UCA Establishes College of Science and Engineering

An engineering class at UCA (Photo provided by UCA)

The University of Central Arkansas in Conway has announced the establishment of the College of Science and Engineering. 

The college also renamed one of its seven departments from the Department of Physics and Astronomy to the Department of Physics, Astronomy and Engineering.

The new College of Science and Engineering comprises a total of seven departments. The other departments in the college are biology; chemistry and biochemistry; computer science and engineering; environmental science; geography; and mathematics. 

The upgrades come after UCA received accreditation from The Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) for the college’s engineering physics program. ABET accredits college and university programs in applied and natural science, computing, engineering and engineering technology. 

UCA’s engineering physics program was introduced in the fall of 2019. At that time, three students were enrolled. In fall 2023, the program had 51 majors. 

“Our campus works to cultivate a culture of innovation and ensure programmatic distinction. This ABET accreditation is a testament to our faculty and staff and the overall excellence in the College of Science and Engineering,” UCA President Houston Davis said in a news release.

Two other UCA programs have received ABET accreditation. The Bachelor of Science in computer science received accreditation in 2006. The university’s cybersecurity program was the first in Arkansas to receive ABET accreditation. 

“The goal is to contribute to the state’s economic development, and our region’s economic development and to provide opportunities for people to live and work in Arkansas,” Stephen Addison, dean of the College of Science and Engineering, said in the release. “We are looking for opportunities for students and meeting the needs of employers in the region which are not necessarily being met currently.”