V I L LANOVA E NG I NE E RS I GNITING C H ANG E
1
COLLEGE
OF
ENGINEERING
TA B L E O F CONTENTS 03
What Change will you Ignite?
04
The First-Year Experience
06
Chemical and Biological Engineering
08
Civil and Environmental Engineering
10
Computer Engineering
12
Electrical Engineering
14
Mechanical Engineering
16
Engineering Minors
17
Career Compass
18
The Engineering Experience
20
NAE Grand Challenges
Scholars Program
21
Undergraduate Research
22
Entrepreneurial Mindset
23
Education Abroad
24
Service
26
Student Life
28
V Marks the Spot
30
Graduate Studies
32
Where will Villanova Take You?
F A S T
F A C T S
1,074 83%
UNDERGRADUATES
GRADUATE WITHIN 4 YEARS (VERSUS NATIONAL AVERAGE OF 33%)
93%
FRESHMAN-TO-SOPHOMORE RETENTION RATE (VERSUS NATIONAL AVERAGE OF 82%)
35% 13:1 22
FEMALE (VERSUS NATIONAL AVERAGE OF 21%)
STUDENT TO FACULTY RATIO
AVERAGE CLASS SIZE
2
Greetings! We are delighted that you are considering earning your engineering degree at Villanova University. With an engineering degree you’ll learn how the world works— and how to make it work better. Many schools graduate engineers who solve problems. We graduate engineers who ignite change. IN THE CLASSROOM From day one, you’ll learn to think like an engineer in small classes taught by faculty members. You’ll benefit from the expertise of those who bring engineering to life through hands-on instruction that bridges theory and practice. Entrepreneurially minded learning experiences both inside and outside the classroom will help you realize your creative and innovative potential. You’ll collaborate with your classmates to help each other succeed. IN THE LABORATORY You’ll learn by doing, working alongside faculty on their latest research. Connecting with industry professionals on real-world challenges in the Multidisciplinary Design Lab. Collaborating on a senior project, which may benefit a community down the street or across the globe. In the process, you’ll develop leadership and team building skills, and learn best practices for laboratory research and technical communication. IN THE COMMUNITY With service learning built into the curriculum, there are countless opportunities for Villanova engineers to take what they learn in the classroom and apply it to some of the world’s most complex challenges. Our rigorous curriculum is rooted in our Augustinian values. You don’t just learn what to do as an
W H AT C H A N G E W I L L YO U I G N I T E ?
engineer, but how to do it in a way that benefits humanity and builds a sustainable society. Let us help you—in the words of St. Augustine— “become what you are not yet.” Wishing you the best in your college search,
Michele Marcolongo, PhD, PE Drosdick Endowed Dean College of Engineering
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4
5
PROFILE OF THE FIRST-YEAR CLASS ( CLASS OF 2025 ):
“The freshman project
283 40% 23%
STUDENTS
FEMALE
1480–1370
MIDDLE 50% COMBINED RANGE SAT SCORE (MATH/VERBAL)
T H E
F I R S T - Y E A R
E X P E R I E N C E
Your Villanova Engineering experience begins in the fall semester of your first year with courses in math, science and Augustinian culture, as well as a core course in engineering fundamentals. Our active-learning, problem-based approach prepares you for a team-based, faculty-mentored multidisciplinary engineering project later in the semester. Each student team presents its project findings, which strengthens communication skills and teaches best practices for presenting scientific information. As a first-year student you are assigned an academic advisor who is a full-time faculty member in your major. Your advisor will help ensure proper course selection and your advancement in the program.
ETHNIC/ RACIAL MINORITY
96%
AND
IN THE TOP 25% OF THEIR HIGH SCHOOL CLASS
5
26
see a real application STATES
COUNTRIES
of what you’ll be doing as an engineer, and provides a great introduction to the field as a whole. It also
34–32 MIDDLE 50% COMPOSITE ACT RANGE
helps you adjust to working in teams, which is something you’ll do throughout your career.” DANIEL FETSKO CIVIL ENGINEERING HUDSON, OH
ENGINEERING HONORS RECENT MULTIDISCIPLINARY FRESHMEN PROJECTS:
A SOLID F O U N D AT I O N
REPRESENTS
gives you a chance to
• Biomimicry • Biomedical Signal Analysis • Sustainable Systems Design • SMARTBEAM
Each year, 25 to 30 incoming engineering students are selected to the Honors Program. No special application is required, however, interested students should apply to Villanova by November 1 to be considered and must indicate their interest on the member section of the Common Application. Students admitted to Villanova are invited to the Honors Program within a week of their acceptance to the University. Ten Honors classes are required to earn an Honors degree, at least four of which must be in engineering, beginning with an Honors section of the freshman course.
“As an Honors student, you will have a much smaller interdisciplinary engineering course your first semester. The program will help you go further than you thought you could, with a constant support system in place and new friends
• DIY Spectophometer
along the way.”
• Water-Energy Nexus
GEORGE LONG
• Disaster Shelters (Honors)
COMPUTER ENGINEERING DES MOINES, IA
6
7
C H E M I C A L A N D
LEARNING BY DOING Through the two-semester Senior Project Studio, Chemical
B I O L O G I C A L
Engineering majors can participate in an industry-sponsored design or research project. In addition, a number of students work
E N G I N E E R I N G
directly with professors, which can lead to co-authored papers and presentations at industry conferences. The curriculum also allows for a co-op experience during the fall of your senior year.
