY 1943 & PHY 1951 | Physics for Scientists and Engineers I and Physics for Scientists and Engineers I Laboratory | 4 |
PHY 1963 & PHY 1971 | Physics for Scientists and Engineers II and Physics for Scientists and Engineers II Laboratory | 4 |
| Total Credit Hours | 25 |
Gateway Courses
Students pursuing an engineering degree must successfully complete Gateway Courses with a grade of “C-” or better in no more than two attempts. If the student does not successfully complete a Gateway Course in two attempts, then the student is required to change their major.
For the purpose of this policy, dropping a course with a grade of “W” or taking an equivalent course at another institution of higher education counts as an attempt at taking the course.
Three-Attempt Limit
Students pursuing an engineering degree must successfully complete all science, engineering, and math courses for their program with a grade of “C-” or better in no more than three attempts. A student unable to achieve the “C-” Grade Rule within three enrollments (attempts) shall be required to change their major.
For the purpose of this policy, dropping a course with a grade of “W” or taking an equivalent course at another institution of higher education counts as an attempt at taking the course.
Engineering Honors
The Engineering Honors distinction provides the opportunity for experiential and advanced study under close faculty supervision to those admitted into the Engineering Honors Program (EHP). Selection for the honors designation is based on the student’s academic performance and recommendation by a faculty member in the student’s major discipline.
Program Admission
To be eligible for the program, students must have a minimum university grade point average of 3.50 and a minimum grade point average of 3.50 in their major at UT San Antonio. These minimum averages must be maintained by the student to receive approval from the College Honors Committee. Admission to the Engineering Honors Program is competitive.
Engineering Honors Program Admission Criteria for Freshman
Applicants entering UT San Antonio from high school may be directly admitted to the Engineering Honors Program if they meet the following requirements:
-
meet all UT San Antonio and Klesse College admission requirements,
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rank in the top 25 percent of their high school class, and
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earn a score of 1280 or higher on the new SAT or a composite score of 27 or higher on the ACT.
Engineering Honors Program Admission Criteria for Transfer and Current UT San Antonio Engineering Students
Transfer applicants and applicants who are current UT San Antonio engineering students may be admitted to the Engineering Honors Program if they meet the following requirements:
-
have completed 12 UT San Antonio semester credit hours,
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have a cumulative UT San Antonio GPA of 3.5, and
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have credit for at least one Co-Curricular Signature Experience.
Students who are admitted to the Honors College Program have direct admission to the Engineering Honors Program, but must complete the Engineering Honors Program acknowledgment form in order to participate in the program. The application forms and deadlines are available on the Klesse College website.
Program Requirements
The Engineering Honors Program requires its members to meet academic and experiential learning requirements in order to graduate with the Engineering Honors designation. Students must meet a minimum of 9 hours through any combination of:
-
Signature Experience designated courses
-
EGR 4993 Honors Research for 3 semester credit hours in their last year of study, which may be repeated once for credit and may be approved as a technical elective with department agreement.
Cooperative Education in Engineering Program
The Cooperative Education in Engineering Program formally integrates University studies with institutionally supervised work experiences at cooperating organizations. Students participating in this program alternate periods of study at the University with periods of employment in industry. This combination of experiences enhances the student’s knowledge, personal development, and preparation for a professional career. Participants register at the University each semester. During the work periods, students register for the 3-semester-credit-hour EGR 3303 Engineering Co-op course. At the end of each work period, students submit reports covering the period. These reports are the basis of the student’s grades in the course. The cooperative education work periods also provide students with a source of income to help pay for their college expenses.
To qualify for the Cooperative Education in Engineering Program, a student must have declared an engineering major and have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.50 and a minimum grade point average of 2.50 in their Klesse College courses. Students are advised that many co-op employers require cumulative grade point averages higher than 2.50, and some require a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0. Transfer students may participate in the program after completing at least one semester at UT San Antonio.
