College of Engineering

Dean
Matthew O'Donnell
371 Loew

Associate Deans
Greg Miller, Infrastructure
Eve Riskin, Academic Affairs
Dan Schwartz, New Initiatives

Engineering is the science and art of applying scientific and mathematical principles, experience, judgment, and common sense to design devices and systems that benefit society. Engineers are fascinated by questions of how and why things work. They use their training in mathematics, physics, and chemistry to understand the physical world and develop creative solutions to society's complex needs. Engineers may be designers, planners, managers, analysts, researchers, consultants, sales specialists, and more. Engineering graduates have many career possibilities open to them.

The primary goal of the College of Engineering educational programs is to prepare students for a professional career in engineering by providing the technical foundation required for success in industry, government, or academia. Other goals of the College are to instill within its students the highest ethical standards, the capability for lifelong learning, and a curiosity about the world. Excellence in undergraduate and graduate academic programs remains the College's highest priority.

For undergraduates, the College of Engineering offers a flexible curriculum that not only accommodates varied student needs, both in established departmental programs and interdisciplinary studies, but also culminates in a major and meaningful design experience. (See Interdisciplinary Engineering Studies Program for interdisciplinary undergraduate programs.)

For graduate students, the College of Engineering offers master's and doctoral programs in aeronautics and astronautics, bioengineering, chemical engineering, civil and environmental engineering, computer engineering, electrical engineering, industrial engineering, materials science, mechanical engineering, and technical communication.

The College offers active educational and research programs, both departmental and interdisciplinary, at the graduate levels. (See Interdisciplinary Engineering Studies Program for interdisciplinary graduate programs.)

The College of Engineering has been a major unit of the University since 1899. The first engineering degrees were authorized in mining engineering and metallurgical engineering in 1898. Degrees were added for civil engineering (1901), electrical engineering (1902), mechanical engineering (1906), chemical engineering (1907), ceramic engineering (1919), aeronautical engineering (1929), bioengineering (1983), industrial engineering (1986), and computer engineering (1987). A degree program in technical communication was implemented in 1991. In 2003, 1,669 upper-division undergraduate majors and 1,306 graduate students were enrolled in engineering programs taught by a faculty of 191 members.

College Facilities

Teaching and research activities of the College are conducted in thirteen major campus buildings (and portions of others), which contain the College's offices, classrooms, and research and teaching laboratories. The Engineering Library, a branch of the University Libraries, provides outstanding collections of books, periodicals, technical reports, and patents of interest to engineers. Computers and terminals are available in all departments and through the Student Access and Computing Group (SACG).

Student Organizations and Activities

All of the major professional engineering societies have student chapters on campus, and all engineering students are encouraged to join the chapter that represents their field of interest. The College also has student chapters of the Society of Women Engineers, American Indian Science and Engineering Society, National Society of Black Engineers, the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers, and the Phi Sigma Rho engineering sorority. Students are encouraged to join the university-wide Science and Engineering Business Association (SEBA).

The honor society open to engineering students is Tau Beta Pi.

Students serve with faculty members on engineering policy committees which make recommendations concerning instructor evaluation, curriculum revisions, advising, grading systems, and other matters of interest to students and faculty.

Undergraduate Program

Engineering Adviser
301 Loew, Box 352180
206-543-1770
engradv@engr.washington.edu

The College of Engineering provides curricula that offer a variety of educational experiences to its students. The curricula also facilitate transfer from community colleges and from other four-year colleges and universities.

Engineering Advising and Diversity Center

301 Loew

Students are encouraged to contact the Engineering Advising and Diversity Center for program, course, or career information and discussion. The center assists any student interested in planning the initial portion of an engineering degree program, and distributes information about prerequisites for application to all the departments in the College. A student interested in engineering should identify engineering as the intended major while still in the College of Arts and Sciences and seek advice in the center.

For more information, visit the Engineering Advising and Diversity Center Web site.

Financial Aid

The College offers financial assistance to undergraduates through industrial scholarships and loan funds. Scholarship information is available at the College of Engineering Advising and Diversity Center (301 Loew), and at the Office of Student Financial Aid, 105 Schmitz. Most scholarships are given after a year or more in residence by the student.

Honors Program

301 Loew

The College of Engineering Honors Program offers students of outstanding performance and achievement a course of study designed to provide intellectual challenge in a stimulating learning atmosphere which draws on the resources of a large, diversified university. Students entering the Honors Program become candidates for the degree "With College Honors" or "With Distinction (Departmental Honors)."

