UNDERGRADUATE
Bulletin

Swanson School of Engineering

The Swanson School of Engineering’s undergraduate programs prepare students for entrance into a diverse spectrum of careers, providing both a strong, fundamental engineering education and a thorough understanding of the broader aspects of society. Students have an opportunity to participate in the highly successful Cooperative Engineering Education Program, an increasing number of study abroad opportunities, joint programs with the University Honors College, and a number of certificate programs. Students also have the option of earning a minor or a dual degree from various A&S programs. The curricula provide sufficient flexibility to allow graduates to pursue careers in industry, government, or education, including programs in medicine, law, or business.

Full-time Bachelor of Science in Engineering degree programs are offered on the Oakland Campus in the following engineering disciplines: bioengineering, chemical, civil, computer, electrical, engineering physics, industrial, materials science, and mechanical. Special interdisciplinary programs can be structured based upon individual student interest and ability. The Cooperative Engineering Education Program, which alternates terms of relevant work experience with course work, is available for students in all programs; approximately half of the graduating seniors complete at least three co-op rotations. There are also certificate programs in nuclear engineering, energy resource utilization, product realization, international engineering studies, civil engineering and architectural studies, sustainable engineering, and freshman honors engineering (the Fessenden Honors Engineering Program). Most engineering departments offer minors to students from other engineering and certain A&S programs.

The Swanson School of Engineering’s mission is to produce highly qualified engineers and creative new technology through academic excellence.

Contact Information

Prospective Freshman & Transfer Students
University of Pittsburgh
Swanson School of Engineering
Freshman Program
4170 Wesley W. Posvar Hall
Pittsburgh, PA 15260
412-624-9825
freshman@engr.pitt.edu
http://www.engr.pitt.edu/freshman/

Academic Issues
University of Pittsburgh
Swanson School of Engineering
Associate Dean for Academic Affairs
323 Benedum Hall
Pittsburgh, PA 15260
412-624-9815
assec@engr.pitt.edu

Administrative Issues
University of Pittsburgh
Swanson School of Engineering
Office of Administration
740 Benedum Hall
Pittsburgh, PA 15260
412-624-9800
ssoeadm@engr.pitt.edu

Application Procedures

The Swanson School of Engineering admits the following applicants to its undergraduate programs through the procedures detailed below:

Incoming Freshmen

All freshman admissions to the Swanson School of Engineering are decided by the University’s Office of Admissions and Financial Aid. (Please see Oakland Campus Freshman Admission section of this bulletin for details.) Approximately 460 freshman enter the Swanson School each fall.

The Swanson School of Engineering sponsors an extensive scholarship program designed to recognize outstanding academic achievement. Through the generosity of alumni, major industrial firms, and individual friends, the school is able to provide scholarships to support a significant number of its students. See Academic Merit Scholarships for deadlines and other information.

Transfer Students from Another College or University

The Swanson School of Engineering encourages applications from transfer students. Currently, almost half the students receiving the BSE degree transferred into the school. Transfer applicants are evaluated according to their academic record and potential for completing the particular engineering program. An applicant for transfer to the Swanson School of Engineering from another college or university should request a transfer application from the Office of Admissions and Financial Aid.

Contact the Freshman Engineering Program at 412-624-9825 or at ssoetrnf@engr.pitt.edu, or see the transfer engineering students’ Web site www.engr.pitt.edu/freshman/transfers/external.html for more information on transfer procedures.

A transfer applicant from a four-year college should have a grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.50 and an applicant from a two-year college should have at least a 2.80 (for courses that satisfy Swanson School of Engineering requirements) on a 4.00 scale at the institution previously attended. However, due to space limitations, some programs may have substantially higher criteria for transfer students. Transfer applicants are encouraged to meet with the undergraduate coordinator in the department or program of their choice in order to discuss their individual situation. (For more information, visit www.engr.pitt.edu.)

All transfer applicants are required to provide SAT I critical reading and mathematics scores and high school academic records. Advanced standing credits will be granted for college course work at another accredited institution depending on grades received and on the relevance of the courses to the applicant’s proposed program in the Swanson School of Engineering. Only courses in which the applicant received at least a C (2.00 on a 4.00 scale) will be considered for transfer and then only if the courses are an integral part of the proposed degree program.

The Swanson School of Engineering has an articulation agreement with the Community College of Allegheny County (CCAC). CCAC students with a cumulative GPA of 2.80 for the required freshman engineering curriculum will be accepted into the engineering program of their choice with the exception of bioengineering which requires a 3.50 GPA.

Transfer Students from Another University of Pittsburgh Oakland Campus School

Most transfer applicants from other Oakland campus units to the Swanson School of Engineering come from either Arts and Sciences (A&S) or the College of General Studies (CGS), although students from any of the University’s other schools are eligible for transfer if they meet the Swanson School of Engineering’s requirements.

An applicant for transfer from A&S should have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.50 to be considered for transfer. For additional information, see the transfer engineering students' website at www.engr.pitt.edu/freshman/transfer/internal.html

An applicant for transfer from CGS without advanced standing from another college or university may apply for transfer upon completion of the equivalent of the Swanson School of Engineering freshman year (i.e., MATH 0220 and 0230 Analytic Geometry and Calculus 1 and 2; PHYS 0174 and 0175 Basic Physics for Science and Engineering 1 and 2; CHEM 0960 and 0970 General Chemistry for Engineers 1 and 2; and ENGR 0011 and 0012 Introduction to Engineering Analysis and Introduction to Engineering Computing; and two approved humanities and social science courses). A cumulative GPA of at least 2.50 is recommended. CGS students with outstanding academic records are encouraged to apply for admission to the Swanson School of Engineering before completing the minimum requirements listed above by initiating the request for transfer in CGS.

