About Watson

The Thomas J. Watson College of Engineering and Applied Science provides a top-ranked engineering and computer science education in upstate New York. Our exceptional faculty members are both innovative researchers and supportive professors. 

Students come to Watson College from all over the world and represent a wide range of backgrounds and interests. They graduate with broad-based skills and the entrepreneurial spirit to succeed in fields ranging from mechanical engineering to hospital operations to the law. 

We are in the high-tech heart of upstate New York state with industry partnerships, class projects and internship opportunities that provide a wealth of hands-on experience for graduate and undergraduate students alike.

  • Official Mission Statement

    The mission of Watson College is to provide education and research in the broad field of engineering and applied science. To fulfill this mission, the School will:

    • offer baccalaureate,master's and doctoral programs that prepare graduates for employment in the technical professions and combine
      • a firm grounding in fundamentals,
      • elements of practical application and
      • an appreciation for liberal learning.
    • conduct basic and applied research which expands the technical knowledge base and advances industrial practice.
    • provide support for the economic development of the State of New York.
    • ensure that its programs are accessible to the widest possible range of individuals and institutions.
    • work with industry and community partners, foster participation and representation from traditionally underrepresented groups in technical research and education.
    • support the profession of engineering through continuing education opportunities for practicing professionals.
  • Accreditation

    The Bachelor of Science program in Computer Science is accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET, .

    The Bachelor of Science programs in Engineering are accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, .

  • Professional Licensure 

    The bachelor of science programs in engineering are licensure-qualifying programs. Students in a bachelor of science program in engineering who are within 20 credits of graduation, or who have graduated from one of ºÚÁÏÊÓƵ's EAC/ABET accredited bachelor of science programs in engineering, are automatically eligible to sit for the NCEES FE exam (National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying, Fundamentals of Engineering exam). 

    Please note: Students who have previously been convicted of a felony are advised that their prior criminal history may impede their ability to complete the requirements of programs in the Watson College, participate in certain activities or projects, and/or obtain professional engineering licenses.

    Students who have concerns about such matters are advised to contact the Watson College's associate dean for academic affairs and administration in the dean's office.

    Click here for the Professional Licensure Disclosure.

Dean Atul Kelkar

Professor, Mechanical Engineering
watsondean@binghamton.edu 

Dean Kelkar

Atul Kelkar was appointed the dean of the Thomas J. Watson College of Engineering and Applied Science at ºÚÁÏÊÓƵ in July 2024. Prior to his appointment, Kelkar was the D.W. Reynolds Distinguished Professor and Department Chair of Mechanical Engineering at Clemson University, serving since August 2018. Before joining Clemson University, he was the program director of the Dynamics Control and System Diagnostics Program in CMMI Division at the National Science Foundation. Kelkar was an associate chair for research and technology transfer in mechanical engineering and professor-in-charge for industry research and entrepreneurship for the College of Engineering at Iowa State University, where he was a faculty member for 18 years. He received his PhD in mechanical engineering from Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Va., in 1993 while working as a research scientist at the NASA Langley Research Center in Hampton, Va. 

Kelkar is a fellow of ASME, associate fellow of AIAA and senior member of IEEE. He is a recipient of NSF’s prestigious CAREER Award in his early faculty career. He continues to lead various activities for the ASME and IEEE professional societies. He has been the associate editor for key ASME and IEEE journals, served on program committees for various IEEE and ASME conferences, and organized and chaired several technical sessions at these conferences. 

His research has led to several patents and more than 160 archival publications, which include several conference and journal articles, handbook chapters and research monographs. He has mentored over 60 graduate students and several postdoctoral students. Even in his administrative position, he continues to serve as a mentor for graduate students and young faculty. 

Kelkar’s research has been in dynamics and control with a focus on modeling and control of aerospace systems, control theory, active control of vibrations and noise, and energy technologies. He is also a co-founder of five different technology startups that are acquiring competitive projects from the NSF, NASA and the U.S. Department of Defense. Three of these companies have also won awards at the state level and have successfully commercialized technologies that Kelkar developed. His research and entrepreneurial success have led to several newspaper and magazine articles as well as interviews on national and local public radio stations and TV stations.

