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In the first two years, students in the College of Engineering take a set of courses designed to provide a firm foundation for later specialization. This set of courses conforms to the Common Curriculum, which is established by the College Curriculum Governing Board (CCGB) and administered through Engineering Advising. During the sophomore year, students choose and affiliate with an undergraduate Major; thereafter, they take courses to satisfy the Bachelor of Science degree in that Major.
Here is the list of Engineering Majors:
Biological Engineering (BE)
Chemical Engineering (ChemE)
Civil Engineering (CE)
Computer Science (CS)
Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE)
Engineering Physics (EP)
Environmental Engineering (EnvE)
Geological Sciences (GeoS)
Independent Major (IM)
Information Science, Systems, and Technology (ISST)
Materials Science and Engineering (MSE)
Mechanical Engineering (ME)
Operations Research and Engineering (ORE)
The detailed requirements of the Common Curriculum appear in the University Announcement Courses of Study, which is revised annually. Students should become familiar with this material, because they are ultimately responsible for meeting all graduation requirements.
The Common Curriculum and the Bachelor of Science degree require a certain number of credits in courses belonging to ten categories.
Category 1. Mathematics
The Common Curriculum and the Bachelor of Science degree require a certain number of credits in courses belonging to ten categories.
Category 2. Physics
Students must earn at least C- in MATH 191 or have substantial previous contact with introductory calculus combined with co-registration in MATH 191 before taking PHYS 112. Similarly, at least C- is required in each subsequent math course before taking the physics course for which it is a prerequisite (MATH 293 is a co or prerequisite to PHYS 213; MATH 294 is a co or prerequisite to PHYS 214).
Category 3. Chemistry
Students who do not intend further study in chemistry should enroll in CHEM 211 during either semester of the first year. Students choosing the CHEM 207–208 sequence must enroll in CHEM 207 during the fall semester of the first year so that they may enroll in CHEM 208 during the spring term. CHEM 211 may be used as a prerequisite for CHEM 208. Students must earn a grade of at least C-.
Category 4. First-Year Writing Seminars
During each semester of the first year, students must choose a first-year writing seminar from among more than 100 courses offered by over thirty different departments in the humanities, social sciences, and expressive arts.
These courses, which offer the benefits of small class size, provide an opportunity to practice writing English prose.
Category 5. Technical Writing
Students can fulfill the upper-level technical-writing requirement in one of the six ways shown below. For more information see www.engineering.cornell.edu/ECP/.
1. ENGRC 350 or ENGRC 335, taught by the Engineering Communications Program.
2. The Writing-Intensive Co-op, an oppor¬tunity to combine work and academics. Some co-op students do a significant amount of writing on the job, and, under certain circumstances, this writing may satisfy the college’s technical-writing requirement.
3. An officially designated writing-intensive (W-I) engineering course:
ENGRD/AEP 264
CHEME 432
MSE 403/404 (both)
MSE 405/406 (both)
MAE 427
BEE 450 with co-registration in BEE 493
BEE 473 with co-registration in BEE 493
BEE 489
4. ENGRC 302, a one-credit attachment to an engineering course that is not one of the officially designated W-I courses (see #3 above). An instructor may wish to extend the writing done in their course for a given semester so that it will fulfill the technical-writing requirement. With the approval of the CCGB’s Subcommittee on Technical Writing, the instructor may have students co-register in ENGRC 302.
(May be taken more than once, with different courses by permission of engineering instructor.)
5. COMM 260, 263, or 352, taught by the Department of Communication (in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences)
6. Petition. Occasionally, a student will be doing a significant amount and variety of technical writing elsewhere in the Engineering College. It may be appropriate to submit a petition to the CCGB’s Subcommittee on Technical Writing for permission to use their upcoming writing (not past writing) to meet the technical-writing requirement.
Category 6. Computing
COM S 100, Intro to Computer Programming, is normally taken in the freshman year to fulfill the computer programming requirement.
