- Department of Aerospace Engineering and Mechanics
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering
- Department of Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering
- Department of Computer Science
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
- Department of Mechanical Engineering
- Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering
- Engineering Positive and Intentional Change, Minor
Freshman Engineering Program
The Freshman Engineering Program at The University of Alabama offers a first-year experience designed to both motivate and engage our students. All engineering majors, with the exception of Musical Audio Engineering students, take a common first-year program with these goals:
- introduce students to the field of engineering
- ensure students have the skill sets necessary to successfully complete second-year engineering courses
- illustrate the relevance of mathematics and science to the field of engineering
If you, as a current or prospective student, have questions about the Freshman Engineering Program at The University of Alabama, please visit https://students.eng.ua.edu/programs/fep/; call 205-348-0750; or write to Freshman Engineering Program, College of Engineering, 2087 H.M. Comer Hall, The University of Alabama, Box 870200, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487-0200.
Laptop Requirement
Effective Fall 2020, all students in the College of Engineering are required to have a laptop. This does not affect currently enrolled students who started in the 2019-20 academic year or before. For more information about recommended laptop specifications, click Here.
Degree Requirements
If a student does not complete the requirements for the undergraduate degree within a period of seven years from the date of admission, the College of Engineering will modify the student’s program to bring it into compliance with current degree requirements. Students who have begun their careers seven years prior to the most current catalog may choose to complete the requirements outlined in this catalog, but if they do so they must complete all of the requirements listed herein. Students may not choose some requirements from this catalog and some from previous catalogs.
Application for Degree
Each candidate for graduation must submit a degree application through the "Apply to Graduate" link under the MyBama Student tab. Students who expect to complete degree requirements in May can submit their degree applications beginning on October 1 of the previous year. Those who expect to finish their requirements after the summer or fall semester should submit their applications beginning in March before the expected graduation term. In all cases, an application for degree must be on file in Engineering Student Services no later than the stated deadline on the University Registrar Academic Calendar. Students who apply for their degrees after the stated deadline will be subject to a late fee and may not receive their diplomas until the following term.
The College of Engineering follows the admission and retention standards set by the University and reserves the right to change policies, procedures, degree requirements, schedules, courses offered, and other standards in light of circumstances that may arise after the publication of this catalog.
Admission as a Freshman Student
A student who meets the criteria for admission to The University of Alabama as a freshman student is eligible for admission to the College of Engineering. Specific information about these criteria is available from The University of Alabama, Office of Undergraduate Admissions, Box 870132, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487-0132; 205-348-5666 or toll-free 1-800-933-BAMA in the continental United States.
Entering freshmen may enroll in specific degree programs, or they may enroll as undesignated engineering students. Students are initially placed in math and English courses based on standardized test scores or previously earned college credit. A math placement exam is available to qualify for a higher level math course. Per University policy, grade points earned in preparatory courses are counted in the GPA, but hours earned for such courses may not be applied to the requirements for a degree.
Common Freshman Year
All students in the College of Engineering, with the exception of Musical Audio Engineering majors, have a common freshman-year experience. As part of this experience, all students must complete four hours of fundamental engineering courses. These four hours consist of:
| Freshman Engineering Courses | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| ENGR 103 or | Engineering Foundations | 3 |
| ENGR 123 | Engineering Foundations Honors | |
| ENGR 111 | Engineering for the Future (or major-specific introductory course*) | 1 |
*AEM 121, CE 121, CHE 125, CS 121, ECE 121, ME 121, MTE 121. One-hour introductory courses can be applied to any COE major, however it is recommended that students who have selected a major take the introductory course in that discipline.
Admission as a Transfer Student
A student seeking to transfer into the College of Engineering from another institution is required to have an official transcript sent directly to the UA Office of Undergraduate Admissions from each college or university previously attended. A grade point average of "C" (2.0 on a 4.0 scale) or better for all college-level work attempted is required for admission to the University and to the College. Transferred courses will be applied as appropriate to a student’s degree program. Courses where a grade of "D" was earned will not be applied if the course is a prerequisite to another course required for the student’s degree program. The authority to apply or to deny transferred credit rests with the college.
Transfers from Two-year Colleges
The College of Engineering adheres to the University's policy regarding transfer credit from two-year institutions. All courses for which credit is to be transferred must be of essentially the same quality as the equivalent courses at The University of Alabama.
Transfers from Senior Colleges and Universities
Courses transferred from institutions accredited by ABET will be accepted within the broad limits of the graduation requirements of the College and the University. Students seeking to transfer credit from institutions not accredited by ABET or by a regional or national accrediting agency may be granted transfer credit on a provisional basis. Consult the Director of Engineering Student Services or the UA Office of Undergraduate Admissions for more information.
Transfers from Other UA Divisions
Students transferring to the College of Engineering from another college or division of The University of Alabama must have a minimum 2.0 UA GPA and Overall GPA. Credit that another division of the University previously accepted for transfer from another institution will be reevaluated by the College of Engineering when a student transfers into the College from within the University.
Auditing Courses
Click here for details regarding The University of Alabama's policy on auditing courses.
