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Pre-Engineering Information

York has developed a recommended sequence of pre-engineering study to prepare students to smoothly transfer from York to engineering departments at other institutions, including the Grove School of Engineering at City College, the SUNY system, and private engineering colleges. Primarily focusing on fundamental coursework in mathematics, physics & chemistry, pre-engineering at York can be tailored to students interested in all fields of engineering including mechanical or electrical (declare the physics major), chemical (declare the physics or chemistry major), civil (declare the geology major), or computer (declare the physics or computer science major).

There are many disciplines of engineering education at the Baccalaureate level, including for instance biomedical, chemical, civil, computer, electrical, environmental, and mechanical. Entering students may not be sure which area of engineering is most appealing to them. This is not a problem since there are few differences in the courses taken during the first two years. The sample two-year program below provides a proper sequence of courses for all engineering specialties. Our experience has been that students who apply themselves diligently to these courses will succeed in later engineering courses. Students desiring to transfer from York to an engineering program elsewhere should familiarize themselves with the transfer and curricular requirements of the other college as early as possible, and discuss those requirements with their pre-engineering advisor.

Suggested Two-Year Sequence

Fall

Course

Description

Credits

ENG125

Composition I: Introduction to College Writing+ 

3

MATH121

Analytic Geometry and Calculus I** 

4

PHYS113

Physics I Laboratory* 

1

PHYS117

University Physics I* 

4

 

U.S. Experience in its Diversity

3

Spring

Course

Description

Credits

ENG126

Composition II: Writing About Literature+ 

3

MATH122

Analytic Geometry and Calculus II 

4

PHYS114

University Physics II Laboratory* 

1

PHYS118

University Physics II* 

4

 

World Culture and Global Issues

3

Fall

Course

Description

Credits

CHEM108

Principles of Chemistry I 

3.5

CHEM109

Principles of Chemistry I Laboratory 

1.5

MATH221

Analytic Geometry and Calculus III

4

 

Creative Expression+

3

 

Elective Course***

3

Spring

Course

Description

Credits

MATH223

Differential Equations and Dynamical Systems

3

or

  

MATH333

Linear Algebra 

4

CS172

Computer Science I 

3

 

Individual and Society+

3

 

Writing Intensive Course++

3

*PHYS 117+113 and PHYS 118+114 satisfy the Life and Physical Sciences and Scientific World areas of Pathways, respectively.

**MATH 121 requires MATH 119+120 or placement by the Math department after testing. MATH 121 satisfies the Math and Quantitative Reasoning area of Pathways.

***Optional courses and Electives should be chosen from available courses in Physics, Geology, Mathematics, Chemistry, or Biology in consultation with the Pre-Engineering Advisor so as to satisfy requirements of the desired engineering program at the transfer College (e.g., PHYS 241, 211; GEOL 140; BIO202).

+The noted Pathways area courses are not required to be taken in the order shown here. ENG 125 and ENG 126 together satisfy the English Composition area of Pathways.

++Any writing intensive course, in addition to one taken in an upper level major course (e.g., PHYS 383), satisfies this requirement.