Before taking COM S 100, some students take COM S 099, Fundamental Concepts of Computers, offered in the fall only. This two-credit S/U course is meant for students with no programming experience. Basic programming concepts and problem analysis are studied. COM S 099 may not be used as credit toward graduation.
Category 7. Engineering Distribution
The Common Curriculum requires three distribution courses (9 credits). One course, an intro-to-engineering course (designated by ENGRI), is to be completed during the freshman year. The remaining two distribution courses (designated by ENGRD) should be completed by the end of the third semester. Some Majors may require additional distribution courses, taken after a student affiliates with a Major. All common-curriculum distribution requirements must be fulfilled by the end of the sophomore year.
The intro to engineering course introduces students to the engineering process and provides a substantive experience in open-ended problem solving. The follow ing courses fulfill this requirement:
ENGRI 101, Intro to Biomedical Engineering Analysis. Requires concurrent registration in BIO G 110.(Spring)
ENGRI 102, Intro to Nanoscience and Nanoengineering (Fall, Spring)
ENGRI 110, Lasers and Photonics (Fall)
ENGRI 111, Nanotechnology (Fall)
ENGRI 112, Intro to Chemical Engineering (Fall)
ENGRI 113, Water Treatment Design (Spring)
ENGRI 115, Engineering Applications of Operations Research (Fall, Spring)
ENGRI 116, Modern Structures (Fall)
ENGRI 117, Intro to Mechanical Engineering (Fall)
ENGRI 118, Engineering Design: Making Digital Audio and Video Work (Spring)
ENGRI 119, Biomaterials for the Skeletal System (Fall)
ENGRI 122, Earthquake! (Spring)
ENGRI 124, Designing Materials for the Computer (Spring)
ENGRI 126, Intro to Signals and Telecommunications (Spring)
ENGRI 127, Intro to Entrepreneurship and Enterprise Engineering (Spring)
ENGRI 165, Computing in the Arts (Fall)
ENGRI 167, Visual Imaging in the Electronic Age (Fall)
ENGRI 172, Computation, Information, and Intelligence. (Spring)
1. Scientific computing
ENGRD 211, Computers and Programming
ENGRD 241, Engineering Computation
ENGRD 321, Numerical Methods in Computational Molecular Biology
ENGRD 322, Introduction to Scientific Computation
2. Materials science
ENGRD 261, Mechanical Properties of Materials; From Nanodevices to Superstructures
ENGRD 262, Electronic Materials for the Information Age
3. Mechanics
ENGRD 202, Mechanics of Solids
ENGRD 203, Dynamics
Majors in Engineering Physics may substitute AEP 333 for ENGRD 203.
4. Probability and statistics
ENGRD 270, Basic Engineering Probability and Statistics
Majors in Electrical and Computer Engineering may substitute ECE 310 for ENGRD 270. Majors in Engineering Physics may substitute ECE 310 or MATH 471 for ENGRD 270. Majors in Civil, Biological, or Environmental Engineering may substitute CEE 304 for ENGRD 270.
5. Electrical sciences
ENGRD 210, Introduction to Circuits for Electrical and Computer Engineers
ENGRD 230, Introduction to Digital Design
ENGRD 264, Computer-Instrumentation Design
6. Thermodynamics and energy balances
ENGRD 219, Mass and Energy Balances
ENGRD 221, Thermodynamics
7. Earth and life sciences
ENGRD 201, Introduction to the Physics and Chemistry of the Earth
ENGRD 251, Engineering for a Sustainable Society
ENGRD 260, Principles of Biological Engineering
8. Biology and chemistry
BIO G 101 and 103, Biological Sciences, Lecture and Laboratory
BIO G 105, Introductory Biology
BIO G 107, General Biology
CHEM 389, Physical Chemistry I
ENGRD 252, The Physics of Life
Category 8. Liberal Studies Distribution
The following liberal studies distribution requirements began with the class entering in 2003. Students who entered before that may choose to use the new requirements.
