Engineering Programs

• Pre-Engineering
• Aeronautical Engineering
• Biological Systems Engineering
• Chemical Engineering
• Civil Engineering
• Computer Engineering
• Electrical Engineering
• Industrial Engineering
• Materials Science
• Mechanical Engineering
• Other Engineering Disciplines

The engineering transfer program encompasses a variety of engineering disciplines.  Students should have a general idea of which type of engineering they are considering studying.  Various recommended courses of study are given below based upon what engineering discipline is selected.

Each student has a unique set of circumstances so an advisor should be consulted to devise an appropriate schedule for you.

Current TCC Engineering advisors are:

• Rebecca Sliger (Personal Information Page) (Send an E-mail)
• Keith King (Personal Information Page) (Send an E-mail)
• Anne Hafer (Personal Information Page) (Send an E-mail)
• Jared Abwawo (Personal Information Page) (Send an E-mail)

Pre-Engineering

If you are an incoming engineering student and are not yet ready for the higher level engineering and physics courses due to math assessment below Math 124, we recommend the following strategy:

1. Math - Take math every quarter in order to be ready for Calculus (Math 124) as soon as possible.
2. Chemistry - If you have not taken high school chemistry, take Chemistry 100 (Math 99 is a pre-requisite) and Chemistry 101.  Chemistry140 and Chemistry 150 are required for engineering programs (take these following CHEM 100/101 or take them immediately if you had high school chemistry and satisfy the Math 115 prerequisite).  Some engineering disciplines also require Chemistry 160 (see individual disciplines below)
3. Distribution - Take English 101 and Engineering 100 (counts as Social Science credit).  Engineering 123 is suggested as a 5 credit Humanities distribution.  You must take either 5 credits of Humanities (Engr 123 satisfies this requirement) and 5 credits of Social Sciences or 10 credits of Humanities.  (Universities require a 10 credit in-depth sequence for graduation so you might research what will best satisfy graduation requirements at your transfer institution).  At least 5 credits taken in the distribution category must qualify as Multicultural credits.
4. Engineering Electives - Take Engineering 231   Intro to Technical Report Writing  (Requires English 101).

Once you have begun the Calculus sequence (Math 124, 125 and 126), you should start taking higher level Engineering and Physics courses listed for the individual engineering specialties listed below.

• Pre-Engineering Flier

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Aeronautical Engineering

Aerospace engineers are involved with all aspects of design for projects ranging from commercial and military airplane/helicopters to satellites and rockets.  They may be working on the aerodynamics of design through computer simulation or wind tunnel testing.  They may also be working on understanding the stresses and strains on an aerospace structure.  Aerospace engineers may also be involved in designing the controls interface.  While the curriculum for an aerospace engineering degree is similar to a mechanical engineering degree, the emphasis is always on the aerospace industry.

• Mechanical, Civil, Aeronautical, Industrial, and Material Science Engineering Advising Flier
• Associate of Science Engineering Tracks
• Chart showing Engineering Specialization classes showing the quarter typically offered and prerequisite class information
• American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics
• AllStar Network, Aeronautics Learning Center

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Biological Systems Engineering

Bioengineers work on projects that specialize in the biological sciences or medical fields.  This can include developing medical instruments, prosthetic devices, and artificial organs.  They may also work in fields research supporting farming innovations or in the prevention/cleanup of environmental pollution.

• Biological Engineering Advising Flier
• Associate of Science Engineering Tracks
• Chart showing Engineering Specialization classes showing the quarter typically offered and prerequisite class information
• Biomedical Engineering Society

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Chemical Engineering

Chemical engineers use their knowledge of chemistry to design new products or processes.  This may involve designing new materials or modifying methods of production. More recently, chemical engineers have been involved with developing environmentally friendly alternatives to traditionally used chemicals and processes. This could involve pharmaceuticals, beverages, cosmetics, plastics, or petroleum to name a few.

