Program Overview

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Applied Engineering, BS

Applied engineering focuses on the practical applications of engineering principles in order to solve the problems facing a variety of different industries. Our program offers concentrations in manufacturing and computer science with future concentrations in aerospace and energy storage on the way. Applied engineering provides a pathway for students to prefer hands-on learning, turning their practical orientation into structured problem-solving skills.

Program Overview

Our curriculum is ideal for students who have a penchant for problem-solving and a desire to work in industry as engineers. The faculty leading our classes and labs come with backgrounds as leaders in their industries. They have worked on the same systems and tools that our students will use as they enter the workforce. They speak the language of industry and train students to hit the ground running from day one.

Applied engineering provides avenues for people who thrive on knowledge application in modern industrial settings, such as designing and fabricating prototypes, optimizing operations and performance testing, evaluation, and troubleshooting.

Why Study Applied Engineering?

From designing new processes to developing new software, our applied engineering program prepares students to solve real-world problems using industry-relevant tools and software. It’s a great fit for those who enjoy hands-on problem-solving and want to work as engineers in fast-paced industries.

Concentrations

Our specialized concentrations allow students to tailor their education to their specific career interests while also meeting skills needed by the industry. By delving deeper into these concentrations, students will develop the skills needed to build the next generation of sustainable technologies, enhance manufacturing processes, and create innovative solutions.

The concentrations for our bachelor’s in applied engineering reflect the changing needs of industry in the state of Tennessee. The selections currently include:

• Software Engineering
• Manufacturing

Reliability and Maintainability Minor

The applied engineering program incorporates a minor in reliability and maintainability engineering to equip students with the ability to identify, manage, and eliminate failures leading to losses in system function management systems. As part of the curriculum, students have the option to pursue industry-recognized certifications, such as AutoCAD, Lean Six Sigma, and PMP.

What Can You Do with a BS in Applied Engineering After Graduation?

Applied engineering offers pathways into modern industries by equipping students with practical, hands-on experience using current technologies. Our computer science concentration develops skills in data analysis and software systems, meeting a growing demand for professionals who can turn data into a competitive edge—leading to careers such as software developers, systems engineers, and quality assurance engineers. Our manufacturing concentration prepares students for careers in rapidly evolving production environments, with a focus on robotics, automation, and integrated systems essential to modern manufacturing operations.

With new concentrations in aerospace engineering and data storage launching in the coming years, applied engineering continues to expand opportunities across a wide range of industries in both Tennessee and beyond.

Featured Courses

AET 310 – Metrology

This course covers the concepts of measurements, to include accuracy, traceability, consistency, and uncertainty of different measurement systems relevant to manufacturing precision parts. Other topics include the relevance of strain, displacement, acceleration, temperature, and other material and process properties that may affect manufacturing outcomes.

AET 322 Mobile/Web Development I

Topics covered in this course include mobile and web app development using HTML and HTML5, JavaScript, CSS and frameworks, frontend, backend, and other frameworks, deployment, and authentication. This is the first of two courses dedicated to the junior practicum.

AET 423 – Design of Manufacturing Processes

This course covers the design of manufacturing processes and how to produce components, assemblies, and systems.

AET 450 Development Operations

This course consists of multiple hands-on software engineering projects that will train students in best practices related to development operations. This will include practices around source control and workflow management (e.g., GitHub, JIRA), containerization (e.g., Docker, Kubernetes), system administration, software and system cybersecurity, and user experience (UX).

Complementary Minors

Interested in pursuing a minor to expand your engineering expertise? See below for curriculum that would pair well with a BS in aerospace engineering:

• Computer Science Minor
• Environmental Engineering Minor
• Mechanical Engineering Minor

Admissions and Aid

Choosing the right university to pursue an engineering degree is an important decision—and a significant investment. We want to make sure that you have the information you need to both apply and make attending UT affordable.

• Explore tuition and cost
• Financial aid opportunities

The University of Tennessee
Knoxville, Tennessee 37996

The flagship campus of the University of Tennessee System and partner in the Tennessee Transfer Pathway.