# Curriculum

**Source**: https://engineering.cmu.edu/education/undergraduate-studies/curriculum/index.html
**Parent**: https://engineering.cmu.edu/education/index.html

Our undergraduate program focuses on educating engineers to be properly equipped for successful careers in today's global economy. Our curriculum includes intensive classroom, laboratory, and hands-on learning. The work is challenging, and the curriculum is customizable. Engineering courses are required in the first year, giving students an opportunity to familiarize themselves with a discipline before choosing a major.

- [Undergraduate programs](https://engineering.cmu.edu/education/undergraduate-studies/curriculum/programs/index.html)

  - [Chemical Engineering](https://engineering.cmu.edu/education/undergraduate-studies/curriculum/programs/cheme.html)
  - [Civil and Environmental Engineering](https://engineering.cmu.edu/education/undergraduate-studies/curriculum/programs/cee.html)
  - [Materials Science and Engineering](https://engineering.cmu.edu/education/undergraduate-studies/curriculum/programs/mse.html)
  - [Electrical and Computer Engineering](https://engineering.cmu.edu/education/undergraduate-studies/curriculum/programs/ece.html)
  - [Mechanical Engineering](https://engineering.cmu.edu/education/undergraduate-studies/curriculum/programs/meche.html)
  - [Engineering + Art](https://engineering.cmu.edu/education/undergraduate-studies/curriculum/programs/eng-art.html)
  - [Additional majors](https://engineering.cmu.edu/education/undergraduate-studies/curriculum/programs/additional-majors.html)
- [Global courses and minors](https://engineering.cmu.edu/education/undergraduate-studies/curriculum/global-courses-minors.html)
- [Introduction to engineering courses](https://engineering.cmu.edu/education/undergraduate-studies/curriculum/introductory-courses.html)
- [Academic advising](https://engineering.cmu.edu/education/undergraduate-studies/curriculum/advisor.html)
- [General education requirements](https://engineering.cmu.edu/education/undergraduate-studies/curriculum/general-education/index.html)

  - [General education requirement request form](https://engineering.cmu.edu/education/undergraduate-studies/curriculum/general-education/requirement-request.html)

Technical skills and methods are the foundation for all engineers. However, technical expertise cannot be a stand-alone skill. Innovative thinking, leadership skills, global awareness, and interdisciplinary collaboration are key components of the undergraduate experience in the College of Engineering. The curriculum encourages students to confront problems of a professional scope, working in teams to recreate a true work environment. Many of our courses are project-based, including the “Introduction to Engineering” classes taken in the first year. Students are able to learn and practice their trade under the supervision of our world-class faculty.

These classes stress creativity and independent thinking while requiring the student to define a problem, design in the presence of technical and socioeconomic constraints, make judgments among alternative solutions and explore innovative alternatives to more conventional solutions.

## Degree programs

**The college offers Bachelor of Science degrees in:**

- [Chemical Engineering](https://www.cheme.engineering.cmu.edu/education/undergraduate-program/index.html)
- [Civil Engineering](https://www.cee.engineering.cmu.edu/education/undergraduate/degrees/bs-civil.html)
- [Electrical and Computer Engineering](https://www.ece.cmu.edu/academics/bs-in-ece/index.html)
- [Engineering Studies and Arts](https://www.cmu.edu/interdisciplinary/programs/besa.html)

- [Environmental Engineering](https://www.cee.engineering.cmu.edu/education/undergraduate/degrees/bs-environmental.html)
- [Mechanical Engineering](https://www.meche.engineering.cmu.edu/education/undergraduate-education/index.html)
- [Materials Science and Engineering](https://www.mse.engineering.cmu.edu/education/undergraduate/index.html)

**Students may also pursue an additional major in:**

- [Biomedical Engineering](https://www.cmu.edu/bme/Academics/undergraduate-programs/major.html)
- [Biomedical Technology](https://www.cmu.edu/bme/Academics/undergraduate-programs/major-bmt.html)
- [Engineering Design, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship](https://www.cmu.edu/iii/undergrad-edie/)

- [Engineering and Fine Arts](https://www.cmu.edu/interdisciplinary/programs/ea.html) (College of Fine Arts)
- [Engineering and Public Policy](https://www.cmu.edu/epp/prospective/undergraduate/epp-additional-major/index.html)

## General education requirements

The environment in which today's engineering graduates will find themselves working is evolving rapidly. Technical innovation is becoming ever more critical to retaining a competitive edge. This is true for individuals, for firms, and for nations. Start-ups, as well as established companies, have significant international opportunities but also face more competition in a global economy. Seizing these opportunities and dealing with the associated challenges requires an understanding of the global context in which engineers work, as well as an understanding of multi-disciplinary approaches to technological innovation across cultures. The College of Engineering has developed [General Education Requirements](https://engineering.cmu.edu/education/undergraduate-studies/curriculum/general-education/index.html) designed to ensure that our students are ready to work effectively in the global economy and become the innovators and leaders of tomorrow.

## Research

Undergraduate research is strongly encouraged in the college and the university as a whole. A high percentage of engineering undergrads participate in research projects, including those in our [honors research](https://engineering.cmu.edu/education/undergraduate-studies/undergraduate-research/honors-research/index.html "Honors Research") program. Juniors with a 3.5 QPA are invited to choose from a list of faculty-managed research projects. Undergraduates who participate in the Honors Research program undertake tasks and responsibilities equivalent to graduate students.

At the university level, the [Office of Undergraduate Research and Scholar Development](https://www.cmu.edu/oursd/ "Office of Undergraduate Research and Scholar Development") provides support for student research efforts, including grants, stipends, and awards. Each year, an undergraduate research symposium is held to showcase undergraduate research projects. The event, called Meeting of the Minds, attracts projects from across campus, with hundreds of participants annually.