ADMISSION       >>go to Top

Admission into the college of engineering is coordinated through the University’s Office of Admissions. Admission decisions are based on SAT or ACT scores, class rank and GPA. For admission to all programs in the college of engineering, the applicant must present the following minimum units of high school credit:

• 1. English - 4 units emphasizing grammar, composition and literature
• 2. Science - 3 units (including at least one unit in a biological or life science, one unit in a physical science, and one unit in Chemistry. At least one unit should have a laboratory component.)
• 3. Mathematics - 4 units (including Algebra I, Algebra II, Geometry, and an additional unit beyond Algebra II - e.g., Trigonometry, Math Analysis, etc.). Students entering with a deficiency in mathematics must begin with Pre-Engineering Mathematics, which is not counted towards the required semester hours for graduation. In this case the normal mathematics sequence is shifted one semester.
• 4. Social Sciences - 2 units (including at least one unit in United States History)
• 5. Foreign Language  2 units are recommended in one foreign language.
• 6. Electives - 3 units (no more than 2 units in vocational subjects and 2 units in the disciplines of Music and Physical Education)

Transfer students are accepted into the college of engineering if the applicant has a minimum 2.5 GPA if transferring from a four-year institution with an accredited engineering program, or a minimum 3.0 GPA if transferring from other institutions.
 

TRANSFER CREDIT EVALUATION       >>go to Top

Students are advised to receive prior approval from their academic advisor and department chairperson for courses to be considered for transfer credit from other colleges and universities. The Office of Admissions may recommend a preliminary award of transfer credits. However, the authority and responsibility for the final decision for approval of transfer credits rests with the academic departments.

 

ADVISING       >>go to Top
All students will be assigned an academic advisor. Students are expected to meet their advisor for help with the following issues:

• Interpreting university, college and department regulations
• Providing general information, advice, and academic recommendations
• Planning course selections. Students must consult their advisor before registering for courses.
• Ensuring that students take electives that satisfy University and ABET category requirements
• Helping students to understand the degree to which they must assume responsibility for their program planning
• Providing vocational and career guidance
• Referring students to appropriate individuals and offices when further assistance is needed.

 

MATHEMATICS AND CHEMISTRY PLACEMENT       >>go to Top

Admitted (conditionally or unconditionally) students must demonstrate proficiency in mathematics and chemistry before being permitted to take freshman Mathematics and Chemistry courses. Mathematics proficiency can be demonstrated through acceptable scores on SAT or ACT Math, AP Calculus, or Math Placement test. Otherwise the student will be required to first take MATH 110 or 111. Chemistry proficiency can be demonstrated through acceptable scores on High School Chemistry, AP Chemistry, or Chemistry Placement Test. Otherwise the student will be required to first take CHEM 099.
 

 

MINIMUM C GRADE POLICY       >>go to Top

This policy applies to all engineering programs in the college of engineering. Specifically, when an engineering program requires students to take any of the following courses, students will have to obtain a minimum grade of “C” in each such course to meet graduation requirements. Furthermore, a minimum grade of “C” on any such course will be required to satisfy prerequisite requirements of subsequent courses. This applies to each Bachelor of Science curricula in the college of engineering - both to courses that are explicitly required and those that are recommended as elective courses. The complete set of courses with this “Minimum C” requirement is listed below:

• CHEM 106
• CHEM 107
• MATH 131
• MATH 132
• MATH 224
• MATH 231
• MATH 431
• PHYS 241
• PHYS 242
• GEEN 100
• ELEN 440
• INEN 260
• INEN 270
• MEEN 260
• MEEN 313
• MEEN 413

Individual programs may have additional courses that require a minimum C grade. Please refer to the requirements of each program stated in this bulletin or in the program handbook available from the department chairperson.

 

PREREQUISITES       >>go to Top

Students are advised to follow their prescribed curriculum, especially noting the prerequisite requirements. It should be noted that prerequisites are subject to change and will normally be effective immediately. It is the responsibility of the student to understand and follow prerequisite requirements. The department chairperson reserves the right to drop a student from any course if the proper prerequisites are not satisfied. Any prerequisite waivers must be formally approved by the student’s advisor and department chairperson.

