Engineering Major, B.S.E.

Pott College of Science, Engineering and Education >> Engineering 

The Bachelor of Science in Engineering degree is a practical, flexible engineering program which requires a solid foundation in mathematics, physics, chemistry, and liberal studies as well as the engineering science core. A total of 127 semester hours are required in the four-year Bachelor of Science in Engineering program. Eighteen hours of mathematics through differential equations and including engineering statistics, fourteen hours of chemistry and physics, and a 3-4 hour math/basic science elective are required. All engineering students also must complete the University Core requirements. The Bachelor of Science in Engineering (BSE) is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET (www.ABET.org).

An engineering student can complete the program in four years provided they enter USI prepared to successfully complete MATH 230 (Calculus I) in their first semester. Those students who do not enter the program ready for MATH 230 will take an additional three to fifteen hours of mathematics courses necessary to raise their mathematical abilities to a required level, zero to six hours of additional engineering courses designed to improve their problem-solving skills, and zero to six hours of preparatory science courses to improve their abilities to succeed in higher level science courses.

Cooperative education opportunities are available to students enrolled in engineering. The co-op experience is designed to assist the student in developing an understanding of human relationships and in learning to work with others as a member of an engineering team. Individual growth is enhanced by the realization that, in addition to demonstrating theoretical knowledge, one also is learning to become an integral part of the working interrelationship between the academic and professional worlds. On the job and at the University, the co-op student obtains first-hand knowledge of professional practices, expectancies, and opportunities. At the same time, the student is offered a realistic test of career interest and aptitude. Participation in this program enables the student to make a more intelligent selection of a position after graduation.

In accordance with the University’s transfer policy (found in the undergraduate admission requirements and regulations section), the faculty of the engineering department examine on a case-by-case basis the transcripts of students transferring from other institutions. Failure to achieve a grade of C or better in a required engineering course at another institution will necessitate repeating the course.  A minimum GPA of 2.0 is required for all ENGR courses that a student takes as part of their program of study.  All Engineering majors are required to take the nationally administered Fundamentals of Engineering examination during their final semester.

Petition for permission to waive any program requirements must be approved by the chair of the engineering department. After admission into the engineering program, required engineering courses may be taken at another institution for transfer of credit only when approved in advance by both the student’s advisor and the department chair.