College of Engineering and Physical Sciences Resources

What sets the UNH programs in the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences apart from other institutions?

The inclusion of engineering, physical sciences, and the mathematical and computer sciences within a single college is unique. The organizational structure guarantees that students in these various disciplines will be engaged in coursework together and it lowers the barrier to interdisciplinary projects and co-curricular activity, which can be a springboard for professional success in today’s dynamic society. This structure mimics life after college, where the interactions between scientists, engineers, and mathematicians are at the foundation of discovery and development.

What are the class sizes and student-to-faculty ratio?

The overall student-to-faculty ratio in CEPS is 16-to-1. Introductory chemistry, mathematics and physics courses typically have lectures of more than 100 students, although these classes are broken into groups of 15 to 25 for laboratories and recitations. A few of the engineering departments have large (75-120) introductory courses (freshman and sophomore level), although as a student progresses to junior- and senior–level courses in all of the college’s programs, the class sizes are reduced dramatically.

What are the college-specific scholarship opportunities?

The college has awarded more than $900,000 in scholarships each year in recent years, with some of them listed here. The majority of this is used for continuing/returning students, primarily restricted in this way due to the wishes of the donor. Other restrictions regarding major, state of origin, etc., may also have been specified by the donor. Each year, the college announces the availability of scholarship support, and students are asked to apply for consideration. The money is then made available for the following academic year.

Are there any housing options available to CEPS majors?

Current CEPS students might be better suited to speak about the advantages of specific dorms/locales on campus. Handler Hall and Hubbard Hall are homes to InCEPStion, the living-learning community for incoming CEPS students. Approximately 50 students in CEPS majors are grouped together in each of these locations. Advantages include the opportunities to make connections with students in your classes and majors as well the reputation of being a serious and academically focused group of students.

What academic support is provided for students?

Close working relationships between faculty and students is a hallmark of a UNH education, and assistance in navigating the academic challenges is widely available, including through the  Center for Academic Resources (CFAR). Other resources offered through the college include the Mathematics Center (MaC) and the Programming Assistance Center (PAC). The physics department and the chemistry department offer support services for introductory courses through  peer tutoring and group problem solving models.

At the university level, the Center for Academic Resources (CFAR) employs educational counselors and peer mentors to assist UNH students reach their academic goals.

What are the best tips for work/school/life balance?

We recommend students limit themselves to joining two student organizations, in the first semester: one in any area of interest and one associated with professional growth that may be degree program related. More information on student organizations at UNH can be found here.

It’s helpful to find a group of friends who want to succeed academically as much as you do, as well as students who are in majors that require similar amounts of work outside of class. If this is not available in your dorm, find another place on campus to make your go-to study space.

Attempting to work at a job for more than 10 hours a week should be avoided. If it is necessary to work more than that amount of time, careful attention should be paid to course selection and schedule. Also, be sure to keep a calendar and reserve time for exercise.

We encourage all students to pursue the major they are passionate about, regardless of their gender.

What opportunities are there for CEPS students to study abroad?

There is a variety of opportunities to study abroad at UNH. The Education Abroad office offers a variety of options for UNH students to study abroad while at UNH. It is best to check with your department’s study abroad advisor, which can be found here. There are also a variety of research programs available on and off campus in the summer to include the International Research Opportunities Program (IROP), the Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) and more.

When do students have to declare a major?

University rules indicate that all students with greater than 64 credits (junior-standing) must have a declared major; however, it is strongly encouraged that CEPS students do not wait that long to do so.

As a freshman, should I declare a type of engineering or be undecided in engineering if I am unsure between multiple options?

We strive to work with undeclared students to provide them the appropriate courses for keeping their options open. If a student truly cannot decide, the undeclared option is the appropriate one, although there is great value in selecting a major and experiencing a supportive cohort.

Does every major in CEPS have an introduction class?

Yes. Each engineering major has an introductory class for its students. More information on course requirements can be found on the individual department’s website or in the UNH course catalog.

Is there a class for undeclared students, such as introduction to engineering?

Yes. TECH 400 is designed to give students the opportunity to learn about the various programs in the college and make connections with departmental representatives for further engagement.

How easy is it to switch majors?

Students wishing to switch majors can do so by completing an online form that is circulated to advisors and departments for the necessary signatures. Students are encouraged to have conversations with the targeted department prior to initiating the change. A conversation with an advisor in the new department is crucial to ensure that students understand and plan for potential challenges (required foundational courses, timing of sequential courses, etc.) associated with a new degree program.

If I declare a specific type of engineering degree program (electrical, mechanical, chemical, etc.) how easy is it to transfer to a different type?

The process is similar to the question above. A change in degree program the first year at UNH can typically be accommodated without serious implications with respect to your graduation date. A conversation with the department is key to understanding the nuances of the curriculum mapping. Engineering departments typically have predictor courses for students in the major. These are a set of courses that require specific grades prior to moving on to higher level courses. If a student wants to transfer into a department’s program, these predictor courses are typically reviewed. Completion of these predictor courses is frequently a requirement for transfer.

What is the robotics program like here?

There are multiple ways to be involved with robotics at UNH, including senior project teams, competition teams such as LunaCats or through research at the Olson Advanced Manufacturing Center. A strong research program in human-robot interactions is also a strength, led by faculty and student researchers in computer science and electrical and computer engineering.

How are the facilities in the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences?

We have worked diligently to provide first-rate facilities for all of the programs in the college. Almost all of the college’s buildings have been renovated within the past fifteen years, with the intent of providing students multiple opportunities for active learning. Significant investments have been made in laboratory spaces and equipment, computer clusters, instrumentation, and the CEPS machine shop in the past five years.

