WHAT PATHS?
PATHWAYS
Physical Science & Engineering
Students interested in engineering find themselves immersed in creativity, science, technology, and problem-solving. Engineering demands a solid foundation in science, math, engineering technology, and computing. Prospective engineers can forsee themselves inventing, designing, analyzing, building and testing machines, complex systems, structures and materials to fulfill functional objectives and requirements while considering the limitations imposed by practicality, regulation, safety and cost.
AT A GLANCE
IS THIS YOU?
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I like the environment and would like to protect it.
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I like contributing to my community through my work.
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I like the satisfaction of completing projects.
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I like to problem solve.
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I like working with my hands.
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I like to use my creativity to design and build things.
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I am entrepreneurial.
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I aspire to become self-reliant.
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I find technology exciting.
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I want to have a variety of tasks and locations in my work.
CONDUCTING
Research
PIONEERING NEW Discoveries
DESIGNING WITH COMPUTER Software
Explore the Different Possibilities
Check out the specific concentrations within this interest cluster, with information regarding specific careers, as well as potential majors to pursue in college!
Aerospace, Aeronautical and Space
This ever-growing field features the design and operation of air and spacecraft, including the intricacies of how flight works.
Potential Majors
CONCENTRATION IN
Agricultural Engineering
Apply engineering science to agricultural production and farming. Combines elements of mechanical, civil, and chemical engineering with animal and plant biology.
Potential Majors
CONCENTRATION IN
Biomedical Engineering
Apply engineering principles and technology to the field of medicine, creating new and improved medical treatments for patients. Tissue engineering, while also considered a specialization within biotechnology, is one such example of biomedical engineering in action.
Potential Majors
CONCENTRATION IN
Civil Engineering
Deals primarily with the design, construction and maintenance of bridges, roads, canals, and the like. As a point of interest, this engineering discipline was enshrined to distinguish itself from military engineering. It is considered the second-oldest discipline, after military.
Potential Majors
CONCENTRATION IN
Computer Engineering
Combines computer science and electronic engineering. Computer engineers design both computer software and computer hardware, in addition to developing solutions for the integration of the two.
Potential Majors
CONCENTRATION IN
Electrical Engineering
The study and application of electromagnetism, electronics, and electricity. It's a broad-based discipline that encompasses the design and implementation of various electronic / electrical systems such as circuits, generators, motors, and transformers.
Potential Majors
CONCENTRATION IN
Environmental Engineering
The application of scientific principles to environmental improvement. Generally speaking, this discipline attempts to provide healthy air, water and land for safe habitation. Additionally, this particular discipline attempts to find ways to reverse environmental damages caused by pollution.
Potential Majors
CONCENTRATION IN
Industrial Engineering
Development and ongoing improvement of integrated systems. Industrial engineers seek to minimize waste and maximize efficiency by tweaking current production systems.
Potential Majors
CONCENTRATION IN
Manufacturing Engineering
Deals almost exclusively with the design and maintenance of different manufacturing processes, tools, equipment and machines. Lean manufacturing principles are one such example of scientific manufacturing in action.
Potential Majors
CONCENTRATION IN
Material Engineering
Concerned with the properties of matter and its application to science and technology. This generally refers to the study of the structure of materials at the molecular level, and includes elements of applied physics and chemistry. Nanotechnology is one such example of materials engineering in action.
Potential Majors
CONCENTRATION IN
Mechanical Engineering
Primarily concerned with the design, production and use of tools and machines. Mechanical engineers are the inventors and builders of the machines that will shape our future.
Potential Majors
CONCENTRATION IN
Physics
For the student that seeks to explore and explain fundamental questions that range from understanding the origin of the universe, including string theory, cosmology, and astrophysics, to understanding the visible world of colloids and the world on an ever diminishing scale, from the mesoscale to the nanoscale, condensed matter, and atomic, molecular and particle physics.
Potential Majors
CONCENTRATION IN
Structural Engineering
For the future engineering aiming to analyze, design, simulate, visualize, optimize, monitor and assess the behavior and environmental interactions of structures and structural materials from a holistic perspective, including those used in civil, geotechnical, aerospace, naval, marine, energy, and biological applications.
Potential Majors
CONCENTRATION IN
Nuclear Engineering
Primarily concerned with finding practical applications of nuclear energy. This includes the development and maintenance of nuclear reactors, power plants, and weapons.
Potential Majors
CONCENTRATION IN
ROADMAPS
Connect with Alumni or a Senior Mentor
Check out how our alumni students and current seniors are pursuing this pathway! Learn about what it takes. To learn more about an alumni's journey, check out their roadmap.
