University Catalog 2015-2016

University of Colorado Boulder
Menu

General Engineering Plus

    The General Engineering Plus program offers a BS degree designed to prepare graduates for exciting, diverse and innovative professional careers, and for graduate study in a wide variety of disciplines. The degree program provides a pathway through engineering for students interested in interdisciplinary hands-on engineering design coupled with an engineering emphasis, plus the flexibility to explore another concentration of the students’ choice within, or external to, engineering.

    The educational objectives of the General Engineering Plus program at CU-Boulder are summarized below:

    • offer undergraduate students a high-quality, technical education through a design-rich curriculum in engineering, and prepare them for careers in various industries, technical disciplines, professional degrees or graduate study;
    • educate students in the foundational concepts common to most engineering disciplines—including statics; thermodynamics; materials science; basic electronics; hands-on, team-based design; and processes for taking and analyzing measurement data;
    • allow students to engage in one of six disciplinary engineering emphases (aerospace, architectural, civil, electrical, environmental or mechanical engineering) for additional depth in the selected discipline;
    • provide students the opportunity to select a customizable concentration—an approved sequence of at least four courses providing a deep understanding of the chosen subject; and
    • nourish and maintain a professional environment in which excellence in teaching, learning, innovation and creativity are of central importance.  

    Desired Outcomes:

    The undergraduate degree in General Engineering Plus prepares students to meet the following outcomes upon graduation:

    • an ability to identify, formulate and solve engineering problems
    • the broad education necessary to understand the impact of engineering solutions in a global, economic, environmental and societal context
    • an ability to use the techniques, skills and modern engineering tools necessary for engineering practice
    • an ability to design a system, component or process to meet desired needs within realistic constraints such as economic, environmental, social, political, ethical, health and safety, manufacturability and sustainability
    • the knowledge of a specified and approved concentration area to allow meaningful contribution to the discipline
    • an ability to apply knowledge of engineering, science and mathematics
    • an ability to function on multidisciplinary teams 
    • an understanding of professional and ethical responsibility 
    • an ability to communicate effectively
    • an ability to design and conduct experiments, as well as to analyze and interpret data
    • a recognition of the need for, and an ability to engage in life-long learning
    • a knowledge of contemporary issues

    Course code for this program is GEEN.

    CU Teach Engineering Concentration

    Through a joint program with the School of Education, General Engineering Plus majors may also choose the CU Teach Engineering concentration, leading to teaching licensure preparation in secondary math or science. The General Engineering Plus CU Teach Engineering program integrates design-focused engineering curriculum, extensive science or math content, education pedagogy courses and student teaching to create qualified STEM educators that develop and hone the scientific, mathematical, engineering and technological literacy of grades 7-12 students. Due to teaching licensure requirements, this concentration requires substantial additional coursework beyond other approved General Engineering Plus concentrations, generally taking nine semesters for completion. See below for specifics on this concentration.

    Bachelor's Degree Program(s)

    Bachelor’s Degree in General Engineering Plus

    The BS degree in General Engineering Plus requires the satisfactory completion of the Foundational Coursework, the General Engineering Core, one disciplinary Emphasis, plus a Concentration. This entails a minimum of 128 credit hours as follows, with details below:

    • Foundational Coursework: 47-48 credits
    • General Engineering Core: 28-31 credits
    • Disciplinary Emphasis: 21-28 credits
    • Concentration: 12-15 credits (except CU Teach Concentration: 26 credits, plus subject matter courses as required) 

    Foundational Coursework – Foundational Coursework is common to all General Engineering Plus majors. All foundational courses typically require a minimum grade of C- in each course, though the Aerospace Emphasis requires a minimum grade of C:

    • Math requirement (16 credits) – completion of three semesters of calculus (APPM 1350, 1360 and 2350), and differential equations (APPM 2360).
    • Science requirement (12-14 credits) – completion of PHYS 1110, 1120 and 1140. Completion of additional credits of physics, chemistry or biology, chosen from one of the following courses/course combinations (which vary by choice of disciplinary emphasis): PHYS 2130; PHYS 2170; MCEN 1024; CHEM 1113 and 1114; CHEN 1211 and CHEM 1221; CHEM 1251; CHEM 1351; EBIO 1210, 1220, 1230 and 1240; or MCDB 1150, 1151, 2150 and 2151.
    • The general bachelor’s degree requirements of the College of Engineering and Applied Science require 18 credit hours of social science/humanities/writing electives. See details at www.colorado.edu/engineering/academics/policies/hss.

