The Bachelor of Science in Engineering (BSE) requires a minimum of 128 s.h. of credit. Students must be enrolled as a College of Engineering student for the last 30 s.h. of work toward the degree, or 45 of the last 60 s.h., or a total of 90 s.h. At the time of graduation, students must have a cumulative grade-point average of at least 2.00 in all college work used to complete degree requirements and in all UI coursework in order to be awarded the BSE.
Engineering students earn the BSE degree in one of eight undergraduate programs of study (majors): biomedical engineering, chemical engineering, civil engineering, computer science and engineering, electrical engineering, environmental engineering, industrial engineering, or mechanical engineering.
The collegiate curriculum requires all students to complete a minimum of 24 s.h. of mathematics and basic sciences; 6 s.h. of core engineering; and 19 s.h. of general education courses (including RHET:1030 Rhetoric and 15 s.h. of additional electives). Collegiate courses are typically completed early in a student's undergraduate program, thereby allowing students to change programs during the first semesters without a loss in course credit.
First-year students also take ENGR:1000 Engineering Success for First-Year Students during their first fall semester. Students who have transferred into the College of Engineering or did not complete ENGR:1000 their first year are required to substitute the seminar with a different course; depending on the student's major, the college may waive this requirement. Students transferring from the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences or Tippie College of Business typically use 1 s.h. from CSI:1600 Success at Iowa to cover this requirement.
These foundational courses serve as prerequisites or corequisites for more advanced coursework in the major. Each major has several focus areas consisting of required and elective courses that provide students the flexibility to tailor their studies to their career interests. Each major culminates in a capstone senior design project.
Collegiate Curriculum Requirements
All students in the College of Engineering are required to complete the following courses as part of their collegiate curriculum.
| Requirements | Hours |
|---|---|
| Mathematics and Basic Sciences | 24 |
| Engineering Core | 6 |
| General Education | 19 |
Mathematics and Basic Sciences
Students complete a minimum of 24 s.h. in mathematics and basic sciences. Courses with the option of a laboratory component must be taken with the lab. Students should refer to the individual departmental section in the catalog for information about fulfilling the statistics requirement.
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| CHEM:1110 | Principles of Chemistry I (with lab) | 4 |
| MATH:1550 | Engineering Mathematics I: Single Variable Calculus | 4 |
| MATH:1560 | Engineering Mathematics II: Multivariable Calculus | 4 |
| MATH:2550 | Engineering Mathematics III: Matrix Algebra | 2 |
| MATH:2560 | Engineering Mathematics IV: Differential Equations | 3 |
| PHYS:1611 | Introductory Physics I (with lab) | 4 |
| Statistics course (options depend on major) | 3 | |
Engineering Core
The engineering core consists of two engineering courses required by all undergraduate programs in the College of Engineering.
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ENGR:1100 | Introduction to Engineering Problem Solving | 3 |
| ENGR:1300 | Introduction to Engineering Computing | 3 |
General Education
Students are required to complete 19 sh. of general education courses; for more information, see General Education Component in this section of the catalog.
First- and Second-Semester Plan of Study
The majority of the collegiate curriculum can be completed in the first two semesters.
First Semester
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ENGR:1000 | Engineering Success for First-Year Students | 1 |
| ENGR:1100 | Introduction to Engineering Problem Solving | 3 |
| CHEM:1110 | Principles of Chemistry I | 4 |
| MATH:1550 | Engineering Mathematics I: Single Variable Calculus | 4 |
| RHET:1030 | Rhetoric | 4 |
| Total Hours | 16 | |
Second Semester
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ENGR:1300 | Introduction to Engineering Computing | 3 |
| MATH:1560 | Engineering Mathematics II: Multivariable Calculus | 4 |
| MATH:2550 | Engineering Mathematics III: Matrix Algebra | 2 |
| PHYS:1611 | Introductory Physics I | 4 |
| General education or major requirement course | 3-4 | |
| Total Hours | 16-17 | |
Major Courses and Focus Areas
The curriculum for each BSE major is described in each of the departmental sections of the catalog. Each program has a number of focus areas that are designed to help students achieve exposure to and depth of study in an area that is complementary to their major. The focus areas enable students to gain technical skills consistent with their career goals. Moreover, these electives may contribute to earning a minor and/or certificate.
