Overview Research Centers Continuing Engineering Education Program (CEEP) Other University Campuses General Requirements for Undergraduate Admission	Academic Policies Planning an Engineering Program Undergraduate Degrees Graduate Study in Engineering Programs of Study
At A Glance: College of Engineering and Applied Science  Complete course list for the College of Engineering and Applied Science

Dean
Marc Ingber

Assistant Dean of Administrative and Academic Planning
Brian Brady

Assistant Dean of Student Services
Paul Rakowski

Director of Community and Industry Relations
Marilee DeGoede

Contact

Office
North Classroom, 3024
1200 Larimer Street, 3rd Floor
Telephone: 303-556-2870
Fax: 303-556-2511
www.ucdenver.edu/engineering

Mailing Address
College of Engineering and Applied Science
Campus Box 104
P.O. Box 173364
Denver, CO 80217-3364

Engineering Student Services/Academic Advising
303-556-4768

 

Application Deadlines

Undergraduate
Fall—August 1
Spring—December 1
Summer—May 1

 

Graduate Programs

Civil Engineering

Domestic

Fall: master’s—July 15
       doctoral—May 15

Spring: master’s—December 1
       doctoral—October 1

Summer: master’s—March 15
       doctoral—January 15

International

Fall: master’s—June 15
        doctoral—April 15

Spring: master’s—November 1
        doctoral—September 1

Summer: master’s—February 15
        doctoral—December 15

Computer Science and Engineering
Rolling Admissions

Electrical Engineering
Rolling Admissions

Mechanical Engineering
Fall—April 1
Spring—October 1

 

Overview

Continuing an 85-year tradition, the College of Engineering and Applied Science on the Denver Campus of the University of Colorado Denver (UC Denver) meets the needs of the Denver metropolitan area by providing nationally accredited engineering education in a flexible format that suits both students and employers. Recognizing the importance for students to pursue professional studies and related employment simultaneously, the college offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs in civil engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering and computer science and engineering through evening studies or through a more traditional schedule of day classes. As a practicing engineer, you can improve and update your professional capabilities and earn a graduate degree. Or, through our interdisciplinary master of engineering degree, you can obtain graduate education in management, computer science, behavioral science or other areas together with new engineering skills in your field. We also participate in an interdisciplinary master of science in environmental science.

A listing of the fields in which engineers work would have hundreds of entries. The following list gives only a brief summary of the fields available at UC Denver.

Civil engineering offers an interesting and challenging career in the design and construction of buildings, bridges, dams, aqueducts and other structures; in transportation systems including highways, canals, pipelines, airports, rapid transit lines, railroads and harbor facilities; in the distribution of water and the regulation of rivers; in the development of water resources for urban use, industry and land reclamation; in the control of water quality through water purification and proper waste treatment; in the construction and contracting industry; and in the problems concerned with our physical environment and the growth of cities.

Computer science and engineering offers graduates the solid foundation needed for jobs in computing and information technologies. Career paths in computer science involve designing and implementing software, devising new applications of computers and developing effective ways to solve computing problems. Computer engineers design and develop computer hardware and supervise its manufacture and installation.

Electrical engineering offers professional careers that include research in development of new electrical or electronic devices, instruments or products; design of equipment or systems; production and quality control of electrical products; and sales or management for private industry or government. There are numerous specialties within electrical engineering. Among them are the design and application of computer systems and digital engineering; electromagnetic fields and microwave devices; control systems; communication theory and signal processing; electrical integrated circuits and electron devices; and energy and power systems.

Mechanical engineering offers a wide range of interesting and challenging career opportunities in research, design, development, manufacturing, testing and marketing for either private industry or government. Mechanical engineers help develop a wide range of products such as engines, transmissions, compressors, pumps, computer disk drives, oil field drilling rigs, missiles, space satellites, earth-moving equipment, container-manufacturing machines, medical equipment and many other products encountered in daily life.