Global and diverse societies require that engineers have an awareness of historical patterns, an appreciation for different cultures, professional ethics, the ability to work in multifaceted groups, and superior communications skills. Cornell has a rich curriculum in the humanities, arts, and social sciences, enabling every engineering student to obtain a truly liberal education. A minimum of six courses (totaling at least 18 credits) is required, and they should be chosen with as much care and foresight as courses from technical areas.
- The six courses must be chosen from at least three of the following six groups.
- At least two courses must be at the 200 level or higher.
Please refer to the web page of Cornell Engineering Advising or visit Engineering Advising, 167 Olin Hall, for a complete list of acceptable courses in those groups.
Group 1. Cultural Analysis (CA)
Courses in this area study human life in particular cultural contexts through interpretive analysis of individual behavior, discourse, and social practice. Topics include belief systems (science, medicine, and religion), expressive arts and symbolic behavior (visual arts, performance, poetry, myth, narrative, and ritual), identity (nationality, race, ethnicity, gender, and sexuality), social groups and institutions (family, market, and community), power and politics (states, colonialism, and inequality).
Group 2. Historical Analysis (HA)
Courses in this area interpret continuities and changes—political, social, economic, diplomatic, religious, intellectual, artistic, and scientific through time. The focus may be on groups of people, dominant or subaltern, a specific country or region, an event, a process, or a time period.
Group 3. Literature and the Arts (LA)
Offerings in this area explore literature and the arts in two different but related ways. Some courses focus on the critical study of artworks and on their history, aesthetics, and theory. These courses develop skills of reading, observing, and hearing and encourage reflection on such experiences; many investigate the interplay among individual achievement, artistic tradition, and historical context. Other courses are devoted to the production and performance of artworks (in creative writing, performing arts, and media such as film and video). These courses emphasize the interaction among technical mastery, cognitive knowledge, and creative imagination.
Group 4. Knowledge, Cognition, and Moral Reasoning (KCM)
Offerings in this area investigate the bases of human knowledge in its broadest sense, ranging from cognitive faculties (such as perception) shared by humans and animals, to abstract reasoning, to the ability to form and justify moral judgments. Courses investigating the sources, structure, and limits of cognition may use the methodologies of science, cognitive psychology, linguistics, or philosophy. Courses focusing on moral reasoning explore ways of reflecting on ethical questions that concern the nature of justice, the good life, or human values in general.
Group 5. Social and Behavioral Analysis (SBA)
Courses in this area examine human life in its social context through the use of social-scientific methods, often including hypothesis testing, scientific sampling techniques, and statistical analysis. Topics studied range from the thoughts, feelings, beliefs, and attitudes of individuals to interpersonal relations between individuals (e.g., in friendship, love, conflict) to larger social organizations (e.g., the family, society, religious or educational or civic institutions, the economy, government) to the relationships and conflicts among groups or individuals (e.g., discrimination, inequality, prejudice, stigmas, conflict resolution).
Group 6. Foreign Languages
(not literature courses)
Courses in this area teach language skills, including reading, writing, listening, and spoken non-English languages, at beginning to advanced levels.
Category 9. Electives
Six credits of approved electives are required and are approved by the student’s faculty advisor. Because these courses should help develop and broaden the skills of the engineer, advisors will generally accept the following as approved electives: one introduction to engineering course, engineering distribution courses, courses stressing oral or written communication, upper-level engineering courses, advanced courses in mathematics, and rigorous courses in the biological and physical sciences. Advisors are likely to approve courses in business, economics, and language that serve the student’s educational and academic objectives. In other cases, a student’s interests might be better served by approved electives that expand the Major or other parts of the curriculum, including the liberal studies requirement. (Note: up to 6 credits of advisor-approved electives will be allowed for ROTC courses at or above the 300-level.)
Students are free to take as many courses offered at the university in addition to the minimum engineering curriculum requirement as they wish before meeting graduation requirements.
No course with a number <100 can be applied toward graduation requirements.
