The Mission of WVSU reads “West Virginia State University will meet the higher education and economic development needs of the state and region through innovative teaching and applied research”. As engineering is one of the main engines of the economy, and as according to WV Economic Outlook 2016, the chemicals industry accounts for one-fifth of manufacturing sector jobs and nearly 40% of the manufacturing sector's economic output in West Virginia, this program at WVSU will produce graduates well prepared for the needs of the state and the region.
 
Special features of West Virginia State University that make it suitable for such a program are:

• First, WVSU is a historically black college, and, hence, has always had a mission to educate minorities and other underrepresented populations.
• Second, WVSU was established as a land-grant institution on March 17, 1891, under the Second Morrill Act of 1890.  As a land-grant University, WVSU is charged with providing educational opportunities for students, citizen and surrounding communities via its tripartite mission of research, teaching and outreach.
• Third, the University, “a living laboratory of human relations,” is a community of students, staff, and faculty committed to academic growth, service, and preservation of the racial and cultural diversity of the institution.
• Fourth, WVSU offers flexible course schedules in traditional classrooms and online to facilitate financially challenged students to continue their study concurrently with their job.

The primary objectives of the Bachelor of Science in Engineering program are as follows:

• Emphasize the fundamental applied roots of Engineering with a heavy emphasis on practical/experiential/hands-on learning
• Produce graduates that are experts at planning, design, construction or operation of engineering systems, solving problems, and bringing proper insights to design and research teams
• Produce graduates that are proficient in the use of 21^st Century design, analysis, and measurement tools and software
• Produce graduates with soft-skills, including (a) professionalism, (b) communications, (c) team building, (d) societal, global and ethical awareness, and (e) dedicated continuous learners that companies require of 21^st Century Engineers
• Provide professional service to the state, the region and the nation

 

What Civil Engineers Do

Civil engineers conceive, design, build, supervise, operate, construct and maintain infrastructure projects and systems in the public and private sector, including roads, buildings, airports, tunnels, dams, bridges, and systems for water supply and sewage treatment. Many civil engineers work in planning, design, construction, research, and education.
 

Duties

Civil engineers typically do the following:

• Analyze long range plans, survey reports, maps, and other data to plan and design projects
• Consider construction costs, government regulations, potential environmental hazards, and other factors during the planning and risk-analysis stages of a project
• Compile and submit permit applications to local, state, and federal agencies, verifying that projects comply with various regulations
• Oversee and analyze the results of soil testing to determine the adequacy and strength of foundations
• Analyze the results of tests on building materials, such as concrete, wood, asphalt, or steel, for use in particular projects
• Prepare cost estimates for materials, equipment, or labor to determine a project’s economic feasibility
• Use design software to plan and design transportation systems, hydraulic systems, and structures in line with industry and government standards
• Perform or oversee surveying operations to establish building locations, site layouts, reference points, grades, and elevations to guide construction
• Manage the repair, maintenance, and replacement of public and private infrastructure

Civil engineers also must present their findings to the public on topics such as bid proposals, environmental impact statements, or property descriptions.

Many civil engineers hold supervisory or administrative positions ranging from supervisor of a construction site to city engineer, public works director, and city manager. As supervisors, they are tasked with ensuring that safe work practices are followed at construction sites.

Other civil engineers work in design, construction, research, and teaching. Civil engineers work with others on projects and may be assisted by civil engineering technicians.

Civil engineers prepare permit documents for work on projects in renewable energy. They verify that the projects will comply with federal, state, and local requirements. These engineers conduct structural analyses for large-scale photovoltaic, or solar energy, projects. They also evaluate the ability of solar array support structures and buildings to tolerate stresses from wind, seismic activity, and other sources. For large-scale wind projects, civil engineers often prepare roadbeds to handle large trucks that haul in the turbines.

Civil engineers work on complex projects, and they can achieve job satisfaction in seeing the project reach completion. They usually specialize in one of several areas.

Construction engineers manage construction projects, ensuring that they are scheduled and built in accordance with plans and specifications. These engineers typically are responsible for the design and safety of temporary structures used during construction. They may also oversee budgetary, time-management, and communications aspects of a project.

Geotechnical engineers work to make sure that foundations for built objects ranging from streets and buildings to runways and dams, are solid. They focus on how structures built by civil engineers, such as buildings and tunnels, interact with the earth (including soil and rock). In addition, they design and plan for slopes, retaining walls, and tunnels.

Structural engineers design and assess major projects, such as buildings, bridges, or dams, to ensure their strength and durability.

Transportation engineers plan, design, operate, and maintain everyday systems, such as streets and highways, but they also plan larger projects, such as airports, ship ports, mass transit systems, and harbors.