College of Engineering and Applied Science Educational Goals

The College of Engineering and Applied Science has established the following goals and objectives for undergraduate education:

• successful completion of the fundamental core courses, primarily lower division, in mathematics and the physical sciences
• successful completion of the required upper-division courses in engineering science, analysis and design
• successful completion of real-world engineering design projects that require integration of engineering, economic and social skills
• successful completion of a series of humanities and social science courses that introduce the student to societal problems and historical perspectives
• evidence, through close student/faculty contact, of development of professionalism, ethics and concern for the multifaceted human element of engineering
• evidence, from successful completion of a full engineering curriculum, of the ability to maintain professional competency through lifelong learning
• evidence, through successful completion of a series of communications oriented courses and project presentations, of an ability to communicate effectively with professionals and lay persons alike

Accreditation

The undergraduate degree programs in civil, computer science and engineering, electrical and mechanical engineering programs are accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission (EAC) of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET).

Availability of Degree Programs

UC Denver will accept for matriculation only those prospective engineering students who designate a degree program awarded by the UC Denver College of Engineering and Applied Science. Students desiring degree programs other than those named above must apply to the campus awarding the degree. In some cases, the university campus accepting the student may grant permission to take courses on another University of Colorado campus, subject to enrollment limitations. In such cases, the engineering department of the admitting campus will counsel the student in the preparation of course schedules.

Nondegree Students

Nondegree students may apply 12 semester hours of course work (or up to 18 if taken in one semester) toward a bachelor’s degree in engineering from UC Denver. Nondegree graduate students may apply 9 semester hours of graduate-level course work toward a master’s degree in engineering from UC Denver.

Summer Courses

Summer session courses are offered for regular students and those who have academic deficiencies. Courses are also offered for high school graduates who wish to enter as freshmen and need some additional preparatory work. For some students, there are advantages in starting their college careers during the summer session. Some required freshman and sophomore courses and many elective courses are offered at UC Denver during the summer. The summer session gives students a head start and enables them to take a lighter load during the fall semester or take additional courses to enrich their programs.

Computing

The College of Engineering and Applied Science encourages all students to develop their skills in using the computer as a tool, not only for solving technical problems but for use in all other facets of their careers. Students are encouraged to explore computer courses other than the fundamental programming course required in their curriculum.

Internships and Cooperative Education

Internships and cooperative education are a way for students to gain professional experience while studying at UC Denver. Many internship and co-op positions lead to permanent employment opportunities upon graduation. Please see the “Career Center” section of the Campus Life  chapter in this catalog or contact the Career Center at 303-556-2250 for information on the specific eligibility requirements. Information can also be obtained by contacting Engineering Student Services (ESS) in the Office of the Dean at 303-556-4768.

Scholarships

The college receives an annual allocation of state funds for Dean’s Scholarships; these funds are awarded to students who apply and meet scholarship and community service criteria. Additional funds for scholarships and loans are obtained through contributions from alumni and friends. Enrollment in the College of Engineering and Applied Science makes the student eligible for these scholarships. Scholarship application forms are available in the college. Students must apply by April 1 for summer or fall semester and by October 1 for spring semester of each year for consideration. Students can apply for all industry scholarships and Dean’s Scholarships using the general application form. Scholarship application forms require information about the applicant’s participation in school related activities, community activities and work. Dean’s Scholarship applicants must qualify for in-state tuition and have at least a 3.0 GPA, but do not need to show unmet financial need. All recipients must be registered for six or more hours in the semester for which the awards are made.

The College of Engineering and Applied Science also offers scholarships to new, financially eligible students who are enrolled full time as an engineering major through its Recruiting Engineers to ACHieve (REACH) program. Through this National Science Foundation program, scholarship recipients can receive up to $7,600 their first year (depending on need) and up to $3,800 the second year. Detailed program information is online at www.cudenver.edu/REACH. For more scholarship information, go to www.ucdenver.edu/academics/colleges/Engineering/Pages/EngineeringAppliedScience.aspx under “Scholarships.”

For additional information on other types of financial aid, consult the Tuition, Fees and Financial Aid  chapter of this catalog.

Research Centers

^Top

Transportation Research Center

Director: Bruce Janson
Telephone: 303-556-2831

The Transportation Research Center (TRC) involves both students and faculty on the Downtown Campus in a range of education and research activities. The TRC works on projects in collaboration with other departments and colleges such as business, urban planning and public affairs. TRC projects address local, state, national and international concerns with funding from federal, state, local or private sources.