Where are the college’s academic programs located on the UNH campus?

Many of the college’s academic departments are housed in Kingsbury Hall, including civil and environmental engineering, computer science, electrical and computer engineering, mechanical engineering and mathematics. Parsons Hall is home to chemistry and materials science. Earth sciences is in James Hall, and the support staff and faculty members within environmental engineering are housed in Gregg Hall. DeMeritt Hall is home to physics and engineering physics.

What unique facilities are part of the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences?

The recently expanded Chase Ocean Engineering Laboratory features large wave and engineering tanks where students conduct research in ocean engineering, ocean mapping, ocean acoustics, marine robotics and more.

The Flow Physics Facility is the largest wind tunnel of its type in the world, allowing engineers and physicists to study aerodynamics in such areas as atmospheric wind over the ocean, wind turbine design or air flow around an airplane.

The John Olson Advanced Manufacturing Center allows students to work alongside faculty, researchers and industry partners to solve real-world problems in manufacturing, one of New Hampshire’s most important employment sectors.

A campus partner, the UNH InterOperability Laboratory, is one of the world’s leading test facilities for data networking. More than 100 CEPS students work at the lab to test data communications products in collaboration with some of the top technology companies in the world.

What are the research opportunities for each of the different majors?

The research opportunities vary across the degree programs within the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences, but they are available to students as early as their first year through the Innovations Scholars Program (see below).  Every department (and major) includes faculty members who routinely work with undergraduate students in true research activities.  The unique nature of the college also allows for dozens of interdisciplinary research opportunities where students can conduct research or compete on a team with students and faculty members from multiple degree programs and departments.
 
There are also a variety of research programs available on and off campus in the summer and beyond to include the Hamel Center for Undergraduate Research, International Research Opportunities Program (IROP), the Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) and more.
 
These opportunities are available in campus laboratories within our traditional academic buildings and in some of our other state-of-the-art research facilities such as the Olson Advanced Manufacturing Center, Chase Ocean Engineering Laboratory and the Flow Physics Facility, the longest wind tunnel of its type in the world. There are additional opportunities to conduct research off campus as well.

What is the Innovation Scholars Program?

The Innovations Scholars Program is a research driven introduction to the university for first-year students in the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences (CEPS). Students will be part of a cohort of students under the direction of a faculty member that guides them through a year-long research experience culminating in a presentation of research results at the Undergraduate Research Conference or equivalent activity. Participants will develop skills that will open doors of opportunity at UNH and more broadly, and experience the interconnectedness of UNH scholarly activity with UNH Innovation and UNH Career and Professional Success.

What are the research areas covered by Innovation Scholars?

There are currently four research topics, including advanced manufacturing, smart city technology, seacoast field science and ocean & environmental sensing. Each group works within a specific laboratory setting, including the Olson Advanced Manufacturing Center, Chase Ocean Engineering Laboratory and the UNH InterOperability Laboratory, to conduct their research. There may be additional options added in the future as the program is expected to grow.

Who can participate in the Innovation Scholars Program?

Participation in Innovation Scholars is available to any ambitious CEPS student interested in starting research in their first year to supplement the typical first-year curriculum.

What professionally oriented organizations are available to students in the college? 

There are more than two dozen professional and other organizations within the college to include the Society of Women Engineers, the Society of Black Engineers, the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, and many more. There are opportunities to compete in competition teams such as the Lunacats, UNH Precision Racing, and more. Many of these teams travel to compete in a national competition against other universities. 

How easy is it to connect with student organizations? 

Most student organizations and groups affiliated with CEPS are open to all CEPS students. At the beginning of each academic year, the college hosts its annual CEPS Day, a cookout and community gathering in which CEPS-specific organizations are present to meet and recruit new members to their organizations. The following week, UNH hosts its U-Day, where more than 100 student organizations are on hand to provide information on their organization and recruit new members.
 

What are the career outcomes for recent CEPS graduates?

The data available for the class of 2020 shows that 93 percent of CEPS graduates are employed or enrolled in a graduate program and  94 percent of those who reported employment are working in a field closely related to their major within six months of graduation. Annually more than 200 companies partner with the Career and Professional Success team to recruit students for internships and full-time employment through both virtual and in-person events.

How students obtain internships?

The college has forged strong relationships with industry partners through its alumni network and the Career and Professional Success (CaPS) office. The college has full-time staff members dedicated to ensuring all students have access to engaging experiential learning opportunities. The CaPS team supports students with their internship search by assisting in preparation of resumes, cover letters, applications, and interviews, as well as offering assistance in how to search/apply for such opportunities. CaPS also brings hundreds of employers on campus to recruit student interns and encourages employers to post these opportunities in Handshake. Department staff and faculty members also receive intern requests from alumni that they share with students, providing a rich network with a variety of opportunities for students to consider. 

The data available from the most class of 2020 shows that 80% completed at least one internship experience and more than one-third of those who reported an internship experience reported receiving a job offer from the internship employer. We also know that 95% of these experiences were reported as paid experiences.

Where do I go for assistance with Career Development?

The new Peter and Paula Vosotas Career Center, which opened in September of 2020, provides a central location for the entire suite of career services. It is located in Kingsbury Hall adjacent to the north lobby. 

Are there any co-op opportunities?

While our college does not have a formal co-op program, we do support students in the process of obtaining valuable internship experiences over the summer. In fact, many students have more than one experience by the time they graduate, making them very competitive in today’s market. If a student is interested in exploring the possibility of an extended experience (Co-Op) they can connect with the Career and Professional Success team in CEPS (CaPS)  and coordinate with their academic department to see if a co-op experience makes sense for their track.