The GPA for students transferring into the Swanson School of Engineering from another school or campus within the University will be recalculated in accordance with the Swanson School of Engineering’s policy.

Regional Campus Students

Request forms for relocation from the pre-engineering programs at the Bradford, Greensburg, or Titusville campuses or the Engineering Technology Program at the Johnstown campus are available at each regional campus. Pre-engineering students who have a grade point average of 2.75 or higher in the required engineering curricula are guaranteed relocation to the Oakland Campus in the program of their choice (with the exception of bioengineering, which requires a 3.50 GPA). See the Transfer within University Schools and Regional Campuses section of this bulletin. For more information see the regional campus transfer website at: http://www.engr.pitt.edu/freshman/transfers/regional.html

Academic Standing

To be considered in good academic standing, a student’s cumulative grade point average (GPA) must be at least 2.00 and the student must be making satisfactory progress toward earning an engineering degree. A student who is not in good academic standing will be placed on probation and may be subject to suspension or dismissal if his or her cumulative GPA remains below a 2.00 for two consecutive terms with the exception of freshman students. Each engineering student’s academic record is reviewed at the end of each term. 

Students in the Freshman Engineering Program (FEP) who enter in the fall term may be suspended or dismissed from the Swanson School of Engineering if they do not attain a cumulative GPA of 1.75 or greater by the end of the spring term and/or if they have not completed the first term of engineering courses.* Further, FEP students with cumulative GPAs between 1.75 and 1.99 by the end of their first academic year who fail to obtain a cumulative GPA of 2.00 by the end of their third term are subject to suspension or dismissal. A similar timeline will apply to students who begin the FEP in the spring term.

After being suspended, students are not eligible to reenroll for one calendar year, after which they are required to apply for reinstatement through the Swanson School of Engineering Office of Administration. Students returning from academic suspension are reinstated on academic probation and their academic performance will be reviewed after each subsequent term. If the student’s cumulative GPA remains below 2.00 for two consecutive terms, he or she will be subject to dismissal. Dismissal is a final action. Dismissed students are not eligible for future enrollment in the Swanson School of Engineering.

*Students must fulfill their Calculus 1, Physics 1, Chemistry 1, Engineering Analysis 1, and English placement (ENGCMP 0100, 0150, 0152, and/or 0200/0201) requirements within the first year of enrollment. Students who do not complete these courses on schedule are subject to dismissal.

Interdepartmental Transfers

A Swanson School of Engineering student whose academic record satisfies the minimum requirements for continued registration may apply for transfer from one engineering department or program to another. To initiate a change of departmental status, the student must complete a Change of Status form, available at the Swanson School of Engineering Office of Administration. It is the prerogative of the department or program to which the student desires to transfer to approve or reject a change-of-status transfer request.

Reinstatement

An engineering student in good academic standing who has not attended the University of Pittsburgh for three consecutive terms and has attended no other institution in the intervening period will be considered for reinstatement after making application to the department chair or program director. If the student has attended another institution and completed more than 12 credits, the student must reapply through the University’s Office of Admissions and Financial Aid in accordance with the procedure for transfer applicants from other colleges or universities.

A student who has withdrawn while on academic probation may be reinstated only by action of the appropriate faculty committee, typically based upon substantial evidence of a positive change in the student’s attitude toward academic work. The student must initiate the request for reinstatement with the appropriate department chair.

Grading Policies

The following section details the Swanson School of Engineering’s regulations regarding some of the grades that may appear on a student’s transcript. (For a complete discussion of all grades and grading options, see the Grading and Records section of this bulletin.)

G Grade (Incomplete)

An instructor may give the G grade when a student is unable to complete the work of a course during the term because of extenuating personal circumstances.

To remove a G grade, a student is expected to complete the course requirements within the next term of registration or within the time specified by the instructor. The instructor of the course will complete a Grade Change Authorization form and send it to the Swanson School of Engineering Office of Administration for processing. If a G grade is not removed within one year, the instructor may change it to an F grade for the course.

S/NC Option

Each program determines which, if any, of its courses may be taken under the satisfactory/ no-credit (S/NC) option. These are so designated in the Schedule of Classes. A course in which an NC grade is received does not have to be repeated but cannot be used to satisfy degree requirements. S/NC grades are not considered in the calculation of the grade point average. Undergraduate seminar courses are offered as S/NC.

Freshmen may not elect to take courses under the S/NC option. Upper-class engineering students may be permitted to take certain elective courses under the S/NC option. These are typically technical electives because required A&S humanities and social science courses are not offered under this option. A student who wishes to take a course under the S/NC option should first consult his/her advisor to assure that it is permissible. A student must register for and complete at least one course for a letter grade to be eligible for an S/NC option course in any term. To register for more than one S/NC option course per term, and a maximum of two, a student must register for 12 or more credits for letter grades. Forms and instructions for exercising the option may be obtained in the student’s departmental office. (See Grading and Records for more information on the S/NC option.)

Calculation of the Grade Point Average

Each credit carried for a letter grade is awarded quality points as noted under the Grading and Records section of this bulletin. A student’s term grade point average (term GPA) is the total quality points earned for the term divided by the total credits assigned letter grades. The cumulative grade point average (cumulative GPA) is determined by dividing the total number of quality points by the total number of credits assigned letter grades. Only credits and quality points for courses taken at the University of Pittsburgh and that count toward the requirement for the BSE degree are used in the calculation of the GPA.

