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College of Engineering

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Degree Programs

Engineering is the science and art of applying scientific and mathematical principles, experience, judgment, and common sense to design devices and systems that benefit society. Engineers are fascinated by questions of how and why things work. They use their training in mathematics, physics, and chemistry to understand the physical world and develop creative solutions to society's complex needs. Engineers may be designers, planners, managers, analysts, researchers, consultants, sales specialists, and more. Engineering graduates have many career possibilities open to them.

The primary goal of College of Engineering educational programs is to prepare students for a professional career in engineering by providing the technical foundation required for success in industry, government, or academia. Other goals of the College are to instill within its students the highest ethical standards, the capability for lifelong learning, and a curiosity about the world. Excellence in undergraduate and graduate academic programs remains the College's highest priority.

Most degree programs are offered by engineering departments. The College of Engineering offers interdisciplinary programs at the undergraduate and master's level for students whose desired course of study does not fall within one engineering department.

Undergraduate Programs

The College of Engineering and its departments provide undergraduate programs that offer a variety of educational experiences to its students. The College offers established departmental degrees as well as interdisciplinary programs that culminate in a major and meaningful design experience. The curricula also facilitate transfer from community colleges and from other four-year colleges and universities.

For information about specific undergraduate programs, refer to the UW degree program catalog.

Admission

Students follow one of three pathways to gain admission:

  1. Direct-to-College: Freshman applicants indicate an engineering major as their first-choice on the University application. Students admitted through this pathway enter the UW with Engineering Undeclared status and usually place into an engineering major after completing freshman-level requirements. A majority of engineering students enter majors through this pathway. Computer Engineering is not part of Direct-to-College. Students who select Computer Engineering as their first choice major on their UW application will instead be considered for Direct Placement into the Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science and Engineering Program.
  2. Transfer Students: Transfer applicants apply to the UW by the published deadline. They also submit an application to one or more engineering majors. Quarters of admission vary by department. Admission is capacity constrained. See department websites for course requirements.
  3. Other Enrolled UW Students: Those not admitted through the Direct-to-College pathway may also apply for admission to engineering majors. Admission though this pathway is limited and is capacity constrained. See department websites for course requirements.

Direct-to-College Admission

Freshmen admitted to the UW who indicate an engineering major as their preferred choice and who are admitted Direct-to-College enter the UW with Engineering Undeclared status and must complete requirements prior to requesting placement into a specific engineering major. This is the standard admission pathway for engineering students entering the UW as freshmen. The deadline to submit a request for placement in an engineering major occurs annually on July 1. Computer Engineering is not part of Direct-to-College. Students who select Computer Engineering as their first choice major on their UW application will instead be considered for Direct Placement into the Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science and Engineering Program.

Students submit a ranked list of majors along with supporting materials. Since some majors are not able to take all students who request admission, students must identify alternative majors to ensure placement.

Capacity-constrained departments review students' academic records and supporting materials to determine priority for admission. Department priority and student department ranking are both used to determine final placement.

Students in good standing who do not meet the placement requirements by July 1 will be placed into a major on a conditional basis pending the completion of all placement requirements. Additional advising resources will be available to these students to support completion of placement requirements and degree course planning or advising on alternate major options outside of engineering.

Engineering Undeclared Placement Requirements

Engineering Undeclared students in good standing with respect to the continuation criteria described below may request placement into an engineering major after completion of minimum requirements as specified below:

  1. ENGR 101
  2. English composition
  3. MATH 124, MATH 125, MATH 126 (or MATH 134, MATH 135, MATH 136)
  4. CHEM 142 (or CHEM 143 or CHEM 145)
  5. PHYS 121 (or PHYS 141)
  6. One course from list of approved courses on the College of Engineering website. Students are encouraged to choose a course required for graduation in the majors they are considering. Students requesting placement to Chemical Engineering must take CHEM 152 (or CHEM 153 or CHEM 155) from this list and they are also strongly encouraged to take CHEM 162 (or CHEM 165).
  7. Minimum 2.0 grade in each course used to satisfy a placement requirement
  8. Minimum 12 credits as a matriculated UW student. Some departments require more credits. See department websites for details.

Continuation Policy for Engineering Undeclared Students

While the University has general regulations governing scholastic eligibility for continuation, the College of Engineering and the engineering departments have additional requirements in order to make the best use of limited facilities and resources. Criteria and procedures applied to Engineering Undeclared students for continuation in the College include:

  1. Complete, with a minimum 2.0 grade, at least one required mathematics, science, computer programming, or engineering course at the UW each quarter. See College for approved list.
  2. Maintain minimum 2.00 GPA across mathematics, science, English composition, computer programming, and engineering courses completed after matriculation at the UW. See College for list of courses that apply
  3. Request placement by July 1 after matriculation at the UW.

