Innovating for impact
Expanding access and flexibility
- Launching a Bachelor of Arts in Computer Science
- Updating curriculum to include AI throughout our programs and classes
- Establishing minors in high-demand subjects subjects such as robotics, AI and aerospace
- Creating new master’s concentrations in departments across the college
Increasing opportunities for credit-bearing experiential learning
- Vertically Integrated Projects (VIP)
- Undergraduate Research
- Internships
- Co-ops
- Independent Study
Forging partnerships for real-world applications
- Leveraging strong industry partnerships to provide student-industry collaboration
- Embedding employer-identified competencies into the curriculum
- Advancing research alongside industry leaders
From lab to launch
VCU's innovation pipeline
VCU empowers inventors to transform groundbreaking discoveries into real-world solutions. Our Technology Transfer team, VCU Ventures, and the da Vinci Center provide comprehensive support for protecting intellectual property, licensing innovations, and launching successful startups.
A legacy of excellence & career readiness
95%
of VCU Engineering alumni secure employment or graduate school acceptance within six months of graduation
1,300+
students participated in internships, co-ops and other experiential learning opportunities
100+
Capstone senior design projects annually
Departmental spotlights: Pioneering the future
Biomedical Engineering (BME)
At the intersection of medicine and engineering, BME leverages a nationally ranked graduate program and clinical partnerships to deliver life-saving solutions.
- Graduate program ranked by U.S. News & World Report
- Undergraduate research starts in year one
- Faculty lead well-funded labs and serve as industry experts
Chemical & Life Science Engineering (CLSE)
Pioneering breakthroughs in sustainable and pharmaceutical engineering, CLSE is a national research leader.
- Home to the nation’s first Ph.D. in pharmaceutical engineering
- $14.7 million in research expenditures (2023)
- Expertise spans stem cells to sustainability
Computer Science (CS)
With the highest student enrollment at the VCU College of Engineering, CS leads research activities in AI and Data Science, CyberSecurity and Software Engineering.
- Partners include the DoD Cyber Crime Center and Virginia State Police
- Accelerated B.S./M.S. pathway available
- Access to AR/VR labs, robotics and GPU servers
Electrical & Computer Engineering (ECE)
From smart grids to quantum computing, ECE leads the way in tech innovation and hands-on learning.
- Advancing AI, quantum and microelectronics research
- Faculty work featured at CES
- Graduates employed at Cisco, Intel and Johns Hopkins APL
Mechanical & Nuclear Engineering (MNE)
Driving advancements in energy, materials, medicine and manufacturing, our MNE faculty and students are recognized nationally and internationally.
- Faculty named ASME “Rising Stars”
- Department of Energy-funded molten salt fusion research
- U.S. News & World Report-ranked online M.S. program