Course Substitution
Occasionally, students may wish to substitute another course for a required course. In such instances, students are encouraged to work with their assigned advisor to initiate the formal petition process.
Double/Second Majors
Click here for details regarding The University of Alabama's policy on second bachelor's degree, multiple majors, and dual majors.
Students should work with their assigned advisor to declare and understand the necessary requirements.
Engineering Alternative to the Statewide General Studies Curriculum
Act 94-202, enacted by the Alabama legislature in 1994, provided equivalency for first- and second-year courses taught by colleges in the state of Alabama. In 1995, engineering educators presented an engineering alternative to the general studies curriculum (GSC) that modified the Act to specific needs of engineering colleges statewide. The engineering alternative was unanimously approved by the statewide Articulation and General Studies Committee in December 1995 and was made a part of GSC. The details of the College of Engineering Core Curriculum/General Education Requirements are listed in the Academic Records and General Academic Policies section of this catalog.
Electives
Students in the College of Engineering may not apply mathematics courses below MATH 125 Calculus I. Courses below MATH 125 Calculus I are considered as preparatory courses by Engineering which cannot apply towards students’ degree requirements. For guidance on selecting elective courses, students should work with their assigned advisor.
Mathematics Assessment
Click here for details regarding The University of Alabama's policy on Mathematics Assessment.
Math Progress Rule
Students who do not complete MATH 125 Calculus I with a grade of C- or greater within two years, i.e. six semesters including summer semesters, from the date they enroll at The University of Alabama and begin attending classes will not be allowed to continue in the College of Engineering and must change to a major outside the College.
In order to be on track to graduate in four years (i.e. a total of eight regular combined fall and spring semesters), students must generally be enrolled in MATH 125 Calculus I or higher in their first semester at UA. Because the coursework in degrees in the College of Engineering is so interdependent and often involves interconnected sequences of courses with prerequisites including mathematics requirements, students who must complete preparatory courses (MATH 005, MATH 100, MATH 112, MATH 113, and MATH 115) may need to plan to take math classes in the summer prior to their entry typically in a fall semester to stay on track for graduation in four years and to meet the requirement that Calculus I be completed within two years of entry to UA.
Pass/Fail Option
Click here for details regarding The University of Alabama's policy on grades and grade points.
The pass/fail option cannot be exercised for courses that are to be applied to the requirements of an engineering or computer science degree.
Prerequisites
The College of Engineering requires a grade of C- or higher in each course that is a prerequisite to any course needed to meet a student’s degree requirements. If a grade lower than C- is received in a prerequisite course, that course must be repeated. A grade of C- or higher must be earned before the student enrolls in the subsequent course. In such cases, students are responsible for making schedule changes through the drop/add process. Changes should be made before the beginning of the next term, and they must be made before the deadline for adding courses. Failure to make the changes on time will result in administrative withdrawal from the course. Students who are administratively withdrawn from a course after the deadline to add a course may not add another course in replacement. For academic planning assistance, students should work with their assigned advisor.
Advising
Brasfield & Gorrie Engineering Advising Center
2087 H.M. Comer
205-348-0750
The mission of the Engineering Advising Center is to educate students on the importance of academic advising by fostering a working advisor-student partnership designed to support students in achieving academic and personal goals. Engineering advisors aim to empower students to take ownership of their educational experiences by understanding and using the available resources through communication and involvement with the advising center. Students are assigned an advisor based on their major program of study. Advising in the College of Engineering is mandatory, so students must be advised each semester prior to registering for courses. Advising services include: semester and degree planning, schedule changes, academic warning or suspension advising, advising for co-op, study abroad and/or internships planning, degree audits and graduation certification, and much more. For more information on advising services, students are encouraged to visit the Engineering Advising Center website.
Repeating Courses
Click here for details regarding The University of Alabama's policy on repeating courses.
Undergraduate students in the College of Engineering are restricted to two attempts per course offered by departments within the College of Engineering. An attempt at a course includes any attempt at a class where a student earns any grade other than a W (withdrawal).
After a second unsuccessful course attempt, students should consult their major department within the College of Engineering to discuss academic options.
Residence in the College and in the Major
A maximum of 12 hours of upper division courses (300/400 level) in the engineering majors, as shown in the Major requirements block of the Degree Works audit, can be transferred. For Computer Science degree programs, a maximum of 12 hours can be transferred at the 200/300/400 level. Senior design course(s) for all BS Engineering and Computer Science degree programs must be taken at UA and cannot be transferred from another institution.
Vision
The University of Alabama College of Engineering will be a nationally-recognized leader in student-centered education, research and innovation.
Mission
The mission of the College of Engineering is to serve the state, nation, and global community by advancing the boundaries of knowledge through innovative research and education of the next generation of leaders.
Goals
- We will provide high-quality, exceptional experiences that educate distinguished bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral graduates.
- We will develop, conduct and disseminate innovative research that engages students at all levels.
- We will foster faculty dedication to excellence in education, research and service.
For more information about the College of Engineering and its programs and services, call or write: The University of Alabama, College of Engineering, Box 870200, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487-0200; 205-348-6400; eng.ua.edu.