COURSEWORK
Choosing the Right Courses
Provided here are the COC classes that are recommended for your pathway. You are not required to take all them, so you should talk to your counselor to clarify which classes are right for you. Explore the different possibilities below!
CHEM 151
Preparatory General Chemistry
A preparatory course for Chemistry 201. Provides basic foundation in problem solving, atomic theory, stoichiometry, nomenclature, states of matter and solution chemistry.
Professors/Instructors
BIOSCI 116
General Botany
Surveys the plant kingdom with an emphasis on the biology, ecology, evolution and the economic impact of plant communities. Field trips may be required and may be outside the assigned class times
Professors/Instructors
BIOSCI 130
Environmental Biology
Introduces the principles of human genetics and function of DNA; genes, chromosomes and patterns of inheritance are explored. Not designed for biological science majors.
Professors/Instructors
BIOSCI 106
Organismal & Environmental Biology
Surveys the basic biology and diversity of unicellular and multicellular organisms. It emphasizes general biological principles including population biology and ecology, basic genetics, animal behavior, evolution, classification, structure, function and adaptations of organisms (including plants, fungi, animals, and unicellular organisms) to their environments. This course is intended for Biological Sciences majors. Field trips may be required.
Professors/Instructors
Gimple, P.
BIOSCI 100
General Biology
Explores the nature of science, including cell structure and processes, energetics in living systems, heredity, development, evolution, diversity, and environmental relationships.
Professors/Instructors
CAWT 140
Survey of Microsoft Office Programs
Examines operating systems, Microsoft Office, word processing, spreadsheet analysis, database management, presentation software, and the application of information technologies to organizational settings.
Professors/Instructors
COMS 105
Fundamentals of Public Speaking
Examines the principles and practices of public speaking, communication theory, and techniques for public speaking. Includes speech organization, development, research, audience analysis, reasoning, and presentation skills for the development of informative and persuasive speeches.
Professors/Instructors
ENGR 114
Solids Modeling for Mechanical Drafting
Introduces the computer aided aspects of mechanical design and development utilizing the solids modeling program SOLIDWORKS.
Professors/Instructors
Krizer, C.
ENGR 110
Intro to Engineering Graphics with AutoCAD
Covers the principles of engineering drawings in visually communicating engineering designs and an introduction to computer-aided design (CAD). Topics include the development of visualization skills; orthographic projections; mechanical dimensioning and tolerancing practices; and the engineering design process. Assignments develop sketching and 2-D and 3-D CAD skills. The use of CAD software is an integral part of the course.
Professors/Instructors
PHYSICS 222
Physics: Wave Motion, Heat, & Optics
Prerequisite: PHYSIC-220 and credit for or concurrent enrollment in MATH-212. Introduces modern physics, including heat, thermodynamics and kinetic theory, wave motion and sound, geometric and physical optics. UC credit limitation: PHYSICS 110-111 and 220-221-222 combined, maximum credit one series.
Professors/Instructors
PHYSICS 221
Physics: Electricity & Magnetism
Prerequisite: PHYSIC-220 and credit for or concurrent enrollment in MATH-212.
Introduces electric and magnetic fields, circuit theory and electromagnetic induction
Professors/Instructors
PHYSICS 220
Mechanics of Solids & Fluids
Prerequisite: MATH-211. Presents a calculus-based introductory study of particle and rigid body statics and dynamics, vibrational motion, and fluid mechanics.
Professors/Instructors
Four-Year Ed Plans
Provided here are ed plans for you to take AOC & COC coursework for specific concentrations within this pathway.
Keep in mind that these ed-plans are subject to change based on your individual needs and preferences.
AA Degrees
The ed-plans above will allow you to earn three Associate Degrees in Mathematics & Science (all 3 have overlapping requirements). If you pursue the Physics ed-plan, you will earn an Associate Degree in Physics. All of the ed-plans above will allow you to complete your IGETC and to transfer several General Ed college credits.
GENERAL ADVICE FOR THIS PATHWAY
Engineering is a calculus-based curriculum. If you want to get into top engineering schools, it's important to have a solid foundation in math.
If you take any SAT Subject Tests, it’s important to take and get a high 700 on the SAT Math II Subject Test (preferably 800) to demonstrate you’re strong in Math beyond what’s covered on the SAT or ACT. Getting a perfect or high score Physics or any other science Subject Test as well isn’t required, but it also will help your application.
The key to getting accepted to selective engineering institutions is to build up a “spike” in a certain area. For engineering schools, this area is math and/or science.