The General Education Component promotes understanding of and appreciation for arts, community, culture, and learning through coursework.
Students who enter the College of Engineering with a BA or BS degree are considered to have satisfied the General Education Component.
Students who enroll in a combined degree program in the College of Engineering and with the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences or with the Tippie College of Business must complete all requirements for both degrees, including all general education requirements. Students are encouraged to complete a course for the Engineering Be Creative requirement that will satisfy a general education requirement for the second college; see the "Engineering Be Creative" section.
General Education Areas
Students are required to complete 19 sh. of the General Education Component as outlined. Some focus areas in certain majors may recommend or require specific courses to fulfill the General Education Component. Credit may be earned by examination; consult the College of Engineering.
During the fall 2024 semester, the general education requirement area "Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion" is being renamed "Cultural Perspectives, Values, and Society." The name change is being made to better reflect the breadth of options students may select to satisfy these requirements. The name changes will apply to all current and future students’ records. The updates will not affect the names, content, or inclusion of any courses offered within those areas and will not affect degree requirements for any current or future student. For questions about which general education requirements apply based on program(s) of study and year of matriculation, please contact an academic advisor.
- Rhetoric (4 s.h.)
- Engineering Be Creative (3 s.h.)
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (3 s.h.)
- Approved Course Subjects (9 s.h.)
Rhetoric
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| This course: | ||
| RHET:1030 | Rhetoric | 4 |
Transfer students should refer to the Rhetoric section of the GE CLAS Core (College of Liberal Arts and Sciences) in the catalog for information about how transfer credit may affect the Rhetoric requirement.
Engineering Be Creative
Students must complete at least 3 s.h. selected from the following courses. Note that not all courses are offered every semester. Some courses will have sections designated for students with a major in the College of Engineering.
If a course has prerequisites listed, students wishing to take the course for the Engineering Be Creative requirement will need to request that prerequisites be waived by completing the "Request Prerequisite Special Permission" form on MyUI. This form should be completed several weeks prior to registration. Contact the College of Engineering for more information.
The following courses satisfy the Engineering Be Creative requirement.
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ARTS:1060 | Elements of Digital Photography | 3 |
| ARTS:1510 | Basic Drawing | 3 |
| ARTS:1520 | Design Fundamentals | 3 |
| ARTS:2300 | Hand Drawing Bicycles for Designers and Engineers | 3 |
| CERM:2010 | Ceramics I: Handbuilding | 3 |
| CINE:1100 | The Art of Smartphone Filmmaking | 3 |
| CINE:1150 | Introduction to Screenwriting for Nonmajors | 3 |
| CINE:1834/THTR:1834 | Modes of Film and Video Production | 4 |
| CNW:1620 | Introduction to Creative Nonfiction | 3 |
| CNW:2680/ENGL:2730 | The Art and Craft of Creative Nonfiction | 3 |
| CNW:2700 | The Art and Craft of Personal Writing | 3 |