The work of civil engineers is closely related to the work of environmental engineers.

Chemical engineers apply the principles of science and mathematics to solve problems that involve the production or use of chemicals, fuel, drugs, food, and many other products. They design processes and equipment for large-scale manufacturing, plan and test production methods and byproducts treatment, and direct facility operations.
 

The employment opportunities for the graduates of our program are diverse partly due to the design of the curriculum. The graduates will be resourceful, highly trained, and well prepared for a number of different career opportunities. The graduates of the program are in a unique position to obtain employment after graduation due to the proximity of the state’s capitol, Charleston. The industries with the highest levels of employment in this occupation are:

• Basic Chemical Manufacturing
• Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services
• Scientific Research and Development Service
• Resin, Synthetic Rubber, and Artificial Synthetic
• Fibers and Filaments Manufacturing
• Petroleum and Coal Products Manufacturing

 

The coursework will be divided into four distinct area— University-required general education courses, college level mathematics & basic science courses, courses in engineering topics, and civil engineering emphasis courses. Each stream will begin with foundational courses and progress to more advanced courses, each meant to impart necessary content and skills that will make student success possible in later courses.

The WVSU Bachelor of Science in Engineering (Civil) degree will consist of 133 credit hours of required courses. Transfer students may import credits to WVSU based upon the WV Higher Education Policy Commission’s Transfer Agreement, as well as the discretion of the engineering faculty.

In addition, the students will develop a Senior Design Project during their final year. Moreover, they will create a portfolio that presents their professional work. The intent is the portfolio to be a resource of the student’s achievements that they can utilize in obtaining employment. 

CLICK here for BSE (Civil) Degree Map

The coursework will be divided into four distinct area— University-required general education courses, college level mathematics & basic science courses, courses in engineering topics, and chemical engineering emphasis courses. Each stream will begin with foundational courses and progress to more advanced courses, each meant to impart necessary content and skills that will make student success possible in later courses.
 
The WVSU Bachelor of Science in Engineering (Chemical) degree will consist of 135 credit hours of required courses. Transfer students may import credits to WVSU based upon the WV Higher Education Policy Commission’s Transfer Agreement, as well as the discretion of the engineering faculty.
 
In addition, the students will develop a Senior Design Project during their final year. Moreover, they will create a portfolio that presents their professional work. The intent is the portfolio to be a resource of the student’s achievements that they can utilize in obtaining employment. 

CLICK here for BSE (Chemical Degree Map) 

 
ENGR 101. Intro to Problem Solving I (2 credit hours)
This course provides the skills needed for beginning engineering students to succeed academically and professionally. This project-based course prepares students for an engineering career by providing opportunities to apply mathematics to solve engineering problems, acquire team working skills, practice written and verbal communication skills, enhance problem solving and design skills, and use a computer as a tool for analysis, design and communication. Prerequisite(s): MATH 121 or MATH 102 and Concurrent Enrollment in MATH 206.
  
ENGR 102. Intro to Problem Solving II (3 credit hours)
This course is the second part of a two-course sequence that provides the skills needed for beginning engineering students to succeed academically and professionally. The objective of this project-based course is to prepare students for an engineering career by providing opportunities to apply mathematics to solve engineering problems, to acquire teamwork skills, to practice written and verbal communication, and to use a computer as a tool for analysis, modeling, and design. Students will learn to use MATLAB® for programming. Prerequisite(s): ENGR 101 and MATH 206 with C or better.
  
ENGR 210. Engineering Graphics/CAD (2 credit hours)
Fundamentals of drafting through the use of sketching and computer graphics as applied to orthographic views, sectional views, isometric views; threads and fasteners.
  
ENGR 241. Statics (3 credit hours)
In this class, students apply the concept of force equilibrium to problems in engineering. Topics covered are vector operations, couples and moments, resultants, centers of gravity and pressure, static friction, free-body diagrams, beam theory, trusses and frames. Prerequisite(s): MATH 206 and PHYS 231with a grade of C or better for both Courses.
  
ENGR 242. Dynamics (3 credit hours)
Newtonian dynamics of particles and rigid bodies. Engineering applications of equations of motion, work and energy, conservative forces, impulse and momentum, impulsive forces, acceleration, relative motion, instantaneous centers, and plane motion. PREREQUISITES: ENGR 241, MATH 207
  
ENGR 243. Mechanics of Materials (3 credit hours)
This course examines both the theory and application of the fundamental principles of mechanics of materials. Understanding of the mechanics of materials comes from examining the physical behavior of materials under load, formulating a physical explanation for this behavior; and mathematically modeling the behavior. The ultimate goal is a comprehensive theory of mechanical behavior under load. Prerequisite(s): ENGR 241 and MATH 207 with a grade of C or better.
  