Repeating Courses

The Swanson School of Engineering permits a student to repeat required courses in which grades below C were received. However, these courses must be repeated within one academic year following the original registration. If that is done, the original credits and quality points of these repeated courses will not be included in the student’s cumulative GPA. A sequence course cannot be repeated and have the grade replaced if a succeeding course in that sequence has been taken (e.g., MATH 0220, 0230, and 240 Analytic Geometry and Calculus 1, 2, and 3; PHYS 0174 and 0175 Basic Physics for Science and Engineering 1 and 2). The same course repeat rules will apply to transfer students from Arts and Sciences, the College of General Studies, and the regional campuses.

Honors Lists

At the end of each term, the academic records of all undergraduate degree students in the Swanson School of Engineering are reviewed to determine eligibility for the Term Honor List and the Dean’s Honor List. Students who qualify for both honor lists will appear only on the Dean’s Honor List.

Term Honor List

To be eligible for the Term Honor List, a student must

• Earn a GPA of at least 3.25,
• Complete a minimum of 15 credits of academic work for letter grades at the University of Pittsburgh, and
• Complete a minimum of 6 credits of work for letter grades in the term of eligibility.

Dean’s Honor List

To be eligible for the Dean’s Honor List, a student must

• Earn minimum cumulative and term GPAs of 3.25 or higher,
• Complete a minimum of 30 credits of academic work for letter grades at the University of Pittsburgh, and
• Complete a minimum of 6 credits of work for letter grades in the term of eligibility.

Credits

In the Swanson School of Engineering, a credit or credit hour is one of the following:

• One hour of lecture or recitation a week, requiring two hours of outside preparation
• Two hours of laboratory a week, requiring one hour of outside preparation
• Three hours of laboratory a week, requiring no outside preparation

Registration

Each student registers for future terms with the assistance of his or her academic advisor during registration periods specified by the Office of the University Registrar. A student who has registered for a course but has failed to satisfy the prerequisites for that course prior to the beginning of the term may not be permitted to continue attending class and must withdraw from the course if requested to do so. Freshman engineering students register for the fall term during the summer advising sessions. (See Registering for Classes for more information.)

Maximum Credit Registration

All full-time undergraduate engineering students are expected to register for a normal full term of academic courses. No student shall be allowed to register for more than 18 credits without specific written permission from his/her academic advisor and approval by the associate dean for academic affairs. Such permission is given selectively and only after a review of the student’s record and planned course work suggests that such an overload is academically justifiable. All credits above 18 for undergraduates will be billed over and above the full-time tuition rate at the prevailing per-credit tuition charge.

Registration for Graduate Credit

A Swanson School of Engineering undergraduate student requiring fewer than 15 credits to complete the requirements for the baccalaureate degree and who intends to continue study toward an advanced degree may be permitted during their final term to register for graduate courses that will later apply toward a graduate degree. The student must obtain written permission from the school of proposed graduate study that the courses may count when and if the student is admitted into the graduate program. Although these credits will appear on the undergraduate transcript, they will not count toward fulfilling undergraduate degree requirements. They will be posted as advanced standing credits on the graduate record.

Advanced Standing for Courses Taken Outside the University

Students transferring into the Swanson School of Engineering from other college-level programs will have their academic records reviewed for advanced-standing credit after they have been accepted for admission. This determination is made by the responsible academic department or program in accord with Swanson School of Engineering policy and criteria established by ABET, the engineering accrediting organization. In general, advanced standing for engineering or engineering science courses will be given only if the courses were taken from an ABET-approved engineering program. Advanced standing for mathematics, science, humanities, and social sciences courses will be awarded to the extent that such courses match specific University of Pittsburgh Arts and Sciences courses that are required by the Swanson School of Engineering. In particular, humanities and social sciences courses must correspond to those on the Swanson School of Engineering’s approved list of humanities and social sciences electives. Contact the school for information on these approved electives.

Credits for students transferring from a college maintaining a 3/2 program with the Swanson School of Engineering (see Combined Liberal Arts-Engineering 3/2 Program), a community college having an articulation agreement with the Swanson School of Engineering, or a pre-engineering program at a University of Pittsburgh regional campus will be accepted in accord with those agreements and University policy.

Students enrolled in the Swanson School of Engineering may take courses at other universities to satisfy graduation requirements only if the student’s academic advisor or undergraduate coordinator approves those courses in advance. Such courses must be taken at colleges or universities that offer full four-year degree programs. Engineering and engineering science courses must be taken at an ABET-approved engineering program. Students must earn a grade of C or higher for the course to be accepted and must arrange for their transcript to be sent to their undergraduate coordinator. A student enrolled in the Swanson School of Engineering is no longer permitted to take a course at a two-year or community college for transfer credit.

Students may also earn advanced standing credit by taking Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate classes in their high schools. Students who have their AP or IB scores sent to the University of Pittsburgh will have those scores evaluated by an academic advisor, who will determine their transferability. For a complete list of AP scores accepted by the Swanson School of Engineering, please see: http://www.engr.pitt.edu/freshman/advising/advplacement.html.

Statute of Limitations

All required academic work for the Bachelor of Science in Engineering degree, including courses for which advanced-standing credit has been granted, must be completed within 12 consecutive calendar years. Under unusual circumstances, a student may, with the approval of the department or program chair, request a waiver of this policy. This policy means that part-time students must progress toward the degree at a minimum rate of 12 credits per calendar year.