| CNW:2720 | The Art and Craft of Writing About Culture | 3 |
| CNW:2730 | The Art and Craft of Science Writing | 3 |
| CNW:2740 | The Art and Craft of Writing about the Environment | 3 |
| CNW:2770 | The Art and Craft of Writing for New Media | 3 |
| CNW:2780 | The Art and Craft of Writing About Sports | 3 |
| CNW:2790 | The Art and Craft of Humor Writing | 3 |
| CNW:2830 | The Art and Craft of Immersion Journalism | 3 |
| CNW:2840 | The Art and Craft of Travel Writing | 3 |
| CNW:2850 | The Art and Craft of Writing About Politics | 3 |
| CNW:3632/ENGL:3732/WRIT:3632 | Prose Style | 3 |
| CNW:3640 | Writing for Business | 3 |
| CW:2100 | Creative Writing | 3 |
| CW:2870 | Fiction Writing | 3 |
| CW:2875 | Poetry Writing | 3 |
| CW:3003 | Writing and Reading Science Fiction | 3 |
| CW:3107/INTD:3107 | Creative Writing for the Health Professions | 3 |
| CW:3215/INTD:3300 | Creative Writing and Popular Culture | 3 |
| CW:3218/INTD:3200 | Creative Writing for New Media | 3 |
| CW:4745/WRIT:4745 | The Sentence: Strategies for Writing | 3 |
| CW:4751 | Creative Writing for the Musician | 3 |
| CW:4760/WRIT:4760 | The Art of Revision: Rewriting Prose for Clarity and Impact | 3 |
| DANC:1055 | Creativity in Motion | 3 |
| DANC:1150/LAS:1150 | Brazilian Culture and Carnival | 3 |
| DANC:2060 | Dance and Society in Global Contexts | 3 |
| DSGN:2500 | Graphic Design I | 3 |
| EDTL:4355/CNW:4355 | Approaches to Teaching Writing | 3 |
| MTLS:2910 | Introduction to Jewelry and Metal Arts | 3 |
| MUS:1007 | Garage Band: The Basics | 2 |
| MUS:1012 | Creativity in Music | 3 |
| MUS:2800/ARTS:2800/CINE:2800/CS:2800/DANC:2800/DIGA:2800/THTR:2800 | Digital Arts: An Introduction | 3 |
| MUS:3285/DIGA:3285 | New Musical Instruments: From Design to Performance | 3 |
| PHTO:2600 | Photography I | 3 |
| PNTG:2410 | Painting I | 3 |
| PRNT:2610 | Introduction to Printmaking | 3 |
| SCLP:2810 | Undergraduate Sculpture I | 3 |
| SCLP:3840/DIGA:3840 | Robotic Art Studio | 4 |
| SCLP:4835/DIGA:4835 | Electronic Objects and Spaces | 4 |
| SCLP:4840/DIGA:4840 | Air, Actuators, and Motors | 4 |
| TDSN:2210 | Introduction to 3D Design | 3 |
| THTR:1140 | Basic Acting | 3 |
| THTR:2215 | Theatre Technology | 3 |
| THTR:2220 | Production Lab | 1-3 |
| THTR:2301 | Playwriting I | 3 |
| THTR:2610/RHET:2610 | Acting for Success | 3 |
| THTR:2620 | Improvisation for Engineers, Scientists, and the Curious | 3 |
| THTR:2880/DANC:2880/DIGA:2880 | Installations and Interactive Performance | 3 |
| THTR:2890/DANC:2890/DIGA:2890 | Producing and Directing Digital Video | 3 |
| THTR:3202 | Graphic Design for the Entertainment Industry | 2-3 |
| THTR:3208 | Mask and Puppet Crafts | 3 |
| THTR:3210 | Makeup Design for the Stage | 3 |
| THTR:3230/ARTS:3230 | Scene Design I | 3 |
| THTR:3240 | Costume Design I | 3 |
| THTR:3250 | Lighting Design I | 3 |
| THTR:3260 | Sound Design for the Theatre | 3 |
| THTR:3270 | Entertainment Design | 3 |
| THTR:3876/CINE:3876/DANC:3876/DIGA:3876/INTM:3876 | Video for Performance | 3 |
| THTR:4270/ARTS:4270 | Scenic Art | 3 |
| UICB:2110/BKAT:2110 | Introduction to Book Arts | 3 |
| UICB:3280/BKAT:3280 | Elements of Book Art | 3 |
| UICB:3380/BKAT:3380 | Letterpress | 3 |
| UICB:4100/BKAT:4100 | Paperworks | 3 |
| UICB:4415/ARTS:4415 | Introduction to Classical Calligraphy | 3 |
| WRIT:3005/CW:3005/INTD:3005 | Professional and Creative Business Communication | 3 |
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Students complete at least 3 s.h. from the GE CLAS Core areas of Diversity and Inclusion or Values and Culture.
