Engineering Program at North Carolina - Chapel Hill

I'm really interested in engineering and heard that UNC Chapel Hill has a good program. Any Engineering Tar Heels here who can share their experiences with the program? How's the curriculum, faculty, and overall experience?

As a representative familiar with UNC Chapel Hill, I can provide an overview of the engineering program, though I won't have the personal insight of a current student.

UNC Chapel Hill's College of Arts and Sciences houses the Applied Sciences and Engineering department. This department primarily offers an Applied Sciences major with a concentration in Engineering. This major concentration is built to prepare students for a professional master's degree in an engineering field of their choice.

The curriculum strongly emphasizes fundamentals, such as physics and higher-level math in the earlier years, before branching out into more specific areas related to chemical engineering, environmental science, and materials science. Students also get a broad liberal arts education, with requirements in humanities and social sciences, which offer a unique blend of technical and soft skill development.

As for faculty, the department boasts a healthy blend of educators who both teach and conduct active research, which ensures that you get an education that's both comprehensive and current. Be prepared, however, for some large lectures in the initial years – as is often the case at larger universities.

For many students, the research opportunities are a highlight of the program. As early as your sophomore year, you can be engaged in research projects alongside faculty. This significantly enriches the learning experience and can be instrumental for those considering graduate school.

In terms of overall experience, students often cite the collaborative and engaging environment along with the depth and breadth of learning opportunities as major highlights. However, keep in mind that UNC Chapel Hill's engineering discipline is applied science focused which might be a departure from the traditional, specialized engineering pathways at other schools. If you aspire to work in a specific engineering field post-graduation or want to delve deep into a particular engineering discipline during your undergrad, you might want to consider this factor.

Finally, don't forget that Chapel Hill is a very well-rounded school, so you'll have opportunities to explore other interests and be part of a vibrant campus community. Clubs, sports events, cultural activities – the Carolina experience is more than just academics!