Departments

Civil Engineering

Few fields of study beat a clear path to an exciting, challenging and fulfilling career as does Civil Engineering. Civil engineers are behind the scenes of many comforts that people use––and take for granted–-every day.

Do you want to learn how to build structures that won't crumble to the ground in an earthquake? Or are you more interested in the soil mechanics and foundations that cause the earth to shake in the first place? Have you ever wondered how something as seemingly simple as water can be used as a massive source of energy? Or are you more fascinated by the scientific process that makes water clean enough to drink?

Computer Science

With recent rapid advances in computer hardware and computer software technology, Computer Science has become one of the most exciting and dynamic research areas and one that seems set to affect the lives of everyone. Computer science combines constructivist mathematics with engineering technologies that enable mathematical objects to be treated as physical symbol systems. Its scope ranges from such abstract and theoretical topics as the semantics of programming languages and computational complexity to more concrete issues such as Boolean circuits and computer and network architectures. A central and integrating element of Computer Science is the design and development of software. Software is a representation of abstract ideas in a language capable of execution by a computer.

Would you like to create the next level of software for a popular computer game or design a program that will run an aircraft flight simulator? Does everything about the world of E-commerce and the Internet excite you? Then, computer science is the career for you.

Electrical and Computer Engineering

Virtually every facet of our daily lives is dominated by technology. From transportation to communications and power, Electrical Engineering is center stage in the technological revolution of the past century. The pace of this growth is no where more manifest than in the “incredible shrinking transistor” and the continuous doubling of the number of components we can place on a given surface area of an Integrated Circuit. This has led to an exponential growth in sciences largely fueled by the exponential growth in our computing and communication capacity.

Graduates of the Electrical Engineering program will have the knowledge in math, science, engineering fundamentals, and current and emerging societal needs that allows them to competently solve the practical Electrical and Computer Engineering problems considering all the aspects of the impact of their solutions. The knowledge base shall be amply broad to enable our graduates to become professional engineers within three to five years of professional practice.

Mechanical Engineering

Mechanics, thermal science, design, machinery, instrumentation, automation, robotics… Mechanical Engineering is one of the most exciting branches of engineering, requiring professionals to have a broad knowledge of many scientific areas. Because of this, the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Cal State L.A. offers a deep curriculum that covers many specializations. The breadth and flexibility of Cal State L.A.'s Mechanical Engineering program allows graduates access into a variety of engineering careers. Within the Mechanical Engineering major is a special option in Manufacturing Engineering, a field that is currently experiencing tremendous growth.

As a Mechanical Engineering student, you could be putting yourself on the path to an exciting career in such fields as solar power, high speed ground transportation, manufacturing, environmental protection, and mechatronics.

Technology

Are you interested in a variety of technology fields? Do you think it would be difficult to pick just one area of specialization and devote your entire career to it? Or would you be happier to learn about each discipline and commit yourself to teaching others, inspiring bright middle school and high school students to pursue careers in Industrial Technology?