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.

In addition to meeting the requirements of the university as described in the Graduate Education section of this catalog, students must meet the requirements specified below.

Admission

Regular Status. Admission to a master's degree program with regular status may be granted by the department, subject to the availability of resources and to the approval of the dean, upon consideration of the likelihood that the applicant will be able to pursue a master's program successfully without taking collateral courses. As evidence of eligibility for admission, the student may offer any of the following:

1. The possession of a bachelor's degree in an accredited program in engineering with a grade–point average not lower than 3.00 for the final two years of the undergraduate program, or with standing in the upper quarter of the graduating class in the student's major.
2. The possession of a bachelor's degree in engineering or a related field where the applicant has shown very high academic achievement, as certified by the department.
3. Evidence of ability and resolution to complete a master's program, as attested by the department upon review of the applicant's academic record, test scores, experience, reference statements, professional qualifications, proposed studies, and other relevant information.

Provisional Status. Admission to a master's degree program with provisional status may be granted by the department, subject to the approval of the dean:

1. To an applicant qualified for regular admission except that collateral courses are deemed necessary, or
2. To an applicant whose record is incomplete.

If collateral courses are required, the minimum acceptable grades and the semesters by which those courses must be completed will be specified on the admission form. The provisional status will be changed to regular status when the conditions specified on the admission form have been met, as certified by the department and approved by the dean.

Program Filing

The student's program of study must be approved before the student completes 6 credits of graduate work in order for the student to continue to enroll in the  master's degree program.

For any independent study or selected topics course that is included in the student's approved program of study, the subject material and the instructor must be specified.

Modification of Program

With reference to the student's approved program of study, none of the following types of changes will be approved:

1. Adding or deleting a course for which a grade has already been assigned under any of the three grading systems (numerical, Pass–No Grade, or Credit–No Credit).
2. Adding or deleting a course for which grading was postponed by the use of the DF–Deferred marker.
3. Adding or deleting a course which the student dropped after the middle of the semester and for which “W” or “N” or “0.0" was designated.
4. Adding or deleting a course during the final semester of enrollment in the master's degree program.

Requirements for the Master of Science Degree

The student must:

1. Complete a minimum of 30 credits in 400–, 800–, and 900–level courses  under either Plan A (with thesis) or Plan B (without thesis).  Courses below the 400 level may not be counted toward the requirements for the degree.
1. Requirements for Plan A:  The student must:
1. Complete a minimum of 20 credits in courses at the 800–900 level.  
2. Complete at least 4, but not more than 8, credits in Master's Thesis Research (course number 899 in the department of the student's major).
3. Provide to the major professor and to the department a hard–bound copy of the thesis made from the original unbound manuscript submitted to the Office of The Graduate School.  Arrangements for delivery of the copies shall be made when the original manuscript is submitted to the Office of The Graduate School. 
2. Requirements for Plan B:  The student must:
1. Complete a minimum of 18 credits in courses at the 800–900 level. 
2. Pass the final certifying examination administered by the student's department.  It is the student's responsibility to obtain detailed information about this examination from the department.

Academic Standards

1. Grades.  The student must earn a grade of 2.0 or higher in each course in the approved program of study.  The student must repeat any course for which the grade earned was below 2.0.
2. Cumulative Grade–Point Average.  The student must maintain a cumulative grade–point average of at least 3.00 in the courses in the approved program of study.
3. Probational Status.  A student is placed on probational status if the student's cumulative grade–point average for the courses in the approved program of study is below 3.00.  A student in probational status is not  allowed to carry more than 7 credits per semester or to enroll in any course the primary focus of which is independent study.
4. Retention In and Dismissal From the Program.
1. Cumulative Grade–Point Average.  Should a student's cumulative grade–point average fall below 3.00 after having completed 16 or more credits in courses in the approved program of study, the student may be enrolled in probational status in the master's degree program for one additional semester.  If at the end of the additional semester the student's cumulative grade–point average is 3.00 or higher, the student may continue to enroll in the master's degree program.  If at the end of the additional semester the student's cumulative grade–point average is still below 3.00, the student will be dismissed from the program.
2. Academic Progress and Professional Potential.  Each student's academic progress and professional potential are evaluated by March 15 of each year.  A student who in the judgment of the faculty is making satisfactory academic progress and has professional potential may continue to enroll in the master's degree program.  A student who in the judgment of the faculty is not making satisfactory academic progress or lacks professional potential will be dismissed from the program.

