2018-2019 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
    Mar 28, 2024  
2018-2019 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Engineering, B.S.


Program Coordinator: Eric Brisart

The Bachelor of Science in engineering is intended for students who want to combine the study of fundamental engineering principles with significant work in a complementary area. By design, the B.S. Engineering program has much more flexibility than is possible with a degree in a specific engineering discipline. This flexibility results in many elective choices which will allow the student to develop depth in a complementary area of his or her choice. The requirements for a minor may be satisfied using the program electives. The minor may be selected from any area across the university, but should be selected with the goal of preparing the student for a particular career path.

Courses in the first several semesters track closely with those in most other engineering programs. Early in the sophomore year, B.S. Engineering students will prepare a study plan in consultation with the program coordinator to identify specific goals for their program with a tentative list of elective choices to meet these goals.

  • Minor in Pre-law -  for students who are planning a career in patent law
  • Minor in Biology - for students who wish to pursue a career in biomedical engineering
  • Minor in Professional and Technical Writing, or Communications - for a career in technical writing and communications
  • Minor in Biology, Chemistry, Physics or Math - to prepare for a career teaching at the high school level
  • Minor in Business Management - for students interested in management in a technical industry
  • Minor in Political Science - to prepare for a career in government service dealing with technical issues
  • Minor in Sustainability studies - as preparation for a career in in a public policy position to help make our infrastructure more sustainable
  • Minor in Marketing, Finance, or Management - to prepare for a career as an entrepreneur, or to work in technical sales

The program also provides the opportunity for including elements of two different engineering disciplines in one program.

The Degree Program

The B.S. Engineering degree program requires completion of 121 credits, including the 40-credit University Core Curriculum requirements. Most of the requirements for the University Core are satisfied by specifically designated courses aligned with the program's objectives. The BS Engineering program also includes a core of interdisciplinary engineering courses bearing the EASC prefix. These courses provide a broad engineering background that spans the major disciplines. In addition, students develop engineering depth by choosing additional engineering courses from a variety of electives.

Students can use electives (including engineering electives) to focus on an area of interest within the engineering disciplines or to combine engineering with courses in other disciplines. Per program requirements, students must select a minor from any recognized program at the University. Students are expected to submit their planned program of study to their advisor during their first sophomore semester. Changes can be made any time after this point provided that degree requirements are met and advisors are consulted.

During the senior year, students must complete a capstone project. The project should include elements of engineering design, laboratory research, computer simulations or other significant independent work. The project may be completed in one semester or may span the full year, as appropriate to the topic and scope. One choice is to participate in a two-semester, industry-sponsored design project with students from other majors.

Required Courses


Junior Year


Senior Year


Notes on Requirements


1Electives. Free electives allow students the flexibility to pursue other courses offered at the University and provide numerous options to create a degree plan according to their interests. These electives may include courses needed to complete a minor in any area offered by the University. Satisfying a minor is a requirement for the BS Engineering degree program.

2Restricted Electives. To maintain depth, restricted electives, which can be taken from any discipline, are generally limited to 3000+ level courses that require at least one 2000+ prerequisite. Restricted electives may include courses needed to satisfy the requirements of a minor.                                                                   

3Senior Project. The senior project consists of student research or a student project that is completed in the senior project course EASC 4501 (and optional EASC 4502). The student may choose a one-semester project experience, which must be completed in EASC 4501 (3 credits), or a two-semester experience, which includes both EASC 4501 and EASC 4502 (six credits) with the EASC 4502 course filling an elective. The student may also fulfill the senior project requirement by completing a senior design two-semester course sequence from any other Tagliatela College of Engineering degree program.

4Engineering Lab Elective. The required engineering lab course provides students with a lab experience in any engineering major. This provides the student with added flexibility in constructing a program that best fits their interests.

Note that remedial classes cannot be used to satisfy any of the program's requirements. If such courses are needed, the total number of credits to complete the program is increased by these credits. The following courses are considered remedial and will not count toward degree requirements: math courses below the level of calculus I, English courses below the level of ENGL 1112, Chemistry courses below the level of CHEM 1115, and EASC 1103, and CSCI 1107.