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The College of Engineering confers a Bachelor of Science degree upon all students who have successfully completed a program of study and have fulfilled all requirements for a specific major in the college.

A grade point average of 2.0 is required for all courses completed in the college as well as an overall cumulative grade point average of 2.0 in all work attempted at the university.

A thesis is not required for the baccalaureate degree. However, the department can 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 course work is required of all students. This course work also satisfies the mathematics and physical/biological science categories of General Education. Generally, all technical course work must be completed or be in final progress before a student can 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.

Note: Departments may have higher requirements.

The College of Engineering has established tracking criteria for all programs. Applicants with specific questions can contact the department or the Engineering Student Services Center.

Students must fulfill the performance criteria for their programs’ tracking courses. Students who are off-track will be placed on probation. Students who fail to meet the conditions of their 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 shown below.

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Note 1: Students unable to place into Calculus 1 should first take MAC 1147 or both MAC 1114 and MAC 1140.

Note 2: All students must take MAP 2302.

Note 3: All incoming engineering freshmen are required to take the Chemistry Assessment Test. Students unable to place into CHM 2045 must take and complete CHM 1025 with a satisfactory grade before registering for CHM 2045.

Note 4: Programs in aerospace engineering, computer engineering, electrical and computer engineering, industrial and systems engineering, mechanical engineering, materials science and engineering and nuclear engineering sciences do not require CHM 2046. Students in aerospace engineering, computer or electrical engineering or mechanical engineering can substitute an acceptable biological science for CHM 2046. Students in industrial and systems engineering and materials science and engineering need department guidance on course substitution. Nuclear engineering science majors must substitute a biological science for CHM 2046. Students in civil engineering are not required to complete the laboratory section, CHM 2046L.

Note 5: Tracking course for ISE majors only.

Note 6: A Chemistry Readiness Test is available online and must be used by incoming students as a self-diagnostic tool. Based upon the result, students who start the chemistry sequence with the preparatory course CHM 1025 are required by the college to complete that course with a satisfactory grade before registering for CHM 2045.

Note 7: Other department-specific tracking courses may be required.

To graduate cum laude from the College of Engineering:

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

To graduate magna cum laude from the College of Engineering:

• 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 submitted 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,
• Approval of the college faculty.

To graduate summa cum laude from the College of Engineering:

• 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 submitted 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,
• 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 supervise 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 graduation recognition, the committee takes into account the student’s academic and career goals. Upon satisfactory completion of all requirements, the candidate is recommended for magna cum laude or summa cum laude 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 four to four and a half 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.