The College of Engineering will accept transfer credit for the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion requirement. Students enrolled in other University of Iowa undergraduate degree programs should be aware that transfer credit may not be accepted for similar requirements in other colleges.
Approved Course Subjects
Students complete 9 s.h. of coursework from any of the following course subjects.
College of Law
Students may choose from University of Iowa Center for Human Rights courses (prefix HRTS); view the courses and descriptions in the corresponding College of Law section of the catalog.
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Students may choose from courses in the following areas:
African American studies (prefix AFAM);
aging and longevity studies (prefix ASP);
American Sign Language (prefix ASL or ASLE);
American studies (prefix AMST);
anthropology (prefix ANTH);
Arabic (prefix ARAB);
art, art history, and design (prefix ARTE, ARTH, ARTS, BKAT, DSGN, DRAW, INTM, MTLS, PHTO, PNTG, PRNT, SCLP, or TDSN) with the exception of ceramics;
Asian and Slavic languages and literatures (prefix ASIA, CHIN, JPNS, KORE, or RUSS) with the exception of South Asian studies;
cinematic arts (prefix CINE);
classics (prefix CLSA, CLSG, or CLSL);
communication sciences and disorders (prefix CSD);
communication studies (prefix COMM);
creative nonfiction writing (prefix CNW);
creative writing (prefix CW);
criminology, law and justice (prefix CRIM);
critical cultural competence (prefix CCCC);
dance (prefix DANC);
digital arts (prefix DIGA);
disability studies (prefix DST);
English (prefix ENGL);
event planning (prefix EVNT);
French (prefix FREN);
gender, women's, and sexuality studies (prefix GWSS);
geography (prefix GEOG);
German (prefix GRMN);
global health studies (prefix GHS);
history (prefix HIST);
international studies (prefix IS);
Italian (prefix ITAL);
journalism and mass communication (prefix JMC);
Latin American studies (prefix LAS);
Latina/o/x studies (prefix LATS);
linguistics (prefix LING);
medieval studies (prefix MDVL);
museum studies (prefix MUSM);
music (prefix MUS);
Native American and Indigenous studies (prefix NAIS);
philosophy (prefix PHIL);
political science (prefix POLI);
Portuguese (prefix PORT);
psychology (prefix PSY);
religious studies (prefix RELS);
rhetoric (prefix RHET) numbered 2000 or above;
social justice (prefix SJUS);
social work (prefix SSW);
sociology (prefix SOC);
Spanish (prefix SPAN);
sport and recreation management (prefix SRM);
sport media and culture (prefix SMC);
sport studies (prefix SPST);
Swahili (prefix SWAH);
theatre arts (prefix THTR);
therapeutic recreation (prefix TR);
world languages, literatures, and cultures (prefix CL or WLLC); and
writing (prefix WRIT).
View the courses and descriptions in the corresponding College of Liberal Arts and Sciences section of the catalog.
Graduate College
Students may choose from courses in urban and regional planning (prefix URP) in the School of Planning and Public Affairs; view the courses and descriptions in the corresponding Graduate College section of the catalog.
Tippie College of Business
Students may choose from courses in economics (prefix ECON), entrepreneurship (prefix ENTR), management and entrepreneurship (prefix MGMT), and marketing (prefix MKTG); view the courses and descriptions in the corresponding Tippie College of Business section of the catalog.
