IEEE Student Chapter
As the world’s largest technical association, the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) is comprised of a variety of groups, active in publications, conferences, and building technical communities. These units involve member outreach at both the local and global level.
IEEE has 39 technical societies that provide benefits to members within specialized fields of interest. Society memberships enable you stay current within your chosen technology profession, keep in touch with your peers, and invest in your career.
- Faculty Advisor: Dr. Moorthy Muthukrishnan (828) 250-2345 nmuthukr@unca.edu
- Local Contact: ieeeuncasheville@gmail.com
- Student Membership: $32 annual
- Professional Organization: www.ieee.org
- Visit our IEEE Student Chapter Website
SAE Collegiate Chapter
UNC Asheville hosts a student collegiate chapter of the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE). Many of the chapter’s members are involved in the group’s main project: designing and building an electric race car for the international Formula SAE Electric competition, held annually in Lincoln, Nebraska. Other activities include skill shares, joint meetings with practicing professionals from the Carolina Section of SAE, and fun community service events.
SAE makes use of UNC Asheville’s new STEAM Studio at the RAMP (River Arts Makers Place). This 11,000 square foot innovation center is located adjacent to the campus at 91 Riverside Drive and opened for use in January of 2017. https://www.unca.edu/full-steam-ahead
- Faculty Advisor: Dr. David Ramsey (828) 258-7659; dramsey2@unca.edu
- Local Contact: sae@unca.edu or motorsports@unca.edu
- Student Membership: $25 annual
- Professional Organization: www.sae.org
This project truly is an interdisciplinary experience! As a senior currently interviewing for a permanent job, the questions I get are always geared toward my hands-on experience. Employers want to see what you did outside the classroom. One employer asked, “Describe an opportunity where you had to design an original part and then how you acquired it, did you machine it, print it, etc.?” SAE competition in the Collegiate Design Series provides students with experience and employers know about FSAE… and THEY LOVE IT! BorgWarner specifically looks for FSAE experience when hiring interns. UNC Asheville is the first school in the UNC system to attempt the Formula SAE Electric Competition.
-Senior Mechatronics major, Lindsi Jones
Mobile Career Days
Each semester, industry supporters open their facilities to groups of our engineering students for tours and career exploration. These trips are typically half- or full-day experiences, but have also included extended trips to Silicon Valley and the shipyards of Newport News. Internship placements have resulted from these valuable networking opportunities, and exposure to real world engineering is memorable for the participants.