CAUSING A R E AC T I O N
RECENT UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH PROJECTS INCLUDE: • Removal of copper from wastewater by adsorption • Optimizing lyophilization processes for drug formulations • Using antibody coating polymer microparticles for vaccine delivery
Using the principles of mathematics, chemistry, biology,
• Rational synthesis of highly dispersed bimetallic catalysts
physics and engineering sciences, Villanova chemical and
• Expression of recombinant earthworm hemoglobin in CHO cells
biological engineering students learn to produce, transform
• Engineering an intron sequence to optimize transgene expression
and properly use chemicals and energy to produce almost
ORGANIZATIONS AND TEAMS
anything. You will be taught to creatively solve technical, commercial and social problems arising in industries which
• American Institute of Chemical Engineers Student Chapter
manufacture bulk chemicals, fuels, pharmaceuticals, cell
• Chem-E Car
therapies, plastics, cosmetics, foods and much more.
• Omega Chi Epsilon Honor Society
OUTCOMES
THE FUNDAMENTALS • Mass and Fluid Mechanics
• Reactor Design
• Heat Transfer
• Chemical Process Control
• Thermodynamics
• Process Design
TECHNICAL ELECTIVES • Biochemical Engineering
• Energy and Sustainability
• Nano and Advanced Materials
• Cell and Genetic Engineering
RELATED MINORS • Biochemical Engineering
• Biomedical Engineering
• Sustainable Engineering
• Humanitarian Engineering
– FA S T FA C T S –
15
FULL-TIME FACULTY
224
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING UNDERGRADUATES
50% FEMALE
“My undergraduate research experience provided constant exposure to new technologies and experimental techniques, which has had both academic and professional benefits.”
Demand is increasing for chemical engineers in emerging areas such as nanotechnologies, alternative energy and biotechnology. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the retirement of many current chemical engineers by 2024 will create favorable job prospects. In 2020, 14% of Villanova Chemical Engineers continued their education after graduation. Those who entered the job market are working for companies including: • 3M Company
• Goldman Sachs
• Air Liquide
• Johnson Matthey
GRANT KESTER
• AstraZeneca
• Mars Wrigley Confectionary
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
• Dow
• Naval Sea Systems Command
HARLEYSVILLE, PA
• FMC
• Praxair
• GlaxoSmithKline
• U.S. Navy
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9
C I V I L
A N D
E N V I R O N M E N T A L LEARNING BY DOING
E N G I N E E R I N G
In addition to a senior capstone design project, students may take a course of undergraduate research where they work directly with a faculty advisor and a graduate student mentor,
DESIGNING AND CONSTRUCTING THE FUTURE
and receive academic credit. RECENT UNDERGRADUATE PROJECTS INCLUDE: • Evaluating cyclical performance of wood framed shear walls with viscoelastic materials • Determining influence of control devices on the performance of constructed wetlands • Investigating reclaimed asphalt pavement properties for sustainable infrastructure
Civil and environmental engineers design, construct and protect the physical and natural environment. Because the
• Providing structural and site design for an outdoor auditorium for an orphanage in Honduras
scale of these projects often affects large segments of the
• Conducting a complete safety analysis of a regional dam
population, the responsibilities of civil engineers extend beyond mere physical facilities. Villanova faculty prepare
ORGANIZATIONS AND TEAMS
students to play vital roles in enhancing quality of life while
• American Society of Civil Engineers Student Chapter
protecting the environment and improving sustainability.
• Institute of Transportation Engineers Student Chapter .”Both in class and in
The curriculum addresses fundamentals applicable to all aspects of civil and environmental engineering through a set of required courses, and then offers students the flexibility to take elective upper-level courses in more specialized areas of interest. AREAS OF SPECIALIZATION • Construction Management
• Structural Engineering
• Environmental Engineering
• Transportation Engineering
• Geotechnical Engineering
• Water Resources Engineering
RELATED MINORS • Sustainable Engineering
• Real Estate Development
• Humanitarian Engineering
– FA S T FA C T S –
19
FULL-TIME FACULTY
242
CIVIL AND ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING UNDERGRADUATES
34%
FEMALE
research opportunities, I was challenged to think about my engineering projects in the context of the communities they serve. This perspective shaped a social-minded research approach that was a strong fit with Villanova’s and Fulbright’s goals of community engagement and cultural exchange.” FULBRIGHT GRANT RECIPIENT AND KNIGHT-HENNESSY SCHOLAR BRIDGET GILE
CIVIL ENGINEERING MORRIS, IL
• NovaCANE (Villanova Community Action by New Engineers)
OUTCOMES “Civil Engineer” ranks among the top 100 “Best Jobs” and top 25 “STEM Jobs” according to U.S. News & World Report (2021). In 2020, 23% of Villanova Civil Engineers continued their education after graduation. Those who entered the job market are working for companies including:. • AECOM
• Railroad Construction Company
• Accenture
• Skanska USA
• ARCO Design/Build
• Turner Construction
• Bohler Engineering
• Urban Engineers
• Jacobs Engineering
• Whiting-Turner Contracting
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C O M P U T E R
LEARNING BY DOING
E N G I N E E R I N G
Every student completes a senior capstone design project, which covers three semesters and involves student teams working on a variety of real-world problems, many of which are sponsored by industry partners. You can also speak with
A D VA N C I N G T E C H N O LO GY
your advisor about research opportunities with faculty. RECENT UNDERGRADUATE PROJECTS INCLUDE: • FPGA implementation of lightweight post-quantum cryptography • Virtural reality training system for soccer goalies • Design of an e-commerce trading platform for Galapagos Islands • Agriculture software app for rural Guatemala
Computer engineers blend theories from computer science and applications from electrical engineering to develop new hardware and software for computer systems. These engineers
ORGANIZATIONS AND TEAMS
optimize and advance the core technologies behind the Internet, wireless communications and mobile computing.
