VUSE Minors and Focus Areas

Students must declare their intention to pursue minors or focus areas by completing the appropriate form available on the Engineering Forms webpage. 

Minors

Currently, minors are offered in computer science, data science, digital fabrication, electrical and computer engineering, energy and environmental systems, engineering management, environmental engineering, materials science and engineering, nanoscience and nanotechnology, scientific computing and most disciplines of the College of Arts and Science, Blair School of Music and Peabody College. 

  • Computer Science

    Computer science blends scientific and engineering principles, theoretical analysis, and actual computing experience to provide undergraduate students with a solid foundation in the discipline. Emphasis is on computing activities of both practical and intellectual interest, and on theoretical studies of efficient algorithms and the limits of computation.

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  • Data Science

    Data science is an interdisciplinary field whose goal is to extract knowledge and enable discovery from complex data using a fusion of computation, mathematics, statistics, and machine learning. Datasets can be as varied as maps of the universe, MRI images, human genomes, medical records, stock market transactions, educational data, infrastructure systems, or website clickstream data. Over the coming decades, data science is expected to have significant impacts on basic and applied research in computer science and engineering. Data science has the potential to improve individual and community health and education; develop smart communities that enable efficient circulation of people, goods, and services; enable informed decision making in public and private sectors; and enhance environmental sustainability and overall quality of life.

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  • Digital Fabrication

    The minor in digital fabrication is designed to provide students with a working knowledge of how to advance design ideas to computer models, physical prototypes, and ultimately commercial parts. Digital fabrication technologies have revolutionized manufacturing by reducing the time required to design and build prototypes. This minor combines advances in computer-aided design (e.g., generative design) with state-of-the-art rapid prototyping technologies, including 3D printing, laser cutting, CNC milling, extrusion, and injection molding. Emphasis is on material and manufacturing technology selection based on conceptual design criteria and process simulation through project-based learning.

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  • Electrical and Computer Engineering

    Minoring in Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) equips students with essential cross-disciplinary knowledge in circuits, digital systems, and programming. It also offers a diverse selection of ECE electives in areas such as photonics, nanomaterials, microelectronics, embedded systems, cyber-physical systems, medical imaging, and signal processing. In today's technology-driven world, where computers and electronics are integral to everything from spacecraft to home appliances, an ECE minor enhances coursework across the entire School of Engineering. It provides students with the tools to apply their disciplines more effectively to real-world challenges in manufacturing, economics, transportation, construction, aerospace, energy production, and environmental safety.

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  • Energy and Environmental Systems

    The minor in energy and environmental systems is designed to provide students with a working knowledge of the fundamentals of energy systems and their impact on the environment. The future health and well-being of humanity hinge in large part on smart production and use of energy, water, and related resources, as these are central determinants of climate change, habitable space, and human and ecological health.

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  • Engineering Management

    The engineering management minor is designed to provide a student majoring in an undergraduate engineering program with a working knowledge of the fundamentals of management as they apply to technology-based enterprises. Engineering management courses include such topics as accounting and finance, applied behavioral science, engineering economics, technology marketing, technology strategy, manufacturing and supply chain management, project management and planning, systems engineering, and technology-based entrepreneurship.

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  • Environmental Engineering

    A minor in environmental engineering is available to all non-civil engineering students. It requires a total of 15 hours of environmental engineering courses, comprised of 6 hours of required courses and 9 hours of electives. Required courses are CE 226 (Intro to Environmental Engineering) and ENVE 271 (Environmental Chemistry).

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  • Materials Science and Engineering

    The materials science and engineering program is integrated into the extensive ongoing nanotechnology research. The Vanderbilt Institute for Nanoscience and Engineering (VINSE) is at the center of this effort. This interdisciplinary research involves faculty from all of the engineering disciplines as well as faculty from chemistry, physics, and the medical school.

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  • Nanoscience and Nanotechnology

    The nanoscience and nanotechnology minor presents principles and methods used in this rapidly growing field. The core originates in the physical sciences by providing key approaches for describing the behavior of matter on the nanoscale. Synthetic approaches are used to manipulate matter systematically, for creating uniquely functional nanomaterials that can be inorganic, organic, biological, or a hybrid of  these. With a third component of characterization, a process for designing systems to have particular properties as a result of their composition and nanoscale arrangement emerges.

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  • Scientific Computing

    Faculty in the School of Engineering and the College of Arts and Science offer an interdisciplinary minor in scientific computing to help natural and social scientists and engineers acquire the ever-increasing computational skills that such careers demand. Computation is now an integral part of modern science and engineering. In engineering, computer simulation allows the analysis and synthesis of systems too expensive, dangerous or complex to model and build directly. 

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Focus Areas

Focus areas provide guidance to students wishing to concentrate on a specialized topic within engineering. Focus areas are typically nine credit hours, and qualifying courses are listed in the catalog. Students can declare a maximum of three focus areas; however, a qualifying course cannot be applied to more than one focus area.  Students interested in declaring a focus area must do so before the start of their final semester at Vanderbilt.  Successful completion of a declared focus area will be designated on a student’s transcript upon graduation.

  • Human Computer Interaction

    The Study of HCI is valuable for creating technology that is not only functional but also user-friendly, accessible, and aligned with the diverse needs of users. This approach contributes to the success and sustainability of technological products and systems in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.  Students who study HCI are well equipped for careers in User Experience (UX) Design, Usability Engineering, Accessibility, Product Design and Augmented and Virtual Reality.

  • Microelectronics

    Over the past 50 years, the field of microelectronics has enabled technological developments in areas such as computing, robotics, manufacturing, communications, transportation, power systems, and medical instrumentation.  This focus area provides students with a foundation in the science and engineering behind the field of microelectronics.

  • Nanotechnology

    Nanotechnology sits at the intersection of various scientific disciplines, including physics, chemistry, biology, and engineering, promising revolutionary advancements across medicine, materials science, electronics, and energy production. It equips students with the knowledge and skills to contribute to cutting-edge innovations, potentially solving some of the world's most pressing problems, such as disease treatment, environmental sustainability, and the development of new, more efficient technologies. Students interested in this area may, with appropriate additional courses, complete the related minor in Nanoscience and Nanotechnology instead of this focus area.

  • Strategic & Technical Consulting

    This focus area will appeal to students who are interested in pursuing a career in consulting.  In this focus area, students will learn essential skills such as organizational leadership, finance, and technology strategy.

  • Engineering Communications

    Communication is an essential skill for every career path.  In this collection of courses, students will learn how to communicate within and outside of their fields of study and within project teams and organizations.

  • Technology Entrepreneurship

    Many students are interested in an entrepreneurial career. In this focus area, students will learn essential skills such as technology strategy, risk management, and venture capital funding.

  • Product Development

    Product development is increasing in student interest and requests for course offerings. In this focus area, students will learn key stages for product planning, development, and marketing.