The College Honors Degree

Students who complete this program receive a degree "With College Honors."

The College honors degree requires that students participate in the University Honors Program while taking engineering prerequisites in the College of Arts and Sciences. When these students are admitted to engineering departments, they may be nominated to enroll in the Engineering Honors Program. Completion of the College Honors degree involves both an honors general-education component and advanced honors work completed after students have been admitted to the College of Engineering.

Admission Requirements: Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.30, minimum departmental GPA, and participation in the University Honors Program as a pre-engineer.

Graduation Requirements: The College honors curriculum consists of two parts: a general-education component and a component in the student's major department. The general-education component is completed during the student's freshman and sophomore years. Students select three sequences, each three quarters long, from honors, mathematics, natural science, and civilization offerings.

The second component occurs during the junior and senior years. Students then select a total of 9 credits of College honors courses with a minimum of 3 credits of departmental 499H Special Projects (or ENGR 499H). The additional honors credits can be fulfilled with either special projects or ad hoc courses.

The Departmental Honors Degree

Students who complete this program receive a degree "With Distinction."

Admission Requirements: Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.30, minimum departmental GPA (varies from department to department).

Graduation Requirements: Students are nominated for the Departmental Honors Program when they have been in their department for a minimum of one quarter. Students select a total of 9 credits of college honors courses with a minimum of 3 credits of departmental 499H Special Projects (or ENGR 499H). The additional honors credits can be fulfilled with either special projects or ad hoc courses.

Departmental honors degrees are offered in the following degree programs: Aeronautics and Astronautics, Bioengineering, Chemical Engineering, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Technical Communication, and Paper Science and Engineering. The paper science and engineering major is offered in the College of Forest Resources and is a joint program with the College of Forest Resources and the College of Engineering.

International Study

Given the increased likelihood that engineering students will have overseas work experiences or will do business with international clients and competitors, the College encourages students to study foreign languages in addition to their engineering course work and to take advantage of opportunities for study at foreign universities either at the undergraduate or graduate level. The College has active exchange agreements with approximately forty-three universities in twenty-four countries. Foreign-language courses at the third-quarter level or above (e.g., GERMAN 103) may be applied toward the VLPA general education requirement. Students may contact the Engineering Advising and Diversity Center, 301 Loew, for information about opportunities for international study. Engineering students can also participate in the Global Engineering Education Program (through the Center for Workplace Development) for opportunities to study abroad, located in 101 Wilson Annex.

Recommended High School Preparation

Substantial high school preparation in mathematics, physical science, and communication is essential for entrance to engineering studies. Required and recommended courses may be determined from the Engineering Advising and Diversity Center (301 Loew).

Admission

There are a variety of pathways students follow in gaining admission on programs in the College of Engineering. Details on the processes and information on prerequisite course work are available on the individual department Web sites or from the Engineering Advising and Diversity Center in 301 Loew Hall. The information below provides an overview of the admission processes.

Department Direct Admission

Incoming freshmen who indicate bioengineering, chemical engineering, computer engineering, electrical engineering, industrial engineering, or materials science and engineering as their intended area of study on their University application are considered for direct admission to these programs. The number of students directly admitted to the programs varies from approximately 10 to 20 percent of the incoming class. Direct admission is for autumn quarter only.

College Advanced Admission

Students who indicate an interest in engineering on their University admission application are considered for the College of Engineering Advanced Admission program, a special program for high-achieving incoming freshmen. Students accepted to the Advanced Admission program may declare the engineering major of their choice (limited to participating dpeartments) at the conclusion of the first academic year provided eligibility requirements are met.

To maintain eligibility for Advanced Admission, students must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.00 in prerequisite courses in mathematics, chemistry, physics, engineering fundamentals, English composition, and technical writing; maintain a minimum quarterly GPA of 2.00; and complete a minimum of 25 credits of the prerquisite and other specified courses per academic year. Advanced Admission students are also required to enroll in at least one College of Engineering (or related) introductory seminar in their first year. The purpose of this requirement is to promote the exploration of the engineering disciplines, preparing the students to make an informed choice of major. The full list of eligible seminars is maintained by the advising staff in the Engineering Advising and Diversity center in 301 Loew Hall.

