Contents > Ira A. Fulton School of Engineering
Ira A. Fulton School of Engineering
Deirdre Meldrum, PhD, Dean
Departments, Schools, and Programs
Bioengineering, Harrington Department of
Chemical Engineering, Department of
Civil and Environmental Engineering, Department of
Computing and Informatics, School of
Biomedical Informatics, Department of
Computer Science and Engineering, Department of
Construction, Del E. Webb School of
Electrical Engineering, Department of
Industrial Engineering, Department of
Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Department of
Purpose
Faculty in the Ira A. Fulton School of Engineering offer opportunities for graduate study and research that are designed to transform students into innovative leaders with career-ready skills. Degrees offered include the Master of Engineering (through a partnership of Arizona’s three state universities); the Master of Science in Engineering; the MS in the fields of computer science, construction, and engineering; the Master of Computer Science; and the PhD in the fields of engineering and computer science.
The primary purpose of a graduate education is to provide the student with advanced training for a professional, teaching, or research career. The graduate programs are designed to bridge the gap between knowledge of engineering sciences and creative engineering practice, while at the same time increasing the student’s depth and breadth of knowledge in an area of emphasis. The performance of scholarly research and the acceptance of professional responsibility for the documented results are considered essential requirements for graduate degrees and entrance into professional careers.
Information about the Ira A. Fulton School of Engineering can be accessed via the Web at fulton.asu.edu. The individual department and research program Web pages may also be accessed through this main address.
The Fulton School of Engineering is organized as follows:
Del E. Webb School of Construction
Department of Chemical Engineering
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Department of Electrical Engineering
Department of Industrial Engineering
Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
Harrington Department of Bioengineering
School of Computing and Informatics
Department of Biomedical Informatics
Department of Computer Science and Engineering
Each academic unit, headed by a chair or director, offers various undergraduate and graduate degree programs. Faculty from these academic units participate in the research programs offered through the school research centers as well as individual laboratories and facilities. Drawing on the interests, strengths, and resources of academic units in the Ira A. Fulton School of Engineering and other schools and colleges within the university, interdisciplinary research centers coordinate research, sponsor conferences and continuing education courses, and serve as liaisons between the academic and industrial or technical communities.
Admission Requirements
Applicants must meet the general admission requirements established by the Graduate College. Additional supporting materials may be required by individual academic units. These materials may include test scores from the Graduate Record Examination, letters of recommendation, and statements of educational and professional goals. International applicants whose native language is not English must also submit Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) scores. See the requirements listed under each major in this catalog for specific TOEFL information.
General information on admission, expenses, and other such topics may be obtained from the Office of the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs via the college’s Web site at fulton.asu.edu. Specific questions on a program should be addressed to the academic unit.
Graduate Programs
Through the Graduate College, faculty in the school of engineering offer various graduate programs leading to the MS, MS in Engineering, Master of Engineering, Master of Computer Science, and PhD. Several programs are delivered through both campus-based instruction or via the Internet. See the Ira A. Fulton School of Engineering Graduate Degrees and Majors table.
The school is an internationally recognized center for graduate research. Faculty members conduct research on government or industry-sponsored programs in areas such as aerodynamics, arts and media engineering, biomedical engineering, biotechnology, computer design, computer integrated manufacturing, construction management, environmental fluid dynamics, innovative engineering education, microelectronics manufacturing, power systems, semiconductor materials and devices, signal processing, solar energy, solid-state electronic devices, structural dynamics, telecommunications, thermosciences, and transportation infrastructure.
The research activities of the academic units within the school are complemented and supported by the work of more than 20 centers, institutes, and programs for research and development. For a current list of research programs and signature research themes, access the school’s Web site at fulton.asu.edu.
The centers, institutes, and programs in operation include the following:
1. The Advanced Pavement Center studies new paving materials;
2. The Airworthiness Assurance Center of Excellence works on projects to increase aircraft safety;
3. The Arizona Partnership for Advancing Technology in Housing (AzPATH) finds ways to improve the quality and reduce the cost of homebuilding;
4. The Arts, Media, and Engineering program (AME), a joint research and education initiative of the Katherine K. Herberger College of the Arts and the Ira. A. Fulton School of Engineering, focuses on the integrated, parallel development of digital media technologies and digital media content;
5. The Center for Low Power Electronics (CLPE) is developing the next generation of ultra-low power electronic systems for mobile and portable applications;
6. The Center for Solid State Electronics Research (CSSER), which operates ASU’s NanoFab facility, is working on microelectronics research projects in a wide variety of areas, including nanostructure and low power electronics;
7. The Center for Cognitive Ubiquitous Computing (CUbiC) is making computers easier to use, especially for people with disabilities;
8. Connection One: Communications Circuits and System Research Center is developing technology to improve wireless communication;
9. The Consortium for Embedded and Internetworking Technologies (CEINT) develops technologies that incorporate software designs and applications that communicate with one another;
10. Construction Research and Education for Advanced Technology Environments (CREATE) examines how to build cleanrooms and biotechnology facilities more efficiently;
11. The Environmental Fluid Dynamics Program studies the movement of air and water in the environment, particularly as it relates to pollution;
12. The NASA Space Grant Program designs and builds space-related craft, such as satellites and lunar rovers;
13. The National Center for Sustainable Water Supply investigates how to recycle reclaimed water;
14. The National Science Foundation (NSF) Water Quality Center works on projects to identify and remove both biological and chemical contaminants in water;
15. The Partnership for Research in Stereo Modeling (PRISM) uses computer modeling techniques to create three-dimensional models of microscopic objects; and
16. The Power Systems Engineering Research Center studies markets, systems, and transmission and distribution in the power industry.
