Pre-Engineering at BGSU

What is “pre-engineering”?

“Pre-engineering ” is a term used to describe students who either plan to enter an engineering program after graduating from college or after completing a minimum of 60 hours required for entrance. When a student is “pre-engineering”, he or she is not only taking the classes required for admission to an engineering school, but also has a major in a specific subject matter area such as Chemistry, Mathematics or Physics.

What courses are required for admission to engineering school?
Students are responsible for verifying all pre-requisite courses with the engineering program of their choice. Engineering is presently a high-opportunity career area, and a pre-engineering program at Bowling Green State University offers several advantages, especially for those students who are uncertain about an engineering specialty. However, students should be advised that all engineering specialties require a high aptitude for mathematics and quantitative reasoning. In order to complete the curriculum below in two years, a student must be qualified to enroll in MATH 1310 during the fall semester of the first year; this normally requires four years of high school mathematics and good mathematics aptitude.

The two-year curriculum outlined below closely parallels the introductory coursework of engineering schools. Because the requirements in engineering colleges and in different fields of engineering vary considerably, the student should consult with the pre-engineering program advisor early in the first year in order to plan a schedule to meet the requirements of the institution and branch of engineering in which he or she expects to receive a degree.

Recommended Two Year Sequence:

• One year of English composition (GSW 1110 - 1120)
• Calculus I, II, II, and elementary linear algebra (MATH 1310, 2320, 2330, and 3320)*
• One year of calculus based physics with labs (PHYS 2110 and 2120)*
• One semester of general college chemistry with lab (CHEM 1250)*
• One semester of design and engineering graphics (ENGT 1010)
• One semester of statics and strength of materials (ENGT 2400)*
• Introductory programming course (CS 1010 and or 2010)*
• One semester of overview economics (ECON 2000)
• One semester of communication (COMM 1020)

Electives will be required to complete a full schedule of classes each semester.

Are all of these required courses available at BGSU?
Yes, all of the courses required for engineering admission are available at BGSU.

What major are most popular among pre-engineering students?
Many pre-engineering students choose Chemistry, Math or Physics.

How high should my GPA be in order to go to engineering school?
A minimum cumulative grade point average of at least a 3.5 is competitive for most engineering programs.

When should I begin my pre-engineering coursework?
All students should begin their basic pre-engineering course work as early as possible in their college career.

Are there any organizations at BGSU available for pre-engineering students?
Pre-engineering students are encouraged to join the student groups in their key fields, such as the Society of Physics Student or the American Chemical Society Student Affiliate.

How long does it take to get through engineering school?
After graduating from BGSU or after completing the minimum 60 hours of pre-requisites students entering an engineering program, who are well prepared in math and science (performed well in high school calculus, physics, chemistry, particularly with AP credits) can complete an engineering degree in four years. A significant percentage of students take longer, but the numbers vary from engineering program to the next.   

What resources are available at BGSU to help me learn more about engineering school?
If you are interested in learning more about pre-engineering at BGSU, please contact Dr. Andy Layden in the Department of Physics and Astronomy (laydena@bgsu.edu or 419-372-8653).