Degree Spotlight: Engineering and Engineering Technologies

Capitol Tech has its roots in engineering. Founded in 1927 as the Capitol Radio Engineering Institute (CREI), the school focused on producing much needed well-trained radio and electronics technicians. Since then, the number of degrees offered in the engineering fields–and a host of others–has greatly expanded but the idea of providing high-quality graduates to fill the latest employment needs has remained the same.

Degree Options

Capitol Tech has offered degrees in electrical engineering, electronics engineering technology, and computer engineering for a number of years, but ensures that the course of study is keeping up with the times. These degrees feature courses in digital design, microprocessors and microassembly, and microcontrollers alongside engineering fundamentals.

Bachelor’s degrees such as astronautical engineering and mechatronics engineering address cutting edge technologies, such as drones, satellites, robotics, and other automated systems. PhD programs in Engineering Management and Human Factors highlight the importance of leadership, ethics, and safety in engineering disciplines.

With eighteen degrees in the engineering fields, from Associate’s to Doctoral, and an additional five undergraduate certificates, Capitol Tech offers the course of study to best fit your career goals.

 

Hands-on Learning

For students studying on campus, the Electronics Lab provides real-world equipment for students to use enabling them to jump head first into any job they enter with experience learned by doing and not just by reading.

The Fusion Lab is a space where students are encouraged to create a multidisciplinary project that fits their interests. The Fusion Lab opportunities for students to experiment with 3-D printing, drones, Raspberry Pi, and balloon and satellite payloads.

The Space Flight Operations Training Center (SFOTC) gives students the chance to experience tools used in the industry to simulate and test flight and ground software systems for satellites. The SFOTC includes the VirtualSat® spacecraft dynamic simulator, Satellite Tool Kit (SKT), and the General Mission Analysis Tool (GMAT) – the same tools utilized by NASA.

 

Unparalleled Professors

 

Capitol Tech sets itself apart from other universities by ensuring that faculty are industry experts who stay on top of the latest developments in their fields. Among the engineering faculty at Capitol Tech are:

•  Dr Charles (Chuck) Conner, who has extensive experience in space engineering, software design, communications engineering, and more. He has experience developing software for International Space Station missions as well as a plethora of other industry expertise and a long history in academia.
• Dr. Ian McAndrew, a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society, who chairs several international conferences and journals and is invited to give keynote speeches all over the world and is an internationally recognized leader in research and expert on low-speed flight.
• Dr. Vijayanand Kowtha, who has organized STEM events promoting basic research at the USA science festival, US Navy, Sea and Air Exposition and Sigma Xi annual research meetings, resulting in responsive research and workforce development.

 

The Sky’s the Limit

Capitol Tech fosters an environment of experimentation, where a student can suggest experiments and work on projects using the equipment and software available on campus. Here are just a handful of projects that students have worked on:

• CACTUS-1, a satellite, which was created by Capitol Tech students and launched by Virgin Orbit in January 2021.
•  Using balloons to test high-altitude sensors along with designing structures to house the instruments used. · Creating Capitol Tech’s own version of R2-D2.

What could you do with a degree in the engineering fields from Capitol Tech?

To learn more about the various degrees Capitol Tech offers in the engineering fields, visit the Engineering and Engineering Technologies fields of study webpage or email admissions@captech.edu.