FUNDAMENTALS
SPECIALIZATIONS
• C and C++ Programming Languages
• Applied Machine Learning
• Computer Hardware and
• Cybersecurity
Architectures
• CubeSat • Eta Kappa Nu Honor Society • Amateur Radio Club • RASC-AL: NASA’s Revolutionary Aerospace ConceptsAcademic Linkage program
OUTCOMES
• Microcontrollers
• Computer Interfacing
• Post-Quantum Computing
• Computer Networks
• Software Engineering
• Digital System Design • Efficient Computer Algorithms • Microprocessor Systems
TECHNICAL ELECTIVES
RELATED MINORS
• Biomedical Signal Processing
• Computer Science
• Game Development
• Cybersecurity
• Artificial Intelligence
• Electrical Engineering
• Select courses from the Department of Computer Science
• Humanitarian Engineering • Mechatronics
A Computer Engineering degree will prepare you for several of “Villanova’s computer engineering program prepared me extremely well for my job as a software engineer with the Walt Disney Company. My professors were supportive and always there to help, and my classmates were collaborative and encouraging.”
– FA S T FA C T S –
FULL-TIME FACULTY
171
COMPUTER ENGINEERING UNDERGRADUATES
In 2020, 17% of Villanova Computer Engineers continued their education after graduation. Those who entered the job market are working for companies including: • Amazon • Accenture • Deloitte • JP Morgan • Lockheed Martin • L3Harris Technologies • Microsoft • Northrop Grumman • SAP • Vanguard • Walt Disney Studios
SHELLY HENLING
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the top 100 “Best Jobs” (U.S. News & World Report, 2021).
27% FEMALE
COMPUTER ENGINEERING SEATTLE, WA
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E L E C T R I C A L
LEARNING BY DOING
E N G I N E E R I N G
Over three semesters, students complete a real-world senior capstone design project with a team of fellow Electrical and Computer Engineering majors. These projects are often sponsored by industry partners or reflect international
HARNESSING T H E P OW E R
service work. RECENT UNDERGRADUATE PROJECTS INCLUDE: • 3D modeling using photogrammetry • Alternative and augmented communication device
Electrical engineers use mathematics, science and
• Miniaturized functional Near Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS)
technology to design, construct and maintain a wide array
• Formula SAE electric vehicle powertrain design
of products, services and information systems. From the
• CubeSat electrical power subsystem design
nanoscale to the macroscale, products and systems that
ORGANIZATIONS AND TEAMS
utilize electromagnetic waves, electrons and photons in their
• CubeSat
operation belong to the field of electrical engineering.
• Eta Kappa Nu Honor Society • Formula SAE (Nova Racing) • Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers Student Chapter
FUNDAMENTALS • Analog and Digital Electronics
• Electric Energy Systems
• Amateur Radio Club
• Communication Systems
• Electromagnetics
• Control Systems
• Electronic Materials and Devices
• RASC-AL: NASA’s Revolutionary Aerospace Concepts-Academic Linkage program
• DC and AC Circuits
• Signal Processing
SPECIALIZATIONS • Biomedical Engineering
• Embedded Systems
• Electric Energy Systems
• High Frequency Systems
• Electronics
• Signal Processing
RELATED MINORS • Biomedical Engineering
• Cybersecurity
• Computer Engineering
• Mechatronics
• Humanitarian Engineering
– FA S T FA C T S –
20
FULL-TIME FACULTY
127
ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING UNDERGRADUATES
17%
FEMALE
“I really knew nothing about electrical engineering before I came to Villanova so the fact that I graduated with the department’s medallion (top honor) and am employed as a firmware engineer for Kratos Defense and Security Solutions is really a testament to how great a job the College does in training us to be true engineers.”
