Engineering at Lee
Degrees in Engineering
Our 4-year degree in Engineering prepares students broadly as future practicing engineers. Our engineering coursework covers the fundamental engineering concepts and provides opportunities for students to utilize their learning in service to their community. The goal of this program is to produce well-rounded Engineering students that are prepared for industry or graduate studies in specialized fields of engineering.
Year by Year Engineering Course Plan
We also maintain a 3+2 Dual degree partnership with the University of Tennessee Chattanooga and Tennessee Technology University. Students that are looking for a specialized degree in Engineering do not have to forego the Lee Experience. Our partnerships afford students three years at Lee University where we prepare them foundationally in Engineering with our coursework. After the completion of our coursework, students will transfer to one of our partnering institutions to complete the discipline specific engineering degree while still obtaining our Engineering Science degree along the way. The course sequences have been designed so that the first two years of both degrees are the same, and students won’t have to choose between the two paths until their junior year.
Engineering Facilities
- Mechanics of Materials Lab: Students will investigate material behavior through experiments in tension, compression, bending, and shear, analyzing results in comparison with published data.
Key equipment: Universal testing machine, torsion tester, hardness tester, beam bending apparatus - Fluid Mechanics, Thermodynamics, and Heat Transfer Lab: Students will explore mass and energy flow through experiments involving pressure, temperature, and heat exchange.
Key equipment: Hydraulic bench, pipe flow/friction loss apparatus, heat exchanger unit, thermodynamic systems - Instrumentation and Controls Lab: Students will build and analyze circuits, work with sensors and data acquisition systems, and implement basic control strategies.
Key equipment: Oscilloscopes, signal generators, data acquisition systems, process control systems, sensors and actuators - Engineering Design and Prototyping Lab: Students will design, build, and refine prototypes that integrate mechanical and electrical components using fabrication tools and embedded computing platforms.
Key equipment: 3D printers, laser cutters, electronics workstations, poster printer, vinyl cutter - Student Project Lab: Students will use this space for team-based and long-term projects, including senior design and engineering club activities.
Key equipment: Project workbenches, storage areas, shared tools, and testing space - Machine Shop: Students will manufacture and modify components for projects using mills, lathes, and other precision equipment under the guidance of a trained machinist.
Key equipment: Manual mill and lathe, CNC mill and lathe, drill press, bandsaw, plasma table, CNC router, and table saw - Chemistry Lab: Students will investigate the properties and behavior of engineering materials through hands-on materials science activities, with additional support for faculty research.
Key equipment: Chemical workstations with fume hood, kiln, analytical balances, hot plates, and standard laboratory glassware and materials testing supplies - Computer Lab: Students will use industry-standard software for programming, modeling, analysis, and networking to support coursework in engineering and computer science.
Key equipment: Networked workspace, licensed software for CAD, simulation, and programming, and shared computing resources.
Engineering Program Objectives and Student Outcomes
- Glorify God through their faith and vocation by applying their technical knowledge, analytical abilities, and problem-solving skills to address societal needs.
- Lead within their field, collaborate with teams of working professionals, and communicate effectively to the public.
- Continue to build upon the foundational knowledge gained at Lee University and pursue professional engineering licensure (PE) and/or other professional certifications related to their field of work.
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- an ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics.
- an ability to apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors.
- an ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences.
- an ability to recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgments, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts.
- an ability to function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives.
- an ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions.
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an ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.
Career Opportunities
- Civil Engineering
- Mechanical Engineer
- Chemical Engineer/Process Engineer
- Environmental Engineer
- Systems Engineer
- Operations Research Analyst
- Graduate School
What to Expect
Student Outcomes
The following student outcomes reflect nationally recognized expectations for engineering education and guide Lee University’s Engineering program.
- An ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics.
- An ability to apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors.
- An ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences.
- An ability to recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgments, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts.
- An ability to function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives.
- An ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions.
- An ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.
Hub/Support/Tutoring
Tutoring is provided in the Math Lab as a service of the HUB, which is Lee's main student success and support center. Hours for Math Lab can be found on the HUB website.
Travel/Global Trips
Trips are conducted through the office of Global Perspectives.
For questions about trips conducted by faculty in this department, contact Professor of Mathematics Dr. Caroline Maher-Boulis.
Awards/Honors
- Kappa Mu Epsilon Honor Society (TN Zeta Chapter)
- Lee & Reba Goins Absher Scholarship
- Griffith Family Scholarship
- Craig Hagmaier Scholarship
- Lay Family Mathematics Assistantship
- Herbert and Donna Nichols Scholarship
- Darrell and Pam Spell Scholarship
- Tucker Foundation Scholarship
Service
Our Senior Design courses require students to complete a year long engineering project. These projects often will be centered around a community service component. This will allow students to integrate their faith and commitment to our community with the practice of engineering.
Capstone
The Capstone course is designed to help graduating students integrate their faith with the academic knowledge they have gained throughout their studies. It is regarded as the final reflection of the essential Core Values of Lee University.
Home/Location
Students spend most of their time in the Science and Math Complex (SMC).
Research/Competition
- Lee B. Ledford Scholarship Program
- Many faculty members mentor individual student research.








Undergraduate students who meet the following criteria are eligible to apply to the Lee McNair Scholars Program:
McNair stipend. Scholars receive an educational incentive up to $2,800.00 per year, along with room and board during the McNair Summer Institute. Scholars will also receive up to $1,500.00 for research materials and supplies.





























