Dean's Welcome

Welcome to the College of Science, Health and Engineering

It is an exciting time to be in the College of Science, Health and Engineering as we continue to grow even in this difficult economic environment. The College is comprised of eleven departments (see below) and RIDE program (explained below) with the College steadily increasing student enrollments at more than 3% for the past three years. EWU's 2010-11 fall enrollment was more than10,500 students.  Our College engages over 29 percent of the total university student population in courses delivered by our faculty, and we do not see that decreasing any time soon. The academic departments, Biology, Chemistry/Biochemistry, Communication Disorders, Computer Science, Dental Hygiene, Engineering & Design, Geology, Mathematics, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy and Physics in the College are in very high demand, especially the Engineering & Design and Computer Science programs as well as the various health sciences programs.

A current challenge is growing new programs such as mechanical engineering, which began its first classes this past fall and developing a new program in health informatics. We are committed to high quality undergraduate and graduate education as well as high standards for our faculty, students and staff.  We encourage and support faculty and student research and fund students to present their research at off campus venues such as the National Conference of Undergraduate Research or research societies of their respective disciplines.

In spring of 2010 we completed the pre-design phase for a new science center to house the departments of Chemistry/Biochemistry and Physics.  The state funding for the design phase of the new building is on hold until Patterson Hall remodel is further along, so that the design plans will be completed closer to the time of construction.  Science Complex I will be located across the "science quad" from the current science and computing/engineering sciences buildings on the site currently occupied by Reid School.  Construction cannot begin on Science Complex I until Reid School is no longer occupied by faculty who will return to the renovated Patterson Hall.

The College entered a new educational realm three years ago with the RIDE (Regional Initiatives in Dental Education) program coming into the College. The RIDE program represents a cohort of first year dental students from the University of Washington's School of Dentistry being instructed in courses at the Riverpoint campus in Spokane. 

There are many exciting things happening in the College and the university as a whole. Some recent highlights are:

• The Electrical Engineering program received its ABET accreditation in August of 2008.  The program has expanded to the west side of the state with a branch at North Seattle Community College, which began the second cohort of students this past fall (2010) as well.
• The Department of Computer Science received a total clean slate from ABET on its site visit in fall 2010.
• The Department of Communications Disorders also received a total clean slate from CAA on its site visit in spring 2011. 

• The Department of Communication Disorders moved from a quarter-based academic calendar to a semester-based calendar to match with the WSU program on the Riverpoint campus two years ago in the 2008-09 academic year.

• The only doctoral program in the University is the College's Physical Therapy program, which continues to receive an unprecedented number of applications with close to half of them from out of state applicants residing in states across the nation.

• The Department of Dental Hygiene began a MS degree program in Dental Hygiene for the academic year 2008-09.  This is their first graduate program, which is almost a completely on-line program.

• Additionally, the State legislature is creating a bill in winter 2011, for a mid-level dental practitioner or dental therapist that will be a second graduate program in the Department of Dental Hygiene.

• We have degree completion programs located at, Bellevue College, Clark College, Pierce College Shoreline Community College, and South Seattle Community College with new programs being developed at Lake Washington Technical College.

Please browse our website. From here you can link to all eleven departments, explore degree programs, research and internship opportunities, and find further information on our College.  We hope you enjoy your visit.

Sincerely,

Judd A. Case Ph.D.
Dean