Academic Programs Catalog

The Bachelor of Science degree may be earned in programs designed to prepare students for work in biosystems engineering, chemical engineering, civil engineering, computer engineering, electrical engineering, environmental engineering, materials science and engineering, and mechanical engineering.  

The Bachelor of Science degree may also be earned in engineering sciences with a major in computer science, computational data science, or applied engineering sciences. A required cognate combines the Computer Science major with studies such as business management, the social and behavioral or physical sciences, or a foreign language. The Computational Data Science major combines computing, mathematics, and statistics to provide an in-depth understanding of complex data sets. The Applied Engineering Sciences major is an interdisciplinary program that combines a broad foundation in core engineering disciplines with a required concentration area in business law, computer science, packaging, supply chain management, technical sales, or media and information. 

The field of engineering increasingly requires global perspective. Education abroad provides unparalleled cultural learning experiences that can strengthen academic goals, fit degree requirements, while providing opportunities for students to study in a variety of countries. Students interested in education abroad should contact their Engineering academic advisor as early as possible.

Students who are enrolled in bachelor's degree programs in the college may elect the Minor in Environmental and Sustainability Studies. For additional information, refer to the statement on Minor in Environmental and Sustainability Studies in the College of Natural Science section of this catalog.

Students who are enrolled in bachelor’s degree programs in The Eli Broad College of Business, the College of Communication Arts and Sciences, and the College of Engineering may elect a Minor in Information Technology. For additional information, refer to the statement on Minor in Information Technology in The Eli Broad College of Business section of this catalog or contact The Eli Broad College of Business.

Students who are enrolled in the Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science in the College of Engineering may elect a Minor in Game Design and Development. For additional information, refer to the statement on Minor in Game Design and Development in the Department of Media and Information section of this catalog.

The College of Engineering offers a variety of opportunities for students to gain real-world experience in the field of engineering.  These programs prepare students for work in industry or to enter graduate programs in engineering, medicine, law, or business.  They include cooperative education, engineering internships, and undergraduate research.  Cooperative Engineering Education is a program of alternating full-time employment in industry and full-time study on campus.  Employment provides practical on-the-job experience by exposing students to types of work done by engineers.  Locations of jobs are nationwide and students are given the opportunity to explore other regions of the country. 

Engineering internships are usually one time-only, career based experiences usually completed during the summer semester. Internships provide practical on-the-job experience in the field of engineering. Undergraduate research opportunities are also available at Michigan State University and throughout the United States.  Students who are considering graduate school are encouraged to participate in an undergraduate research program for exposure to research opportunities and protocol at the graduate level. 

Each of these options can be eligible for engineering credit through a series of low cost, pass-fail experiential education courses.  Any student who completes a combination of three full-time registered experiences in a pre-professional position that have been approved and assessed by the College of Engineering will receive a Certificate of Experiential Education.   Students interested in any of these programs should contact The Center for Spartan Engineering in Room C108 Wilson Hall. 

 

The College of Engineering encourages honors students to develop distinctive programs of study in engineering or computer science to satisfy their Honors College requirements. Honors advisors will help students tailor a program to suit a student’s individual interests and abilities. This often includes the Honors Option by which students may earn Honors credits in courses approved by departments both within and outside the college.

Currently, the Biosystems Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering undergraduate programs are accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, https://www.abet.org. The Computer Science undergraduate program is accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET, https://www.abet.org.

In Michigan, the Michigan Board of Professional Engineering provides an opportunity for students during their senior year to take the first half of a sixteen–hour, two–part examination as the first step toward licensure, provided the degree is to be awarded within six months and the degree program is one that has been accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET or determined as equivalent by the Michigan Board of Professional Engineering. 

Students admitted to the university are enrolled in the Neighborhood Student Success Collaborative, but may declare a pre-engineering major preference in the College of Engineering.  Such students are guided by a professional advisor from the college. All students are encouraged to review their progress with an advisor each semester. Students become eligible for admission to the college upon completion of the requirements listed below in the Admission to the College section of this catalog.

Students interested in engineering but not yet sure of a major may be an Engineering Exploratory major until attaining 56 credits, but students are encouraged to make their major selection as early as possible.

Students who elect a pre-engineering major preference should be strongly prepared in mathematics and sciences.  Additional work in these areas is highly desirable and may make advanced placement in courses possible.  Students entering with less than the minimum mathematics prerequisites may take some of the necessary courses after  entering the University. However, such students will need additional time to complete the work for the degree.