OUTCOMES In 2020, 16% of Villanova Electrical Engineers continued their education after graduation. Those who entered the job market are working for companies including: • Accenture • Boeing • Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia • Federal Aviation Administration • L3Harris Technologies • IBM • Jaros, Baum & Bolles • Kratos Defense & Security Solutions • Lockheed Martin • Microsoft • Northrup Grumman • Stryker • Raytheon
DAN MCTEAGUE
ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING SPRINGFIELD, PA
• Texas Instruments • U.S. Navy
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15
M E C H A N I C A L
LEARNING BY DOING
E N G I N E E R I N G
All seniors complete a two-semester capstone design experience. Many of these projects are industry-sponsored, while others are based on international service learning projects. Research opportunities are available for a selected number of students,
E X P LO R I N G I N N O VAT I V E SOLUTIONS
both during the academic year, and over summers. RECENT UNDERGRADUATE PROJECTS INCLUDE: • Lap time simulator for motorsport applications • Dimensional modeling of carbon parts • 3-D underwater mapping with stereo sonar • Server rack heat recovery • Unexploded ordnance remediation robot for Cambodia
The field of mechanical engineering nurtures designers and inventors who layer scientific principles on a strong mathematical foundation to develop creative solutions to the world’s challenges. Mechanical engineering students are exposed to many exciting career possibilities, including robotics, aerospace, manufacturing, biomedical and energy systems. The curriculum includes both engineering fundamentals and cutting-edge technology.
• Water technology for Madagascar
ORGANIZATIONS AND TEAMS • American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Student Chapter • American Society of Mechanical Engineers Student Chapter • Formula SAE (Nova Racing) • Pi Tau Sigma Honor Society • Robotics • RASC-AL: NASA’s Revolutionary Aerospace Concepts-Academic Linkage program
CONCENTRATIONS • Mechanics and Materials
• Dynamics and Controls
OUTCOMES
• Thermal Fluids Systems
U.S. News & World Report ranks “Mechanical Engineer” among
TECHNICAL ELECTIVES • Biomechanics
• Nanomaterials
• Flight Dynamics
• Robotics
• Mechatronics
• Renewable Energy
RELATED MINORS • Aerospace Engineering
• Mechatronics
• Biomedical Engineering
• Humanitarian Engineering
– FA S T FA C T S –
23
FULL-TIME FACULTY
310
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING UNDERGRADUATES
“Villanova gave me the confidence to work independently and to effectively communicate my results. The program builds virtuous engineers who are willing to go that extra mile.” BRENT STUDENROTH
32% FEMALE
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING GLENVIEW, IL
the 100 Best Jobs and Best STEM Jobs (2021). In 2020, 24% of Villanova Mechanical Engineers continued their education after graduation. Those who entered the job market are working for companies including: • Deloitte Consulting
• Lutron
• GlaxoSmithKline
• Naval Surface Warfare Center
• L3Harris Technologies
• Pratt & Whitney
• Jaros, Baum & Bolles
• Skanska
• Jacobs Engineering Group
• United Technologies Corp.
• Lockheed Martin
• U.S. Navy
72%
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E N G I N E E R I N G M I N O R S
RECIPIENT OF THE 2021 INNOVATION AWARD BY
OF ENGINEERING
ONE MINOR
MOST POPULAR MINORS FOR ENGINEERING MAJORS
B R OA D E N YO U R H O R I Z O N S
BOARD FOR ENGINEERING
GRADUATES EARN AT LEAST
Computer Science Math Business/Summer Business Institute Aerospace Engineering Engineering Entrepreneurship
Engineering students may choose to expand their studies in a
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THE ACCREDITATION AND TECHNOLOGY!
C A R E E R C O M P A S S
“Career Compass has empowered me to
P R E PA R I N G TO M O R R OW ’ S PROFESSIONALS
curate my own path in tech and recognize that everyone will have different journeys.” PAIGE BONVALLET
COMPUTER ENGINEERING WOODINVILLE, WA
number of engineering minor program areas. You can satisfy other curiosities by exploring dozens of options offered by the
As part of Villanova’s comprehensive undergraduate
M. Louise Fitzpatrick College of Nursing, College of Liberal
engineering program, students learn not only the scientific,
someone who has
Arts and Sciences or the Villanova School of Business.
mathematical and engineering principles expected of
recently gone through
every engineer, but also the professional skills they need
the hiring process to
to succeed in any career. Career Compass is a professional
bounce ideas off and
MINORS IN THE COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
development program that augments the College’s technical
ask questions. You can
AEROSPACE ENGINEERING
engineering curriculum. Spanning the freshman through
get so much out of the
junior years, Career Compass was designed in collaboration
mentoring relationship!”
Provides a thorough background in aerospace topics to prepare students for careers or advanced study in the aerospace field. BIOCHEMICAL ENGINEERING Prepares graduates for the biopharmaceutical industry— designing and optimizing processes for the manufacture of antibiotics, vaccines, antibodies and cell therapy products. BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING Combines engineering principles with medical and biological sciences such that students learn to design and create equipment, devices, computer systems and software used in healthcare and the human body. COMPUTER ENGINEERING Provides students with the fundamentals of computer engineering and offers electives in networks, security, programming, design and more. CYBERSECURITY Offered jointly with the Department of Computer Science, the cybersecurity minor equips students with the technical skills and knowledge to address constantly evolving cybersecurity threats. ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING Provides a foundation in MATLAB programming and electromagnetics and offers courses in Signal Processing, Electronic Materials and Devices, and Analog Electronics. ENGINEERING ENTREPRENEURSHIP Provides a thorough introduction to the “entrepreneurial mindset” for all students, enabling them to contribute to business success.