ENGR 301. Fluid Mechanics (4 credit hours)
Fluid properties, statics, and kinematics. Conservation laws for mass, momentum, and mechanical energy; Similitude and dimensional analysis; Laminar and turbulent flow; Viscous effects. Flow in pressure conduits. PREREQUISITES: ENGR 241 and MATH 207
  
ENGR 311. Thermodynamics (3 credit hours)
Fundamental concepts of energy analysis including thermodynamic property tables, First Law, Second Law, pressure, temperature, volume, enthalpy, and entropy. Design of some simple thermal systems. PREREQUISITES: MATH 207, PHYS 231
  
ENGR 479. Senior Seminar (3 credit hours)
Capstone integration of the engineering curriculum by comprehensive design experience to professional standards. PREREQUISITES: permission from the program coordinator
  
ChE 206. Material and Energy Balances (3 credit hours)
Application of multicomponent material and energy balances to chemical processes involving phase changes and chemical reactions. PREREQUISITES: MATH 206, CHEM 106
  
ChE 304. Transport Phenomena (3 credit hours)
Fundamental relationships for momentum, heat and mass transfer for flow systems to include chemical reactions, interphase transport, transient phenomena, microscopic and macroscopic balance equations. PREREQUISITES: ENGR 301
  
ChE 305. Chemical Engineering Lab I (2 credit hours)
Laboratory study of fluid phenomena, heat transfer processes and equipment, and evaporation. PREREQUISITES: ChE 304, ChE 206, CHEM 108.
  
ChE 311. Phase and Reaction Equilibrium (3 credit hours)
Thermodynamics of phase and chemical reaction equilibria including non-ideal thermodynamics and multicomponent applications. PREREQUISITES: ENGR 311, ChE 206.
  
ChE 315. Chemical Equipment & Process Design I (3 credit hours)
Design procedures for equipment and processes involving heat transfer. Application of design procedures for equipment and processes involving evaporation, distillation, leaching, extraction, gas absorption and desorption. PREREQUISITES: ChE 311
  
ChE 402. Chemical Reaction Engineering (3 credit hours)
Application of material balances, energy balances, chemical equilibrium relations, and chemical kinetic expressions to the design of chemical reactors. PREREQUISITES: ChE 304, ChE 315
  
ChE 405. Chemical Engineering Lab II (2 credit hours)
Laboratory study in reactor design and mass transfer operations. Pre-req: ChE 305, Co-requisite: ChE 402
  
ChE 415. Chemical Equipment & Process Design II (3 credit hours)
Transient behavior of chemical process flow systems, linearization and stability. Process control system design including frequency response analysis. Instrumentation and hardware. PREREQUISITES: ChE 315
 
CE 201. Surveying (3 credit hours)
Principles of the level, theodolite, electronic distance measurement (EDM), total station, taping, note keeping, coordinate geometry, control surveys, triangulation, trilateration, plane coordinate systems, azimuth and topographic mapping. Laboratory includes use of level, theodolite, EDM, total station, traverse closure, level net closure, topographic mapping, measuring distances and heights using coordinate geometry calculations. PREREQUISITES: MATH 102 or, MATH 121
 
CE 301. Structural Analysis I (4 credit hours)
Stability, determinacy, and equilibrium of structures; shear and bending moment diagrams of determinate and indeterminate beams and frames; analysis of trusses; displacement of planar structures. PREREQUISITES: ENGR 243; Co-Req: MATH 415
 
CE 302. Civil Engineering Materials (3 credit hours)
Introduction to engineering properties of common civil engineering materials including metals, soils, aggregates, Portland cement concrete, asphalt concrete, wood, and masonry. Laboratory involves performance of standard tests on aggregates, concretes, wood; emphasizing data analysis and application of test results to design specifications. PREREQUISITES: ENGR 243
 
CE 303. Intro to Geotechnical Engineering (4 credit hours)
Introduction to geotechnical engineering, fundamental soil properties, classification of soils, soil compaction, permeability, compressibility, and consolidation of soils, shear strength, bearing capacity, lateral earth pressures. PREREQUISITES: ENGR 243
 
CE 306. Intro to Environmental Engineering (4 credit hours)
The course covers introduction to environmental engineering. Topics include a review of a role of the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in environmental protection, mass balance, rainfall and runoff analysis, basic surface water and groundwater hydrology, water quality management, municipal solid waste and hazardous waste management, and air pollution control. PREREQUISITES: CHEM 105, CHEM 107
 