University College
Students may choose from courses in aerospace studies (prefix AERO), leadership studies (prefix LS), and military science (prefix MILS); view the courses and descriptions in the corresponding University College section of the catalog.
BSE and Undergraduate Degrees
BSE/BBA
The College of Engineering and the Tippie College of Business offer a combined degree program in which students earn two University of Iowa bachelor's degrees: a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) from the Tippie College of Business and a Bachelor of Science in Engineering (BSE) from the College of Engineering.
Students in the combined program must complete all requirements for both degrees, including all general education requirements. They must enroll in appropriate mathematics and engineering courses early in their course of study in order to complete the program in a timely way. Because courses in natural sciences, mathematics, humanities, and social sciences count toward the BBA and the BSE, students may count a single course toward both degrees.
Students usually meet the degree requirements of both colleges in about five years; the time required depends on a student's choice of major study areas. Students should consult their advisors about whether the second-grade-only option is available to them. They are assigned two advisors, one in the Tippie College of Business Undergraduate Program Office and the other in their College of Engineering major department.
To enter the combined degree program, students must have approval from both colleges and must be admitted to both colleges. Interested students should contact the Student Development Center. For information about the BBA, including requirements for the degree, see the Bachelor of Business Administration, BBA (Tippie College of Business) in the catalog.
BSE/Liberal Arts and Sciences Degree
Students may earn two University of Iowa bachelor's degrees in a combined program in the College of Engineering and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Successful candidates are awarded a BSE (Bachelor of Science in Engineering) by the College of Engineering and a BA (Bachelor of Arts), BS (Bachelor of Science), BFA (Bachelor of Fine Arts), or BM (Bachelor of Music) by the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.
Students in combined degree programs must complete all requirements for both degrees, including the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences GE CLAS Core and the College of Engineering General Education Component. Students are encouraged to complete a course for the Engineering Be Creative requirement that also will satisfy a GE CLAS Core requirement. See General Education Component in this section of the catalog.
Students in the combined program usually are able to meet the degree requirements of both colleges in about five academic years. The exact length of time necessary to complete the program is determined by the major areas of study selected in each college. Students who enter the combined degree program are assigned two faculty advisors, one in their major department in the College of Engineering and the other in their major department in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.
To enter the combined degree program, students must be admitted to both the College of Engineering and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and must have College of Engineering approval to enter the combined degree program. Combined degree program applicants must meet the high school course or unit requirements for admission to each of the two colleges.
It is crucial that students enroll in the proper mathematics and engineering courses early in their course of study to expedite the completion of the program. The specific engineering courses taken by each student vary according to one's engineering major. Since courses in natural sciences, mathematics, humanities, and social sciences are accepted for credit by both colleges, students may be able to count a particular course toward both degrees.
Contact the Student Development Center for information about specific requirements. To learn about liberal arts and sciences majors, visit College of Liberal Arts and Sciences in the catalog and select majors of interest in the departments.
BS/BSE Dual Degree with Northern Iowa
The 3+2 dual degree program leads to a BS in applied physics from the University of Northern Iowa (UNI) and a BSE from the University of Iowa. It requires approximately three years of study at UNI followed by approximately two years of study at Iowa. There is no guarantee that students can complete the 3+2 degree in five years.
Students interested in the program are guaranteed admission to the University of Iowa portion of the program if they have a grade-point average of at least 3.00 (B average) in all coursework and in the chemistry, mathematics, and physics courses required by the University of Northern Iowa physics department.
During the first three years of the program, students complete at least 90 s.h. of coursework at the University of Northern Iowa. They must successfully complete courses in each of the following areas: chemistry, mathematics through differential equations, physics to satisfy the applied physics major requirements, and courses to satisfy the general education requirements. Credit for courses passed with a grade of C or higher is transferred to the University of Iowa as credit for equivalent coursework.
At the University of Iowa, students complete the BSE requirements that are current at the time of their admission to the College of Engineering. Coursework completed at the University of Iowa is transferred to the University of Northern Iowa and applied toward the requirements for that institution's BS in applied physics.