Transfer Credits

As a member of the Michigan Coalition for Engineering Education (MCEE), Michigan State University will accept up to one less than half of the course credits required for the Master of Science degree program in the College of Engineering in transfer from other MCEE member institutions provided that (1) the student earned a grade of at least 3.0, or the equivalent, in the related courses; (2) the credits were not earned in research or thesis courses; and (3) the total number of credits accepted in transfer from MCEE member institutions and from other institutions does not exceed one less than half of the credits required.

In addition to meeting the requirements of the university as described in the Graduate Education section of this catalog, students must meet the requirements specified below.

Admission

Regular Status. Admission to a doctoral degree program with regular status may be granted by the department, subject to the availability of resources and to the approval of the dean, upon consideration of the likelihood that the applicant will be able to pursue a doctoral program successfully without taking collateral courses. As evidence of eligibility for admission, the student may offer any of the following:

1. The possession of a master's degree in engineering or a related field.
2. The completion of the equivalent of a master's degree program in the major field.
3. Evidence of ability and resolution to complete a doctoral program, as attested by the department upon review of the applicant's academic record, test scores, experience, reference statements, professional qualifications, proposed studies, and other relevant information.
   
   Admission to the doctoral program without a master's degree, or the equivalent thereof, will require special consideration by the department and the dean.
   
   Provisional Status. Admission to a doctoral degree program with provisional status may be granted by the department, subject to the approval of the dean:
1. To an applicant qualified for regular admission except that collateral courses are deemed necessary, or
2. To an applicant whose record is incomplete.
   
   If collateral courses are required, the minimum acceptable grades and the semesters by which those courses must be completed will be specified on the admission form. The provisional status will be changed to regular status when the conditions specified on the admission form have been met, as determined by the department and approved by the dean.

Guidance Committee

The student's guidance committee is appointed by the department chairperson in consultation with the student and the appropriate faculty members, and with the approval of the dean.  At least two members of the guidance committee shall be from the major department and at least one member shall be from a department outside of the major department.  The chairperson of the guidance committee will be appointed by the department chairperson after consultation with the student and the person recommended to chair the committee.

Guidance Committee Report

The student's program of study shall be submitted for approval to the department and to the Dean by no later than the end of the student's second semester of enrollment in the doctoral program.  For any independent study or selected topics course that is included in the student's program of study, the subject material and the instructor must be specified.
The student's program of study must be approved in order for the student to continue to enroll in the doctoral degree program beyond the second semester.  

Modification of Program

With reference to the student's approved guidance committee report, none of the following types of changes will be approved:

1. Adding or deleting a course for which a grade has already been assigned under any of the three grading systems (numerical, Pass–No Grade, or Credit–No Credit).
2. Adding or deleting a course for which grading was postponed by the use of the DF–Deferred marker.
3. Adding or deleting a course which the student dropped after the middle of the semester and for which “W” or “N” or “0.0" was designated.
4. Adding or deleting a course during the final semester of enrollment in the doctoral degree program.

Requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy Degree

The student must:

1. Pass the qualifying examination administered by the student's department.  It is the student's responsibility to obtain detailed information about this examination from the department.
2. Pass the doctoral comprehensive examination at least six months prior to the final oral examination in defense of the dissertation.  The examination may be retaken no more than twice.  It is the student's responsibility to obtain detailed information about this examination from the department. 
3. Provide to the major professor and to the department a hard–bound copy of the dissertation made from the original unbound manuscript submitted to the Office of the Graduate School.  Arrangements for delivery of the copies shall be made when the original manuscript is submitted to the Office of The Graduate School.

Academic Standards

1. Grades.  The student must earn a grade of 2.0 or higher in each course in the approved guidance committee report, including collateral courses and courses accepted in transfer.  The student must repeat any course for which the grade earned was below 2.0.
2. Cumulative Grade–Point Average.  The student must maintain a cumulative grade–point average of at least 3.00 in courses in the approved guidance committee report, with the exception of collateral courses and courses accepted in transfer.
3. Deferred Grades.  A student may accumulate no more than 3 deferred grades (identified by the DF–Deferred marker) in courses other than those courses the primary focus of which is independent study.
4. Probational Status.  A student is placed on probational status if either or both of the following conditions apply:
1. The student's cumulative grade–point average for the courses in the approved guidance committee report is below 3.00.
2. The student has accumulated more than three deferred grades (identified by the DF–Deferred marker) in courses other than those courses the primary focus of which is independent study.
   
