Undergraduate Programs

The school offers 12 undergraduate degree programs:

• Aerospace engineering
• Applied computing
• Architectural engineering
• Chemical engineering
• Civil engineering
• Computer engineering
• Computer science
• Cybersecurity engineering
• Electrical engineering
• Engineering physics
• Mechanical engineering
• Petroleum engineering

High School Preparation

Preparation for an engineering career begins in high school with basic mathematics and science courses. Prospective engineering students should take mathematics through at least trigonometry and at least one year of both chemistry and physics. A well-rounded background in English, history, economics, and social studies, preferably with some computer operations and programming and advanced mathematics, affords flexibility in choosing a concentration. A strong college preparatory program provides a good background for the student who plans to major in engineering.

Honors Programs

The school encourages all qualified students to participate in the University Honors Program. Honors Program students meet with a dedicated honors program academic advisor every semester. 

Some engineering departments offer an option to graduate with departmental honors. Departments set these requirements.

Bachelor of Science in Engineering Degree Requirements

The B.S. degree is offered with majors in aerospace engineering, architectural engineering, chemical engineering, civil engineering, computer engineering, cybersecurity engineering, electrical engineering, engineering physics, mechanical engineering, and petroleum engineering. The school also offers the B.S. degree in applied computing and computer science.

First- and Second-Year Preparation

Undergraduates usually enroll in engineering in their first year. The first few semesters of all the curricula contain a large proportion of common courses. Through proper planning with advisors, students may delay choosing specific fields for one or two semesters. Selecting the major by the beginning of the third semester is strongly encouraged so that the recommended schedule of classes can be followed.

Each engineering degree program includes courses in 5 general areas of study:

1. KU Core 34 (SGE),
2. Basic sciences,
3. Basic engineering sciences,
4. Specialized engineering sciences, and
5. Engineering design.

The computer science degree program has a similar structure, but computer science courses replace some engineering courses. Courses taken during the first 2 years are largely from the first 2 areas, with a few courses in the basic engineering sciences or computer science. The basic sciences include mathematics, chemistry, and physics and further course work in the earth and life sciences in some of the curricula. Appropriate laboratory experience that combines elements of theory and practice is included in each student’s program, together with extensive computer-based experience. Completion of KU Core 34 is required in all majors. Each department recommends or requires certain courses be used to fulfill Core 34 within each major to allow students the greatest flexibility in degree completion.

Requirements for Graduation

In addition to completing each of the required and elective courses listed in the curriculum,

1. A student must attain a cumulative grade-point average of at least 2.0 in the courses applied toward the degree. A student must also have a KU cumulative grade-point average of 2.0 whether or not all courses are being applied to the degree.
2. A student must attain a cumulative grade-point average of at least 2.0 in all courses taken in the school, including courses not applied toward a degree.
3. A student entering with advanced standing must attain a cumulative grade-point average of at least 2.0 in the resident courses applied toward the degree and at least a 2.0 in all courses taken in the school.
4. A student must take the last 30 hours of credit toward the degree at KU and be officially enrolled in the School of Engineering during this time.

General Education Component

Students in all engineering curricula must take courses that complement the technical content. These must include courses applicable to the KU Core 34 and course work that;

• Fosters an understanding of professional and ethical responsibility.
• Promotes the ability to communicate effectively.
• Develops an understanding of the impact of engineering solutions.
• Advances the student’s knowledge of contemporary issues.

Each engineering department may specify courses that fulfill these requirements.

Credit for ROTC Courses

A few credit hours from courses in aerospace studies, military science, or naval science may be applied toward graduation in lieu of certain required or elective courses. A student normally must complete the ROTC curriculum, whether or not it leads to a commission, to receive ROTC hours toward a bachelor’s degree in engineering. The student should submit a petition for substitution of courses to the department. The ROTC policy for each engineering degree program is listed with the information on each program.

Credit for Foreign Language Courses

Some foreign language courses may be applied toward graduation in engineering programs. A foreign language that is similar to the native language is not acceptable. Information on use of foreign language courses is available in each engineering program listing.