Graduation Requirements

In order to graduate with a BSE, a student must have satisfactorily completed all degree requirements and earned the total number of credits required by the department or program in which the student is enrolled. The student must also have obtained a minimum GPA of 2.00 for (a) all required courses completed at the University of Pittsburgh and (b) all departmental courses. Students who have a cumulative GPA of 2.00 for all courses taken but have not obtained the minimum 2.00 departmental GPA may be certified for graduation by the program by repeating all program courses in which a grade below C was awarded and earning a grade of C or better for each repeated course.

Advanced-standing credits accepted by the Swanson School of Engineering may partially fulfill course requirements for graduation, but grades and credits earned in such courses are not included in the GPA calculations.

The work of the senior year (a minimum of 26 credits) must be completed while in residence at the Swanson School of Engineering, University of Pittsburgh. Exceptions to this regulation may be granted for a limited number of credits through petition to the department or program and approval by the associate dean for academic affairs. This regulation will be waived for students completing an approved study abroad program during their senior year.

(See the Graduation section of this bulletin for further information on graduation requirements and procedures.)

Academic Integrity

The integrity of the academic process requires fair and impartial evaluation on the part of faculty and honest academic conduct on the part of students. Students are expected to conduct themselves with a high level of responsibility in the fulfillment of their course of study. It is the corresponding responsibility of faculty to make clear to students those standards by which they will be evaluated and the resources permissible for use by students during their course of study. The educational process is perceived as a joint faculty-student enterprise that will involve professional judgment by faculty and may involve, without penalty, reasoned exception by students to the data or views offered by faculty. Consistent with these considerations (and without limiting their scope and application in their entirety to the academic programs of the University), faculty and students are directed to observe established guidelines on academic integrity. Copies of both the Swanson School of Engineering and the University of Pittsburgh Guidelines on Academic Integrity are available to faculty and students in the departmental offices of the Swanson School of Engineering.

Assessment

As part of the Swanson School of Engineering’s commitments to student learning and academic achievement, effective teaching, and continuous improvement of our programs, we regularly conduct outcomes assessment activities. To obtain periodic measurements of student perceptions and intellectual growth, students will be expected to participate in surveys, focus groups, interviews, and related activities. While individual input is collected, the data resulting from these assessments will be published only in aggregate form.

Advising

All students are assigned an advisor and are expected to meet with their advisor prior to registration. The Freshman Engineering Program professional staff serves as the freshman advisors. Throughout the freshman year, students are encouraged to meet with their advisor if they need to register for classes, withdraw from classes, add and/or drop classes, seek out resources, find out about their academic progress, discuss problems they are having in a course, or get help deciding on a program. Freshmen are also assigned a peer advisor from the Freshman Leadership Team, with whom they will meet weekly. Once students are admitted to a department or program, they are then assigned a faculty advisor. Students who wish to change advisors should meet with the department chair, program director, or undergraduate coordinator to request a change. See http://www.engr.pitt.edu/freshman/advising/ for more information.

General Degree Requirements

The degree requirements are established by the individual departments and programs. Depending on the program, between 123 to 134 credits may be required for the individual degree. Each program’s requirements include the common freshman year, a four-course mathematics sequence, and six approved humanities and social science electives (including the W-course requirement). The specific degree requirements are found in the program descriptions below.

Humanities and Social Science Requirement

An important part of the undergraduate engineering student’s education is the humanities and social science component. All Swsanson School of Engineering undergraduates must complete at least six humanities and social science elective courses from the school’s approved list of courses, while meeting the school and ABET requirements for breadth and depth. To meet the depth requirement, a student must complete two or more courses in the same area of study only one of which can be considered an introductory course from Arts and Sciences. The depth requirement can also be satisfied by taking two or more courses with a related theme, e.g., courses that focus on a geographic region, historic period, or ideological perspective. For the breadth requirements, it is recommended that the courses include approved offerings from at least three different departments from Arts and Sciences. Students may use one study abroad course that might not otherwise be counted toward satisfying this requirement.

No more than two of the required six elective courses can be satisfied via high school Advanced Placement credits.

Students must also complete one W-designated course, i.e., a course that has a substantial writing component. Depending on the course, it may also count as one of the humanities/social science electives. The associate dean for academic affairs maintains a list of approved humanities and social science electives.

Freshman Engineering Program

All engineering freshmen pursue a common academic program, selecting a major upon completion. The freshman-year curriculum includes two specially designed engineering-oriented courses (ENGR 0011 Introduction to Engineering Analysis and 0012 Introduction to Engineering Computing). These courses provide freshman students with an overview of the various areas of engineering, introduce certain engineering skills and tools, and acquaint students with the engineering problem solving process. Freshman students also participate in an engineering seminar, conducted in part by the Freshman Leadership Team’s student mentors. These seminars provide general information on the transition to college and the improvement of study skills and provide an overview of the various engineering fields so that freshmen can make an informed choice of majors at the end of the first year. Students are also given several opportunities to visit the various programs in order to talk to the faculty and learn about the programs of study. All engineering freshmen will participate in the Freshman Engineering Symposium at the end of the academic year. Outstanding freshman students may also participate in the Fessenden Honors in Engineering Program (See Special Academic Opportunities/Programs for details). For more information on the Freshman Engineering Program, visit http://www.engr.pitt.edu/freshman/index.html

The freshman-year curriculum is detailed below:

* Students choose electives from an extensive list of acceptable Arts and Sciences humanities and social science courses, including a large number of languages that students are encouraged to study. Students may not take University External Studies Program (UESP) courses to satisfy the humanities/social science requirement.