Dean’s Office Staff

headshot of Kartik Gopalan

Kartik Gopalan

Interim Associate Dean for Research, Corporate Engagement, and Entrepreneurship, Professor, School of Computing

Thomas J. Watson College of Engineering and Applied Science
headshot of Hiroki Sayama

Hiroki Sayama

Executive Assistant Dean for Graduate Studies

Thomas J. Watson College of Engineering and Applied Science
headshot of Carmen Jones

Carmen Jones

Assistant Dean, Academic Diversity and Inclusive Excellence; Co-Director; Director

Thomas J. Watson College of Engineering and Applied Science; Upward Bound Math-Science (UBMS); Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (LSAMP) ; Science and Technology Entry Program (STEP)

School/Department Chairs

headshot of Mohammad T. Khasawneh

Mohammad T. Khasawneh

SUNY Distinguished Prof; School Chair; Healthcare Systems Engineering / Health Systems / Manhattan Graduate Program Director; SUNY Distinguished Professor; Director

School of Systems Science and Industrial Engineering; Watson Institute for Systems Excellence (WISE)

Watson Advisory Board

  • Full List

    Amarjit Rai, Chair

    Engineering Leader-Engines/Utility Controls
    BAE Systems

    Jeffrey Bideaux, MS ’95 

    Associate Director, Value Stream Management
    Collins Aerospace 

    John Carrigg, MBA '83

    President and CEO
    UHS Hospitals

    Henry Cook

    Cook Brothers Truck Parts

    Jennifer Lupo ‘94

    Vice President, Energy Solutions, Procurement and Leasing
    The Raymond Corporation

    Tejas Gandhi, MS '03

    Founder
    Ocus Health

    Joseph M. Kolly ’88

    Chief Safety Scientist
    National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

    Robert D. Kump ’83

    Retired
    AVANGRID

    Jim LeBlanc

    Technical Director, Electronics
    GE Global Research

    John Mirabito

    Chairman Emeritus
    Mirabito Holdings Inc.

    Mary O'Malley-Trumble '99

    Senior Location Executive
    IBM Endicott

    Tonya O. Parris '92 

    President and Founder 
    Parris Foundation, Inc.

    Afzal ur Rehman, MD, PhD FACP, FACC, FHRS

    UHS Vice President, Cardiovascular Services and Informatics
    Chief Medical Information Officer
    United Health Services

    Linda Shumaker 

    Retired President and Managing Principal
    Shumaker Consulting Engineering and Land Surveying 

    Shari Sterling

    Director, RMS Advanced Manufacturing Technology
    Lockheed Martin

    Steve Wayman

    Senior Vice President and Chief Data & Performance Officer
    Visions Federal Credit Union

    Steve Wozniak

    President
    TeamWorld

Watson New York Metro Advisory Board

  • Full list

    Joseph Pedone ‘92, Chair

    Managing Director
    Global Production Management, Asset Management Infrastructure Application Services
    J.P. Morgan Chase

    Gisha Babby '00

    Senior Engineer and Vice President in Technology
    Goldman, Sachs & Co.

    Sheri M. Cronk '93

    Information Security Program Manager
    Bloomberg L.P.

    Kenneth A. Goldblatt '87

    Managing Member and Portfolio Manager
    S Squared Technology

    Richard M. Greenbaum '83, MS '84

    Retired Head of Infrastructure Technology
    Citi

    Robert V. Ioanna '00

    Chief Technical Officer
    Syska Hennessy Group

    Balki Iyer MS ‘00

    Chief Commercial Officer and Executive Lead (US)
    e-Zinc

    Lucian C. Lipinsky de Orlov '83, MS '85

    Senior Vice President - Operational Risk Management
    Citi

    Tonya O. Parris '92

    President and Founder
    Parris Foundation Inc.

    John E. Robbins ‘84

    Managing Director
    USA and North America Head of Real Estate
    Turner & Townsend

    Jaron Rubenstein ‘98

    Founder and President
    Rubenstein Technology Group Inc.

    Susan Wu ‘93

    Director, Innovation Strategist
    Bank of America Merrill Lynch