Regular Admission

All students not admitted directly to an engineering department are admitted to the College of Engineering with pre-engineering status. Students without pre-engineering status who wish to pursue an engineering degree may have their coding changed to pre-engineering upon request at the Engineering Advising and Diversity Center (301 Loew Hall). To retain pre-engineering status, students must maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.50 in prerequisite courses in mathematics, chemistry, physics, engineering fundamentals, English composition and technical writing; maintain a minimum quarterly GPA of 2.00; and complete a minimum of 25 credits of the prerequisite and other specified courses per academic year. A detailed description of pre-engineering continuation requirements is available from the Engineering Advising and Diversity Center, 301 Loew Hall.

Most engineering programs offer an Early Admission option at the end of the freshman year. In general, Early Admission application requirements include one year of calculus, English composition, and 10 to 20 credits of required chemistry or physics. Early Admission is for autumn quarter only.

All engineering programs offer an upper-division admission process. In general, upper-division admission occurs at the end of the sophomore year. Typical application requirements include one year of calculus, differential equations or linear algebra, one or two quarters of general chemistry, two to three quarters of physics, English composition, and several engineering fundamentals courses. The Engineering and Advising Diversity Center or the individual department or program has a list of specific entrance requirements. All departments offer upper-division admission for autumn quarter and some also offer a spring-quarter option.

To apply for admission to an engineering program, enrolled students must submit the online College of Engineering application. The application deadline for autumn admissions is July 1. For those programs that accept students for spring quarter, the application deadline is February 1.

Transfer Students

Types of Programs

The College offers three basic programs leading to Bachelor of Science degrees:

Departmental Major: This program leads to a Bachelor of Science degree in a designated field of engineering (e.g., Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering). It is designed for students who intend to practice as professional engineers in a standard branch of engineering or who plan to undertake graduate study in that field. The curricula for these degrees are accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, 111 Market Place, Suite 1050, Baltimore, MD 21202-4012, telephone: (410) 347-7700. Accreditation requirements stipulate certain course-distribution requirements for the undergraduate degree. A description of how each of the accredited baccalaureate programs meets the ABET requirements is available from the department office and from the College office. Accredited four-year curricula leading to baccalaureate degrees are offered in aeronautics and astronautics, chemical engineering, civil and environmental engineering, computer engineering, electrical engineering, industrial engineering, mechanical engineering, materials science, and paper science and engineering. (The paper science and engineering major is offered in the College of Forest Resources and is a joint program with the College of Forest Resources and the College of Engineering.)

The following programs are accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET:

• Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering
• Chemical Engineering
• Civil Engineering
• Computer Engineering
• Electrical Engineering
• Industrial Engineering
• Materials Science and Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering

Curricula leading to baccalaureate degrees are offered in bioengineering and technical communication. The bioengineering program was reviewed for accreditation in autumn 2007. Bioengineering will be notified by ABET of the final accreditation action in summer 2008.

Application to a department or program at the upper-division level is made at the time lower-division requirements are satisfied. Currently, enrollment limits imposed by faculty size and available laboratory/classroom space are such that entry into a specific department or program may be competitive. In general, a student applicant must demonstrate scholastic aptitude, as evidenced by the attainment of grades averaging a minimum 2.50 or above (depending upon the program) in mathematics, the natural sciences, English composition, and other courses. A 2.50 GPA is a minimum only. In reality, the GPA of those offered admission is higher. The student is urged to plan ahead by learning the intended department or program requirements and particularly noting which requirements must be fulfilled by the time application is made.

Non-departmental Professional Program: This program leads to a Bachelor of Science in Engineering degree and is designed for students who have well defined, special educational objectives that departmental programs do not satisfy. Graduates can practice as professional engineers in newly developing fields, or they may embark on graduate study in these or allied fields (see Interdisciplinary Engineering Studies Program).

Non-professional Program: Leading to a Bachelor of Science degree, this program is intended for students who wish to have significant exposure to science and engineering courses, but do not plan to engage in professional engineering practice (see Interdisciplinary Engineering Studies Program).

Graduation Requirements

To graduate, students must meet or exceed the requirements of the University, the College, and their particular program or department. College requirements are listed in this section, and program or departmental requirements are given in the specific section that describes that program or department.

All departments of the College have continuation policies that specify a minimum rate of progress as well as minimum academic-performance levels. These policies may be more restrictive than those generally applied by the University and may change with time. Information on current policy is available at the departmental offices.

Selecting courses that fulfill graduation requirements is the responsibility of each student. Students are urged to check carefully the course and credit requirements of the program in which they are enrolled.