Petitions for Exceptions

A student seeking an exception to the rules and practices of the school should first consult an advisor and then petition the school to consider the exception. All petitions are approved by the Engineering Dean's Office with the guidance of the student's advisor and department.

Minors and Undergraduate Certificates

The School of Engineering has a minor in Biomedical Engineering, which requires five courses and a minimum of 18 credit hours. This minor is open to all engineering undergraduates. The Electrical Engineering and Computer Science department has an undergraduate certificate in Cybersecurity, open to current EECS undergraduate students who do not have Cybersecurity Engineering as a declared major.

Additionally, engineering students may minor in many liberal arts areas or in the schools of Business, Journalism and Mass Communications, or Music. To earn a minor, a student must take at least 18 credit hours, 12 of which must be 300-level courses or above. If the department or program has additional requirements for the minor, students must meet those requirements also. Interested students should see an advisor in the department offering the minor and complete a minor declaration form as early as possible.

Dual Enrollment

KU permits dual enrollment in 2 academic divisions. The student must plan carefully with special advisors in each area. Students should expect the minimum time required for 2 degrees to be at least 1 year longer than the minimum for 1 degree. The academically well-qualified student who is seriously considering dual enrollment might consider studying for the second degree at the graduate level. If the program is properly planned, it may be possible to earn 1 B.S. and 1 M.S. degree in about the same time required for 2 undergraduate degrees.

Limitation on Enrollment in Engineering Courses

After the fifth day of classes, enrollment in a course offered by the school is permissible only with approval of the instructor and permission of the dean. The school reserves the right to deny admission to courses offered by the school to any student who is officially enrolled in another division of the university and does not meet the school’s standards for admission or readmission and/or who does not have the proper prerequisite course work completed.

Preparation for Graduate Study

Undergraduates in the School of Engineering receive excellent preparation for pursuing graduate degrees. The school offers M.S. degrees as well as professional degrees. Students may apply for admission to graduate studies during the senior year and may be co-enrolled during the final undergraduate semester. Admission to graduate studies requires a minimum 3.0 grade-point average and completion of an ABET-accredited undergraduate degree.

Graduate Programs

The Master of Science (M.S.) degree is offered in 12 areas:

• Aerospace Engineering
• Architectural Engineering
• Bioengineering
• Chemical Engineering
• Civil Engineering
• Computer Engineering
• Computer Science
• Electrical Engineering
• Environmental & Water Resources Engineering
• Environmental & Water Resources Science
• Mechanical Engineering
• Petroleum Engineering

The Master of Engineering (M.E.) is offered in 3 areas:

• Aerospace Engineering
• Bioengineering
• Electrical Engineering and Computer Science

The Department of Civil, Environmental, and Architectural Engineering offers the Master of Civil Engineering (M.C.E.) and the Master of Construction Management (M.C.M.).

The School of Engineering offers the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree in 9 areas:

• Aerospace Engineering
• Bioengineering
• Chemical and Petroleum Engineering
• Civil Engineering
• Computer Science
• Electrical Engineering
• Environmental and Water Resources Engineering
• Environmental and Water Resources Science
• Mechanical Engineering

Doctoral students interested in careers in research or teaching or both should consider the Ph.D. degree. Exceptionally qualified undergraduates may be admitted directly to a Fast-Track Ph.D. program.

For aerospace students interested in careers in engineering design or engineering project management, the school offers programs leading to the Doctor of Engineering (D.E.) degree in Aerospace Engineering.

Graduate Certificate Programs

The School of Engineering is excited to offer certificate programs in the following focus areas:

• Applied Machine Learning
• Biomedical Product Design
• Computational Fluid Dynamics
• Construction Management
• Data Science
• Petroleum Management
• Structural Analysis
• Structural Design
• Structural Forensics
• Water Resources

For information on graduate studies in petroleum management, contact the Department of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering or the School of Business.

