Degree Requirements

Natural Science courses (8 four-credit courses)

  • Three math courses including one in differential equations
  • Four courses in physics or chemistry, with at least one in each
  • One additional course in mathematics or other natural sciences 

Computational Analysis (Choose one)

At least four-credits of a single-department computational analysis and programming course(s) related to the student’s field of interest and offered by one of our engineering departments:

  • BME 221
  • CHE 116
  • ECE 114
  • ME 160 and ME 260
  • OPT 211 and OPT 212 

Core courses (8 four-credit courses)

At least eight four-credit courses in engineering taken from two or more departments. These courses should be chosen in consultation with a faculty adviser, and may include the student’s upper-level writing courses and the aforementioned computational analysis course. At least half of the courses should be 200-level. Up to eight credit hours of independent study may be included in a student’s program. 

Technical sequences (6 courses)

Three sequences of technical or scientific courses, including the core courses if desired. Each sequence must include at least three courses, with no more than one introductory-level course per sequence. A sequence is defined as “a logical progression of study, confined to an acceptably identifiable area, in which later material builds upon and extends earlier material.” (In rare cases, the Interdepartmental Engineering (IDE) Committee has approved the use of a non-technical or nonscientific sequence to strengthen the focus of a program when a student wishes to study such a discipline in depth.)

Senior Thesis or Senior Design Project

A senior design project (EAS 393) is a capstone experience associated with the development of a system or algorithm presented to the student from an internal or external customer. Senior design projects include a written summary of the work done, and participation in the Hajim School Design Day is highly encouraged. With pre-approval, students may request to replace EAS 393 with one of the following engineering senior design courses:

  • AME 386 and 387
  • BME 296
  • CHE 255
  • ECE 348 and 349
  • ME 204 and 205
  • OPT 310 and 311

Writing (3 courses)

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 and applied sciences major is officially declared.

Upper Level Writing (2 courses)

For students completing a Senior Thesis:

  • WRT 273
  • EAS 391

For students completing a senior design project:

  • WRT 273 and one of the following Hajim School courses:
    • AME 192, 193, 233, 262, 386
    • BME 221, 230, 245, 260                               
    • CHE 243, 246, 255
    • CSC 298W, 299; see department for more options
    • ECE 111, 112, 113, 399
    • ME 204, 205, 206W, 241, 242, 251
    • OPT 201, 202, 203, 204

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.

Two Clusters

Engineers must possess a thorough understanding of social and economic forces, and have an appreciation of cultural and humanistic traditions. Therefore, all engineering and applied sciences majors are required to complete minimally two clusters, one in the humanities and one in the social sciences. The possibilities of coupling the engineering and applied sciences major with humanities and social science disciplines are boundless, and prepare students to address the complexities of the world in which we live. A second major or minor in one of these divisions may substitute for that cluster.

Credit Hours and Grade Point Averages

A total of 128 credit hours, including a minimum of eighteen devoted to mathematics, natural sciences and engineering. A minimum cumulative GPA of at least a 2.0, and a minimum major GPA of 2.0 for all courses in the sequences, the eight core courses, the upper-level writing courses, the computational analysis course and the thesis/senior design project.