Continuation Policy

While the University has general regulations governing scholastic eligibility for continuance, departments and programs in the College of Engineering have adopted additional requirements in order to make the best use of the limited facilities and resources available and to provide reasonable assurance of academic success. The following criteria and procedures are applied to all undergraduate students for determining continuance in the major program.

1. Full-time students are expected to complete 12 or more credit hours per academic quarter applicable toward the degree program. (An average of 15-16 hours per quarter is required to complete the graduation requirements in 12 quarters.)
2. Part-time attendance may be allowed. Refer to written departmental guidelines for criteria. Written permission must be obtained from a departmental undergraduate adviser for a student to attend on a part-time basis. Students who have received permission to attend part time must complete at least one course each quarter applicable toward their degree. Application for part-time students should be made prior to the first day of the quarter in which the student wishes to attend part time.
3. A student who withdraws from the University without prior written approval or is dropped for non-payment of fees must obtain approval of the departmental admissions committee before registering or maintaining pre-registration for the following academic quarter. In such cases the department registration may be disallowed or canceled if the student's academic record is not competitive with the admission requirements prevailing at the time.
4. All undergraduate students who have exceeded the graduation requirements of the degree program for which they have been accepted by more than 10 credits are transferred by their department to the College of Arts and Sciences.
5. Students are required to maintain a minimum GPA of 2.00 in all departmental and professional program courses. The GPA is computed by considering all engineering college departmental courses of 300 level or higher, including repeated courses, but excluding Visual, Literary, & Performing Arts (VLPA) and Individuals & Societies (I&S) distribution requirements. If the GPA in these courses does fall below 2.00, a student is placed on departmental probation and must achieve a quarterly GPA higher than 2.00 the following quarter or be dropped from the department and transferred to the College of Arts and Sciences.
6. The minimum acceptable grade for any course required for each major is set by the individual department. If a grade received is less than the minimum, a student may repeat the course without loss of course entry priority. Otherwise, the decision to admit a student to a course depends upon space available.
7. The progress of each student is reviewed each quarter. If a student's performance fails to meet the standards outlined above, the student is placed on probation the following quarter. The student is notified in writing of the reason for probation and is told what must be done for removal from probation. If the student does not show progress toward removing the deficiencies in the following quarter, the student is notified in writing, dropped from the department, and transferred to the College of Arts and Sciences.

The College recognizes that inequities can result from any continuation policy. If students are placed on probation or dismissed and believe that their record has been misunderstood, they may request reconsideration of the probation or dismissal by writing a letter to the department chairman. The letter should include any additional supporting or relevant material. The letter and supporting material are transmitted to the department faculty committee. The faculty committee reviews carefully all available information and then decides whether or not academic probation shall be continued for another quarter or whether the dismissal was appropriate and valid. Any student appeal must be made within 30 days of the notification of placement on probation or dismissal. The committee responds to the student appeal within 30 days.

College of Engineering Graduation Requirements

• General Education Requirements

The College requires a minimum number of credits within certain areas of study and some specific courses within certain areas. All programs require the following:

• Visual, Literary, & Performing Arts and Individuals & Societies: The University requires a minimum of 10 credits of coursework designated Visual, Literary, & Performing Arts (VLPA) and 10 credits of coursework designated Individuals & Societies (I&S). Most engineering departments require additional VLPA or I&S coursework beyond the University minimum. See individual department information for details. Visual, Literary, & Performing Arts (VLPA) includes courses such as literature, art, music, and drama which stress the essential qualities of individual forms of expression. First- and second-quarter language courses may not be counted toward the VLPA requirement. Individuals & Societies includes courses in subjects such as history, economics, psychology, and sociology which stress the social nature of mankind, and the development and analysis of societies and social institutions. Courses that count toward these requirements are identified as VLPA or I&S in the Course Descriptions and in the quarterly Time Schedule.

• Natural Science: 20-25 credits. Most departments within the College require chemistry (10 credits): CHEM 142, CHEM 152 (some departments do not require CHEM 152); and physics (15 credits): PHYS 121, PHYS 122, PHYS 123. See departmental list for specific natural science requirements

• Mathematics: Specifically required are MATH 124, MATH 125, MATH 126, and MATH 308. Additional credits are specified or recommended by the department or program.

• Written and Oral Communication: One 5-credit English composition course from the approved University list. T C 231, Introduction to Technical Writing (3 credits), and T C 333, Advanced Technical Writing and Oral Presentations (4 credits, or department-approved alternative).

• Engineering Departmental Course of Study: Each engineering department specifies a number of sophomore level engineering fundamental courses followed by a yearlong series of junior level core courses. During the senior year students complete technical elective and design courses that culminate in a major, meaningful design experience. See departmental list for specific degree requirements.

Special Programs

Engineering Co-op Program (three to six month internships)
Program Coordinator, Dawn Wiggin
301 Loew, Box 352180
coop@engr.washington.edu

The Co-op Program provides an opportunity for pre-engineering and engineering students to combine practical, full-time, on-the-job engineering experience with full-time academic study. Students typically take a break from their studies for six months to work full-time and return to full-time academic status upon completion of the co-op assignment. In addition, students receive academic credit for the co-op experience. Advantages of participation include assistance in deciding which field of engineering to follow, additional income to help defray college expenses, relevance and motivation for study based on real engineering work, and work experience and employment contacts that may result in regular employment after graduation.

Information may be obtained from the Co-op Program Office, College of Engineering, Box 352180 (301 Loew), or by visiting the Co-op Program Web site.

Educational Outreach

Fulfilling a commitment to lifelong learning, the College of Engineering offers courses, workshops, and conferences to respond to the professional development needs of practicing engineers and related technical professionals worldwide. Thousands of practicing engineers update their technical knowledge or pursue advanced degrees each year through UW Educational Outreach’s Engineering Professional Programs (EPP) and Education at a Distance for Growth and Excellence (EDGE). For more information, contact Engineering Professional Programs at 206-543-5539, or Education at a Distance for Growth and Excellence at 206-685-2242.

For more information, see the Engineering Professional Programs and Education at a Distance for Growth and Excellence Web sites.

Special Facilities

Office of New Inititatives
Director, Mary J. Heusner
372 Loew, Box 352180

The Office of New Initiatives promotes, stimulates, and coordinates research in all fields of engineering. Its primary role is to encourage and develop interdisciplinary research programs and national research initiatives. The Office of New Initiatives also reviews grant and contract proposals, tracks awards, and provides information on funding opportunities. This office allocates limited matching funds to College units to increase the quality of research in the College of Engineering. The College currently has the following research programs or centers:

• Center for Design of Analog-Digital Integrated Circuits (CDADIC)
• Center for Engineering Learning and Teaching (CELT)
• Center for Intelligent Materials and Systems (CIMS)
• Center for Nanotechnology (CNT)
• Center for Surfaces, Polymers, and Colloids
• FAA Center of Excellence for Advanced Composite Materials (AMTAS)
• Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS)
• Institute of Advanced Materials & Technology (i-AMT)
• NSF Center for Institutional Change (UW ADVANCE)
• NSF Center for the Advancement of Engineering Education (CAEE)
• NSF Engineered Biomaterials Research Center (UWEB)
• NSF Genetically Engineered Materials Science & Engineering Center (MRSEC)
• NSF Integrative Graduate Education and Research Traineeship Program (IGERT - Bioresource-based Energy for Sustainable Societies)
• NIH Microscale Life Sciences Center (MLSC)
• Pacific Earthquake Engineering Research Center (UW-PEER)
• Washington State Transportation Center (TRAC)
• Transportation Northwest (TransNow)
• Turing Center

• Center for Process Analytical Chemistry (CPAC)
• The Water Center

For more information, see the Office of New Initiatives Web page.

Interdisciplinary Engineering Studies Program

301 Loew

The College of Engineering directly administers nondepartmental undergraduate and graduate degree programs. Some engineering fundamentals and writing courses required for admission to the departments are managed by specific engineering departments.

Undergraduate Programs

301 Loew

The Interdisciplinary Engineering Studies (IES) Program is intended for students whose desired course of study does not fall within one of the traditional engineering departments. An interdisciplinary program combines coursework from at least one engineering department as well as other department(s) on campus (Engineering or other) to allow students to create a program of study not available through the existing undergraduate degree programs. Although coursework may involve departments outside the College of Engineering, the major thrust must be in engineering.

The IES Program offers a nonprofessional degree program leading to the Bachelor of Science (B.S.) and a professional degree program for the Bachelor of Science in Engineering (B.S.E.).

Due to the uniqueness of each interdisciplinary student's program of studies, the B.S. and B.S.E. degrees are not accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET). The experience requirement to obtain a professional engineering license is two years longer for a B.S.E. graduate, except in surveying, than for a graduate of an accredited program. A B.S. graduate is not eligible for a professional engineering license.

Interdisciplinary students develop personal programs of study approved by a faculty adviser with similar interests. Programs are reviewed and approved by the Interdisciplinary Committee, which oversees all undergraduate interdisciplinary-study programs. Contact the Engineering Advising and Diversity Center, 206-543-1770, for information on established procedures and applications for entry into the B.S.E. and B.S. programs. Entrance requirements and the continuation policy for participation in these programs are consistent with those of other departments in the College.

Bachelor of Science in Engineering

Admission to this program (usually after completion of 90 credits) is competitive with a minimum GPA of 2.80 in technical courses required for entry. A minimum of 75 credits must be completed after entering the program before a B.S.E. degree is awarded. Detailed information regarding the B.S.E. degree can be obtained from an adviser in the Engineering Advising and Diversity Center (301 Loew).

Bachelor of Science

The nonprofessional Bachelor of Science degree provides greater flexibility than does the Bachelor of Science in Engineering degree. It can be an excellent base for subsequent professional studies in law, medicine, or business. It may also be the primary educational objective in such fields as technical writing, engineering sales, or environmental studies. Detailed requirements are available from the adviser in the Engineering Advising and Diversity Center (301 Loew).

Graduate Programs

Master of Science in Engineering/Master of Science

The College offers graduate programs leading to the Master of Science in Engineering and Master of Science degrees, without designation of a specific major. For graduate degrees within specific majors, see the individual departmental listings.

Approved programs lead to the M.S.E. degree in civil, mechanical, chemical, and inter-engineering, and to the M.S. degree in civil engineering, inter-engineering, and materials science and engineering.

The Inter-engineering Master of Science in Engineering (M.S.E.) and Master of Science (M.S.) program is intended for students whose desired course of study does not fall within one of the traditional engineering graduate programs. An inter-engineering program combines coursework from at least one graduate engineering department as well as other graduate department(s) on campus (engineering or other) to allow students to create a program of study not available through the existing graduate degree programs. Applications and files of students entering the M.S./M.S.E. option are handled by the designated department. Admission to the inter-engineering option requires a statement describing the applicant's objectives. This statement should state why the student wants to enter the M.S./M.S.E. program rather than one of the traditional engineering graduate programs. Applicants to the M.S./M.S.E. program must have well-defined educational objectives which cannot be satisfied by established engineering programs.

Admission Requirements

M.S.E./M.S. applicants are required to have a bachelor’s degree in engineering, mathematics, or science with a minimum GPA of 3.00 in courses taken in the junior and senior years. Students entering without an accredited engineering undergraduate degree and seeking an M.S.E. degree must satisfy the minimum general requirements of the College of Engineering baccalaureate degree. Students are expected to complete the degree within two years. Situations requiring longer than this must be approved by the student's faculty adviser.

Development of the Plan of Study: When applying to the M.S.E./M.S. program, the applicant must submit a plan of study that sets out the intended 400- and 500-level course work and proposed thesis topic. Before applying to the M.S.E. program, the student must consult with a faculty member from each department in which the student intends to work, and identify at least one to serve as the student's faculty adviser. The other faculty members can serve on the student's supervisory committee if the student is admitted. Working with the faculty adviser(s), each student must develop a plan of study and research that meets the general degree requirements (below) and satisfies the student’s own program objectives. The program of studies must include in-depth coursework from two or more departments and be approved by the faculty adviser(s). The proposed program is then set out on the student’s Application to the Interengineering M.S.E./M.S. Program.

Development of the Statement of Objectives: Students must submit a one-page statement of study, degree, and career objectives for seeking the Interengineering M.S.E./M.S. degree. This statement should explain why the student wants to enter the M.S.E./M.S. program rather than one of the traditional engineering graduate programs. Also, students should include in this statement any additional information to be considered as part of the application. This information may include work experience, outside interests, and unusual circumstances that may contribute to a better understanding of the student’s record. Applicants to the M.S.E./M.S. program must have well-defined educational objectives that cannot be satisfied by established engineering programs.

Degree Requirements

Students develop their own plan of study for the M.S. or M.S.E. degree in consultation with faculty adviser(s) as a requirement for admission to the program. The plan of study must contain at least 39 credits of coursework, with no more than 9 credits of engineering courses at the 400 level and at least 21 credits of engineering courses at the 500 level. The plan of study must also include at least 9 credits of thesis study/preparation.