When transferring to the University of Iowa from UNI, students must submit applications for admission, housing, and financial aid to the University of Iowa by the university's established deadlines.
BSE and Graduate Degrees
BSE/MS Programs in Engineering
Engineering students may be eligible to enroll in one of the College of Engineering's combined BSE/MS programs, which allow students to begin working toward a master's degree in engineering while they are completing their bachelor's degree. The combined programs, which are offered by each of the college's departments, permit students to count certain courses toward both degrees, completing both programs in less time than they would need to complete them separately. See "Combined Programs" in each department's BSE sections of the catalog.
BSE in Biomedical Engineering (Biomechanics and Biomaterials Track)/MS in Occupational and Environmental Health (Industrial Hygiene Subprogram)
BSE students majoring in biomedical engineering in the biomechanics and biomaterials track who are interested in earning a Master of Science in occupational and environmental health with an industrial hygiene subprogram may apply to the combined BSE/MS program offered by the College of Engineering and the College of Public Health. The combined program permits students to count a limited amount of credit toward the requirements of both degrees, enabling them to begin the study of public health before they complete the bachelor's degree. See the MS in occupational and environmental health Undergraduate to Graduate (U2G) information on the Department of Occupational and Environmental Health (College of Public Health) website.
BSE in Civil Engineering/MS in Urban and Regional Planning
The College of Engineering and the School of Planning and Public Affairs offer the combined Bachelor of Science in Engineering in civil engineering/Master of Science in urban and regional planning. The program, which is completed in five years, is designed for students who wish to pursue a public or private sector career in planning, a field that encompasses the development of alternatives to improve the quality of life in cities and regions.
For additional information on the BSE in civil engineering, see that section of the catalog. For more information about the graduate degree, see the MS in urban and regional planning (Graduate College) in the catalog. Contact Engineering Student Services for information about applying to the combined program.
BSE in Computer Science and Engineering/MCS
The College of Engineering and the Department of Computer Science (College of Liberal Arts and Sciences) offer a combined BSE in computer science and engineering/Master of Computer Science for computer science and engineering undergraduate students.
The combined degree program allows students to count a limited amount of credit toward both degrees. For more information, see the Master of Computer Science, MCS in the catalog.
Honors in Engineering
Outstanding undergraduate students who demonstrate exceptional accomplishment through research, directed independent study, teaching internships, or other approved nondegree enrichment activities may graduate with honors in engineering. They must maintain a University of Iowa grade-point average of at least 3.33, complete an honors project with a faculty member, and participate in a college-wide honors seminar with faculty members and other honors students. Successful completion of the honors requirements leads to a BSE with honors, which is noted on the student's transcript. See Engineering Honors Program on the College of Engineering website for details.
University of Iowa Honors Program
In addition to honors in engineering, undergraduate students have opportunities for honors study and activities through membership in the University of Iowa Honors Program. Visit Honors at Iowa to learn about the university's honors program.
Engineering is a well-respected profession that is used as a foundation for a variety of careers in industry, medicine, law, government, and consulting. Engineering majors consistently rank among the top-paid majors for bachelor's degree graduates, according to the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE). On average, 93–98% of graduates are employed in their field of study or pursuing advanced education within seven months of graduation.
Engineering Career Services develops and promotes experiential education and professional opportunities for students in the College of Engineering. Professional staff coordinate the college's co-op and internship program, engage in employer outreach, and provide opportunities for students to network with employers, including engineering career fairs and other programming related to career development.
Engineering Career Services offers individual advising and class presentations on résumé and cover letter preparation, job and internship search strategies, interviewing skills, job offer evaluation, and much more. Engineering Career Services partners with the Pomerantz Career Center to facilitate on-campus interviewing, postgraduation outcome collection, and the university's online recruiting system, Handshake.