Category 10. Major requirements
The requirements of the Majors are discussed here. They include:
1. Major-required courses, i.e. courses in the Major itself.
2. Major-approved electives (9 credits)
3. Major-complementary courses (9 credits). These courses, taken outside the Major, ensure breadth of engineering studies.
Candidates for an undergraduate degree in engineering must spend at least four semesters or an equivalent period of instruction as full-time students at Cornell, including at least three semesters affiliated with an engineering Major.
Engineering students who are on leave may not take Cornell extramural courses. Exceptions are granted in extraordinary circumstances with permission from Engineering Advising. No more than 18 credits earned through extramural study or acquired as transfer credit (or any combination thereof) following matriculation may be used to satisfy the requirements for the bachelor’s degree in engineering. Students cannot complete their last semester extramurally.
Degree candidates may spend periods of time studying away from the Cornell campus with appropriate authorization. Information on programs sponsored by other universities and on procedures for direct enrollment in international universities is available at the Cornell Abroad office, 474 Uris Hall. Programs should be planned in consultation with the staff of Engineering Advising, who can provide information on credit evaluation policies and assist in the petitioning process.
By the end of the first year, engineering students are expected to have completed (or received credit for) the following core requirements:
- MATH 191 and MATH 192;
- Two of the following: CHEM 211, 207, 208, PHYS 112, 213, 214*
- COM S 100;
- Two (2) first-year writing seminars;
- One (1) intro to engineering course (ENGRI designation);
- Two (2) physical education courses
Some Majors begin with courses that cannot be taken without prior completion of certain prerequisites. Students planning to affiliate with such a Major must decide to do so early enough to take the prerequisite courses, even though they will not formally affiliate until after the prerequisites have been completed. Information on prerequisites of each Major is available in the charts on these pages and in Courses of Study.
The Engineering 150 Seminar Program (ENGRG 150)
All first-year students are pre-enrolled in an ENGRG 150 section. This one-credit fall course provides first-year students with an opportunity to get to know their faculty advisors on a more personal level. Meeting regularly with their advisees gives advisors an opportunity to learn about each student, to assist in resolving problems as they arise, and to help new students adjust to the demands of the engineering curriculum.
Activities in ENGRG 150 may include discussion of engineering careers, active research in the college and engineering in general, ethics, and workshops on study and exam skills useful to engineering students. Practicing engineers, advising staff, and faculty members from different disciplines may join the group from time to time.
Faculty Advisors
Every student in the College of Engineering is assigned a faculty advisor. The advisors are able to help students learn about engineering through the ENGRG 150 seminar, through one-on-one meetings, and through informal activities sponsored by the college, departments/schools, and student organizations. For more information on faculty advisors, see this page.
Peer Advisors
Each ENGRG 150 section has one or two peer advisors—sophomores, juniors, and seniors who have volunteered to help new students understand the course selection process, meet other engineering students, and adjust to life at Cornell. They can offer useful information about courses, tips on studying, student activities, organizations, and other need-to-know facts about campus life from a student’s point of view.
National Engineers Week
The Engineering Student Council (ESC) initiated the celebration of National Engineers Week at Cornell University in 1998. During February, the ESC coordinates seven days of events organized by the council and other engineering-affiliated groups, including the following:
Engineering Day at the Mall.
Cornell engineering organizations staff booths for children in the Ithaca community to learn about science and engineering concepts.
Diversity Dinner.
In cooperation with NSBE, SHPE, and SWE, the ESC coordinates a dinner to celebrate cultural diversity in the College. The event includes faculty, administration, and corporate speakers, as well as student entertainers.
Major Information Fair
In October students may attend the information fair sponsored by Engineering Advising. The fair gives unaffiliated students an opportunity to explore a variety of engineering majors by learning about each major’s curriculum, curricular requirements, research, and career opportunities.
Alumni
The Cornell Engineering Alumni Association (CEAA) is the alumni association for the College of Engineering. Founded in 1903, the CEAA has grown into a major support organization for the college. Nearly two thousand alumni maintain their connection to the college through membership in the CEAA.
