Degree Requirements

A thesis is not required of candidates for the baccalaureate degree. However, the department may grant permission to exceptional students to undertake a thesis in lieu of up to four semester hours of required or elective work in the student’s department.

Technical foundation course work is required of all students who plan to pursue engineering degrees. This course work also satisfies the mathematics and physical/biological science categories of general education. Generally, all technical foundation course work must be completed or be in final progress before a student may register for junior/senior-level engineering courses. A minimum grade of C is required in all calculus, chemistry and physics course work, based on a maximum of two attempts including withdrawals.

The College of Engineering has established tracking criteria for all its programs. Applicants with specific questions are encouraged to contact the Engineering Student Services Center in 311 Weil Hall or their department.

Students must fulfill the performance criteria for their program’s tracking courses. Students who are off-track will be placed on probation. Students who fail to meet conditions of their tracking probation may not be allowed to continue in the College of Engineering.

A grade of C or better, based on a maximum of two attempts including withdrawals, is required for each tracking course. All grade point averages are based on a 4.0 scale computed on the last of the maximum two attempts (including withdrawals) allowed for each course.

To be on track, students must meet or exceed these minimum performance criteria:

Honors and accelerated courses may be taken in place of their regular tracking counterparts. A prerequisite for any college course may be met by an honors or accelerated equivalent. Accelerated physics and honors chemistry courses are not restricted to students in the Honors program, but honors calculus courses are controlled by the Honors Program.

• MAC 3472 can be taken in place of MAC 2311
• MAC 3473 or 3512 can be taken in place of MAC 2312
• MAC 3474 can be taken in place of MAC 2313
• CHM 2050 can be taken in place of CHM 2045
• CHM 2051 can be taken in place of CHM 2046
• PHY 2060 can be taken in place of PHY 2048
• PHY 2061 can be taken in place of PHY 2049

To be classified as an honors student in the College of Engineering, a student must have:

• Earned college grade point average of 3.30 or higher (college GPA is based on all work completed after being classified a junior);
• Completed at least 16 credit hours after being classified a junior;
• Been recommended by the department via faculty review of the student’s record for satisfactory conduct and academic progress.

Special consideration is given to honors students who wish to substitute courses, provided they have maintained the conditions for an honors designation and have met all Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology and college core requirements. The student must prepare a written petition, obtain the department’s recommendation and receive approval of the associate dean for academic programs.

• Completion of all work required by the department,
• A college GPA of 3.30 or higher,
• Recommendation of the department, and approval of the college faculty.

• Completion of all work required by the department,
• A college GPA of 3.50 or higher,
• Written acceptance of the dean’s invitation to participate in the program. Students should submit this no later than the end of the term before graduation,
• Completion of a high honors project and submission of a thesis based on the research,
• Approval of the student’s committee,
• Recommendation of the department and approval of faculty.

• Completion of all work required by the department,
• A college GPA of 3.80 or higher,
• Written acceptance of the dean’s invitation to participate in the program. Students should submit this no later than the end of the term before graduation,
• Completion of a highest honors project and submission of a thesis based on the research,
• Approval of the student’s committee,
• Recommendation of the department, and
• Approval of the college faculty.

If the student accepts the invitation to participate in the magna cum laude or summa cum laude program, a committee is appointed to oversee and approve all stages of the research project, thesis submittal and oral examination. The committee, recommended to the associate dean for academic programs by the department chair, consists of two faculty members from the student’s department and one faculty member from another department.

In planning the student’s magna cum laude or summa cum laude recognition, the committee takes into account the student’s academic and career goals. The committee supervises the research project and the oral examination. Upon satisfactory completion of all requirements, the candidate is recommended for magna cum laude (high honors) or summa cumj laude (highest honors) recognition.

When a magna cum laude or summa cum laude project is a part of the student’s program, the student may receive credit by registering in a course carrying the prefix of the appropriate department.

Postbaccalaureate students are not eligible to receive honors recognition.

The programs leading to bachelor’s degrees in engineering described under separate headings on the following pages are carefully planned and organized sequences. The aggressive, highly motivated student with proper high school preparation can complete these programs in 4 to 4.5 years, including at least one summer term, by scheduling an average of 15 credit hours each semester.

Usually, foundation subjects common to all fields of engineering are studied in the first two years at the university or in a pre-engineering program at a community or junior college. Specialized study is taken in the junior and senior years within a department of the college, where the program is tailored to the student’s preparation, interests and abilities.

The specific requirements for each major are outlined. Notwithstanding the inclusion of structured study plans for each program, students must consult their department before registering for classes.