Engineering at UNLV has come a long way since 1957, when Herb Wells, a local mining engineer, began part-time instruction. In 1961, he offered 80 students courses that could lead to enrollment in the bachelor's program at University of Nevada, Reno. Local growth led to the establishment of UNLV's School of Engineering in 1976, which was housed within the College of Science.
Rapid Expansion
The next two decades were a period of rapid expansion for the school. In 1984, the University of Nevada Board of Regents approved separate bachelor's and master's degrees in civil engineering, computer science, electrical engineering, and mechanical engineering (aerospace studies/Air Force ROTC was established in 2004). William Wells became the first director of the School of Engineering in 1986, and a year later, all eligible engineering programs had received accreditation through the National Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technology.
In 1988, the School of Engineering separated from the College of Sciences to form the Howard R. Hughes College of Engineering, named for one of the most innovative aviators and engineers of the 20th century and a central figure in the growth of Las Vegas. Dr. Wells became the college's founding dean. The next year saw the completion of the Thomas T. Beam Engineering Complex, where for the first time the college's programs were consolidated into a single, multidisciplinary space.
Enhancing Research
In 1990, the $10 million National Supercomputing Institute for Energy and the Environment took up residence in the engineering complex, enhancing the ability of engineering and computer science faculty to conduct numerical research. Civil engineering became the inaugural engineering doctoral program approved by the Board of Regents, and marked the growth of research and advanced degree programs at the university.
The next year, doctoral programs became available in all four academic departments of the College of Engineering. Currently the college offers several master’s degrees in aerospace, biomedical, construction management, materials & nuclear, and transportation engineering, in addition to those offered in the traditional areas of civil & environmental, computer science, electrical & computer, and mechanical.
Most recently, research within the college was boosted in 2024 with the addition of the Advanced Engineering Building (AEB), joining the state-of-the-art Science and Engineering Building next door. The new building facilitates the interdisciplinary research collaborations that are necessary to solve increasingly complex problems including energy and water resources, artificial intelligence, big data, robotics, transportation, and much more.
AEB is also enabling the college to support skyrocketing enrollment demand in engineering and computer science, and the creation of new interdisciplinary degrees. Partnering with the Lee Business School, the college now offers master’s degrees in the ever-burgeoning fields of cybersecurity and data analytics, and also a joint bachelor’s in cybersecurity. Located in the Southwest, UNLV has been a leader for decades in addressing global water-related challenges, and now offers an interdisciplinary Ph.D. program in water resources. In 2026, the college launched the new Department of Applied and Interdisciplinary Engineering to support the growing focus on interdisciplinary education.
Research Centers
The Howard R. Hughes College of Engineering considers research centers and laboratories to be the primary vehicles for promoting scholarly research and technology transfer through partnership with industry. The following is a list of the centers associated with the college:
- Center for Energy Research (CER)
- Center for Information Technology and Algorithms
- Center for Materials and Structures
- Transportation Research Center
Deans
- 2010 — Rama Venkat
- 2003 — Eric Sandgren
- 2001 — Darrell Pepper
- 1999 — Ronald Sack
- 1988 — William Wells
Community Outreach
The College of Engineering connects with the community in various ways, including the sponsoring of hands-on and experiential field trip activities and engaging STEM summer camps for local middle and high school students. Most recently, our outreach efforts contributed to UNLV earning its second consecutive Carnegie Classification for Community Engagement, the highest standard of recognition for community engagement efforts at college and universities.
Through membership in their industrial advisory boards, the college continuously engages community and industry partners for their input on curriculum, research and development activities, scholarships, internships and career opportunities for students, while the bi-annual Fred and Harriet Cox Senior Design Competition is sponsored by local industry. The college is continuing to bolster relationships with local industry through the new StepUp and StartUp Program, which has connected over 500 students with nearly 75 local startups and small businesses.
For many years, the College of Engineering has also been a supporter of Las Vegas Regional FIRST (For Inspiration & Recognition of Science and Technology) Robotics Competition, which brings more than 1,300 high school students to the campus annually. In addition, college faculty and students are actively involved in mentoring Clark County high school teams to prepare for the competition, while also remaining involved in the FIRST LEGO League, aimed at junior high students.
Learn more about our initiatives by visiting our Community Outreach website.
Continued Growth
The College of Engineering has been steadily growing, annually enrolling nearly 4,000 undergraduates and over 500 graduate students. Research expenditures have grown to over $13 million annually. College faculty — many of whom have received national recognition and are fellows of their respective organizations — have driven recent advances in research areas such as biomedical, environmental, big data, national security, transportation engineering, and more. The college is continuously seeking opportunities to improve the quality of its educational and research programs.