    General Engineering Core Coursework − Core Coursework is common to all General Engineering Plus majors. Core courses require a minimum grade of C in each course. Course titles within disciplines may vary; see disciplinary emphases for discipline-specific core courses:

    • Computing experience – CSCI 1300, CSCI 1310, CSCI 1320, CHEN 1310, APPM 2750 or ECEN 1310.
    • Statics – GEEN 2851, ASEN 2001, CVEN 2121 or MCEN 2023.
    • Thermodynamics – GEEN 3852, ASEN 2002, AREN 2110 or MCEN 3012.
    • Materials Science – ASEN 1022, CVEN 3161 or MCEN 2024.
    • Basic Electronics – ASEN 3300 or ECEN 3010.
    • Processes for Taking and Analyzing Measurement Data – ASEN 2012 (with ASEN 2001 and 2002); CVEN 3227; or MCEN 3037 and MCEN 4037.
    • Hands-on Design Courses – GEEN 1400, GEEN 2400 and GEEN 3400.

    Aerospace Engineering Sciences Emphasis

    Aerospace-specific Core Coursework (17)

    • ASEN 1022: Material Science for Aerospace Engineers (3)
    • ASEN 2001: Introduction to Statics, Structures and Materials (4)
    • ASEN 2002: Introduction to Thermodynamics and Aerodynamics (4)
    • ASEN 2012: Experimental and Computational Methods in AES (2)
    • ASEN 3300: Electronics and Communications (4)

    Courses Required for Aerospace Emphasis (26)

    All emphasis courses require a minimum grade of C in each course. (Note: Other emphases typically require a minimum of C-.)

    Required Courses (14):

    • ASEN 2003: Introduction to Dynamics and Systems (5)
    • ASEN 2004: Aerospace Vehicle Design and Performance (5)
    • ASEN 3113: Thermodynamics and Heat Transfer (4)

    Plus, students choose one courses from the four below (4):

    • ASEN 3111: Aerodynamics (4)
    • ASEN 3112: Structures (4)
    • ASEN 3128: Aircraft Dynamics (4)
    • ASEN 3200: Orbital Mechanics/Attitude Determination and Control (4)

    And Capstone Design is required (8):

    • ASEN 4018: Senior Projects 1, Design Synthesis (4)
    • ASEN 4028: Senior Projects 2, Design Practicum (4)

    Advising Note: Students seeking to enroll in ASEN courses must register through an Aerospace advisor.

    Architectural Engineering Emphasis

    Architectural Engineering-specific Core Coursework (15)

    • CVEN 2121 Analytical Mechanics I (3)
    • CVEN 3161: Mechanics of Materials I (3)
    • ECEN 3010: Circuits and Basic Electronics (3)
    • AREN 2110: Thermodynamics (3)
    • CVEN 3227: Probability, Statistics and Decision (3)

    Courses Required for Architectural Emphasis (28)

    All emphasis courses require a minimum grade of C- in each course.

    Required Courses (9):

    • AREN 1027 Engineering Drawing (3)
    • CVEN 2012: Introduction to Geomatics (3)
    • AREN 2050: Engineering Systems for Buildings (3)

    Plus, Students choose a focus (three courses) from the options below (9):

    • Electrical/Lighting – AREN 3540: Illumination1 (3); AREN 4550: Illumination 2 (3); AREN 4570: Building Electrical Systems Design 1 (3)
    • Mechanical Systems – AREN 2120: Fluid Mechanics & Heat Transfer (3); AREN 3010: Mechanical Systems for Buildings (3); AREN 4110: HVAC Design (3)
    • Construction – CVEN 3246: Introduction to Construction (3); AREN 4506: Project Management 1 (3); AREN 4606: Project Management 2 (3)
    • Structures – CVEN 3525: Structural Analysis (3); CVEN 4545: Steel Design (3); CVEN 4555: Reinforced Concrete Design (3)

