Western Washington University · Bellingham, Washington
Pre-Engineering
Why Should I Consider this Major?
Western provides two curricular paths to a career in engineering. The Two-Plus-Two program requires two years of study at Western Washington University followed by two or more years of study at an engineering college. The second path is a dual degree program, the Three-Two program, which requires three years at Western Washington University followed by two years of study at the College of Engineering at the University of Washington. At the conclusion of this five-year program students will receive two degrees: the Bachelor of Arts from Western and the Bachelor of Science in Engineering from the University of Washington. The curriculum does not guarantee admission to the College of Engineering at the University of Washington. Entrance to the University of Washington is competitive, so students must maintain a sufficient grade point average in order to gain admission to the University of Washington.
The primary purpose of both pre-engineering programs is to provide a strong fundamental education in science and mathematics, to develop skills necessary for success at an engineering college. In addition to courses in science and mathematics, engineering schools and colleges also require additional courses distributed in social sciences and humanities to meet the requirements of the specific engineering school to which the student intends to transfer.
Note that most engineering schools specify a minimum number of credits completed and a competitive grade point average for admission.
Program Notes:
All pre-engineering students, regardless of intended engineering field, should take:
- CHEM 121;
- MATH 124, 125, 204, 224, 331;
- PHYS 121, 122, 123, 223 and 233;
- CSCI 140 or 141 (whichever is appropriate to desired transfer program);
- ENG 101;
- 15 credits of Humanities and Social Sciences (at least one course in each
Additional coursework depends upon the student’s area of interest:
- Mechanical, Civil, Aeronautical, Industrial, or Manufacturing Engineering or Materials Sciences and Engineering: CHEM 122; ETEC 112, 224, 225, 226
- Electrical or Computer Engineering: ETEC 271, 273, and 274 (be aware that these classes are unlikely to transfer)
- Chemical or Biomedical Engineering: CHEM 122, 123, 351, 352—check with the engineering program of interest to learn whether biology is also desired.
A student’s ability to follow the sequences outlined on the next page depends upon eligibility to take MATH 124 the first quarter. Students not yet eligible to take MATH 124 should focus on math courses, start out in the highest math course possible, and follow the sequence through MATH 331. Start the chemistry and physics sequences when ready, making sure to take the sequence(s) appropriate to your interests.
Other Information about this Major:
A student’s ability to follow the sequences outlined below next page depends upon eligibility to take MATH 124 the first quarter. Students not yet eligible to take MATH 124 should focus on math courses, start out in the highest math course possible, and follow the sequence through MATH 331. Start the chemistry and physics sequences when ready, making sure to take the sequence(s) appropriate to your interests.
Coursework
Mechanical, Civil, Aeronautical or Manufacturing Engineering; Materials Science or Engineering
First Year
- Fall
- MATH124 Calculus and Analytical Geometry I (5)
- PHYS 121 Physics with Calculus I (5)
- ENGL 101 Writing and Critical Inquiry (5)
- Winter
- MATH125 Calculus and Analytical Geometry II (5)
- PHYS 122 Physics with Calculus II (5)
- CHEM121 General Chemistry I (5)
- Spring
- MATH 224 Multivariable Calculus and Geometry II (5)
- PHYS 123 Electricity and Magnetism (5)
- CHEM 122 General Chemistry II (5)
Second Year
- Fall
- ETEC 112 Intro. to Engineering, Design, and Graphics (3)
- ETEC 220 Intro. to Engineering Materials (4)
- PHYS 223 Waves and Optics (4)
- PHYS 233 Waves and Optics Laboratory (1)
- GUR Humanities or Social Science (5)
- Winter
- CSCI 14? Programming (4)
- ETEC 224 Applied Engineering Statics (4)
- MATH 204 Elementary Linear Algebra2 (4)
- GUR Humanities or Social Science (5)
- Spring
- MATH 331 Ordinary Differential Equations2 (4)
- ETEC 225 Strength of Materials (5)
- ETEC 226 Engineering Dynamics (4)
- GUR Humanities or Social Science (5)
Electrical or Computer Engineering
First Year
- Fall
- MATH124 Calculus and Analytical Geometry I (5)
- PHYS 121 Physics with Calculus I (5)
- ENGL 101 Writing and Critical Inquiry (5)
- Winter
- MATH125 Calculus and Analytical Geometry II (5)
- PHYS 122 Physics with Calculus II (5)
- CHEM121 General Chemistry I (5)
- Spring
- MATH 224 Multivariable Calculus and Geometry II (5)
- PHYS 123 Electricity and Magnetism (5)
- GUR Humanities or Social Science (5)
Second Year
- Fall
- ETEC 271 Circuit Analysis I1 (4)
- PHYS 223 Waves and Optics (4)
- PHYS 233 Waves and Optics Laboratory (1)
- GUR Humanities or Social Science (5)
- Winter
- CSCI 14? Programming (4)
- ETEC 272 Electronic Devices and Circuits (4)
- MATH 204 Elementary Linear Algebra3 (4)
- GUR Humanities or Social Science (4)
- Spring
- MATH 331 Ordinary Differential Equations3 (4)
- ETEC 274 Fundamentals of Microprocessors1 (5)
- GUR Humanities or Social Science (5)
Chemical or Biomedical Engineering
First Year
- Fall
- MATH124 Calculus and Analytical Geometry I (5)
- PHYS 121 Physics with Calculus I (5)
- ENGL 101 Writing and Critical Inquiry (5)
- Winter
- MATH125 Calculus and Analytical Geometry II (5)
- PHYS 122 Physics with Calculus II (5)
- CHEM121 General Chemistry I (5)
- Spring
- MATH 224 Multivariable Calculus and Geometry II (5)
- PHYS 123 Electricity and Magnetism (5)
- CHEM 122 General Chemistry II (5)
Second Year
- Fall
- PHYS 223 Waves and Optics (4)
- PHYS 233 Waves and Optics Laboratory (1)
- CHEM 123 General Chemistry III (5)
- GUR Humanities or Social Science (5)
- Winter
- CSCI 14? Programming (4)
- MATH 204 Elementary Linear Algebra2 (4)
- CHEM 351 Organic Chemistry (4)
- GUR Humanities or Social Science (4)
- Spring
- MATH 331 Ordinary Differential Equations2 (4)
- CHEM 351 Organic Chemistry (4)
- GUR Humanities or Social Science (5)
Department
Contact
Dr. Jeffrey L. Newcomer
Department of Engineering Technology
ET206
(360) 650-7239
Jeff.Newcomer@wwu.edu