The Engineering Entrepreneurship minor can be completed over three years, or through the Engineering Entrepreneurship Summer Institute, a condensed, 7-week, 16-credit program. Read more about these programs on page 22. HUMANITARIAN ENGINEERING For undergraduates of any major who have an interest in humanitarian initiatives with a global perspective. Fosters collaboration with program partners through the provision of technical services that include engineering design and research related to sustainable development.
with industry leaders, alumni, faculty and current students and consists of four areas of focus:
“It’s comforting to have
RACHEL LORGE
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING ALEXANDRIA, VA
• THE ENGINEERING PROFESSION • SETTING THE STAGE FOR PERSONAL SUCCESS • POST-GRADUATION PLANNING • COMMUNICATING IN THE 21ST CENTURY
MECHATRONICS Offers an interdisciplinary look at the design, development and control of advanced hybrid systems—robotics, vehicles, automotive subsystems and more. REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT Offered jointly with the Villanova School of Business, the Real Estate Development minor is specially designed for Civil Engineering students to learn more about commercial real estate development from a business perspective.
90%
OF ENGINEERING STUDENTS WHO WANTED AN INTERNSHIP HAD AT LEAST ONE (2020)
60%
OF THOSE HAD MORE THAN ONE
SUSTAINABILITY STUDIES This interdisciplinary minor (offered with the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences) includes courses from the humanities, social sciences and technology. SUSTAINABLE ENGINEERING This cross-disciplinary minor prepares students as engineers to confront complex sustainability challenges in the 21st century. (Students can pursue a minor in Sustainable Engineering OR Sustainability Studies, but not both.)
In addition to these areas of focus, in year two, Career Compass matches students with alumni mentors. Summer internship, research and engineering service programs are also important experiential components.
23%
RECEIVED A JOB OFFER THROUGH THEIR INTERNSHIP EXPERIENCE
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T H E E N G I N E E R I N G
“The opportunities here are amazing. I have met a lot of professionals and leaders in the industry, worked and learned in fields that excite me, and discovered new passions.”
E X P E R I E N C E
CESAR NUNEZ ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING PHILADELPHIA, PA
S E T T I N G N OVA E N G I N E E R S A PA R T students to learn engineering is to practice engineering. With that in mind, the College offers undergraduates the opportunity for hands-on engineering experiences, many of which are supported by partner companies.
working with professional engineers to produce real-world design projects. Students help companies solve engineering challenges in a space custom-made for and dedicated to high-tech collaborative design—a core activity of engineering.
“Programs like INNOVATE
partnership program of the College of Engineering and
enable you to transform
L3Harris Technologies, Inc. allows students to engage in
your ideas into reality
the open design process to pursue innovative solutions to
within the constraints
unmet societal and technological needs. Students manage
of the real world. It
all aspects of their projects, from initial design concepts
teaches you to use your
through delivery of prototypes and final presentations at
creativity to tackle those
the company’s Melbourne, Florida, headquarters. During
constraints.”
subject matter experts, labs and facilities.
ANTHONY ETIM
ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING NIGERIA
PARTNERS AND PROJECTS: Boeing Design-Build-Fly Competition
A SAMPLING OF INNOVATE PROJECTS: • Snake Bot: a humanitarian robot that can move through heavy brush to locate unexploded mines • Hemabyte: a low-cost, portable blood testing unit
“The skills I learned through INNOVATE—
• AtmoGEN: an atmospheric water generator
both formal and
• VAR Baseball: a virtual reality based training platform to improve
informal—are priceless
tracking
a batter’s concentration and ability to track the baseball
and will stay with me beyond my Villanova
L3Harris Technologies
• Blue Blanket: A reliable, convenient, comfortable, effective and affordable blanket to treat infant jaundice at home
Greenhouse plant sunlight
Teams of senior engineering students can be found in the MDL
design program for multidisciplinary student teams. This
on-campus room and board, project budgets and access to
FMC
MULTIDISCIPLINARY DESIGN LAB (MDL)
INNOVATE is a competitive, self-directed engineering
their two-month residency, students receive stipends, free
RECENT MDL Villanova’s College of Engineering believes the best way for
INNOVATE: The L3Harris Summer Innovation Program
Remotely operated underwater robot
Lockheed Martin Spacecraft bracket redesign for additive manufacturing
Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division Modular robot for adaptable research
• Silvanus: a weather-proof, solar- powered wildfire prevention and detection system
career. My team is extremely proud of the product we produced this summer.” JULIA VOLBERG
ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING FARMINGDALE, NY
20
The National Academy of Engineering’s Grand Challenges are an aspirational vision of what engineering needs to deliver in the 21st century—through 14 corresponding goals—for “continuation of life on the planet, making our world more sustainable, secure, healthy and joyful.” The NAE Grand Challenges Scholars Program at Villanova University College of Engineering invites students to focus on one of five challenges that build upon the College’s research expertise: • Make solar energy economical • Provide access to clean water • Engineer better medicines • Secure cyberspace
“Pursuing the GCSP helped to continuously remind me of my goals and aspirations, and allowed me to reflect on the impact my actions have on the communities I will be working in.” SIOBHAN MERRILL CIVIL ENGINEERING SOUTHOLD, NY
“The GCSP combined the mathematics and science approach to learning that I love with the supportive community and team-focused environment that I longed for.”