    And, Capstone Design is required (10):

    • ARCH 4010: Architectural Appreciation and Design (5)
    • AREN 4317: Architectural Engineering Design (5)

    Civil Engineering Emphasis

    Civil-specific Core Coursework (15)

    • CVEN 2121: Analytical Mechanics I (3)
    • CVEN 3161: Mechanics of Materials I (3)
    • ECEN 3010: Circuits and Basic Electronics (3)
    • AREN 2110: Thermodynamics (3)
    • CVEN 3227: Probability, Statistics and Decision (3)

    Courses Required for Civil Emphasis (22)

    All emphasis courses require a minimum grade of C- in each course.

    Required Courses (3):

    • CVEN 3313: Theoretical Fluid Mechanics (3)

    And, students choose two of the five courses below (note: cannot double count Hydraulics or Geotechnical Engineering I, whichever was taken above) (6):

    • CVEN 3525: Structural Analysis (3)
    • CVEN 3246: Introduction to Construction (3)
    • CVEN 3414: Fundamentals of Environmental Engineering (3)
    • CVEN 3323: Hydraulic Engineering (3)
    • CVEN 3708: Geotechnical Engineering I (3)

    Plus, Students choose a focus (two courses) from the options below (6):

    • Environmental – CVEN 3424: Water and Wastewater Treatment (3); CVEN 4474: Hazardous & Industrial Waste Management (3)
    • Water Resources – CVEN 4333: Engineering Hydrology (3); CVEN 4353: Groundwater Engineering (3)
    • Geotechnical – CVEN 3718: Geotechnical Engineering 2 (3); CVEN 4728: Foundation Engineering (3)
    • Construction – CVEN 3256: Construction Equipment and Methods (3); AREN 4506:  Project Management 1 (3)
    • Structures – CVEN 4545: Steel Design (3); CVEN 4555: Reinforced Concrete Design (3)

    And, Capstone Design is required (4):

    • CVEN 4899: Civil Engineering Senior Project Design (4)

    Electrical Engineering Emphasis

    Electrical-specific Core Coursework (13)

    • ECEN 1310: C Programming for EE/ECE (4)
    • ECEN 1400: Introduction to Digital and Analog Electronics (3)
    • ECEN 2250: Introduction to Circuits and Electronics (3)
    • ECEN 2270: Electronics Design Lab (3)

    Courses Required for Electrical Emphasis (21)

    All emphasis courses require a minimum grade of C- in each course.

    Required Courses (6):

    • ECEN 2260: Circuits as Systems (3)
    • ECEN 2350: Digital Logic (3)

    And, students choose three of the five courses below (9):

    • ECEN 3250: Microelectronics (3)
    • ECEN 3300: Linear Systems (3)
    • ECEN 3350: Programming of Digital Systems (3)
    • ECEN 3360: Digital Design Laboratory (3)
    • ECEN 3400: Electromagnetic Fields and Waves (3)

    And, Capstone Design is required (6):

    • ECEN 4610: Capstone Laboratory, Part 1 (3)
    • ECEN 4620: Capstone Laboratory, Part 2 (3)

    Environmental Engineering Emphasis

    Environmental-specific Core Coursework (15)

    • CVEN 2121: Analytical Mechanics I (3)
    • CVEN 3161: Mechanics of Materials I (3)
    • ECEN 3010: Circuits and Basic Electronics (3)
    • AREN 2110: Thermodynamics (3)
    • CVEN 3227: Probability, Statistics and Decision (3)

    Courses Required for Environmental Emphasis (22)

    All emphasis courses require a minimum grade of C- in each course.