The CEAA serves as a link between the college and its alumni by:
- introducing first-year students to young engineering professionals during Alumni Speakers Week in their ENGRG 150 sections.
- sponsoring the Enterprise Engineering Seminar, which brings alumni back to campus as speakers.
- sponsoring an innovative project to assist engineering alumni with career development.
- supporting prestigious awards for excellence in teaching and outstanding student groups.
- providing ongoing opportunities for networking through regional alumni programs and the annual Engineering Conference.
Engineering Student Project Teams
Many projects exist within the college in which students can get involved, usually for credit. These include:
- the AiChE Chemical Powered Car Competition (Chemical Engineering)
- ASCE Concrete Canoe Competition (Civil Engineering)
- the ASCE Steel Bridge Competition (Civil Engineering)
- Autonomous Systems
- BOOM—Bits On Our Mind (Computer Science)
- the Robocup Project (Mechanical Engineering/Computer Science)
- the SAE Formula Race Car (Mechanical Engineering)
Undergraduate Major Consultants/ Associate Directors
A faculty member serves as associate director or undergraduate-Major consultant of each engineering Major. This faculty member is responsible for managing the Major. Major consultants can be valuable sources of information for students who want to learn more about their respective undergraduate majors.
Engineering Student Organizations
Each engineering Major has at least one student organization. In addition, there are student chapters of the American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES), the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE), the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE), and the Society of Women Engineers (SWE), which are open to all students.
The Sundial
The Sundial is emailed to students every week during the regular semester. This electronic publication provides important information that students should be aware of and includes events in the college that can help students learn about engineering. Such events include speakers on engineering topics, company information sessions, student organization activities, and career services offerings.
Printed Material from Majors
Majors produce undergraduate hand-books for use by their students. In addition to required course work and options specific to the Major, many Majors include information about what the corresponding engineering discipline is about. Handbooks can be obtained from the appropriate undergraduate Major offices.
Web Pages—Majors, Faculty, Students
The College of Engineering web site has links to the web sites for the individual departments/schools of engineering. These web sites provide information on the under-graduate and graduate programs as well as links to faculty, graduate student, and research pages.
Career Services Library
A collection of books, directories, (hard copy and electronic) job bulletins, and audio/videotapes is available to help students investigate career options and prospective employers. The main library is located at the Cornell Career Services office, 103 Barnes Hall. Engineering Co-op and Career Services (201 Carpenter Hall) also maintains a small collection of supplementary guides and directories.
Employer literature supplied by firms that recruit on campus, available at both the university and college facilities, can help students prepare for interviews.
Networking
Talking to friends and acquaintances who are engineers is a good way to learn about the personal experiences of people in the profession. Students are encouraged to visit with practicing engineers and to ask questions that can help them learn about both the positive and more difficult aspects of being an engineer.
Engineering Career Fairs
Cornell Career Services coordinates a two-day career fair in mid-September. One of these days is designated as an engineering/technical career event.
In cooperation with Engineering Co-Op & Career Services, the Engineering Student Council (ESC) also coordinates a spring career fair for full-time, internship, and co-op recruitment in February.
Summer Internships
Engineering Co-op and Career Services (201 Carpenter Hall), in conjunction with Cornell Career Services (103 Barnes Hall), receives listings for summer jobs during the academic year. Job listings for students are placed on the CornellTrak link of the Cornell Career Services web site at www.career.cornell.edu/students.
Externships
Students can obtain an insider’s view of a career major by shadowing Cornell alumni at their workplaces during January break. The FRESH Externship program is offered exclusively for first-year students during the March spring break. Through externships, students can observe the day-to-day activities of their Cornell sponsor, discuss specific careers with alumni and their colleagues, and sometimes obtain limited hands-on experience.
Externships are available in various industries and geographic locations. Externship length, determined by the sponsor, is generally one day to several days.
For more information on externships, visit www.career.cornell.edu/ and select either Extern Program or FRESH.
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