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Deep Orange 11 Car on display outside CUICA.
Department of Automotive Engineering

About

Shaping the Future

Located in Greenville, South Carolina, the Clemson University International Center for Automotive Research (CU-ICAR) is an automotive ecosystem where academia, industry, and government organizations come together to shape the future of the automotive industry. Campus Partners allow us to achieve our mission to be the premier automotive and motorsports research and educational center in the world with input from global industry leaders.

By leveraging Clemson University’s extensive network, we are able to build relationships and open doors to new opportunities. Our students, research, economy and campus reap strategic partnerships' benefits.

Students assisting with Deep Orange 9 vehicle.
Brooks in front of temperature testing display.
Student working on small automatron project.

Academic Excellence

The Department offers comprehensive undergraduate and graduate programs leading to a B.S., M.S., or Ph.D. degree; this includes an online Master of Science degree and certificate programs. Faculty specializations include Advanced Vehicle Propulsion Systems, Advanced Manufacturing & Materials, Design & Integration of Complex Systems, Connected & Automated Vehicles, and Human Factors. Undergraduate students begin on the main campus in Clemson but complete their degree at the CU-ICAR campus. Both Undergraduate and Graduate students participate in hands-on research.

Student organizations include the Society of Automotive Engineers  Student Chapter (SAE), the Clemson Automotive Engineering Student Association, as well as specific interest engineering groups. 

Undergraduate Program Graduate Programs

Upcoming Events

The College of Engineering, Computing and Applied Sciences regularly holds workshops, seminars, symposiums, and conferences throughout the year.

    News & Celebrations

    Established in 2010, the Department of Automotive Engineering has garnered impressive achievements that strengthen the manufacturing workforce. Our strategic plan involves attracting talented people who want to tackle the industry's most persistent challenges.

    Winners at TGC Awards Ceremony.

    Lasting Impacts

    The Automotive Engineering Department alumni are an integral part of the Department's extended family. We partner with alumni and friends to address grand challenges and proactively expand our students' perspectives through scholarship, teaching, research, and outreach.

    Mears, as the new chair of the Automotive Engineering Department, is a founding faculty member of the department and instrumental in shaping its original curriculum.

    Mears profile

    “It’s all about the classes we are teaching and the experiences we are providing students that need to be brought out to a larger audience. We’ve given a unique flavor to the educational experience, and we as a nation have a great opportunity to have students grow and develop in such realistic environments.”

    Laine Mears
    Department Chair

    Awards & Recognitions

    To recognize accomplished alumni of the Clemson Automotive Engineering Department, the Department continues to recognize our alumni with the Distinguished Alumni Award. For our undergraduate and graduate students, we award department honors for their commitment and dedication to academic excellence.

    Department Awards
    Deep Orange vehicle at CES event.
    Fellowship award winners.
    Department of Automotive Engineering
    Department of Automotive Engineering | 4 Research Drive, Greenville, S.C. 29607