    Required Courses (9):

    • CVEN 3313: Theoretical Fluid Mechanics (3); or CHEN 3200: Chemical Engineering Fluid Mechanics (3); or MCEN 3021: Fluid Mechanics (3)
    • CVEN 3323: Hydraulic Engineering (3)
    • CVEN 3414: Fundamentals of Environmental Engineering (3)

    And, students choose three of the seven courses below (9):

    • MCEN 4131: Air Pollution Control (3)
    • CVEN 4404: Water Chemistry (3)
    • CVEN 4484: Environmental Microbiology (3)
    • CVEN 4333: Engineering Hydrology (3)
    • CVEN 3424: Water and Wastewater Treatment (3)
    • CVEN 3434: Applied Ecology (3)
    • CVEN 4474: Hazardous and Industrial Waste Management (3)

    And, Capstone Design is required (4):

    • CVEN 4434: Environmental Engineering Design (4)

    Mechanical Engineering Emphasis

    Mechanical-specific Core Coursework (16)

    • MCEN 2023: Statics and Structures (3)
    • MCEN 2024: Materials Science (3)
    • MCEN 3012: Thermodynamics (3)
    • ECEN 3010: Circuits and Basic Electronics (3)
    • MCEN 3037: Data Analysis (2)
    • MCEN 4037: Measurements Lab (2)

    Courses Required for Mechanical Emphasis (21)

    All emphasis courses require a minimum grade of C- in each course.

    Required Courses (15):

    • MCEN 2043: Dynamics (3)
    • MCEN 2063: Mechanics of Solids (3)
    • MCEN 3021: Fluid Mechanics (3)
    • MCEN 3025: Component Design (3)
    • MCEN 4043: System Dynamics (3)

    And Capstone Design (6):

    • MCEN 4045: Mechanical Engineering Design Project 1 (3)
    • MCEN 4085: Mechanical Engineering Design Project 2 (3)

    Concentration

    The General Engineering Plus Concentration allows students to select additional coursework in a chosen field of study, either within or outside of engineering. The Concentration course sequence must be a series of courses with increasing specificity or depth within a field, typically culminating in senior level courses. Most Concentrations will be at least four 3-credit courses. Several approved Concentrations are available as examples on the General Engineering Plus website (geneng.colorado.edu). Every concentration must be pre-approved by a General Engineering Plus advisor, prior to the commencement of the coursework. All Concentration courses require a minimum grade of C+ in each course.

    CU Teach Engineering Concentrations

    General Engineering Plus CU Teach Science offers engineering students the flexibility of earning a design-rich engineering degree, combined with the opportunity to teach secondary school science. This degree option arms grades 7-12 STEM educators with the scientific, technological, engineering and mathematical literacy necessary to improve the teaching and learning of science and engineering subjects in middle and high schools.

    The General Engineering Plus CU Teach Science degree requires 53-59 engineering credit hours, 28-40 science credit hours, 16 math credit hours (Calculus I, Calculus 2, Calculus 3, Differential Equations), 18 humanities credit hours and 23 CU Teach education credit hours as required by the Colorado Department of Education (CDE).

    Though the CDE does not distinguish among science licensures, and grants a “science-secondary education” license, GE+ CU Teach Science students must choose a science area of focus (physics, chemistry or biology) to ensure deeper content knowledge.

    All Concentration courses require a minimum grade of C+ in each course, including education and subject matter (science) courses.

    General Engineering Plus CU Teach Math is designed to attract students interested in a design-rich engineering degree applicable to an engineering career, with the ability to also become a secondary mathematics teacher. This degree option arms grades 7-12 Math educators with the scientific, technological, engineering and mathematical literacy necessary to improve the teaching and learning of mathematics and engineering subjects in middle and high schools.

    The General Engineering Plus CU Teach Math degree requires 53-59 engineering credit hours (depending on the disciplinary emphasis area chosen), 31 math credit hours, 14 science credit hours (Chemistry 1, Physics 1, Physics 2, Experimental Physics), 18 humanities credit hours and 23 CU Teach education credit hours as required by the Colorado Department of Education (CDE).

    All Concentration courses require a minimum grade of C+ in each course, including education and subject matter (math) courses.