Writing-Designated Course (W Course) Requirement

Engineering students must demonstrate an ability to communicate effectively. This includes both written and oral communication and the ability to make professional presentations. Each program is in the process of specifying how this will be accomplished. All students are required to take the University of Pittsburgh English Writing Placement Examination (see http://www.as.pitt.edu/undergraduate/advising/placement-exams.html for more information on this exam).

Students who receive a score of less than five on the placement exam must take an English composition course during their freshman year that will not count toward Swanson School of Engineering graduation requirements. All students must take at least one W course as part of their humanities/social science requirements (students may also satisfy the W requirement by taking a science course with a writing component). In addition, each program is adding substantial communications components throughout the curriculum. Some programs require a specific course in communications.

Major and Degree Options

The following majors (described in the Program Descriptions section) within the Swanson School of Engineering offer the Bachelor of Science in Engineering:

• Bioengineering
• Chemical engineering
• Civil engineering (offered by the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering)
• Computer engineering (offered by the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering and the Department of Computer Science, A&S)
• Electrical engineering (offered by the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering)
• Engineering physics
• Industrial engineering
• Materials science and engineering
• Mechanical engineering

Minors in Engineering

The Swanson School of Engineering offers a number of minors to its students who wish to expand their field of knowledge in engineering. Engineering students may also pursue a minor in Arts and Sciences (see A&S section of this bulletin for details on the minors offered within A&S). Engineering students are not permitted to minor in the same field in which they are majoring. Students from outside the Swanson School of Engineering may pursue one of these minors with the permission of the given department. Any student interested in a minor should consult with the given department to determine the eligibility and completion requirements for each minor. The minors offered by the school are as follows:

• Bioengineering
• Chemical engineering
• Civil Engineering
• Electrical engineering
• Environmental engineering
• Industrial engineering
• Materials science and engineering
• Mechanical engineering
• Petroleum engineering
• Polymer engineering

Special Academic Opportunities/Programs

The Swanson School of Engineering offers numerous special academic opportunities as detailed in the following pages:

Fessenden Honors in Engineering Program

Outstanding freshman engineering students are eligible for the Fessenden Honors in Engineering Program. Students enrolled in the Fessenden program take University Honors College courses that substitute for regular required course offerings. The program covers the first two terms. Entering freshman students who are in the top 5 percent of their graduating class and have a minimum SAT I score of 1400 are eligible for honors courses. Other interested students are encouraged to seek special permission from the honors college staff. For more information, visit www.honorscollege.pitt.edu/opportunities/fessenden/html.

Honors courses offered include:

*Students who earn a C or higher in MATH 0235 for the first term may take UHC MATH 0240 the second term and will be awarded advanced placement credit for MATH 0220.

Students who opt to take Engr 0711 (Honors Engineering Analysis and Engineering Computing) in the fall term of their freshman year have the opportunity to take a unique service learning course in the second term. This course, ENGR 0715 (Engineering Applications for Society), is only open to students who successfully complete ENGR 0711 with a grade of C or better. The course connects groups of honors engineering students with community service projects that require the use of engineering problem solving skills. Students benefit from the opportunity to put their engineering analytical skills to use and community organizations benefit from the students' developing expertise.

Arts and Sciences-Engineering Joint Degree Program

The School of Arts and Sciences (A&S) and the Swanson School of Engineering have developed an undergraduate joint degree program that permits a student to combine a major in arts and sciences with a program in engineering and then receive degrees from both A&S and the Swanson School of Engineering. A student can apply for admission into this program through either A&S or the Swanson School of Engineering and must be admitted into both schools.

While the form of the program is dependent upon the individual student’s interests, the first year’s curriculum is typically the standard engineering program. During the next three years the student may complete the specific requirements for his or her engineering degree while fulfilling certain A&S major and general education requirements. Typically, the fifth year is then used to complete the A&S requirements. Students must complete a minimum of 90 A&S credits, including all A&S skills and general education requirements and an A&S major (but not a related area). Students must also complete all the degree requirements of their chosen engineering program, usually consisting of 70 or more Swanson School of Engineering credits. Each program should be developed with an advisor in Arts and Sciences and an advisor in the Swanson School of Engineering and tailored to the student’s special interests. Students in this program have combined engineering with neuroscience, philosophy, economics, music, and a number of the language programs.

Students must satisfy both schools’ normal progress requirements and criteria for academic standing as long as they remain in the joint degree program. Students also must apply for graduation from both schools. A&S students earn either a BA or BS degree, depending upon the A&S program of study. The student’s GPA for graduation from A&S is calculated based solely upon the credits earned for the A&S degree. For further information, students may contact one of the following: the Freshman Engineering Program Office, 4170 Posvar Hall; an engineering departmental undergraduate coordinator; the A&S Office, 140 Thackeray Hall; the A&S Advising Center, 252 Thackeray Hall; or the University Honors College engineering advisor, 3600 Cathedral of Learning.

Interschool Degree Program with University Honors College

Undergraduate students with exceptional academic ability and motivation may elect to complete the interschool degree program between the Swanson School of Engineering and the University Honors College (UHC). Students who have completed the freshman year may apply for degree candidacy in the UHC. Outstanding students enrolled in any of the Swanson School of Engineering programs may elect to complete these interschool degree requirements. In addition, students pursuing the five-year joint degree program with Arts and Sciences are also encouraged to pursue the honors college degree.