In addition, faculty and researchers in the school contribute to a number of interdisciplinary research programs involving multiple schools and colleges in the university, including the Biodesign Institute at Arizona State University (AzBio); the Institute for Computing and Information Sciences and Engineering (InCISE); and the Center for Research on Education in Science, Mathematics, Engineering, and Technology (CRESMET).
Information about these programs is available elsewhere in this catalog or via the Web at www.asu.edu.
Center for Professional Development
The Center for Professional Development (CPD) provides engineering and technical professionals the skills and knowledge necessary to master new methods, to lead projects and teams, and to advance professionally. By leveraging the internationally renowned faculty of the Ira A. Fulton School of Engineering and affiliated experts, CPD offers online master’s degree programs allowing students with complex schedules to complete graduate degrees from a remote location while receiving the same degree and curriculum a student completes on campus. CPD also administers short courses and conferences, professional certification programs, and in-company customized programs. For more information, call 480/965-1740, or access the Web site at www.asuengineeringonline.com.
Arizona’s three state universities—Arizona State University, Northern Arizona University, and the University of Arizona—are collaborating to offer the Arizona Master of Engineering partnership. This graduate degree program is designed to meet the educational needs of practicing engineers by offering courses via distance delivery. With input from industry professionals, the three universities are offering courses that develop the skills, fundamental knowledge, and understanding that are critical to today’s practicing engineers. For more information, access the Web site at triuniv.engr.arizona.edu.
School Facilities
Numerous well-equipped laboratories, extensive library holdings, and widely available computer services encourage the best in research and graduate training. Laboratories include facilities for environmental fluid dynamics, interactive nonvisualization via scanning probe microscopy, materials and surface characterization, mechanical testing, molecular beam epitaxy, neuromechanical control, rapid manufacturing processes, transmission microscopy, and surface research, to name only a few of the diverse capabilities of the school’s physical resources. Supporting the work of researchers, a well-equipped and well-staffed machine and structures fabrication shop makes special-purpose equipment for student and faculty projects.
For more information about laboratories, consult the descriptions of individual programs and centers for research in this catalog.
The Ira A. Fulton School of Engineering offers extensive computing facilities to its faculty and graduate students. The school centrally maintains computing resources for general engineering use, including a large Sun SPARCenter 2000 superserver, Hewlett Packard 9000 superserver, and an IBM Netfinity Quad M7000 NT Server. Also available are specialty computers for World Wide Web services, electronic mail, Internet collaboration, and special applications. Distributed throughout the school are several thousands of networked UNIX workstations and PCs accessing UNIX or NT servers available for research and instruction. UNIX workstations are provided by manufacturers such as Sun Microsystems, Hewlett Packard, Silicon Graphics, and Digital Equipment Corporation. All school computing resources are interconnected via the Internet standard TCP/IP on 10Mb, 100Mb dedicated ethernet, or through wireless 802.11b access.
Academic Standards
Maintaining Satisfactory Progress.
A student who has been admitted to a graduate program of study in the Ira A. Fulton School of Engineering, on either a regular or provisional basis, must maintain a 3.00 or higher GPA in all work taken for graduate credit as well as an overall 3.00 GPA in all studies at ASU.
A student is placed on academic probation if
1. the student’s GPA falls below 3.00 in the approved program of study;
2. the student’s overall GPA for all postbaccalaureate courses taken at ASU falls below 3.00; or
3. the student receives a “D” (1.00) or “E” (0.00) in a required deficiency or in a course at the 400 level or above.
A student is recommended for withdrawal from a graduate program if
1. the student is on academic probation because his or her GPA has fallen below 3.00 in the approved program of study or for all postbaccalaureate courses taken at ASU and fails to bring the GPA to 3.00 or above by the time the next nine semester hours are completed;
2. the student receives a “D” (1.00) or lower grade while on academic probation for any reason;
3. the student fails to obtain at least a 3.00 GPA in all courses cited as deficiencies upon admission to a graduate program; or
4. the student fails to meet any other conditions imposed as part of the probation.
A student may appeal any action concerning academic probation and withdrawal by petitioning the graduate affairs committee within the student’s academic unit.
Graduate courses offered by the Ira A. Fulton School of Engineering that apply to degree requirements are listed under degree majors in this catalog.
COURSES
Information about all courses is available on the Web at ASU Interactive. For more information, see Classification of Courses.
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