About the College of Science and Engineering

Traditions of Excellence

University of Houston-Clear Lake was founded to meet the higher education needs of those working at NASA Johnson Space Center during the early days of space exploration, and we continue that tradition of innovation and excellence in the College of Science and Engineering.

Meet Dean Jennifer Irvin

Jennifer Irvin, Ph.D., has been the dean of the College of Science and Engineering since August 2024. With a robust academic background and over 16 years of experience at Texas State University, Irvin brings a wealth of knowledge and leadership to her role. She earned her Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of Florida and both her Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Chemistry from Texas State University.

Before stepping into her role as dean, Irvin had a distinguished faculty career at Texas State, achieving the rank of full professor. Her contributions to teaching and research have been notable, reflecting her commitment to advancing the field of chemistry.

In her current position, Irvin is dedicated to preparing students for future success by ensuring that the college’s curriculum is in line with the latest technological advancements and industry needs. She is also focused on enhancing research and internship opportunities to provide students with valuable hands-on experience.

Connecting with Communities

Centers within the College of Science and Engineering connect our faculty , students and community. The Center for Robotics Software (CRS) serves as the focal point of collaborations between academia, the Johnson Space Center at NASA, industry, federal agencies and local business organizations in the greater Houston area.

Growth for the Future

As the fastest growing college at UHCL, we're launching more careers than ever. It helps that we're supported by $4 million in annual research funding from the National Science Foundation, U.S. Department of Agricultural, National Institute of Health, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and others. The STEM and Classroom Building provides 13 faculty research labs and 15 teaching labs for mechanical engineering, physics, chemistry, geology, industrial hygiene and environmental safety.

UHCL is one of only 10 U.S. universities with computing programs accredited under three different curriculum guidelines of ABET . The College of Science and Engineering's undergraduate degree programs in Computer Engineering and Mechanical Engineering are accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET. The undergraduate degree programs in Computer Science and Computer Information Systems are accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET. The undergraduate program in Chemistry is accredited by the American Chemical Society (ACS). The undergraduate programs in Occupational Safety and Health-Safety and Industrial Hygiene are accredited by the Applied and Natural Science Commission (ANSAC) of ABET.