Some focuses of the Transportation Research Center are transportation modeling; traffic monitoring technologies and data analysis techniques; transportation planning and travel demand forecasting for both person and freight movements; traffic engineering and control; facility design and management; use of geographic information systems in transportation; environmental impact assessment; transportation investment decision analysis, including cost-benefit analyses and cross-subsidization issues; and accident studies. Several studies on advanced system development involve partnerships with Colorado’s high-tech industry.

Facility for Advanced Spatial Technology

GIS Lab Coordinator: M. Sue Hawkins
Affiliated Faculty: Deborah Thomas, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences; Lynn E. Johnson, College of Engineering and Applied Science; Brian Muller, College of Architecture and Planning
Telephone: 303-556-4172
Web site: ucdenver.edu/academics/colleges/Engineering/Programs/Civil-Engineering/Laboratories/Pages/FacilityforAdvancedSpatialTechnologyLab.aspx

The Facility for Advanced Spatial Technology (FAST) is a coordinated facility of the Colleges of Architecture and Planning, Engineering and Applied Science and Liberal Arts and Sciences. The FAST is comprised of computer clients and servers, GIS and related software and classroom and research space. It is the campus interdisciplinary center of GIS related activities that is used by students, faculty and outside community groups seeking to develop GIS techniques for various applications.
The FAST provides support for GIS courses and degree programs for students of varying backgrounds, learning styles and locations. The programs give students modern proficiencies in applying GIS techniques to analyze, plan and design natural and built environments. Students can complete the engineering GIS program entirely online.
 

Colorado Advanced Photonics Technology Laboratory

Director: Larry Scherrer
Telephone: 303-556-4175
Web site: www.captcenter.org

The Colorado Advanced Photonics Technology (CAPT) Laboratory is a state-of-the-art measurement and fabrication research center. The four major areas of concentration are optical characterization and metrology, photonics, prototype packaging and photolithography and environmental testing and evaluation.

The CAPT Laboratory provides cutting-edge technical services to corporate and educational partners. It is the only photonics resource in Colorado that can deliver surface roughness measurements, optical testing, contract measurement services, prototyping, precision metrology, environmental testing, use of photonics equipment and facilities and training. The CAPT Laboratory provides access to advanced facilities and equipment, including $5 million in equipment for material characterization, prototype packaging, measuring, inspection and environmental testing.

Center for Geotechnical Engineering Science

Director: N. Y. Chang
Associate Director: Brian Brady
Telephone: 303-556-2362

The Center for Geotechnical Engineering Science was formed to advance the understanding of the safety, reliability, performance and environmental impact of engineered geostructures. Resolution of geostructural and environmental remediation problems are addressed through research that is sponsored by public funding agencies and private industry, both national and international. The center serves as a vehicle for technology transfer. Cooperative research with other universities in Colorado, the United States and around the world is welcomed. The center includes research on geostructural stability, rock engineering, geoenvironmental engineering and expansive soils.

The Expansive Soil Research Laboratory provides leadership in the advancement of technology needed to mitigate damage from expansive soils in Colorado. Studies cover national and international problems, as expansive soils underlie more than one-third of the earth’s land surface. In the United States, these materials are prevalent in the southern, western and Rocky Mountain states. As development takes place in these areas, structures may experience damaging effects of expansive soil resulting in the loss of millions of dollars annually. The current frequency and severity of damage clearly demonstrate that important deficiencies persist in our understanding and application of the current technology in engineering designs. The Expansive Soil Research Laboratory identifies and conducts research aimed at better understanding of the mechanisms and processes that characterize expansive soil; promotes education and training for engineering students and professionals, the construction industry and the public; assists consulting industries and governments with realistic guidelines on design, construction and operation of facilities built on expansive soils; and provides a database and clearinghouse for information and technology transfer.