• Restore urban infrastructure
To achieve the program’s required competencies, scholars pursue opportunities in: • Sustainability • Service Learning (Humanitarian Engineering) • Engineering Entrepreneurship
SIMON BROOKS
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING WEST WINDSOR, NJ
91%
OF STUDENTS A RESEARCH EXPERIENCE HAD AT LEAST ONE
U N D E R G R A D U AT E RESEARCH Villanova Engineering students enjoy research opportunities rarely available to undergraduates in other top-tier engineering programs. Through the University’s dedicated Center for Research and Fellowships, undergraduates can pursue the Match Research Program for First Year Students and the Villanova Undergraduate Research Fellowship, as well as short-term research, conference, and travel grants. In recent years, over 200 Villanova undergraduates have received CRF funding for research that they have published in peer-reviewed scholarly journals and presented at national and international conferences. In the College of Engineering, the Clare Boothe Luce Engineering Scholars Program provides select undergraduates with three distinctive research experiences from freshman through junior years, along with intentional mentorship. In addition to research conducted within individual departments and with individual faculty, undergraduates have opportunities to work in the College’s high profile research centers: CENTER FOR ADVANCED COMMUNICATIONS
• Education Abroad • Undergraduate Research • Interdisciplinary Learning
CENTER FOR ENERGY-SMART ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS CENTER FOR HUMANITARIAN ENGINEERING AND INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
In addition to being formally recognized by Villanova University, students who complete the program receive a letter from the president of the National Academy of Engineering and are included on the scholars list on the Grand Challenges Scholars Program website.
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WHO WANTED
CENTER FOR NONLINEAR DYNAMICS AND CONTROL NOVACELL CENTER FOR CELLULAR ENGINEERING VILLANOVA CENTER FOR ANALYTICS OF DYNAMIC SYSTEMS VILLANOVA CENTER FOR RESILIENT WATER SYSTEMS
“Research was rewarding because it taught me how to decipher complex documentation and draw conclusions from raw data. I loved building relationships with master’s and PhD candidates and I felt like I was a valued contributor to the project I worked on.” GRACE EMBREY
ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING DALLAS, TX
“Getting involved in research on campus has been equally as important to my education as my coursework. While it is necessary to build a strong technical foundation, true understanding of the material comes from application.”
LAUREN GAROFALO
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP, NJ
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THE ENTREPRENEURIAL MINDSET Entrepreneurially minded thinking is incorporated in the freshman core engineering class and applied to exercises in upper-level engineering courses. It is pursued in depth through the College’s Engineering Entrepreneurship minor and Summer Institute. And campus-wide,
E D U C AT I O N ABROAD According to the Institute of International Education, only 5 percent of U.S. engineering majors study abroad. At Villanova University, that figure is an impressive 33% (2020). The College
The need for entrepreneurial skills is much broader than the focus on starting on a new enterprise.
of Engineering has built flexibility into the curriculum to allow more
Employers value self-starters who take initiative, show persistence and demonstrate leadership.
of its students to pursue this transformative experience, whether
These entrepreneurial competencies are invaluable in any career and differentiate students
for a summer, semester or an entire academic year.
from the competition. Through the Engineering Entrepreneurship minor (open to students of all • Opportunity analysis
• Project funding
V I L L ANOVA E NG I NE E R I NG STU D E NTS H AV E STU D I E D I N:
• New product ideation and development
• Product launching
• Melbourne, Australia
• Galway, Ireland
• Intellectual property
• New product marketing
• New South Wales, Australia
• Rome, Italy
• Project management
• Risk management
• Sydney, Australia
• Krakow, Poland
• Prototyping
• Team development
• Manchester, England
• Madrid, Spain
• Lille, France
• Dubai, United Arab Emirates
• Basic accounting and finance concepts ENGINEERING ENTREPRENEURSHIP MENTOR NETWORK This student-run organization is comprised of engineering entrepreneurship program alumni with a focus on providing mentor support for current student teams, conducting networking events, and serving as a touchpoint for graduates. B. PHL COLLEGE INNOVATION CLASSIC All E2SI student teams participate in this Philadelphia-based entrepreneurship competition—part of the B. PHL Innovation Fest, which occurs each fall. PRE-SEED VENTURE PROGRAM Offers funding and resources to selected tech-based student ventures. DESIGN HACKATHONS Held periodically throughout the year, hackathons allow you to ideate, iterate and test your prototype while practicing the core concepts of design thinking.
Through the Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship:
In addition to traditional study abroad opportunities, unique
VILLANOVA STUDENT ENTREPRENEURSHIP COMPETITION This one-semester, interdisciplinary competition asks students to innovate, create and design products, businesses or services to fill a variety of needs. Finalists work with outside judges and mentors and deliver pitches to an investor boardroom. The competition culminates on the University’s “Pitch Day.”
