Tufts University School of Engineering


The School of Engineering is one of the ten schools that comprise Tufts University. The school offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in several engineering disciplines and computer science fields. Along with the School of Arts and Sciences and the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, the School of Engineering is located on the university's main campus in Medford and Somerville, Massachusetts. Currently, the engineering school enrolls more than 800 full-time undergraduates and 600 graduate students. The school employs over 100 full-time and part-time faculty members.

History

Engineering instruction began at Tufts College in academic year 1865 - 1866, with the introduction of a three-year degree program in civil engineering. Students in this program received the degree of civil engineer. In 1890, the Department of Electrical Engineering was created, and in academic year 1892-1893, the course of study was extended to four years. With the advent of the four-year program the degrees granted were bachelor of civil or electrical engineering. Tufts College added the Department of Mechanical Engineering and the Department of Chemical Engineering in 1894 and 1898, respectively. In 1898, the trustees voted to formally establish an undergraduate College of Engineering with Gardner C. Anthony as the first dean. As part of an administrative reorganization in 1904, the College of Engineering became part of the new Faculty of Arts and Sciences, along with the School of Liberal Arts, the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, and after 1910, Jackson College for Women.
To accommodate a high demand for facilities in engineering programs, Anderson Hall opened in 1960 to host facilities and an engineering library. The College of Engineering added graduate study to its curriculum beginning in 1961, with master's degrees available in all four departments. It added Ph.D. programs in mechanical engineering in 1963, electrical and chemical engineering in 1964, engineering design in 1981, and civil engineering in 1985. The College also offered a combined bachelor's/master's degree program. In 1992, the Gordon Institute, the first organization dedicated to the training of leaders in engineering, became part of Tufts University. In 1999, the College of Engineering became the School of Engineering when oversight of graduate engineering programs was transferred from the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. As part of the same reorganization the Faculty of Arts and Science became the Faculty of Arts, Sciences, and Engineering.

Admissions

For the School of Engineering Class of 2023, 4,371 students applied and 667 were accepted, resulting in an acceptance rate of 15%. Of those accepted 41% chose to enroll. For students entering the School of Engineering as part of the Class of 2024, the average verbal/critical reading SAT score was 711 and the average math SAT score was 764. The average ACT composite score was 34. Additionally the percent of those enrolled receiving financial aid was 53%. Tufts School of Engineering has 88 full-time faculty members and a Ph.D. student-faculty ratio of 2.6:1, according to the 2018 data compiled by U.S. News & World Report.

Organization and degree programs

The School of Engineering is under the supervision of a dean, appointed by the president and the provost, with the approval of the Trustees of Tufts College. The dean oversees undergraduate and graduate education and research in six academic departments and Tufts Gordon Institute.
The School of Engineering and the School of Arts and Sciences form the Faculty of Arts, Sciences, and Engineering , a deliberative body under the chairmanship of the president of the university. Historically, the Arts and Sciences and Engineering were part of the same administrative division, sharing a common leadership and budget. The two schools continue to share many administrative functions including undergraduate admissions, student affairs, library, and information technology services.
The School of Engineering currently offers bachelor of science degrees in chemical engineering, civil engineering, computer science, electrical engineering, environmental engineering, data science, computer engineering, mechanical engineering, and biomedical engineering. There are also bachelor of science programs in human factors engineering, engineering science, and engineering physics.
Graduate programs include Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degree curricula, as well as certificates, in:
The School of Engineering maintains dual degree programs with the School of Arts and Sciences and the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy and joint degree programs with the School of Medicine, the Sackler School of Graduate Biomedical Sciences, and the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine.

Centers and institutes

The School of Engineering hosts a number of centers and institutes, including the Center for STEM Diversity, the Center for Engineering Education and Outreach, the Center for Applied Brain and Cognitive Sciences, and Tufts Gordon Institute.
Center for Applied Brain and Cognitive Sciences
The CABCS is a collaborative research initiative between the U.S. Army and Tufts University. The center hosts a virtual reality lab for monitoring neurological, psychological, and behavior responses. Research at the center focuses around the measurement, predictability, and improvement of a person’s cognitive capabilities in high-stress situations.
Tufts Center for Engineering Education and Outreach
Founded in 1996 as one of the first university-based engineering education centers in the U.S. CEEO researchers, staff, and students have contributed to key findings on teaching and learning in engineering and the development of tools and technologies used globally. CEEO initiatives include:
Tufts Center for STEM Diversity
The Center for STEM Diversity acts as a resource for student-led STEM based organizations on campus and hosts several programs to focus on recruiting, retaining, and graduating underrepresented students.
Tufts Gordon Institute
Students learn key management skills and how to launch their own businesses. Degrees offered by TGI include an M.S. in Innovation and Management and an M.S. in Engineering Management. Each year, the School of Engineering and TGI provide students with a platform to showcase their work and participation in research during the annual $100k New Ventures Competition.

Research and faculty

Research carried out by faculty and students covers a wide spectrum of fields and disciplines. The School's broad research themes are: energy, water, and the environment; human health and bioengineering; human-technology interface; intelligent systems; and learning science.
Notable research and faculty include: