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Engineering & Technology-Related Majors (ETLink)

Admission requirements are subject to change. For more information click on the name of the major, or contact the departmental advising office.

Majors with open admission can be declared at any time by students whose GPA is at least 2.0. Majors with minimum admission requirements have set requirements, such as completing 10 credits in the department with a GPA of 2.5. In general, these majors admit all applicants who meet the minimum admission requirements, with no further screening or selection. Majors with competitive admission have admission requirements and a selective screening; they often have an application deadline, and may require test scores, portfolios, auditions, letters of recommendation, and/or interviews. Completion of the admission requirements does not guarantee admission to competitive majors. Some majors admit only once per year. Consult an adviser.

A PDF version of this chart is also available.


major description admission requirements comments

Aeronautics and Astronautics

Design, development, testing, and production of commercial and military aircraft, missiles, and spacecraft.

Competitive admission. MATH 124, 125, 126, 307, 308; CHEM 142; PHYS 121, 122, 123; 5 cr English comp, HCDE 231; CSE 142; AA 210; CEE 220; ME 230; CHEM E 260. In addition, MATH 324 and AMATH 301 must be taken no later than the autumn of admission. Minimum 2.0 in each prerequisite course; minimum 2.50 average in prerequisites.

Applied and Computational Mathematical Sciences

Applied and computational math; modelling; probability and statistics; algorithms.

Minimum admission requirements. MATH 124, 125, 126; CSE 142; one of MATH 307, MATH 308, MATH 310, AMATH 351, AMATH 352. Minimum 2.50 GPA in these courses; minimum 2.0 in each course. Must be enrolled at UW before applying to major.

B.S. degree only. Eight options, including Discrete Math and Algorithms (computer applications).

Bioengineering

The application of engineering technology to clinical practices and research. Bioinstrumentation, biomaterials, simulation of biosystems.

Competitive admission. Upper Admission: MATH 124, 125, 126; CHEM 142, 152, 162; 5 cr English comp; AMATH 301*; PHYS 121, 122*; BIOL 180, 200*; BIOEN 215* (*courses may be in progress at time of application). Minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA.

Also offer Early and Direct Admission.

Bioresource Science and Engineering

Pulping and papermaking techniques, engineering principles of papermaking, management and business principles in an industry setting.

Competitive admission. MATH 124, 125, 126, 307; CHEM 142, 152, 162, 237; PHYS 121, 122; 5 cr English comp; CHEM E 260. Minimum 2.50 GPA in prerequisites.

B.S. degree only.

Chemical Engineering

Transformation of raw materials into useful products such as gasoline, pulp and paper, pharmaceuticals, and energy. Environmental processes such as waste disposal and recycling.

Competitive admission. MATH 124, 125, 126, 307; CHEM 142, 152, 162, 223 or 237; PHYS 121, 122, 123; 5 cr English comp; CSE 142; CHEM E 260. Minimum 2.5 average in prerequisites.

Civil Engineering

The planning, design, construction, and management of facilities such as airports, buildings, bridges, dams, water and sewage systems, harbors, and highways. Control and reduction of air and water pollution.

Competitive admission. MATH 124, 125, 126, 308; CHEM 142; PHYS 121, 122; 5 cr English comp; AMATH 301 or CSE 142; AA 210; CEE 220; ME 230. Minimum 2.0 in each prerequisite course; minimum 2.50 average in prerequisites.

Computer Engineering

An engineering degree covering theory, design, and implementation of computer systems; students choose a hardware or software track. Areas such as databases, graphics, and networks.

Competitive admission. MATH 124, 125, 126; PHYS 121, 122; 5 cr English comp; CSE 142, 143. Minimum 2.50 average in prerequisites.

Accelerated Admission: CSE 142, 143; 5 additional credits from Upper Division Admission requirements; at least 15 UW credits; 3.0 cumulative GPA.

Computer Science

The theory, design, and implementation of computer systems; a liberal arts degree with more flexible requirements than CE. Areas such as embedded systems, robotics, and artificial intelligence.

Competitive admission. MATH 124, 125, 126; CSE 142, 143; 5 cr approved natural science (usually PHYS 121 or CHEM 142); 5 cr English comp.

B.S. degree only. Accelerated Admission: CSE 142, 143; 5 additional credits from Upper Division Admission requirements; at least 15 UW credits; 3.0 cumulative GPA.

Electrical Engineering

Design, development, production, and operation of devices that use electricity. Electrical energy production and transmission, electronics.

Competitive admission. MATH 124, 125, 126; CHEM 142; PHYS 121, 122; 5 cr English comp. Minimum 2.5 average in prerequisites. Minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA.

Human Centered Design and Engineering

Design, writing, editing, and evaluation of technical and scientific materials. Principles and practice of technical discourse, human-computer interaction, hypermedia and multimedia, publications management, and online support systems.

Competitive admission. 10 cr approved math or statistics, 15 cr approved natural science, 13 cr approved oral and written communication including HCDE 231. Minimum 3.00 GPA in the oral/written communication.Minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA.

Formerly Technical Communication. 50 cr approved math and natural science required for graduation. Technical Writing, a similar program, is available through Individualized Studies.

Materials Science and Engineering

Development and manufacture of new types of polymers, hybrids, biomaterials, nanomaterials, and photonic and magnetic materials and products.

Competitive admission. MATH 124, 125, 126, 307; CHEM 142, 152; PHYS 121, 122; 5 cr English comp; CSE 142 or AMATH 301; MSE 170. Minimum 2.0 in each prerequisite course. Minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA.

Mechanical Engineering

Design and manufacture of mechanical devices and systems.

Competitive admission. MATH 124, 125, 126; CHEM 142, 152; PHYS 121, 122; 5 cr English comp; HCDE 231; AA 210; CEE 220; ME 230.

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