Pre-Engineering Major at Valparaiso University
The pre-engineering program helps students develop their skills in math, science, and engineering to prepare them for success in an engineering major of their choice.
Do you want to be an engineer?
Valparaiso University welcomes all students who are interested in pursuing a career in engineering and offers various pathways to complete an engineering degree based on a student’s academic background.
Step 1: Apply to the College of Engineering
When an engineering admission application is received, an admissions committee weighs the applicant’s academic credentials against the College of Engineering admission requirements. If one or more requirements are not met for admission into another engineering major, the student will be considered for admission into the pre-engineering program. There, they will have the opportunity to strengthen their math and science skills before declaring a specific engineering major. Pre-engineering students are enrolled in the College of Engineering from day one.
Step 2: Deposit and Register for FOCUS
Once you have been admitted into the pre-engineering program, you can confirm your enrollment, pay your deposit, and register for a FOCUS Session, which is Valpo’s summer orientation.
Step 3: Take the Math Placement Exam
In our experience, we have found that setting a solid math and science foundation for engineering students offers the best chance of student success, and that will not look the same for all students. Taking the math placement exam before registering for your first semester will ensure that you will be able to start in the math course that is the best fit for you.
What can Pre-Engineers do at Valpo?
You will be able to take any engineering course for which you have the prerequisites, and your engineering advisor will be checking your progress every semester. Most pre-engineering students will be admitted into a specific engineering majorwithin their firt year, but the amount of time you spend as a pre-engineer will depend partly on your math placement at Valpo. If you are prepared to start in Calculus I, you will be ready to begin a 4-year engineering plan of study with no summer courses required. These students are on the “brown” track.
BROWN TRACK FIRST YEAR PLAN |
|
SEMESTER 1 |
|
| GE 100 Fundamentals of Engineering | 2 Cr. |
| VUE 101 The Human Experience | 4 Cr. |
| MATH 131 Calculus 1 | 4 Cr. |
| PHYS 141/L Newtonian Mechanics | 4 Cr. |
| XS 101 Wellness & Stress | 1 Cr. |
SEMESTER 2 |
|
| First Year Engineering Course(s) in Major | 3-4 Cr. |
| VUE 102 The Human Experience | 4 Cr. |
| MATH 132 Calculus II | 4 Cr. |
| PHYS 142 or Humanities/Social Science | 3 Cr. |
Humanities/Social Science Electives: Students may take six credits from the approved list of Humanities courses or Social Science courses. Courses may be from the same area or from different areas. List of approved Humanities/Social Science Electives
World Language or Cultural Diversity Electives: Students will take three credits from either world language courses at the 102 level or above or from the diversity list. List of approved World Language Electives. List of approved Cultural Diversity Electives.
Your interest in studying engineering will be encouraged in our College of Engineering, where you will experience strong academic support to help you succeed. The faculty and staff are extremely devoted to our undergraduate students, and the College of Engineering enjoys an excellent reputation.
What happens if you are not quite ready to take Calculus I during your first semester?
If you are not yet prepared to take Calculus I and Physics I during your first semester, you will begin a 4-year plan of study that will require you to take 1 or 2 courses the summer between your first and second year. These students are on the “gold” track. We focus on meeting you where you are at and will provide significant academic resources to help you succeed.
GOLD TRACK FIRST YEAR PLAN |
|
SEMESTER 1 |
|
| VUE 101 The Human Experience | 4 Cr. |
| MATH 125 Calculus & Functions Part 1 | 4 Cr. |
| Humanities/Social Science or World Language/Diversity Course | 3-4 Cr. |
| GS 100 Strategies for Academic Success | 1 Cr. |
SEMESTER 2 |
|
| First Year Engineering Course(s) in Major | 1-3 Cr. |
| VUE 102 The Human Experience | 4 Cr. |
| MATH 126 Calculus & Functions Part II | 4 Cr. |
| PHYS 141/L Newtonian Mechanics | 4 Cr. |
| XS 101 Wellness & Stress | 1 Cr. |
SUMMER 1 |
|
| MATH 132 Calculus 2 | 4 Cr. |
| GE 109 Mechanics-Statics (Depending on Major) | 3 Cr. |
Humanities/Social Science Electives: Students may take six credits from the approved list of Humanities courses or Social Science courses. Courses may be from the same area or from different areas. List of approved Humanities/Social Science Electives
World Language or Cultural Diversity Electives: Students will take three credits from either world language courses at the 102 level or above or from the diversity list. List of approved World Language Electives. List of approved Cultural Diversity Electives.
We have a very strong track record of helping pre-engineering students come from both curriculum tracks to succeed and begin a great career as a professional engineer.
Questions:
If you have any questions about the Pre-Engineering Major, please contact the Assistant Dean for Student Success, Mrs. Laura Sanders at 219.464.5210 or Laura.Sanders@valpo.edu.
