The Bachelor of Science in Engineering (BSE) degrees with majors in biomedical, chemical, civil, electrical, environmental, industrial, and mechanical engineering are accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission (EAC) of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET). The computer science and engineering program is accredited by the EAC and the Computing Accreditation Commission (CAC) of ABET. The College of Engineering has six departments and offers eight undergraduate BSE majors. View the BSE majors under each of the College of Engineering departments in the catalog.

Each program has its own set of articulated educational objectives, while all programs are designed to ensure that graduates possess the following at the time of graduation:

• an ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics;
• an ability to apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors;
• an ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences;
• an ability to recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgments, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts;
• an ability to function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives;
• an ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions; and
• an ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.

Computer science and engineering majors will be able to do each of the following as they relate directly to computing:

• analyze a complex computing problem and apply principles of computing and other relevant disciplines to identify solutions;
• design, implement, and evaluate a computing-based solution to meet a given set of computing requirements in the context of the program’s discipline;
• communicate effectively in a variety of professional contexts;
• recognize professional responsibilities and make informed judgments in computing practice based on legal and ethical principles;
• function effectively as a member or leader of a team engaged in activities appropriate to the program’s discipline; and
• apply computer science theory and software development fundamentals to produce computing-based solutions. 

Cooperative Education and Internship Program

The Cooperative Education and Internship Program supports students as they explore and develop their careers through periods of professional practice. These are professional, engineering-related experiences in business, industry, education, or government that are recognized by the College of Engineering. Experiences range from 10-week summer internships to multiterm co-ops. Students find co-ops and internships in several ways, including career fairs, job search websites, applying directly through the company's website, networking, personal connections, and Handshake (the University of Iowa’s primary online recruiting system).

All students in the College of Engineering are eligible to participate in the co-op and internship program upon completion of one full semester at the university. Students are encouraged to begin their search early so that they may acquire a co-op or internship experience starting the summer after their first or second year. Students complete co-op and internship assignments at many companies around the country.

Internships and co-ops may be documented on the transcript when students follow the appropriate registration steps. For further details, see Engineering Career Services on the College of Engineering website.

Undergraduate Program of Study

Major

• Bachelor of Science in Engineering

Students can view academic policies on the College of Engineering Current Students webpage.

First-year students are eligible for direct admission into the College of Engineering if they achieve a score of at least 265 on the Regent Admission Index (RAI) and meet the high school course requirements.

Engineering high school course requirements include:

• four years of English/language arts;
• four years of mathematics (including ​two years of algebra, one year of geometry, and one year of higher math such as precalculus or equivalent);
• two years of a single world language;
• three years of natural science, preferably with at least one year of chemistry and at least one year of physics; and
• two years of social studies.

Grades of B or higher in all high school math and science courses are highly recommended.

Students who are unsure whether to pursue a degree in engineering or a degree in liberal arts and sciences are strongly encouraged to begin in engineering if they meet the admission requirements.

Students who fall short of the engineering admission requirements may enroll in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and be designated as engineering interest students. They may apply to transfer into the College of Engineering for the following semester once they have successfully completed MATH:1550 Engineering Calculus I (or equivalent) and either CHEM:1110 Principles of Chemistry I or PHYS:1611 Introductory Physics I.

More information about admission and the College of Engineering is available; see Prospective Undergraduate Students on the College of Engineering website.

Transfer Applicants

Transfer applicants must have completed the same high school unit requirements as entering first-year students and must submit an official high school transcript as well as a transcript of college work undertaken at other institutions. Collegiate coursework may be used to correct high school deficiencies.

Transfer students must have completed, with a grade of B-minus or higher, MATH:1550 Engineering Calculus I (or equivalent), and either CHEM:1110 Principles of Chemistry I or PHYS:1611 Introductory Physics I (the first semester of chemistry designed for majors or the first semester of calculus-based physics) or their equivalents.

Grades earned in additional math, science, and engineering courses (ideally all As and Bs) and overall grade-point average are also considered in transfer applications. Transfer courses completed with a grade below a C-minus are not accepted by the College of Engineering and will not satisfy degree requirements.

Information about admission requirements for transfer students is available on the college's website.