Undergraduate

BA in Engineering Sciences

Overview

The bachelor of arts degree in engineering science (BA-ES) is a multidisciplinary program that emphasizes understanding and application of engineering, scientific and mathematical principles. The program provides a broad foundation in the sciences and associated mathematics that underlie engineering and provides students the opportunity to obtain an in-depth knowledge in an area of their choosing through technical electives.

BA-ES creates a solid foundation for students interested in careers like patent attorney, technical writer, science advisor, technical sales, as well as science and engineering education.

Because no single standardized curriculum exists, the engineering science major is not ABET-accredited. Engineering science students who intend to seek licensure as a professional engineer should be aware that this non-accredited degree program will require additional education, work, and/or experience to qualify to take the Fundamentals of Engineering examination.

Students who would like to find out more about the program, or have questions, can set up an appointment with a Hajim School academic advisor or email hajimschool@ur.rochester.edu.

Degree Requirements

Prerequisites

All the following courses:

• MATH 161: Calculus IA*
• MATH 162: Calculus IIA*
• MATH 165: Linear Algebra with Differential Equations

*MATH 141, 142, and 143 are equivalent to MATH 161 and 162

Note: Students also have the option of taking the honors calculus sequence: MATH 171, MATH 172, and MATH 173.

Plus, one of the following physics sequences:

• PHYS 113: General Physics I or PHYS 121: Mechanics; and PHYS 122: Electricity and Magnetism
• PHYS 141: Mechanics (Honors) and PHYS 142: Electricity and Magnetism (Honors)

Plus, one of the following chemistry courses:

• CHEM 131: Chemical Concepts, System, Practice I
• CHEM 137: Chemical Principles for Engineers

Required Hajim School Courses

One computer programming course:

• CSC 161: Introduction to Programming
• CSC 170: Introduction to Web Development
• CSC 171: Introduction to Computer Science
• BME 221: Biomedical Computation and Statistics
• ECE 114: Introduction to Computers and Programming

Plus, one introduction to engineering course:

• BME 101/EAS 101: Introduction to Biomedical Engineering
• CHE 150/EAS 102: Introduction to Sustainable Energy
• AME 140/EAS 103: Introduction to Audio Music and Engineering
• ME 104/EAS 104: The Engineering of Bridges
• OPT 101/EAS 105: Introduction to Optics
• ECE 101/EAS 108: Introduction to Electrical and Computer Engineering

Plus, one engineering mechanics course:

• BME 201: Fundamentals of Biomechanics
• ME 120: Engineering Mechanics

Core Hajim School Courses

Choose one course from any two categories below:

• Circuits: BME 210: Biosystems and Circuits, ECE 210: Circuit Analysis for System Thinking or OPT 210: Circuit Analysis for System Thinking
• Mechanics of Fluids/Solids: CHE 243: Fluid Dynamics, ME 225: Introduction to Fluid Dynamics, or ME 226: Introduction to Solid Mechanics
• Thermodynamics: CHE 225: Thermodynamics I or ME 123: Thermodynamics
• Optics: OPT 241: Geometrical Optics

Updated fall 2021: ECE 111 is no longer being offered. Students who have taken ECE 111 before fall 2021 may still count it towards the circuits category.

Hajim School Electives

Any four four-credit Hajim School course except those listed above as required or core courses. These courses should be chosen in consultation with a faculty advisor and may include upper-level writing courses. At least one of the courses should be 200-level.

Natural Science Electives

Any two four-credit courses in astronomy, biology, chemistry, earth and environmental sciences, mathematics, physics, or statistics except those listed above as prerequisite courses.

Two Clusters

All engineering science students are required to complete at least two clusters, one in the humanities and one in the social sciences.

Primary Writing Requirement

All students are advised to complete the College’s primary writing requirement (WRT 105) by the end of their first year. This course must be completed by the time the engineering science major is officially declared.

Upper-Level Writing Requirement

The engineering science upper-level writing requirement will be met by satisfactorily completing two of the following Hajim School courses:

• AME 192: Listening and Audio Production, AME 193: Computer Sound Design, AME 233: Musical Acoustics, AME 262: Audio Software Design, AME 386: Senior Design Portfolio
• BME 221: Biomedical Computation and Statistics, BME 230: Biomedical Signals, Systems, and Imaging, BME 260: Quantitative Physiology
• CHE 246: Lab in CHE Principles, CHE 255: Chemical Engineering Senior Design Lab
• CSC 298W: Video Game Studies, CSC 299: Topics in Computer Science
• ECE 112: Logic Design, ECE 113: Circuits and Signals, ECE 399: Junior Seminar
• ME 204: Mechanical Design, ME 205: Advanced Mechanical Design, ME 206W: Building Engineering and Technology in Antiquity, ME 241: Mechanics Lab, ME 242: Solids and Materials Lab, ME 251: Heat Power Application
• OPT 201: Geometrical Optics Lab, OPT 202: Physical Optics Lab, OPT 203: Instrumentation Lab Lecture, OPT 204: Sources/Detectors Lab Lecture
• WRT 273: Communicating Your Professional Identity in Engineering

*Updated fall 2021: ECE 111 is no longer being offered

Should any department in the College offer a generalized technical writing course, pending review of the course description, this course would also be acceptable for this requirement.