Graduate Grade-Point Average (GPA) Requirement

In addition to completing a Plan of Study that is formally approved by the advisory committee and other requirements appropriate to the graduate degree, a student must:

1. Attain and maintain at least a 3.0 grade-point average in all graduate courses and
2. Attain and maintain at least a 3.0 grade-point average in all course work, including undergraduate courses taken to make up background deficiencies, except for courses taken at the Applied English Center.

Please note, once you begin enrolling in your graduate career all courses 500 level and above will count towards your graduate GPA, even if you are not counting those courses towards your degree or are taking them as pre-requisite courses. Students who obtain a GPA below 3.0 will be placed on academic probation or dismissed from the School of Engineering.

Plan of Study

All graduate students must have an approved Plan of Study on file by the end of their second semester of graduate study. Click here to create or update a plan. All students must have an up to date and approved Plan of Study on record in order to graduate.

Undergraduate Advising

Engineering students are advised by academic advisors from Jayhawk Academic Advising. Students are assigned an Engineering Faculty Mentor by their departments during their first year.

Each incoming student is encouraged to attend KU’s summer Orientation during June and July. At the summer orientation program, students are advised on course selection for the fall semester and given the opportunity to enroll. Students who cannot attend the orientation program confer with their academic advisors and enroll a day or two before classes start during open enrollment.

Engineering advising holds are placed on all Engineering students' accounts each semester before enrollment. Students see their academic advisor to plan schedules and discuss academic and career interests. Once a student has met with an academic advisor, the enrollment hold is released. Students are encouraged to contact their academic advisors any time during the school year if they wish to change their schedules or discuss other matters. Consultation with an academic advisor is recommended before making schedule changes.

Undecided engineering and pre-engineering students are assigned academic advisors and should visit Jayhawk GPS to schedule an appointment. For general advising inquiries, contact Jayhawk Academic Advising, advising@ku.edu or 785-864-2834.

Graduate Advising

Graduate advising generally is done at the department and program level. Graduate students should contact the Director of Graduate Studies or Graduate Coordinator in their department or program if they have not yet chosen an advisor or have general questions. Students starting their graduate program should attend the New Graduate Student Orientation (scheduled the week prior to the start of the fall and spring semester classes). More information is available here.

Plan of Study

Graduate students should discuss their enrollment plans with their faculty advisor or Graduate Director to plan schedules and discuss academic and career interests. Once a student has met with an advisor, they should complete their Plan of Study online and submit the plan to their advisory committee for approval. Consultation with an advisor is recommended before making a Plan of Study.   All graduate students, including those enrolled in courses at KU Medical Center and the Edwards campus, must have an approved Plan of Study on file by the beginning of their second semester in the graduate program. Enrollment holds are placed on students' accounts after their first year of graduate study if they do not have an up to date and approved Plan of Study on file. Click here to create or update a plan. All students must have an approved Plan of Study on record in order to graduate.

Undergraduate Scholarships and Financial Aid

The school has a scholarship program for entering freshmen students. Engineering scholarships are awarded competitively according to academic merit and without regard to financial need. Awards range from $1,000 to $4,000 per year, and scholarships are renewable for a total of four years of undergraduate study. All first-time freshmen who are admitted to the School of Engineering are considered for scholarships if they apply to the School of Engineering by the university's scholarship deadline (typically November 1).

Students with financial need should fill out the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) by March 1.

Graduate Funding and Assistantships

A variety of scholarships, fellowships, and assistantships are available to graduate students through the School of Engineering, KU, and outside sources. Many opportunities require that students be admitted to a graduate program before students are eligable to apply. Be sure to apply early, in order to meet eligability requirements for funding (both internal and external) by posted deadlines. Graduate students are nominated by their departmet or program for School of Engineering funding each fall and spring.

The KU Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships offers a helpful calculator to estimate costs and search for scholarships. Financial Aid & Scholarships also administers grants, loans, and need-based financial aid. Students should contact the Graduate Director within their department or program or their advisor to inquire about research or teaching assistantships. Students must be admitted regularly or enrolling on regular status to be eligable for assistantships. Students admitted provisionally or placed on academic probation are ineligable for research or teaching assistantships. More information on graduate student funding is available here.  