All of the UHC degree programs require independent scholarship and a competency-based evaluation by faculty in the last year. The requirements for independent scholarship entail the completion and defense of a thesis during the junior and senior years. Qualified engineering students may join with an engineering faculty member to propose an individualized plan of study leading to independent scholarship and an honors college degree, provided the basic graduation requirements of the student’s engineering department are fulfilled. Students interested in the honors college should contact the dean of the honors college, 3500 Cathedral of Learning, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, or call 412-624-6880. (See the University Honors College section of this bulletin.)

Cooperative Engineering Education Program

The school’s Cooperative Engineering Education Program enhances the student engineer’s educational experience through a series of challenging, highly relevant "real world" work sessions. This is accomplished by integrating a rotation of school and employment terms that enables the cooperative education student to complement his or her formal classroom training with additional technical knowledge, hands-on experience, and financial remuneration. The co-op graduate possesses the maturity and assurance of a more seasoned employee and the ability to incorporate academic knowledge and theory into practice. During co-op sessions, students earn competitive salaries, which also makes this program financially rewarding. Almost half of the graduating seniors complete the co-op program requirements. Through the assistance of the Swanson School of Engineering’s Cooperative Education Office, formal arrangements are established with industry that permit students to rotate four-month terms between the workplace and the classroom. At the University of Pittsburgh, this rotation begins during either the sophomore or junior year and extends into the senior year, with the co-op student completing at least three four-month work periods. These employment sessions, which are typically with the same employer, allow job duties to increase as the knowledge and skills of the student engineer progress. The positions can be local, national, or international. This practical work experience has also been found to increase academic motivation and classroom performance. Co-op students are aware of business practice and etiquette and possess a mature, responsible attitude. Thus, upon graduation, many former co-op students are able to handle difficult initial assignments with confidence and assurance. A high percentage of co-op students also obtain and accept full-time offers from their co-op employers.

Students receive academic credit for participation in the program. A maximum of 3 credits can be earned toward the completion of departmental requirements. The co-op program offers resume preparation, interviewing skills workshops and job fairs in order to facilitate appropriate placements for students.

Sample Co-op Schedules

For more information, please contact: Cooperative Engineering Education Program, 4170 Benedum Hall, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, 412-624-9826, paub2m@pitt.edu, or see www.engr.pitt.edu/coop/index.html.

Engineering-School of Education Certification Program

The Swanson School of Engineering realizes the need to provide program flexibility and a variety of career options to undergraduate engineering majors. Careers in the teaching of mathematics, chemistry, and physics present one such option to students who have acquired a knowledge base in engineering. Through an articulated agreement with the University of Pittsburgh School of Education, a five-year Program of Study combines course work in engineering with Content Core Studies for the teaching of chemistry, mathematics, or physics; additionally, general education courses and pre-educational professional credits are included in the program. During the program’s fifth year (after completion of the BS in engineering degree), students will complete the requirements for the Instructional I Certificate in their area of choice. This two-term program will enable them to teach in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Copies of the articulated agreement are available through the Office of the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs. For more information regarding scheduling and the admission policy of the agreement, talk with your advisor, or call 412-648-2230 to schedule a pre-admission meeting with a School of Education representative.  See also www.education.pitt.edu/programs/choice.asp?degree=initialcert&Submit1=View.

Certificate Programs

Swanson School of Engineering undergraduate students are encouraged to broaden their educational experience by electing to take one of the certificate programs currently offered by Arts and Sciences, the University Center for International Studies (UCIS), or the Swanson School of Engineering. These certificate programs may be used by the engineering student to partially fulfill the humanities/social sciences requirement, thereby allowing specialization in an area of interest while pursuing an engineering degree. The requirements for each certificate vary, and students should contact the appropriate certificate program director.

The Swanson School of Engineering offers six certificates at the undergraduate level:

 

Civil Engineering and Architectural Studies

The Civil Engineering and Architectural Studies Certificate has been created for the architectural studies student. The certificate is described below under the Architectural Studies Joint Programs.

Energy Resource Utilization

The Energy Resource Utilization Certificate is designed for those students interested in both the development of new energy resources and the study of existing ones. Students in the Swanson School of Engineering may earn a certificate in energy resource utilization by completing two 6-credit courses. The first course, Energy Today, offered by the Chemical and Petroleum Engineering Department at the University of Pittsburgh, examines current technologies that supply energy from coal, petroleum, gas, and uranium. The second course, Energy Beyond 2000, offered by the University of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia, examines energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies and those techniques that will be used in the future to reduce dependence on fossil fuels. Both courses are offered in the summer term: Energy Today from mid-May to mid-June, and Energy Beyond 2000 from late June to early August.

Fessenden Honors In Engineering Program (Freshman Honors Engineering)

The certificate, jointly sponsored by the Swanson School of Engineering and the University Honors College, is a program of classes for self-selecting, high-achieving engineering students. The certificate addresses humanities works in relation to engineering, the relationship between the sciences and the humanities as a place of rich learning while acknowledging the scholarly merits of program participants.

International Engineering Studies

An innovative International Engineering Certificate Program has been created for those students who wish to enhance their degree program with an education abroad experience. Students in the Swanson School of Engineering may earn a Certificate in International Engineering Studies (IES) by completing a minimum set of requirements that include completion of an approved education abroad program or co-op work experience and associated cultural enrichment and language studies. Students who study or work in English-speaking countries are also eligible to earn the certificate by fulfilling special requirements. The certificate appears on the student's transcript. Please contact the Office of Engineering International Programs at saoe@pitt.edu or by calling (412) 624-9823 for additional information.