The CoRe Experience integrates first year engineering academics and co-curricular/residential activities to support the academic, professional, and personal growth of engineering students during their first year at Michigan State University. CoRe seeks to demonstrate to students the importance of engineering and the positive impact that engineers make on society and the world around them. Along with community and corporate partners, we bring real-world expertise and challenges into the classroom and residential environment, reinforcing the relevance of engineering to solving global challenges.

CoRe’s academic program is based on the principle that engagement in meaningful engineering experiences early in students’ undergraduate careers supports their success and persistence to graduation. Through our courses, EGR 100: Introduction to Engineering Design and EGR 102: Introduction to Engineering Modeling, we strive to engage students across the disciplines in team-based projects that pique their interest and give them a window into what professional engineering really is. CoRe co-curricular activities connect students to each other, to the College of Engineering, and to corporate partners, helping students persist and succeed as engineering students and campus citizens.


 

The college provides a full range of supportive services including professional academic advising, tutoring, services for underrepresented and female students, career guidance and employment assistance, faculty connections, and peer mentors.

Admission to the College of Engineering and a specific major provides access to enroll in certain courses required for the major. Enrollments in the College of Engineering are limited.

Admission is based on the cumulative grade–point average of all courses taken and a grade–point average calculated on mathematics, physical and biological sciences, and engineering courses.

For additional information, students should contact the Office of the Associate Dean for Undergraduate Studies, College of Engineering.

Minimum criteria for admission to the college are:

1. Completion of at least 28 credits earned after matriculation to Michigan State University.
2. Completion of Mathematics 132 and 133 with a minimum grade of 2.0 in each course.
3. A minimum grade-point average of 2.0 in all mathematics courses.
4. Completion of Chemistry 141 or 151 or approved substitution or waiver. Computational Data Science and Computer Science majors are not required to fulfill this requirement.
5. Completion of Physics 183.
6. Completion of Engineering 102 or Computer Science and Engineering 231 or Computer Science and Engineering 220 or Computational Mathematics, Science and Engineering 202 or approved substitution or waiver.
7. Completion of Engineering 100.

Students interested in applying for a degree-granting major in the College of Engineering may apply for admission during each semester, and applications will be reviewed after the end of each semester. Students must be admitted to a degree-granting college at the time they have completed 56 credits.

Students seeking admission to a second bachelor's degree program must meet the same requirements as for admission to the college.

1. The University requirements for bachelor's degrees as described in the Undergraduate Education section of the catalog; 120 credits, including general elective credits, are required for the Bachelor of Science degree in Computational Data Science, Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science and the Bachelor of Science degree in Applied Engineering Sciences; and 128 credits, including general elective credits, are required for the Bachelor of Science degree in the other Engineering majors.
   
   Students who are enrolled in majors leading to the Bachelor of Science degree in the College of Engineering may complete an alternative track to Integrative Studies in Biological and Physical Sciences that consists of the following courses:
   1. One of the following courses:  Biological Science 161; Plant Biology 105;  Entomology 205; Integrative Biology 150, Microbiology and Molecular Genetics 141, 201, 301; Physiology 250.
   2. Two of the following courses:  Chemistry 141, Chemistry 151, Physics 183 or 183B,  Physics 184 or 184B.
   3. One of the following laboratory courses:  Plant Biology 106; Chemistry 161; Physics 191.
      
      Credits earned in the alternative track may also be counted toward college and major requirements for the Bachelor of Science degree.
2. The requirements of the College of Engineering for the Bachelor of Science degree that are listed below:
   1. Mathematics 132, 133, 234, and 235.  Computer Science majors are not required to complete Mathematics 235.
   2. Chemistry 141 or 151.  Computational Data Science and Computer Science majors are not required to complete Chemistry 141 or 151.
   3. Physics 183 or 183B and 184 or 184B.
   4. Engineering 100.
   5. One technical computing course depending on intended major: CMSE 202 (Computational Data Science), CSE 220 (Electrical Engineering), CSE 231 (Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering) or EGR 102 (all other Engineering majors).

Students who are enrolled in bachelor's degree programs in the College of Engineering may elect a Minor in Environmental and Sustainability Studies. For additional information, refer to the Minor in Environmental and Sustainability Studies statement in the College of Natural Science section of this catalog.

Students who are enrolled in the Bachelor of Science Degree in Computer Science in the College of Engineering may elect a Minor in Game Design and Development.  For additional information, refer to the Minor in Game Design and Development statement in the Department of Media and Information section of this catalog.

Students who are enrolled in bachelor’s degree programs in the College of Engineering may elect a Minor in Information Technology.  For additional information, refer to the Minor in Information Technology statement in The Eli Broad College of Business section of this catalog.