Undergraduate University Regulations

For information about university regulations, see Regulations or visit the University of Kansas Policy Library.

Absences

A student with excessive absences may be withdrawn from the course by the dean.

Academic Standing

Good Academic Standing

Undergraduates must maintain both university and engineering semester and cumulative grade-point averages of 2.0 or higher, and make progress towards an engineering degree, to remain in good standing. Students’ academic standings are reviewed after each fall and spring semester.

Placed on Notice

A first-year, first semester student whose university overall or engineering grade-point average is between 1.75 and 1.99 will be placed on academic notice. Academic notice serves as the warning system to recognize and make improvements to academic performance. Students placed on academic notice are monitored by the school, engineering department, and student’s academic advisor.

A first-year freshman student placed on academic notice after their first semester at KU will either return to good standing after the subsequent semester dependent on university and engineering semester and cumulative GPAs above 2.0.

If a student placed on academic notice does not return to good standing after the subsequent semester, the student will then be placed on probation.

Probation

If a student’s university or engineering semester or cumulative grade-point average falls below 2.0, the student is placed on probation. The student will return to good standing if:

1. The following semester's cumulative and engineering grade-point average is 2.0 or higher,
2. The cumulative grade-point average is 2.0 or higher, and
3. All other requirements described in the probation letter are met.

Students also may be placed on probation for failing to make progress toward an engineering degree or failing to be continuously enrolled in Applied English Center or English courses until all AEC and the KU Core Written Communications requirements are met.

Dismissal

A student on probation may be dismissed if any of the following occur:

1. Failure to make progress toward their engineering degree while earning a GPA lower than 2.0 in the next semester.
2. Failure to have a university overall and engineering overall GPA of 2.0 or greater for two consecutive semesters

A student within one semester of completing degree requirements who is recommended for dismissal is subject to review by the engineering department and school to instead continue on probation.

Readmission

A student does not automatically become eligible to re-enroll after a certain period of time. A student who is readmitted on probation must meet stringent academic requirements to be returned to good standing. Students are encouraged to meet with their engineering department or department of interest to discuss a potential path forward into the School of Engineering. A student who has been dismissed from the School of Engineering for poor scholarship may apply for readmission by submitting a Change of School form. A student who has been dismissed from the University of Kansas may apply for admission or readmission to the School of Engineering by contacting the Office of Admissions and Scholarships. 

Change of School

To change from one school to another, KU students must submit a Change of School form online.

Admission is competitive and students are considered on a case-by-case basis. Students must have an overall college grade-point average of 2.5 or better, with grades of C or better in Calculus I (MATH 125 or its direct equivalent) and any courses in mathematics, science, and engineering taken. Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis. 

Credit/No Credit

A Credit/No Credit option is available to degree-seeking undergraduates depending on their academic program. Where permitted, students may enroll in one course per semester under the option; specifically required courses (such as calculus or physics) may not be taken credit/no credit. For more information, visit the KU Policy Library. Always check with your academic advisor before electing credit/no credit, as policies vary from department to department. If an engineering department requires that certain course work be used to fulfill any of these degree requirements, those courses shall not be eligible for credit/no credit.

Aerospace engineering, architectural engineering, chemical engineering, and civil engineering do not accept Credit/No Credit. This is not an option for any credits counting towards the degree.

In EECS majors, any mathematics, science, engineering, or Core 34: English course that is required for an EECS degree cannot be taken for Credit/No Credit. For EECS majors, courses used to fulfill the KU Core 34 in Communications, Social & Behavioral Sciences, Arts & Humanities, U.S. Culture, and Global Culture accept Credit/No Credit.

In engineering physics, mechanical engineering, and petroleum engineering, any mathematics, science, or engineering course that is required for the engineering degree cannot be taken for Credit/No Credit. For engineering physics, mechanical engineering, and petroleum engineering majors, courses used to fulfill the KU Core 34 in English, Communications, Social & Behavioral Sciences, Arts & Humanities, U.S. Culture, and Global Culture accept Credit/No Credit.

