Student Input on Combining the Systems & Information and Civil & Environmental Engineering Depts.

UVA Engineering faculty and staff are exploring new ideas for achieving the School’s vision of world-class education and research. As an outgrowth of that exploration, faculty from two Engineering School departments (Systems & Information and Civil & Environmental) have discussed the possibility of combining the functions of these departments into one innovative and powerful department. The idea does not include any changes to student degree programs. Students would continue to have choices of undergraduate and graduate degrees in Civil Engineering and Systems Engineering. The idea is that bringing the two faculty teams together could position UVA Engineering to reinvent the way current and future engineers in these fields provide value to society. The best of UVA’s knowledge and expertise will be required to tackle the complex, societal challenges of today and the future, including healthcare, transportation, critical infrastructure, climate change and cybersecurity. Faculty have discussed whether a new department would lead to more collaboration and innovation in highly valued areas of engineering education and research. The change would be to combine the administrative structure of two departments into one department, with staff members from both departments joining forces to support the enhanced focus on teaching and research. Student input is very important to the faculty's discussion of this idea. Thank you for participating in this survey.