The James Worth Bagley College of Engineering < Mississippi State University

May 2024 · 12 minute read

Robert A. Green, Assistant Dean
Office: 160 McCain
Telephone: (662) 325-2267
green@bagley.msstate.edu

Offices: 250 McCain
Telephone: (662) 325-2270
Mailing Address: Box 9544 Mississippi State, MS 39762-9544
Bagley College of Engineering Web page: http://www.bagley.msstate.edu

General Information

The James Worth Bagley College of Engineering is a professional college whose purposes are to provide both undergraduate and graduate education, to conduct basic and applied research, and to engage in outreach and public service activities. The BCoE consists of the following academic departments:

In addition to these academic departments, the Bagley College offers opportunities for faculty and student research in the following centers:

The vision of the Bagley College of Engineering is to be known for excellence in scholarly achievement, innovative engineering solutions, and economic and educational outreach that enhances the quality of life across the globe.

It is the mission of the Bagley College of Engineering to provide a world-class research, outreach and educational environment that supports, cultivates and fosters the talents of students, faculty and staff to discover new knowledge and technology for the benefit of society. To accomplish this mission the College has established the following goals:

  • Foster a professional environment that cultivates and enhances our faculty members’ scholarly knowledge base and supports them in building an accomplished academic reputation for themselves and the college.
  • Provide engineering graduates who, through their excellent technical and leadership skills, cultural awareness, and social responsibility, will solve the challenges of the 21st century.
  • Increase engineering opportunities for underrepresented groups to support and serve the diverse demographic of the state of Mississippi and the nation to ensure that the college encourages a variety of input, influences and participation in all its endeavors.
  • Conduct cutting edge research to enhance the quality of human life and earth’s sustainability.
  • Provide engineering expertise, engagement and outreach to create positive change and economic development in Mississippi and the region.
     
  • The Bagley College includes a study abroad program which provides students with an opportunity to take courses in another country and experience different cultures. This experience broadens the vision of those who participate and increases their awareness of the global environment in which engineers work. Engineering students also have the opportunity to apply for Congressional internships. Currently internships are in place for the U.S. Congress in Washington, D.C.

    In addition to study abroad and Congressional internships, the Bagley College offers its own minor in Global Engineering Leadership and fully participates in the university’s Leadership Studies minor. Through these programs, engineering students are provided an opportunity to develop their leadership and management skills through both general leadership courses and courses focused on skills specific to leadership in the engineering profession. More information on each of these can be found in this catalog. Students pursuing either of these minors should should consult with their academic advisor as early as possible so that course work can be adequately planned.

    The Bagley College is dedicated to producing outstanding graduates who are capable of achieving excellence. With a strong focus on engineering fundamentals and an attitude among the faculty of helping each student achieve his or her best, Bagley engineering graduates are ready to obtain positions with the leading companies or further their educations at the finest graduate and professional schools in the nation.

    Basic-level professional programs leading to the Bachelor of Science degree are offered in Aerospace Engineering, Biological Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Cybersecurity, Electrical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Petroleum Engineering, and Software Engineering. 

    All basic-level engineering programs are designed to give the student an understanding of the fundamental principles underlying engineering science and engineering practice. Each curriculum consists of four sequences: Basic Sciences and Mathematics; a general education component; Engineering Sciences; and Engineering Analysis, Design and Systems.

    Included in the Basic Sciences and Mathematics sequence are Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Mathematics, through Calculus and other advanced mathematics topics.

    There is also a General Education component required for graduation which is also published in this bulletin.

    The sequence in Engineering Sciences consists of studies in engineering mechanics, thermodynamics, transfer and rate mechanisms, electrical theory, the nature and properties of materials, and computer science.

    The Engineering Analysis, Design and Systems sequence is directed toward the creative and practical phases of economic design, involving analysis, synthesis, and engineering research and development. This sequence is the most distinctive feature of the engineering curricula, since it is the element of creative and economic design which distinguishes the engineer from the pure scientist.

    Engineers and Computer Scientists must develop communication skills through courses in English composition, public speaking, and upper level writing. These skills are reinforced throughout the curricula.

    The curriculum in Computer Science consists of general studies, mathematics, science, computer science, and electives.

    Entrance Requirements

    Prospective students are encouraged to take as many courses as possible in mathematics, science, English, social studies, and foreign languages while in high school. One unit of computer-aided graphics is recommended for engineering students and at least one-half unit of keyboarding and one-half unit of computer programming are recommended.

    The level of high school preparation needed to be successful in engineering or computer science degree programs as measured by ACT or SAT scores and high school academic core grade point average has been identified. The following guidelines are established to help high school students understand the level of preparation required for engineering and computer science. These guidelines are established to help MSU students at risk who want to pursue engineering or computer science.

    Math Prerequisites

    In order to be successful in engineering, a student must develop good math skills through courses in calculus, differential equations, and other math topics. In engineering and computer science, the first math course that applies to a degree is calculus. Taking calculus requires that a student have an adequate preparation in algebra, geometry, and trigonometry.

    To provide students with the best possible opportunity for success in calculus, the Department of Mathematics and Statistics has established the following guidelines for placing students in math courses:

    Students who are not prepared for Calculus I will be required to first complete Precalculus or a sequence of College Algebra and Trigonometry before taking calculus. This may delay a student from taking some engineering courses until they have developed the proper math background, but this should not discourage a student from pursuing an engineering degree. Improving math skills early in their academic career will result in a student having greater academic success.