Warning: Certain undesirable consequences may result from exercising the option. Some schools, scholarship committees, and honorary societies do not accept this grading system and convert grades of No Credit to F when computing grade-point averages.

Graduation with Departmental Honors

For students who complete their department’s honors program, designation of honors appears on the transcript.

Graduation with Distinction and Highest Distinction

Students who fulfill the following requirements are eligible for graduation with distinction.

1. Students must rank in the upper 10 percent of the graduating class by KU grade-point average.
2. Students must have taken at least 64 hours in residence at KU.
3. Students with transfer credit must also have overall grade-point averages, including transfer credit, that fall into the upper 10 percent of the class.

The upper third of those awarded distinction graduate with highest distinction. The list is compiled each spring and includes July, December, and May graduates.

Maximum and Minimum Semester Enrollment

The normal course load is 15-17 hours a semester. A student may not enroll in more than 19 credit hours during any semester or more than 10 credit hours during the summer session except with approval of the School of Engineering.

Prerequisites and Corequisites

Students may be administratively dropped from courses for which they do not meet prerequisite or corequisite requirements.

Required Work in Residence

Students must be enrolled in the school for the last 30 hours of credit.

Transfer of Credit & Credit for Prior Learning

CredTran is a transfer course equivalency system that lists more than 2,200 colleges and universities from which KU has accepted transfer courses in the past. If your school or course is not listed, your evaluation will be completed when you are admitted to KU.

Credit for Prior Learning is detailed by the Office of the University Registrar which includes, but is not limited to AP credit, ACT scores, CI, CLEP credit, IB credit, SAT scores, and Military Service credit.

The School of Engineering does not routinely accept credits from foreign institutions or from vocational-technical programs in the United States. Before such courses may be added to a student’s official KU record as transfer credits, they must be validated:

1. By examination by the department or school offering the course on the KU campus,
2. By earning a grade of C or higher in a later course in the sequence of courses, or
3. By earning a grade of C or higher in a course.

Credits for English composition at a foreign institution of higher education are not accepted for the required English courses in any engineering curriculum.

Credits from courses completed at the secondary level (high school), whether from U.S. or from foreign schools, are not added to a student’s official record unless the student obtains college credits through one of three examination programs:

1. The College Entrance Examination Board’s Advanced Placement test,
2. KU’s own credit by examination program, or
3. The College Level Examination Program.

A course from another college or university may apply toward the Bachelor of Science in Engineering degree as transfer or nonresident credit only if the grade received is at least C. This policy is detailed in the Transfer Coursework, Minimum Grade and GPA Calculation policy.

Transfer credit in engineering science and engineering design from institutions accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology and from institutions with which KU has approved articulation agreements may be applied toward the degree as appropriate in the particular engineering curriculum. Transfer credit in engineering from other institutions must be evaluated and validated on a case-by-case basis.

Graduate University Regulations

For information about university regulations, see the Graduate Regulations or visit the University of Kansas Policy Library.

Graduate Enrollment

The Graduate Studies policy for graduate enrollment is that all graduate students must be continuously enrolled in the fall and spring semesters. Note that this does not include the summer semester, unless you are a Ph.D. candidate (post-comprehensive enrollment) or have a GTA/GRA appointment. This includes part-time programs, but does not include non-degree seeking students. Review the general information in the Graduate Studies section of the online catalog for more information.

If you do not plan to enroll for a given semester, you will need to do one of the following:

Request a Leave of Absence – Use this option when you plan to return to your graduate study after one or more semesters. A leave of absence may be granted upon request to the graduate program in advance of leave. Leaves may be granted in cases of illness, emergency, to pursue family responsibilities, or to pursue full-time activities related to long-range professional goals. The time taken for a leave of absence does not count against the time limit for earning the degree. However, if the total time for the leave extends more than three semesters, you may lose your place in the program and have to re-apply for admission. To request a leave of absence, you must contact your department graduate coordinatort, who will submit a Progress-to-Degree (PtD) form. You need to provide the graduate coordinator with the following information: non-ku email address, mailing address, first term of leave and the semester you plan to return, as well as a statement on the reason for the leave of absence.