Continuing Engineering Education Program

^Top

Program Manager: Heidi Utt
Telephone: 303-556-4907
Web site: www.ucdenver.edu/academics/colleges/Engineering/discover/ContinuingEngineeringEducationProgram/Pages/CEEP.aspx

Continuing Engineering Education Program (CEEP) courses are offered at convenient times and locations, are taught by academic and industry professionals, and are responsive to changing technologies. By addressing topics for both engineers and non-engineers, the curriculum supplies the knowledge, skills, and competitive edge required in many professional fields. Moreover, CEEP students finish with ready-to-apply expertise. Program disciplines encompass civil, electrical, mechanical, environmental, systems, information technology, project management and more, with a focus on key industry certifications, such as the FE, PE, CAPM, PMP, CCNA, SCJP and others. Most CEEP offerings are non-credit Continuing Education Unit earning courses, although some courses are available for graduate credit.

Other University Campuses

^Top

University of Colorado at Boulder

Six engineering departments are located on the campus of the University of Colorado at Boulder. Complete BS, MS and PhD degree programs are offered by the Department of Aerospace Engineering Sciences; the Department of Chemical Engineering; the Department of Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering; the Department of Computer Science; the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering; and the Department of Mechanical Engineering. Undergraduate and graduate degrees also are offered in applied mathematics and engineering physics. The programs at the Boulder campus are primarily oriented to the full-time student who can attend day classes.

University of Colorado at Colorado Springs

Three engineering departments—computer science; electrical and computer engineering; and mechanical and computer engineering—are located on the campus of the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs (UCCS). Complete BS degree programs are offered in computer engineering, computer science, electrical engineering and mechanical engineering; bachelor of innovation programs are offered in computer science, computer science security, electrical engineering and game design and development. Master of engineering programs are offered in information assurance, software engineering and space operations; and MS and PhD programs are awarded in computer science, electrical engineering and mechanical engineering.

General Requirements for Undergraduate Admission

^Top

The student must meet the admission requirements described in the Information for Undergraduate Students  and Information for Graduate Students  chapters of this catalog and of the College of Engineering and Applied Science in which the degree program selected by the student is offered.

Beginning undergraduate students in engineering should be prepared to start analytic geometry-calculus. No credit toward any degree in engineering will be given for algebra, trigonometry or precalculus mathematics (MATH 1110, 1120 and 1130). (These courses are offered to allow a student to make up deficiencies.) Students who question the adequacy of their precollege background in mathematics should contact the Department of Mathematics office in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Placement tests covering precalculus mathematics are required of new freshmen to select the appropriate beginning mathematics course.

To be prepared for the type of mathematics courses that will be taught, the student must be competent in the basic ideas and skills of ordinary algebra, geometry and plane trigonometry. These include such topics as the fundamental operations with algebraic expressions, exponents and radicals, fractions, simple factoring, solution of linear and quadratic equations, graphical representation, simple systems of equations, complex numbers, the binomial theorem, arithmetic and geometric progressions, logarithms, the trigonometric functions and their use in triangle solving and simple applications, and the standard theorems of geometry, including some solid geometry. It usually takes eight semesters to cover this material adequately in high school.

Refer to the “Minimum Academic Preparation Standards (MAPS)” and “Admission Requirements for Freshmen” sections in the Information for Undergraduate Students  chapter of this catalog for a list of high school subjects required for admission to the College of Engineering and Applied Science.

Former Students

Former students must meet the readmission requirements outlined in the Information for Undergraduate Students  and Information for Graduate Students  chapters of this catalog. Students who interrupt their degree program for more than one academic year will be required to follow the degree program in effect at the time of their readmission to the college. Repetition of course work may be necessary because of the interruption; readmitted applicants will be evaluated on an individual basis. Repeated courses must be taken for no credit (NC). See the “Repetition of Courses” policy under “Academic Policies” in this chapter of the catalog.

Intercampus Transfer

Transfers between campuses of the University of Colorado should be carefully planned to avoid loss of academic credit. Courses and credits required for engineering degrees vary from campus to campus; therefore, students should plan as far ahead as possible. The campus advisor can help choose the right courses. Such planning should also include contacting the engineering department to which the student plans to transfer at least one semester before the transfer is planned. The transfer student must have at least a 2.0 GPA for 30 hours of credit toward an engineering degree to be eligible to transfer. A higher GPA may be required to transfer directly into the College of Engineering and Applied Science. In general, calculus, physics and chemistry courses will transfer for full credit. In addition, 12 semester hours of humanities and social sciences electives will usually transfer for full credit. Fundamental computing courses may be unique by campus and should be checked with the campus to which the student is transferring. Any minimum academic preparation standards (MAPS) deficiencies should be eliminated before transferring.