Nuclear Engineering

Strong growth in the global demand for power is projected for the next half-century and beyond. This growth provides great opportunities for the nuclear industry, particularly companies located in southwestern Pennsylvania including Westinghouse Electric, First Energy and Bechtel Bettis. The undergraduate Certificate in Nuclear Engineering is a five-course sequence consisting of three nuclear engineering courses and two discipline specific courses related to nuclear engineering from the various engineering departments.The certificate is open to all undergraduate engineering students in the Swanson School of Engineering and can be earned in conjunction with all nine of the School's BS engineering degrees. Qualified Arts and Science students may also elect to take the certificate.

The undergraduate Certificate in Nuclear Engineering targets competency gaps that exist in the following educational areas:

• Basic theoretical concepts of nuclear physics, radiation protection, reactor physics, reactor kinetics, fuel depletion and energy removal,
• Fundamental analytical skills that can aid in understanding nuclear energy problems and solutions
• Important fuel cycle operations with uranium from exploration through enrichment including fundamental aspects of spent-fuel reprocessing and fuel-cycle waste management,
• Knowledge of important social and technical issues related to nuclear science and technology
• Interfaces among engineering disciplines involved with the design of a reactor core and the reactor coolant system for light water reactors
• Tasks of the reactor thermal designer, nuclear designer and mechanical designer
• Improvements in near-term nuclear plants and future designs

Course work takes advantage of field trips to state-of-the-art facilities in the Western Pennsylvania region including the Penn State Nuclear Reactor, the Beaver Valley Nuclear Power Plant, and various Westinghouse facilities.

 

Product Realization

Employers now seek engineers with skills in these technologies and who are able to work under the added pressure of moving products from conception to market in extremely short time periods. With this increased emphasis on minimizing the time to market, it has become essential for engineers to integrate marketing and business strategies with new products design skills. The Product Realization Certificate cuts across the Swanson School of Engineering and into the College of Business Administration of the Joseph M. Katz Graduate School of Business. The objectives of the certificate in product realization are to close the current competency gaps that exists between academia and industry in the areas of design and product creation and to create a benchmark educational program that can serve as a model throughout academia.

The Certificate in Product Realization specifically targets competency gaps that exist in the following educational areas: computational analysis methods, virtual and rapid prototyping techniques, micro-electronic mechanical systems (MEMS), digital control systems and wireless communication, and business aspects of product creation. Course work takes advantage of state-of-the-art facilities that currently exist in the Swanson Center for Product Innovation (SCPI). The certificate is designed for undergraduate engineering students, as well as qualified students in the College of Business Administration with an interest in new product development. Students from the bio, industrial, mechanical, and electrical/computer engineering programs may be most interested in obtaining the certificate. Students take a total of five courses to include at least one College of Business Administration course, two engineering courses, and the capstone design course, Product Realization.

 

Sustainable Engineering

An undergraduate Certificate in Sustainable Engineering is available to all undergraduate engineering students. The certificate is housed in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and administered through the Mascaro Center for Sustainable Innovation. The certificate provides interested students with an awareness and sensitivity to environmental issues and consequences of engineering systems consistent with their engineering major. The certificate builds upon an increasing number of courses being offered with an emphasis on sustainability and requires 12 credits to complete. 

For information on this program contact:

Melissa Bilec
1121 Benedum Hall
(412)648-8075
mbilec@engr.pitt.edu

Architectural Studies Joint Programs

The Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and the Architectural Studies Program of Arts and Sciences have developed options that enable students in one area to pursue course work in the other. The Architectural Studies Program is an undergraduate, preprofessional curriculum devoted to the study of the constructed environment. Students interested in these options should see both the civil and environmental engineering undergraduate coordinator and the director of the Architectural Studies Program.

Certificate in Civil Engineering and Architectural Studies (for Architectural Studies majors)

An architectural studies major in Arts and Sciences may pursue the certificate program in civil engineering and architectural studies offered by the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. This option provides the architectural studies student with a significant career advantage in seeking either admission to a graduate professional program or employment. To receive the certificate, the architectural studies student must complete the following set of courses:

Related Area in Architectural Studies for Engineering Students

The related area in architectural studies is intended to offer students majoring in engineering an opportunity to explore the aesthetic side of problem-solving design activity. The selection of courses can be formulated to fit the interests and goals of the individual student. The related area may range from 12 to 15 credits that may be used to partially satisfy the 18-credit Swanson School of Engineering humanities/social sciences requirements. Engineering students selecting this option must take HA&A 0040 Introduction to Architecture, and HA&A 1040 History of Architecture Theory is strongly recommended. Students may elect either two or three courses in the history of architecture, e.g., HA&A 0045 Introduction to Modern Architecture, HA&A 1306 High Renaissance Architecture, and HA&A 1160 Roman Architecture or HA&A 1480 Architecture Since 1945 and HA&A 1913 Senior Seminar for Architectural Studies Majors.

ENGINEERING INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS

Office of Engineering International Programs

Engineering International Programs provides academic opportunities for engineering students who wish to pursue an international experience as part of their undergraduate education. The Swanson School of Engineering has designed several education abroad programs and/or is affiliated with institutions of higher learning for this purpose. Students are encouraged to participate in overseas study and/or internship programs for academic credit during a term, summer, or academic year. These programs are located in many countries around the world, enable students to become better prepared for their role as engineers in the global marketplace. Students are able to use their campus-based financial aid (loans, grants, and scholarships), with the exception of work-study, for these programs. For more information, please contact the Engineering International Programs Office at saoe@pitt.edu or call (412) 624-9823.