    Students who do not meet the guidelines for enrolling in Calculus I should consider completing Precalculus or a sequence of College Algebra and Trigonometry during the summer prior to attending Mississippi State. These courses may be taken either at Mississippi State, at a Mississippi Community or Junior College, or at any other accredited two-year or four-year institution. Only grades of C or better will be accepted as satisfying these pre-requisites. Courses taken during high school will not count for this credit unless they were taken as part of a dual enrollment program and appear on a separate transcript from a two-year or four-year institution of higher learning. A combination of College Algebra and Trigonometry may be substituted for Precalculus.

    New Freshmen Admission

    For regular admission to one of the Bagley College of Engineering’s degree-granting programs as a freshman, students must be admitted to MSU, complete the following high school academic core: 4 units of English, 4 units of mathematics (algebra, geometry, trigonometry), 3 units of science (chemistry and either biology or physics), 3 units of social studies and/or foreign languages and 2 units of electives, and meet any one of the following criteria:

    These criteria are essential for the success of a student beginning an engineering or computer science curriculum at the level shown in the following pages of this Bulletin. Applicants with justifiable circumstances may petition the Dean of Engineering for special admission.

    New freshmen applicants who do not meet these requirements, are otherwise admitted to MSU, and want to pursue an engineering degree should join the undeclared major. These students will be advised for the first 30 hours by the University Academic Advising Center. 

    All students who are classified as Undeclared but plan to eventually move into enginering must enroll in an appropriate math course each semester they are enrolled in this major. 

    Students with course work deficiencies will be required to schedule preparatory course work. This course work will be in addition to that shown in the engineering and computer science curricula and will, in general, extend the time to graduation.

    Internal Transfers

    Undeclared and other students at Mississippi State University may transfer into an engineering degree-granting program if they satisfy any one of the following criteria:

    Internal transfer students should discuss the transfer with the appropriate department head or program coordinator before completing a Change of Major form. Some departments have additional admission requirements for internal transfers.

    Students admitted to one engineering or computer science degree program may transfer to another engineering or computer science program at any time so long as they meet departmental transfer requirements.

    External Transfers

    Students may transfer from other colleges or universities into MSU engineering degree programs if they meet all requirements to transfer to MSU and satisfy any one of the following criteria:

    Applicants with justifiable circumstances may petition the Dean of Engineering for special admission.

    Coursework taken elsewhere will not be applied toward a degree in the Bagley College of Engineering until it is determined that it is equivalent to required coursework or is an acceptable substitute. Also, only coursework taken elsewhere on which a grade of C or better has been earned will be considered for application toward a degree. No more than one-half of the hours of an engineering or computer science curriculum from two-year community or junior colleges may be applied towards graduation.

    For admission to undergraduate programs, international students must earn a minimum paper-based TOEFL score of 550 or a computer-based minimum score of 213.

    Personal Computer Requirement

    All engineering students are required to own a personal laptop computer. Minimum specifications for a computer are developed and posted on the Bagley College of Engineering home page by July of each year. A computer meeting these minimum specifications should suffice for the entirety of a students program of study as long as normal progress is made each semester. Transfer students are required to have a computer that meets the minimum specifications in place at the time their cohorts would have been freshmen. For example, a student transferring as a junior in the Fall of 2023 is required to have a computer that meets the minimum specifications in place for freshmen who entered the Bagley College in the Fall of 2021.

    Information on the computer specifications and special pricing which may be available, can be found by visiting the Web site at http://www.bagley.msstate.edu.

    Computers are used by students to solve engineering problems, write papers, and develop presentations for classes. Computer technology improves communication between students and faculty and develops the computational skills demanded of engineering graduates by employers. Further, email is the official means of communication with students per university policy.

    Students applying for or receiving financial aid should notify the office of Student Financial Aid and Scholarships that they are entering the Bagley College of Engineering and are required to have a personal computer. The cost of the personal computer can then be added to the total cost of education and financial aid may be awarded accordingly. The full cost of the computer will not necessarily be covered by financial aid or scholarships depending on the total amount of aid received and other regulations.

    Graduation Requirements

    Graduation requirements are the courses and hours shown in the individual programs. Some majors require a grade of C or better in certain courses. This information is available from the department in which the student is enrolled. All students are required to study these requirements together with the course prerequisites, and to be sure that they are taking the proper courses in the curriculum in which they expect to graduate. Students should discuss their programs with their academic advisors each semester, particularly before course registration. To graduate with a baccalaureate degree from the Bagley College of Engineering, in addition to meeting the requirements as specified in the Mississippi State University Academic Operating Policy 12.11 (https://www.policies.msstate.edu/policy/1211), candidates must have earned at least a 2.00 cumulative grade point average on all courses scheduled and rescheduled (average on all attempts) at Mississippi State University that are applied toward meeting degree requirements. Departments within the College may have requirements in addition to those specified above. It is the student’s responsibility to be sure that requirements are fulfilled in a particular program before applying for a degree.

    Independent study credit up to a maximum of six semester hours will be accepted, with the prior approval of the department head and the dean. In no case will engineering courses taken by independent study be approved.

    No courses taken under the pass/fail option may be used to satisfy degree requirements.

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