For more information and to apply to the Cooperative Education in Engineering Program, students should contact their Undergraduate Advisor of Record (UGAR).
Multidisciplinary Senior Design Capstone Project
Students may opt to satisfy the senior design course requirements within their program of study through the multidisciplinary senior design course sequence, comprising EGR 4812 or EGR 4803, and EGR 4813, provided approval is granted from their program. Additionally, projects with a social impact or community engagement element may qualify to fulfill the student's Signature Experience requirement.
Laptop Program
The laptop program requires that students entering Klesse College programs have their own laptop (notebook) computers and required software. The computer should be upgradeable in order to be of productive use for the duration of the academic program. The laptop specifications may vary per academic program. For further and specific information concerning laptop requirements for each program, please see the Klesse College hardware recommendations website.
Certificate in Engineering Projects in Community Service (EPICS)
The Certificate in Engineering Projects in Community Service (EPICS) will prepare degree seeking students at UTSA with a national award-winning social, civic, and entrepreneurship program. Student teams design, build, and maintain systems to solve project-based problems for the community, non-profits, schools, and other service organizations. This program certifies to employers that participants aren’t waiting to graduate to solve social problems; they have already engaged them while in college. The EPICS program at UTSA will be housed in the Klesse College of Engineering and Integrated Design; but EPICS and honors section courses will be open to all undergraduates.
Students will engage in the design process from start to finish with an emphasis on sustainability as they deliver products to clients. EPICS are multi-year ventures, with students encouraged to work on a project for at least one year. The course structure proposed has a 2-credit-hour introduction and a 1-credit continuation each year tied to the service-based project and offered at freshman, sophomore, junior, and senior levels.
Certificate Requirements
Students will be required to complete a minimum of 15 semester credit hours for the certificate. Credits may be repeated for EPICS classes if engaged in different course sections tied to each project. The EPICS program will also encourage the use of a co-op internship at the host partner business if available. The EPICS co-op may be substituted for technical elective credit with permission of the department. Courses must be taken at their level of current status; freshmen may take EPICS courses if between 0-29 hours, sophomores at 30-59, juniors at 60-89, and seniors at or above 90 hours. Certificates will be awarded upon completion of the 15 approved hours and with a GPA of 2.5 or above.
Senior engineering students may be allowed to register for interdisciplinary senior design proportional to the hours in their home program of Biomedical, Chemical, Civil, Computer, Electrical, or Mechanical Engineering, provided they meet the prerequisites of their respective senior design class, with permission of the department and with prior engagement with EPICS projects. Students enrolled in EPICS senior design will be tasked with a significant leadership role of juniors, sophomores, and freshmen.
Course List | Code | Title | Credit Hours |
| |
| Klesse First Year Experience I | |
| Klesse First Year Experience II | |
| |
| Junior Participation in Engineering Projects in Community Service (EPICS) | |
| Junior Participation in Engineering Projects in Community Service (EPICS) | |
| EPICS Engineering Co-op | |
| Senior Participation in Engineering Projects in Community Service (EPICS) | |
| Senior Participation in Engineering Projects in Community Service (EPICS) | |
| Senior EPICS Design I | |
| Senior EPICS Design I | |
| Senior EPICS Design II | |
| |
| The Impact of Modern Technologies on Society | |
| Introduction to Community and Public Health | |
| Society and Social Issues | |
| Social Problems | |
| |
| Building Systems Studio | |
| Biomaterials I | |
| Computational Modeling and Simulation in Biomedical Engineering | |
| Properties and Behavior of Engineering Materials | |
| Introduction to Materials Science and Engineering | |
| Construction Estimating I | |
| Project Planning and Scheduling | |
| Electronic Circuits I | |
| Electronic Devices | |
| Engineering Economic Analysis | |
| Systems Integration Studio | |
| Machine Element Design | |
| Mathematical Statistics for Inference | |
| Total Credit Hours | 15 |