• Chemical Engineering Advising Flier
• Associate of Science Engineering Tracks
• Chart showing Engineering Specialization classes showing the quarter typically offered and prerequisite class information
• American Institute of Chemical Engineers

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Civil and Environmental Engineering

Civil engineers typically work on large scale structures such as buildings, bridges, dams, transportation systems, sanitation systems and water supply systems.  Environmental engineers are working to solve a myriad of environmental issues.  This is one of the largest and most diverse fields in engineering. 

• Mechanical, Civil, Aeronautical, Industrial, and Material Science Engineering Advising Flier
• Associate of Science Engineering Tracks
• Chart showing Engineering Specialization classes showing the quarter typically offered and prerequisite class information
• American Society of Civil Engineers

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Computer Engineering

Computer engineers work on all levels of computer systems from the basic electrical design, through manufacture, and operation.  Computer engineers could work on any type of electrical device that has a “brain” like desktop/laptop computers, cell phones, televisions, automobiles, and all manner of personal electronic devices.  Computer engineers can also be involved with writing the software which runs the hardware.

• Computer and Electrical Engineering Advising Flier
• Associate of Science Engineering Tracks
• Chart showing Engineering Specialization classes showing the quarter typically offered and prerequisite class information
• Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers

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Electrical Engineering

Electrical engineers deal with anything electrical.  This could involve new energy research like fuel cells, wind production or solar cells.  It could also include older technologies like hydroelectricity, geothermal power generation, nuclear, or coal fired plants.  It does not, however, simply involve electrical generation.  Electrical engineers could work on the electrical grid or in the individual devices used in the home.  Electrical engineers are also responsible for communication networks like television, telephone, and data using either land based or space based systems.

• Computer and Electrical Engineering Advising Flier
• Associate of Science Engineering Tracks
• Chart showing Engineering Specialization classes showing the quarter typically offered and prerequisite class information
• The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc.

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Industrial Engineering

Industrial engineers specifically work to make companies money.  They are involved in the design, manufacture, and operation of production machinery and in making production more dependable and efficient.  IE’s also work to simplify, enhance safety in the workplace, or improve the working conditions of factory employees.  This can mean work on quality control, design, management, and interacting with factory employees to determine solutions to both mechanical and human issues.

• Mechanical, Civil, Aeronautical, Industrial, and Material Science Engineering Advising Flier
• Associate of Science Engineering Tracks
• Chart showing Engineering Specialization classes showing the quarter typically offered and prerequisite class information
• Institute of Industrial Engineers

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Materials Science Engineering

Materials engineers work with everyday materials like plastics, metals, or other raw materials to produce materials are used to produce what consumers want.  This could mean designing new ways to use the materials in products or in producing new desirable materials.  Metallurgical or Ceramic Engineering are sub-disciplines of materials science engineering.

• Mechanical, Civil, Aeronautical, Industrial, and Material Science Engineering Advising Flier
• Associate of Science Engineering Tracks
• Chart showing Engineering Specialization classes showing the quarter typically offered and prerequisite class information
• ASM International Materials Information Society

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Mechanical Engineering

Mechanical engineers are involved with everything mechanical.  This could involve planes, cars, bicycles, drawbridges, ships, robotics, and even refrigeration.  If it moves or has moving parts, chances are a mechanical engineer had a hand in designing it. Mechanical engineers are involved in research related to energy and fluids, mechanics of materials, systems and dynamics and design and manufacture.  Mechanical engineering is the broadest engineering discipline as well as one of the largest. 

• Mechanical, Civil, Aeronautical, Industrial, and Material Science Engineering Advising Flier
• Associate of Science Engineering Tracks
• Chart showing Engineering Specialization classes showing the quarter typically offered and prerequisite class information
• American Society of Mechanical Engineers

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Other Engineering Disciplines

If you are interested in other engineering disciplines, please make an appointment with an engineering advisor to discuss the options you have available to you.

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