CE 308. Intro to Transportation Engineering (4 credit hours)
The course introduces fundamental engineering principles used in design and analysis of functioning of transportation systems and their components. The course emphasizes the technological and social aspects of transportation. The course material covers: design and analysis of highway elements, traffic flow theory, traffic signal design, system level planning and forecasting. PREREQUISITES: CE 201, CE 302
 
CE 403. Foundation Engineering (3 credit hours)
Subsurface investigations and synthesis of soil parameters for geotechnical design and analysis, concepts of shallow and deep foundation design, geotechnical design of conventional retaining walls, computerized analysis and design of soil/foundation interaction; case histories. PREREQUISITES: CE 303
 
CE 409. Reinforced Concrete Design (3 credit hours)
Course covers characteristics of concrete materials; introduction to ACI Building Code requirements for reinforced concrete; strength design of slabs, beams, columns and footings. PREREQUISITES: CE 301
 
CE 410. Steel Design (3 credit hours)
Course includes characteristics of structural steel; Introduction to AISC Load and Resistance Factor Design (LRFD) specifications; design of tension members, columns, beams, beam-columns, and connections. PREREQUISITES: CE 301
 
CE 411. Construction Engineering (3 credit hours)
Introduction to the construction processes. Construction site layout, earthmoving materials and operations, quantity takeoff, construction equipment and equipment selection, productivity improvement, construction methods and practice, wood/concrete/steel construction, and management of constructed facilities. PREREQUISITES: Permission from dept Coordinator
 
CE 412. Construction Method (3 credit hours)
Introduction to the fundamental knowledge required for construction project management. Lecture
specifically focuses on the topics which include project scheduling and various scheduling methods, control of project cash flows, project financing, and earned value analysis. PREREQUISITES: Permission from dept Coordinator
 

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Athletics:

WVSU has a very successful Athletic program with lots of scholarship opportunities for student-athletes. Visit the Yellow Jackets athletic department website for more information.

Financial Aid and Scholarships:

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American Electric Power Foundation Awards West Virginia State University $250,000 Grant
Funds Will Be Used to Equip Laboratories in New Chemical Engineering Program

INSTITUTE, W.Va. – The American Electric Power Foundation has awarded a $250,000 grant to West Virginia State University (WVSU) to help equip laboratories in the University’s new bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering program.

The grant was announced today, the first day of classes for the fall 2018 semester for WVSU.

“As West Virginia seeks to diversify its economy, West Virginia State University is committed to educating students in fields that support new and emerging industries,” said WVSU President Anthony L. Jenkins. “This new bachelor’s in chemical engineering will provide economic opportunities for citizens of central and southern West Virginia. I want to thank the American Electric Power Foundation for their investment in our students, and for supporting the workforce development needs of the state and region.”

The grant from the AEP Foundation will be used to help equip laboratories used by students with state-of-the-art hands-on learning experiences in their engineering coursework as well as support faculty and undergraduate student research.

“Practically every career path we have at Appalachian Power has a strong STEM component,” said Appalachian Power President and COO Chris Beam. “Industries across West Virginia and beyond need more young people who are strong in these fields to fill the jobs we have here in West Virginia and beyond. We are excited that West Virginia State University is adding this new degree program, as a strong education system helps support the economic development initiatives within the state and the industries that will help us grow our economy.”

Beginning with the fall 2018 semester, WVSU now offers a four-year bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering. The new program was approved by the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission and the Higher Learning Commission in 2017. The launch of the new program comes after years of planning and earlier attempts that had resulted in the creation of a 2+2 engineering program at the University in 2013.

According to the West Virginia Department of Commerce, West Virginia is home to 140 different chemical-related companies that provide over 12,800 jobs to the state. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects employment of engineers to grow 4 percent from 2014 to 2024. With the launch of its program, State becomes only the 10th 1890 land-grant university in the nation with an engineering program.

The AEP Foundation is funded by American Electric Power (NYSE: AEP) and its utility operating units, including Appalachian Power. The Foundation provides a permanent, ongoing resource for charitable initiatives involving higher dollar values and multi-year commitments in the communities served by AEP and initiatives outside of AEP’s 11-state service area.

The Foundation focuses on improving lives through education from early childhood through higher education in the areas of science, technology, engineering, math and the environment, and by meeting basic needs for emergency shelter, affordable housing and the elimination of hunger. Other Foundation support may be offered to protect the environment, support healthcare and safety, and enrich life through art, music and cultural heritage.

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West Virginia State University is a public, land grant, historically black university, which has evolved into a fully accessible, racially integrated, and multi-generational institution, located in Institute, W.Va. As a “living laboratory of human relations,” the university is a community of students, staff, and faculty committed to academic growth, service, and preservation of the racial and cultural diversity of the institution. Its mission is to meet the higher education and economic development needs of the state and region through innovative teaching and applied research.