Gimignano and Siena, Italy, and Sustainable Engineering for
INNOVATION FUND Every month, student teams can apply for funding to work on their innovative project, venture or non-profit organization. Funding amounts up to $5,000 are based upon stage of venture development.
some of the best experiences of your life! Taking courses at the University of Australia, made me
to advance your entrepreneurial endeavors.
majors), you’ll learn:
mind can lead to
Technology, Sydney,
Villanova’s Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship offers numerous resources and activities
EN G I N EERING ENTREPRENEU R SHIP M IN OR & EN G I N EERING ENTREPRENEU R SHIP SU M M E R IN ST IT U T E ( E 2SI)
“Having an open
summer programs like Augustine and Architecture in San International Development in Indonesia, provide unforgettable short-term experiences.
a more independent engineering student, requiring me to evolve my learning methods in a way that helped me once I returned to Villanova.” ANTHONY CASTELO CIVIL ENGINEERING EDISON, NJ
“The trip (Augustine and Architecture) offered a unique and immersive opportunity for students to explore history and culture through the lens of engineering.” MACKENZIE BOWDEN
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING HALIFAX, MA
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SERVICE
“ It’s one thing to be really involved and enjoy a subject, but to get to teach that to someone and see their
AUG USTI N I AN IDEALS IN ACTIO N “Not every engineering program in the country offers service learning opportunities to its students, but in the College of Engineering at Villanova, service forms the cornerstone of the engineering curriculum, and in many cases students participate by applying the engineering skills they learn in the classroom to help benefit communities around the world.” —Colleges that Create Futures, Princeton Review
V IL L A N OVA ENGINEERING S ERVI C E L EARNING Within the new Center for Humanitarian Engineering and International Development, VESL provides students with projectbased learning experiences that reinforce engineering fundamentals and build a commitment to service with a global perspective. Participation comes in a variety of forms, from in-class projects, independent study and undergraduate research to school break trips and summer internships.
STE M O U TR E ACH RECENT PROJECTS INCLUDE:
• STEM education with the Cambodian Rural Education Support Organization • Unexploded ordnance detection, removal and remediation in Southeast Asia with Golden West Humanitarian Foundation • Water resources and STEM outreach in India with Himalayan Hope Charitable Foundation • Community infrastructure in Panama with the Cheypo-Bayano Mission and Aqua America • Water, sanitation and sustainability in Madagascar, and Laos with Catholic Relief Services • Handpump sustainability in Ghana with Lifetime Wells • Solar energy and capacity building in Ecuador • Renewable energy and STEM outreach with Catholic University of Trujillo and WindAid in Peru
“Working alongside Golden West Humanitarian Foundation’s fantastic engineers and world experts in explosive ordnance disposal technology has been incredible. It has made me a better, more creative and more resourceful engineer, as well as expanding my cultural horizon.” PRESTON WHITEMAN MECHANICAL ENGINEERING CAMP HILL, PA
The College of Engineering has been involved with STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) education outreach to middle-and high-school students for more than a decade. In addition to outreach initiated by individual students and faculty, and student chapters of professional organizations like the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers, the College of Engineering established these programs: NovaCANE (Villanova Community Action by New Engineers) volunteers visit area middle schools where they conduct hands-on engineering projects with students and provide teacher education.
eyes light up—that makes everything we do worthwhile.” ZACH ELLENHORN
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING CALVERTON, NY
“As a VESTED volunteer, I’ve tried to inspire the high school students, but ended up being
VESTED (Villanova Engineering, Science, and Technology Enrichment and Development) brings Philadelphia-area high school students to campus over seven weekends for engineering experiences, college preparation classes, team-building opportunities and discussions with industry leaders. Engineering Is for Girls! brings local Girl Scout troops and school students to campus for a full day of hands-on, mechanical engineering projects. NovaEDGE (Villanova Engineering Diversity Growth Experience) is a one-week, on campus program that introduces students from different ethnic and social backgrounds to the traditional fields of engineering. The program also includes a presentation on the college admissions process.
inspired by them. They have really taught me to think outside the box. The program has allowed me to share my passion and engineering experiences and engage in teamwork in a way that’s different from that of my schoolwork.” SARAH GODSCHALL
CIVIL ENGINEERING PEABODY, MA
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S T U D E N T
COMMUNITY AND SUPPORT
L I F E
the College of Engineering offers:
In addition to numerous University-wide resources, • Well-Being Committee • Diversity, Equity and
B E YO N D T H E CLASSROOM Villanova University offers more than 250 student organizations, along with
Inclusion committee • CEER PEERS (Engineering peer mentors) PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS
• Tau Beta Pi Engineering Honor Society • National Society of Black Engineers • National Society of Professional Engineers • Society of Asian Scientists and Engineers
fraternity and sorority life, performing arts
• Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers
and intercultural affairs to help you discover
• Society of Women Engineers
and explore your passions.
INDUSTRY EXPOSURE
Athletics are another way to become engaged
• Career fairs and information sessions
in the Villanova community. In addition to
• Company site visits
varsity teams—of which dozens of engineering majors are members—there are 30 club and
• Judges serving at Engineering and University-wide student competitions
intramural sports to become involved with.
