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, http://www.abet.org.

  The Bachelor of Science programs in Engineering are accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, http://www.abet.org.

• 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 Binghamton University'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 

Atul Kelkar was appointed the dean of the Thomas J. Watson College of Engineering and Applied Science at Binghamton University 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 the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), an associate fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) and a senior member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). He is a recipient of the National Science Foundation’s prestigious CAREER Award in his early faculty career. He leads various activities for ASME and IEEE, including as the associate editor for key journals, serving on program committees for conferences, and organizing and chairing several technical sessions at these conferences.

His research has led to six 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

School/Department Chairs

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, Technology Solutions
  Toyota Material Handling North America

  Tejas Gandhi, MS ’03

  COO, Berkshire Medical Center
  CEO, Ocus Health

  Joseph M. Kolly ’88

  Retired
  MITRE Corp.

  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

  Site Location Executive
  IBM Endicott

  Tonya O. Parris ’92 

  President and Founder 
  Parris Foundation, Inc.

  Shari Sterling

  Director, RMS Advanced Manufacturing Technology
  Lockheed Martin

  Steve Wayman

  Executive Vice President and Chief Operating 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, SD '19

  Founder/Chairman
  Bridge Green Upcycle

  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

  Fractional CTO / Technical CEO
  Rubenstein Ventures
  Chief Technology Officer
  InnovAItion Partners

  Susan Wu ’93

  Director, Innovation Strategist
  Bank of America Merrill Lynch