Request to Voluntarily Discontinue – Use this option if you do not plan to return to your graduate program in the School of Engineering. This means that you voluntarily resign from a program by requesting a discontinuance. If you choose to return at a later date, you must re-apply for admission. Discontinuance is requested through your department or program via email to the department graduate director or assistant.

Please note, students who do not request a leave of absence are discontinued in the system and will be required to apply for re-admission (application fee required). To prevent having to re-apply and pay additional fees, students are strongly encouraged to request a leave of absence and contact their departmental staff when they are ready to return.

Academic Status

Good Academic Standing

Graduate students must be admitted regularly and maintain cumulative grade-point averages (GPA) of 3.0 or higher to be considered in good standing. Students admitted provisionally must complete departmental / program requirements before they are considered in good standing. Students on academic probation can regain their good standing once they have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher. Students’ academic standings are reviewed after each semester. All courses 500-level and above will count towards the graduate GPA, if enrolled in a graduate program.

Provisional Admittance / Academic Probation

Students who are admitted provisionally are given a set of requirements that must be completed, generally within the first year, before they will be moved to regular status. Students placed on academic probation due to their graduate GPA must obtain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher within a given time frame, generally one semester, before they are moved to regular status. If you receive a cumulative grade point average below a 3.0 during your graduate career, you are considered ineligible for teaching and research assistantship positions or will need to petition the school and Graduate Studies office for approval.

Dismissal

Graduate students who are unable to meet their provisional or probationary requirements within the given time frame may be dismissed from the School of Engineering.  When the particular circumstances are deemed to justify continuation, and upon the recommendation of the department or program, such a student may be continued on probation by the Graduate Division for one additional semester equivalent of full-time study. If a student decides to pursue another graduate degree within the School of Engineering, they are required to re-apply.

Change of Degree

A student who wants to change from one engineering degree program to another within the same department should see their department graduate coordinator to complete a progress-to-degree (PtD) form. Students who wish to change to a program outside of their home department must submit an application for admission. If a student changes or is accepted into another program and wishes to pursue only the new degree, the student should notify the department graduate coordinator, so that the old plan may be removed from the student’s record. Students are allowed to pursue multiple degrees, but should discuss these plans with both program advisors.

Credit/No Credit

Graduate students may select the Credit/No Credit option for certain courses. Students should follow the policy outlined in the University Senate Rules and Regulations, Section 2, article 2.27.

Honors

Graduate student can obtain honors only at the time of the final defense or final exam (and comprehensive exam for Ph.D. students). Students enrolling in coursework only degree programs do not have the opportunity to receive honors at the graduate level. Students who complete a project, thesis or dissertation will have the opportunity to receive honors at the time of the final exam or defense. Students should discuss the requirements for graduation with their program advisor if seeking honors. Only 10-15% of graduate students receive this high distinction.

Entry and Employment in the Profession

Initial Licensing

Formal study in an accredited engineering program is the principal means of becoming licensed to practice engineering in Kansas and other states. During the junior or senior year, a student may take the national Fundamentals of Engineering examination. After 4 or more years (licensing regulations vary among states) of practice satisfactory to the board, the student may take the examination to become a registered professional engineer.

Job Search Assistance

The Engineering Career Center offers a comprehensive array of services to students seeking permanent employment and career-related summer or co-op employment. These include on-campus interviewing; 2 career fairs each year; individual advising and group workshops on résumés; interviewing, and job search strategies; online interviewing sign-up; online job postings from many employers not interviewing on campus; a library of employer and career literature; and an online résumé book searchable by employers.

The Engineering Career Center offers services to all engineering students. Students are encouraged to visit the Engineering Career Center early in their undergraduate or graduate studies. Many employers actively seek KU engineering and computer science students. Some prefer to hire students as early as the first-year level for internships. The Career Center is in 1410 LEEP2; additional information is available from 785-864-3891.