30 YEARS OF ENGINEERING EXCELLENCE

In its first 30 years the Marlan and Rosemary Bourns College of Engineering (BCOE) at University of California, Riverside (UCR) has made remarkable contributions both in engineering research and education, earning its spot as a top 20 public engineering college in the world (U.S. News, Global Rankings). BCOE is an integral part of the world-renowned University of California (UC) system, delivering the student-centered academics and purpose-driven, high-impact research the system is known for. We have achieved great milestones in our relatively short history – and the start of our next 30 years brings with it exciting possibilities. More about Marlan and Rosemary Bourns.

BREAKING DOWN BARRIERS

BCOE has broken down many barriers since opening its doors. Founding Dean Susan Hackwood became the country’s first woman to lead an engineering college at a major research institution. Record-breaking support from Ford Motor Company, The Bourns Foundation, and battery inventor and entrepreneur Winston Chung, whose gift remains as the largest individual gift in campus history, helped set the college on a steady and impressive upward trajectory.

LEADING SCIENTIFIC BREAKTHROUGHS

The college has made pivotal scientific breakthroughs that continue to shape the field of engineering. BCOE’s research portfolio has grown tremendously in such a short time and has achieved national prominence. In addition to serving as a key contributor to the National Science Foundation (NSF) Engineering Research Center (ERC) working to stop biological time and leading one of only nine Department of Defense Centers of Excellence addressing robust, secure, learning-based networked systems, BCOE is home to one of the country’s leading air quality research centers focused on sustainability. Our junior faculty are highly productive in research, with BCOE having the most active NSF CAREER Awards among our peers.

Learn more about our research.

Providing Opportunities Through Collaborations and Partnerships

BCOE’s faculty and students benefit from well-equipped research labs and long-standing collaborations with industry and government partners. Our BK Precision labs offer students access to the latest electrical technologies. CE-CERT researchers partner with AVL at its light-duty testing facility to work toward zero emissions and zero traffic accidents. In 2021, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) will officially open its new headquarters in Riverside, offering new opportunities for cooperation, internships, and air quality research. Our partnership with the City of Riverside to build a clean technology park combined with our proximity to the Los Angeles, San Diego, and Silicon Valley industries serve as the foundation for Riverside to become the next major technology hub.

Read about our latest research project and partnerships.

Meeting the Education Needs of Tomorrow

At the core of this success is what BCOE does best – multidisciplinary innovative research and education. The college recently welcomed its first cohort to the new inter-college data science undergraduate degree program. Additional technical tracks are under development for online M.S. degree program. High-achieving engineering students benefit from UCR’s only B.S.+M.S. program, a fast-track to earning a graduate degree. In 2021, the college launched the UC system’s first M.S. degree in robotics, combining coursework in computer science, electrical engineering, and mechanical engineering. These and other programs prepare our graduates to succeed in their careers and address the complex challenges that face our society.

Explore our programs.

Championing Diversity

BCOE is a leader in educating and advancing one of the most diverse student bodies in the country. In 2009 the college was named a recipient of the ABET Claire Felbinger Award for recruiting undergraduate and graduate students from diverse and disadvantaged backgrounds, retaining them, and advancing them to graduate studies and careers in engineering. BCOE is a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) and a member of the ASEE Diversity Recognition Program. With high percentages of first generation, low-income, and Pell grant recipient students, the college is a major contributor to UCR being ranked No. 1 for social mobility two years in a row.

Learn more about diversity at BCOE. 

BCOE has experienced incredible success over the past 30 years and is poised to continue its impressive trajectory – making a difference in the lives of our students, serving the community, and contributing to the public good through relevant research.