   A student in probational status is not allowed to carry more than 7 credits per semester or to enroll in any course the primary focus of which is independent study.
5. Retention In and Dismissal From the Program.
1. Cumulative Grade–point Average.  Should a student's cumulative grade–point average fall below 3.00 after having completed half of the courses in the approved guidance committee report, the student may be enrolled in probational status in the doctoral degree program for one additional semester.  If at the end of the additional semester the student's cumulative grade–point average is 3.00 or higher, the student may continue to enroll in the doctoral degree program.  If at the end of the additional semester the student's cumulative grade–point average is still below 3.00, the student will be dismissed from the program.
2. Deferred Grades.  Should a student accumulate more than 3 deferred grades (identified by the DF–Deferred marker) in courses other than those courses the primary focus of which is independent study, the student may be enrolled on probational status in the doctoral degree program for one additional semester.  If at the end of the additional semester the student has no more than 3 deferred grades, the student may continue to enroll in the doctoral degree program.  If at the end of the additional semester the student still has more than 3 deferred grades, the student will be dismissed from the program.
3. Academic Progress and Professional Potential.  Each student's academic progress and professional potential are evaluated by March 15 of each year.  A student who in the judgment of the faculty is making satisfactory academic progress and has professional potential may continue to enroll in the doctoral degree program.  A student who in the judgment of the faculty is not making satisfactory academic progress or lacks professional potential will be dismissed from the program.

The department offers a Bachelor of Science degree program with a major in biosystems engineering through the College of Engineering. That program is described below.

The department also offers a Minor in Technology Systems Management through the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources.  For information about that program, refer to the statement on the Department of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources section of this catalog.

Students who are enrolled in the Bachelor of Science degree program with a major in biosystems engineering may elect a Minor in Plant, Animal and Microbial Biotechnology.  For additional information, refer to the Minor in Plant, Animal and Microbial Biotechnology statement in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources section of this catalog.

Bachelor of Science Degree in Biosystems Engineering
Master of Science Degree in Biosystems Engineering

The department welcomes applications from  Michigan State University Biosystems Engineering undergraduate students in their junior and senior year.  Admission applications must be made during the prior spring semester for an anticipated spring graduation or the prior fall semester for an anticipated fall graduation to allow admission before the final semester as a Biosystems Engineering undergraduate.  Admission to the program requires a minimum undergraduate grade-point average of 3.5 and an approved program of study for the Master of Science degree in Biosystems Engineering at the time of admission. Admission to the Linked Bachelor’s-Master’s program allows the application of up to 9 credits toward the master’s program for qualifying 400-level and above course work taken at the undergraduate level at Michigan State University or another postsecondary accredited institution of comparable academic quality. The number of approved credits, not to exceed 9, are applied toward the credit requirement of the master’s degree. Credits applied to the Linked Bachelor’s-Master’s program are not eligible to be applied to any other graduate degree program.

The department offers Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy programs in biosystems engineering through the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources.  For information about those programs, refer to the statement on the Department of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources section of this catalog.

The Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science offers two Bachelor of Science degree programs, one in chemical engineering and one in materials science and engineering. Students learn to convert low-value raw materials into high-value products. Students learn how to analyze and understand different processes and how, at the macroscopic and molecular levels, these processes  result in different properties in the final product. Emphasis is placed on developing students who understand the technical aspects of production, the environmental, economic, and societal impact of engineering, and who possess a desire for lifelong learning and growth. Optional concentrations are available for students to focus their programs of study on areas of particular interest.

Graduates are trained to succeed in multidisciplinary teams that interface between disciplines. They work across a broad spectrum of fields including industrial chemicals, automotive, metals, plastics, petroleum processing, pharmaceuticals, textiles, food, electronics, energy related materials, sensors, and biomedical technology. Within these fields, our graduates are involved in research and development of products and processes, in the design and operation of manufacturing facilities, and in management and product quality control.