Understanding key academic milestones is essential to staying on track. This page outlines important benchmarks—from initial coursework and admission requirements to major-specific prerequisites—that guide your progression through your engineering degree.
Transition from UCAS to COE
All first-year students start out in the University College for Academic Success (UCAS). To continue in the College of Engineering (COE), you’ll need to satisfy COE academic requirements – typically met within your first 2-3 semesters:
- Complete at least 24 credits (including transfers) with a 2.0 GPA or higher.
- Earn a C‑ or better in foundational courses: EGR 105/106, CHM 101/102, MTH 141/142, PHY 203/273, and either PHY 204/274 or CHM 112/114.
Eligibility for Upper‑Level Engineering Courses
Access to COE courses is tiered:
- 200‑level: Open to engineering majors only. Exceptions can be made with permission of the department chair.
- 300‑level and above: Restricted to students in the College of Engineering.
Major‑Specific Academic Requirements
Each engineering major has unique pre-requisites for upper-level coursework. Students are encouraged to review these requirements and discuss questions with their academic advisor. Here are some examples:
| Major | Academic Requirement |
|---|---|
| Biomedical, Computer, and Electrical Engineering | • ELE 212 – at least a 2.0 (C) average in MTH 141, MTH 142, PHY 203, PHY 204 • ELE 313 – at least a 2.0 (C) average in ELE 212, MTH 244 or 362, PHY 204 • ELE 338 – at least a 2.0 (C) average in ELE 201, 212, 215, MTH 142, PHY 204 • ELE 480 & 481 – at least a 2.0 (C) average in ELE 212, 313, 338 |
| Chemical Engineering | • CHE 213, 272, and 364 – at least a “C-” or better in CHE 212 • CHE 314 – at least a “C-” or better in CHE 213 |
| Civil Engineering | • CVE 220: C or better, plus 2.0 average in foundational courses (MTH 141/142, PHY 203/204, CHM 101) |
| Mechanical Engineering | • MCE 301 – at least a 2.0 (C) average in PHY 203, MCE 262, and CVE 220 |