 

GRADUATION UNDER A GIVEN CATALOG       >>go to Top

A student may expect to earn a degree in accordance with the requirements of the curriculum outlined in the catalog in force when he or she first entered the University, provided the courses are being offered. Moreover, he or she must complete these requirements within six years. In addition, a student may graduate under any subsequent catalog published while he or she is a student; in that case, he or she must meet all requirements of the catalog he or she elects. The approval of the advisor, department chairperson and the dean is needed for any course substitutions.

 

LICENSURE AS A PROFESSIONAL ENGINEER       >>go to Top

The North Carolina Board of Examiners for Engineers and Surveyors is charged with the responsibility of issuing a certificate of licensure to those determined to be properly qualified. In order to be licensed to practice engineering in North Carolina, an individual, in addition to paying the required fees, must be of good character and reputation, must satisfactorily pass the examinations administered by the Board, and must submit evidence of education, and a specific record of progressive engineering work of a nature and level acceptable to the Board.
To prepare for engineering licensure, all engineering majors are encouraged to prepare for and take the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) Examination during their Senior Year. An FE review course is offered to all seniors in the college of engineering.
After successful completion of the Fundamentals Examination, and upon completion of a minimum of four (4) years of progressive engineering experience, applicants are eligible to apply for the Engineering Principles and Practice Examination. Upon successful completion of the requirements for licensure, the Board will approve the applicant for licensure. For more information, visit the website www.ncbels.org.

 

COOPERATIVE EDUCATION PROGRAM       >>go to Top

Cooperative Education (Co-op) is a highly recommended, voluntary plan of education in which students alternate sessions of full-time work with sessions of full-time study. Usually, the plan is a five-year professional development experience, designed to combine practical on-the-job experiences with the classroom training of a four-year college curriculum. It helps students integrate theory and practice, confirm career choices, investigate potential job opportunities, and become better graduates. At the same time, it allows students to earn money and help finance their education. Cooperative Education provides a valuable opportunity for students, employers, and the university to work together to benefit one another.
How is Co-op different than an Internship An internship is a flexible employment arrangement, negotiated and arranged on a case-by-case basis between the student and employer. By contrast, the Cooperative Education Program is a structured program with defined schedules and student, employer, and university responsibilities. Once you become a co-op student, you will continue with your chosen employer throughout the entire program, although the employer site location could change during the program. At least four semesters of work are required alternating with academic semesters. After qualifying for the Co-op Program your first year (GPA above 2.8), you continue to be eligible to remain in the program by maintaining satisfactory academic (GPA above 2.8) and work records. Reasons to Co-op instead of Intern include:

• Co-ops receive job offers from their employers about two-thirds of the time; Co-ops receive more job offers than interns; and some companies during economic slowdowns only hire co-ops.
• Freshman and Sophomores are given hiring preference with Co-ops, whereas Juniors are given preference for Interns.
• Co-op provides 18 months of work experience, whereas Interns provide at most 9 months.
• Co-ops receive better work assignments with more responsibility than Interns.
• Co-ops have more opportunities to learn people skills than Interns.
• Co-ops can accumulate benefits such as vacation time and retirement benefits that Interns cannot.

　　What is the co-op schedule There are two typical co-op schedules. In the first, after attending fall, spring, and summer sessions of the Freshman year on campus, the co-op student completes the first work session in the fall of the sophomore year and then returns to campus for the spring semester. Work and study sessions then alternate until the senior year, which is spent completely on campus. In the second schedule, after attending fall and spring sessions of the Freshman year on campus, the co-op student completes the first work session in the summer and then returns to campus for the fall semester. Work and study sessions then alternate until the senior year. In either schedule, you acquire about eighteen months of work experience during the five-year Co-op Program.

 

Department handbooks should be referenced for department specific co-op policies as well as typical co-op employers and locations.

Also see information on Cooperative Education Program elsewhere in this Bulletin.