• Guest speakers • Industry-sponsored projects NOVA NATION
Villanova alumni are dedicated to their alma mater and fellow graduates. Connections are formed through: • Career Compass mentor program (see page 17) • Alumni career panels • Nova Network: An online professional networking source
“Go for it! Playing a varsity sport and majoring in engineering is a manageable load, and both have given me amazing experiences.” COLIN GAMROTH
COMPUTER ENGINEERING VARSITY FOOTBALL MERCER ISLAND, WA
“Outside of engineering, there are so many amazing ways to get involved on campus; you’re bound to find something that piques your interest.” LANDON SKINNER
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING LIBERTY HILL, TX
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V
M A R K S
T H E
S P O T PENNSYLVANIA
WITHIN REACH
NEW YORK CITY
VILLANOVA
PHILADELPHIA NEW JERSEY
WASHINGTON, DC
DELAWARE MARYLAND
WH AT MAK E S V IL L ANOVA S O E ASY TO GE T TO, B U T S O H ARD TO L E AV E ?
The location. Our stunning 260 acres are nestled in the safe, storied and lush Main Line, just 12 miles (19 km) west of Philadelphia, the most historic city in the United States. Should you need to expand your reach, or just want to go adventuring, Washington, DC is 135 miles (215 km) south and New York City is a mere 95 miles (150 km) north.
The transportation. Three campus rail stops provide quick access to all that Philadelphia has to offer: from culture to dining to the arts to professional sports. If shopping is your thing, turn to our car sharing service or free weekend shuttle to visit the King of Prussia Mall—one of America’s largest retail corridors. Outdoor enthusiasts, too, can tap into their interests, with Valley Forge National Historical Park a short ride away.
The sites. The Philadelphia area has a number of points of particular interest for engineering students. The military-minded may want to check out the Navy Yard, Battleship New Jersey and Independence Seaport Museum. The Franklin Institute demonstrates the science involved in disciplines ranging from sports to space. You can take the “Engineering in the City” self-guided walking tour to better understand engineering’s role in creating some of Philadelphia’s most recognizable landmarks and some lesser-known attractions, including the Fireman’s Hall Museum and Waterworks. And, if museums are your thing, head to the Chemical Heritage Foundation Museum, the SEPTA Transit Museum or the American Helicopter Museum.
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“I’m grateful to have been part of a program that was small enough to allow me to interact with all of the other graduate students and all of the faculty. It helped me develop a really well-rounded approach to my research.”
G R A D U A T E S T U D I E S
EMILY HARRIS MASTER’S IN BIOCHEMICAL ENGINEERING
NEXT STEPS
ASSOCIATE SCIENTIST, JANSSEN PHARMACEUTICALS
“My Villanova Engineering research and courses prepared me for the technical challenges a process engineer faces daily, and taught me some incredibly valuable communications skills. My adviser was more than just a good professor—he and the entire department always had my personal development and best interests in mind.”
Your Villanova education doesn’t need to end with a bachelor’s degree. The College of Engineering offers a fiveyear BS/MS option for each of its undergraduate majors, plus
CHRIS BONGO
nine master’s degree programs, a PhD program and more
MASTER’S IN CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
than 15 graduate certificates.
PROCESS ENGINEER, AIR PRODUCTS
Flexibility ranks as one of the top reasons students pursue a graduate engineering degree at Villanova. With the convenience of the College’s Distance Learning program, degrees can be pursued on a full- or part-time basis, alternating between on-line or on campus, as your schedule permits.
MATTHEW MCMONAGLE
MASTER’S DEGREES
MASTER’S IN SUSTAINABLE ENGINEERING
Biochemical Engineering
Electrical Engineering
Chemical Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Civil Engineering
Sustainable Engineering
Computer Engineering
Water Resources and
Cybersecurity
Environmental Engineering
PhD PROGRAM Earn a doctorate in engineering with a focus in any of the above disciplines.
“There aren’t really any comparable programs to Villanova’s MSSE. The forward-thinking curriculum, and professors who are industry experts, played a large role in my decision to attend.”
VICE PRESIDENT, DIMENSION RENEWABLE ENERGY
“The Cybersecurity graduate program exposed me to tools, frameworks, and terminology that I frequently use when communicating with other information security professionals. It prepared me to step into my current role comfortably and confidently!” MAURICE MITCHELL MASTER’S IN CYBERSECURITY
INFORMATION SECURITY ANALYST, TD
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WHERE W ILL V I LLANOVA TAKE YOU ?
92.1%
SUCCESSFUL PLACEMENT RATE (CLASS OF 2020)
A N Y W H E R E YO U WA N T T O G O !
$70,525
AVERAGE STARTING SALARY FOR ENGINEERING GRADUATES (CLASS OF 2020)
20%
PERCENT OF GRADUATES CONTINUE THEIR EDUCATION (CLASS OF 2020)
90% OF THOSE WHO SOUGHT AN INTERNSHIP HAD AT LEAST ONE
TOP EMPLOYERS L3Harris Technologies Lockheed Martin Turner Construction GlaxoSmithKline Jacobs Engineering Stryker Raytheon Technologies Vanguard Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Johnson Matthey
GRADUATE SCHOOLS Columbia University Dartmouth College Georgia Institute of Technology Northwestern University Stanford University Tulane University University of Notre Dame Villanova University
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800 E. Lancaster Avenue Villanova, PA 19085