The aims and objectives of the University of Puerto Rico as pertaining to its Mayagüez Campus, of which the College of Engineering constitutes a major educational division, are expressed in Section 12 of the amended University Law, as follows:

"The principal function of the College of Agriculture & Mechanic Arts at Mayagüez shall be, without excluding other scientific and classic studies and including military science, to teach those branches of knowledge related to Agriculture and Mechanic Arts with the purpose of encouraging the liberal and practical education of the industrial classes. This is in accordance with the provisions of the congressional law known as the Second Morrill Act as amended by Congress in 1907."

Following this educational directive, engineering curricula have been designed to provide a firm educational foundation upon which engineering graduates can build social and professional competence after leaving college and become men and women of high value to modern society.

The various engineering curricula are the result of an intense study and a careful appraisal of the present technological education, and of the changing and diverse nature of the needs of modern industry.

The engineering curricula, accordingly, emphasizes the following:

1. A thorough and integrated mastery of both basic and engineering sciences. This is obtained through a subset of integrated courses in mathematics, physics, mechanics and materials, fluid mechanics, electricity, and thermodynamics. These will provide the scientific approach to the solution of problems and the basic knowledge to support the superstructure of specialization encountered in engineering practice.

2. An integrated application of both basic and engineering sciences to the analysis and design of engineering systems. This is obtained during the last two years of study through a series of courses within the student's major field. In this process of learning, the student acquires the ability to think clearly and logically, to evaluate, to discriminate, and to exercise originality and resourcefulness to accomplish objectives.

3. A fairly comprehensive understanding of human desires and aspirations, human convictions, and human behavior under varying circumstances. This is obtained through a series of integrated courses in the humanities and behavioral sciences, including history, economics, literature, psychology, and the social sciences. These are recognized as indispensable to the proper education of engineers not only because of their practical application in industrial, business, and civic life, but also because they provide a breadth of knowledge that enriches a person's private life.

Student Chapters of Honorary and Professional Societies

• American Chemical Society Student Affiliate
  
• American Concrete Institute (ACI)
  
• American General Contractors (AGC)
  
• American Institute of Chemical Engineers
  
• American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics
  
• American Society for Quality Control
  
• American Society of Civil Engineers
  
• American Society of Heating,
  
• Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers
  
• American Society of Mechanical Engineering
  
• Asociación de Estudiantes de Ingeniería de Computadoras
  
• Asociación de Estudiantes Graduados Ingeniería Civil
  
• Asociaciones de Ingeniería Civil (AICA)
  
• ALPHA PI MU Industrial Engineering Honor Society
  
• Earthquake Engineering Research Institute (EERI)
  
• Institute of Industrial Engineers
  
• Institute of Transportation Engineers
  
• Instituto de Ingenieros Civiles del C.I.A.P.R.
  
• Instituto de Ingenieros Electricistas y Electrónicos
  
• Instituto de Ingenieros Mecánicos
  
• Instituto de Ingenieros Químicos
  
• National Engineering Honor Society TAU BETA PI
  
• Sociedad de Ingenieros Manufactureros
  
• Sociedad de Ingenieros de Puerto Rico
  
• Sociedad Nacional de Ingenieros Profesionales Capítulo Estudiantil
  
• Society of Automotive Engineers
  
• Society of Plastic Engineers
  
• Society of Women Engineers
  
• PR Water and Environmental Association
  

Academic Offerings

The College of Engineering includes the Departments of General, Chemical, Civil, Electrical and Computer, Industrial, and Mechanical Engineering. It also includes a Research and Development Center, composed of a Water Resources Institute.

The Department of General Engineering provides and is responsible for the administration of basic engineering courses taken by students from all departments.

The Departments of Chemical, Civil, Electrical and Computer, Industrial, and Mechanical Engineering provide and are responsible for uniformity of instruction, academic orientation, enrollment, and administration of courses offered by each department, leading to the degree of Bachelor of Science in Chemical, Civil, Electrical, Computer, Industrial, and Mechanical Engineering, and in Surveying and Topography.

The College of Engineering offers graduate education leading to the degrees of Master of Science and Master of Engineering in Chemical, Mechanical, Civil and Electrical. In addition, Master´s Degrees of Engineering in Management Systems and Computer Engineering are offered. The College of Engineering offers Doctor of Philosophy degrees in Civil, Computer and Chemical Engineering. Information concerning these programs may be obtained by consulting the Bulletin of Information of the Graduate School.

The Research and Development Center offers an opportunity for undergraduate and graduate students and professors to join their efforts in the common goals of research and development in scientific and technological areas. It is also the objective of the Center to study the particular problems in these areas as they apply to Puerto Rico, and to offer technical and scientific training for the best utilization of the island's own resources.

At the Bachelor's degree level a cooperative education program offers students the opportunity to blend classroom learning with practical work experience. Student participation in the program is voluntary, but interested students are carefully screened by the Cooperative Education Office of the College of Engineering.

Advanced Placement

First year students who pass the advanced-level exams with a high score in mathematics, English, and/or Spanish upon request, may be given credit and will not be required to take the basic courses in these subjects

The Cooperative Education Program complements college studies with on-the-job experience alternating study and work periods. Student participation in the program is voluntary; however, interested students are screened by the Cooperative Education Office of the College of Engineering. Work-study periods are scheduled for each student to provide a multitude of learning opportunities available in business, industry, and public agencies which become an integral part of a more comprehensive career-oriented college education.

Participating students receive six (6) academic credits in the free or technical electives category for a minimum of two working periods, one of which must take place during a regular semester. A Cooperative Education Working Agreement is signed by both the participating employer, the Cooperative Education Office and the University to guarantee maximum program effectiveness.

To enter the program students enrolled in a five-year program must be in their third year and those enrolled in a four-year program must be in their second year and have a general 2.00 GPA or higher.

Cooperative education benefits the student, the participating employer and the university.

Benefits to students:

1. The student is able to evaluate a chosen major.

2. Classroom theory and principles become more meaningful through practical application in work assignments.

3. A student earns six academic credits.

4. A student will have the advantage of professional experience upon graduation.

5. A student earns money to help finance his education and academic career.

Benefits to employers:

1. The employer and the student can observe each other for several months at work, rather than during a short job interview.

2. Upon returning to campus, a student provides contacts for the employer with other prospective employees.

3. Employers reduce their training costs.

Benefits to the University:

1. The program promotes better relationship between industry and university.

2. The program creates ties with governmental, business and industrial communities.

3. The program provides faculty members with opportunities to gain additional information about their subject matter.

4. The program helps update curricula to keep courses aligned with on-the-job requirements.