Placement Policy

  1. Eligible students will request placement into a major after completion of three quarters at the UW. See placement requirements to determine eligibility.
  2. Students may only participate in placement once and placement is final.
  3. Students who meet the continuation policy but who have not completed the placement requirements by July 1 may request placement into a major on a conditional basis pending completion of the placement requirements. If remaining placement requirements are not met by the end of the 6th quarter at the UW (not including summer) students will be dropped from Engineering Undeclared status and transitioned to pre-major status.
    1. In order to be eligible to be considered for conditional placement, ENGR 101, MATH 124, and three additional courses required for placement must be completed.
    2. Conditionally placed students will continue to be held to the continuation policy for Engineering Undeclared students until all placement requirements have been met.
  4. Students who do not request placement after three quarters at the UW will be dropped from Engineering Undeclared status and transitioned to pre-major status.

Review and Notification of Progress

Engineering Undeclared students whose performance fails to meet the continuation policy standards outlined above in their first quarter will be placed on Engineering Undeclared Warning. Students on warning who fail to meet satisfactory progress requirements after one quarter will be placed on probation; a hold is placed on their registration, and they must meet with a College of Engineering adviser.

A student is placed on Engineering Undelcared Probation at the end of any quarter (except for the first quarter as an Engineering Undeclared student, when a warning is issued) in which they fail to meet the continuation policy standards outlined above. Students on Engineering Undeclared Probation who fail to meet satisfactory progress requirements after one quarter are dropped from Engineering Undeclared status. Such students may appeal for continuation of their Engineering Undeclared status by submitting a statement and an educational plan by the deadlines described on the website. Students may only appeal for continuation of their Engineering Undeclared status one time.

Engineering Undeclared Leave of Absence Policy

Students who need to take time away from the UW can request a Leave of Absence from the College of Engineering to maintain their Engineering Undeclared status for one to three quarters (not including summer). Leave of Absence requests must be submitted to Engineering Advising. If approved, students will maintain their Engineering Undeclared program status upon their return.

College Policy on Double Degrees

Students may earn only one undergraduate degree from the College of Engineering; this includes degrees in aeronautical and astronautical engineering, bioengineering, chemical engineering, civil engineering, computer engineering, electrical engineering, electrical and computer engineering, environmental engineering, human centered design and engineering, industrial engineering, materials science and engineering, and mechanical engineering. Additionally, students majoring in computer engineering may not earn a double degree with computer science. Individual units within the College may adopt more restrictive policies relating to double degrees.

The STARS Program

The Washington State Academic RedShirt (STARS) program targets applicants who show promise of success in engineering but who will benefit from additional preparation for the demands of an engineering curriculum. Applicants considered for the STARS program will be from economically and educationally disadvantaged backgrounds as indicated by factors such as a high level of financial need, attendance at a high school with a high percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch and status as a first-generation college student. The STARS program provides a specialized two-year curriculum, a supportive community, and comprehensive and individualized academic advising that lead to guaranteed placement into an engineering or computer science major. For information about the application process and program requirements please visit www.engr.washington.edu/stars.

Engineering Dean's Scholars Program

The Engineering Dean's Scholars (EDS) program targets students who show promise of success in engineering but who will benefit from additional support in the foundational year. Students for EDS will be chosen through the UW freshman application process with all students who list any Direct-to-College engineering major considered. Students in EDS will take part in a one-year cohort-based experience with specialized curriculum, a supportive community, and holistic academic advising. Students who complete the program are guaranteed placement into a Direct-to-College engineering major. For more information please visit www.engr.washington.edu/deans-scholars

General Education Requirements

All undergraduate degree programs in the College of Engineering require students to complete general education requirements.

Basic Skills

  1. Written and Oral Communication (12 credits)
    1. English Composition: 5 credits from the University list
    2. Writing: refer to degree requirements for specific course(s)
  2. Reasoning (RSN) (5 credits) : met by program requirements
  3. Diversity (DIV) (5 credits) : courses may also apply to an Areas of Knowledge requirement. Of Special Note: For students admitted to the University prior to autumn quarter 2023, the DIV requirement is 3 credits.

Areas of Knowledge

  1. Arts and Humanities (A&H) and Social Sciences (SSc) (24-30 credits)
    1. A&H (10 credits)
    2. SSc (10 credits)
    3. 4-10 additional credits in A&H or SSc to bring total to required minimum for specific degree
  2. Natural Sciences (NSc) (49-70 credits)
    1. Mathematics: refer to degree requirements for specific courses
    2. Sciences: refer to degree requirements for specific courses
    3. Additional NSc credits as necessary to bring total to required minimum for specific degree

Graduate Programs

The College of Engineering and its departments offer doctoral and master's degree programs for engineers to learn new skills, boost their careers, or delve into academic research. For more information about these programs, refer to the UW degree program catalog.