Combined Liberal Arts-Engineering 3/2 Program

The Swanson School of Engineering has developed combined liberal arts/engineering dual degree programs with a number of accredited liberal arts colleges. In these "3/2 programs," students first complete a three-year structured course of study at the liberal arts college, including that college’s general education requirements, specific introductory courses required for the engineering program of interest, and other courses necessary for acceptance into a Swanson School of Engineering program. With the recommendation of the faculty advisor at the liberal arts college, the student applies for transfer to the University of Pittsburgh Swanson School of Engineering, spending the final two years in an engineering program. Such programs typically enable the student to earn both a liberal arts degree and an engineering degree.

Swanson School of Engineering - Diversity Initiatives

The Pitt Engineering Career Access Program (PECAP) serves as a means through which the Swanson School of Engineering develops and implements all diversity initiatives for students from groups traditionally underrepresented in science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields. PECAP includes a pre-college and a college component and provides a continuous pipeline for students to move from high school to college. CARE (Critical and Analytical Reasoning Enrichment) and INVESTING NOW make up the PECAP Pre-College Component and the Pitt EXCEL is the College Component initiative.

 

CARE (Critical and Analytical Reasoning Enrichment)

The Critical and Analytical Reasoning Enrichment (CARE) Program is a precollege component of the Pitt Engineering Career Access Program (PECAP), sponsored by the Swanson School of Engineering and the University of Pittsburgh Office of the Provost. The CARE program is a summer residential pre-engineering program that targets high school students residing in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Ohio, District of Columbia, Virginia, New York and New Jersey. The goal of CARE is to prepare students for a quality undergraduate engineering education.

The CARE Year I, usually for rising 11th graders, and Year II, usually for rising 12th graders, programs work to accomplish this goal by helping students develop and refine critical and analytical reasoning as well as problem solving skills that will positively impact their academic performance by the end of their high school senior year. Students take advanced courses in math and science taught by university faculty; participate in workshops to develop leadership and team building skills and become culturally aware; prepare for standardized college admissions testing; and complete research projects and poster sessions. CARE targets those students who are highly motivated and have a strong commitment to pursue an engineering, technology, and/or health sciences career that require these aforementioned skills. For further information, contact:

University of Pittsburgh
Pitt CARE Program
4119 Wesley W. Posvar Hall
Pittsburgh, PA 15260
412-624-0224
www.engr.pitt.edu/diversity/index.html

 

 

 

 

INVESTINGNOW

InvestingNOW is a precollege component of the Pitt Engineering Career Access Program (PECAP) and is funded by the University of Pittsburgh Swanson School of Engineering. Since 1988, InvestingNOW has worked in partnership with the Pittsburgh Public Schools to provide an academic enrichment and support program for students in grades 9-12 from groups traditionally underrepresented in STEM(science, technology, engineering and mathematics) fields. Seventy-five percent of participants are from the PPS and the balance is from surrrounding school districts and independent schools.

The program's primary goals are to:

1. encourage and support student' enrollment and achievement in advanced mathematics and science courses;
2. increase the diversity of students who enroll in college and pursue STEM majors;
3. ensure that participants make informed college choices and are well-prepared for matriculation at the University of Pittsburgh or other selective colleges and universities; and
4. support and encourage parents in their role as advocates for their children.
   
   

InvestingNOW is our school year program for students in 9th - 12th grade. Programming focuses on six areas: student support, academic enrichment, college planning, career awareness, cultural awareness, and parent involvement. For further information, contact:

University of Pittsburgh
Pitt Investing NOW Program
4119 Wesley W. Posvar Hall
Pittsburgh, PA 15260
412-624-0224
www.engr.pitt.edu/diversity/index.html

 

Pitt EXCEL Program

Pitt EXCEL is a comprehensive program committed to the recruitment, retention and graduation of academically excellent engineering undergraduates, particularly individuals from groups traditionally underrepresented in the field. Program activities include academic counseling, study sessions, engineering research and mentoring opportunities, graduate school preparation and career development workshops, as well as a two-week intensive study skills, math and science review session for pre-freshmen.

The goals of the Pitt EXCEL programs are to:

1. Collaborate with the PECAP Pre-College component, the Freshman Program Office and the Office of Admissions & Financial Aid in order to increase the number of students from underrepresented groups enrolled in the Swanson School of Engineering.
2. Provide students with support activities and enrichment opportunities that will make them marketable to corporations and graduate schools.
3. Provide community building activities that will help students to develop a supportive and diverse peer network.

Programming offered to Pitt EXCEL students includes:

The Summer Engineering Academy (SEA) is a residential program that enables students to make a smooth transition from high school to college. During SEA, students learn essential study skills for college and receive an intensive review of chemistry, pre-calculus and physics concepts, with an introduction to engineering problem solving. By attending this program students can prepare for success during their first year of college.

Summer Research Internships (SRI) focuses on the preparation of underrepresented students for graduate education and professional careers in engineering. The goals of the program are to identify motivated students and match them with faculty mentors.The mentors assist the students through the completion of a summer research project.

For further information, please contact:

 

Pitt EXCEL Program
Swanson School of Engineering
University of Pittsburgh
4170 Wesley W. Posvar Hall
Pittsburgh, PA 15261
Phone: 412-624-9625
Fax: (412) 624-2827
excel@pitt.edu