Transfer Agreements

The College of Engineering and Applied Science has formal transfer agreements with the following Denver metro-area community colleges:

Arapahoe Community College (Littleton)—303-794-1550
Community College of Aurora—303-360-4790
Community College of Denver—303-556-2600
Front Range Community College (Westminster)—303-466-8811
Red Rocks Community College (Lakewood)—303-988-6160

These transfer agreements provide an opportunity for potential engineering students to complete courses applicable to an engineering program offered at UC Denver. Students interested in a transfer should contact Engineering Student Services at 303-556-4768 and the respective community college counseling office at the phone number indicated above.

Transfer Students

Students applying for transfer from other accredited collegiate institutions will be considered for admission on an individual basis if they meet the requirements outlined in the Information for Undergraduate Students  chapter of this catalog and have successfully completed a year each of calculus and physics (calculus-based).

Applications to transfer from another college on the Downtown Campus to the College of Engineering and Applied Science will be considered on an individual basis by the Office of the Dean, if the student’s prior academic record includes successful completion of a year each of calculus and calculus-based physics and the student’s cumulative GPA is 2.75 or higher.

Transfer Credit

Refer to the Information for Undergraduate Students  and Information for Graduate Students  chapters of this catalog for descriptions of universitywide policies on transfer credit.

After a prospective transfer student has made application and submitted official transcripts to the University of Colorado Office of Admissions, that office issues an applicant transfer credit evaluation listing those courses that are acceptable by university standards for transfer. A copy of this evaluation is sent to the student and to Engineering Student Services in the Office of the Dean by Office of Admissions processing and is made a part of the permanent record. An advisor will use this form to indicate which courses and credit hours listed are acceptable toward the graduation requirements for the student’s degree program. The decisions will be recorded on both the applicant transfer credit evaluation form and the department’s study program for BS form, and signed and dated. Both forms are reviewed by Engineering Student Services in the Office of the Dean, and signed and dated. Any modification to the initial evaluation must be by petition, have the recommendation of the transfer advisor and department chair and have approval of the Office of the Dean. All documents will become a part of the student’s master file in the Office of the Dean. All transfer credit must be validated by satisfactory achievement in subsequent courses.

Note: All requests for consideration of transfer credit and its application toward a degree in engineering must be submitted prior to the student’s last two semesters at the Downtown Campus of UC Denver.

Nontransferable Credits

Courses on basic subjects such as mathematics or physics may be acceptable for direct transfer of credit if they were taught as part of an accredited program for all students and were not specifically designated for engineering technology students. Engineering technology courses (courses with technology designations) will not be considered for transfer into an engineering degree program.

Students may seek credit for course work by examination (see “Transfer of College-Level Credit” section of the Information for Undergraduate Students  chapter of this catalog).

Undergraduate Core Curriculum in Engineering

---

The faculty of the College of Arts & Media, the Business School, the College of Engineering and Applied Science and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences have established a core curriculum for undergraduate students. See the General Information section of this catalog for an overview of the common core concept.

Students graduating from the College of Engineering and Applied Science are required to satisfy the humanities and social sciences and writing portions of their engineering program by taking courses from the UC Denver Core Curriculum .

The intent of the humanities and social sciences component of an engineering program is to provide the student with a coherent and well-structured exploration of a substantive issue or theme appropriate to the engineering profession and/or of interest to the student. The required humanities and social sciences electives must include both breadth and depth, must include advanced-level course work and should be planned in consultation with the advisor. A random selection of lower-division courses will not satisfy the humanities and social sciences elective requirement.

Courses such as accounting, contracts, management, elementary foreign languages, public speaking and technical writing are not acceptable as humanities and social sciences electives.

Academic Policies

Refer to the Information for Undergraduate Students  and University Policies  chapters of this catalog for descriptions of universitywide policies. The following policies apply specifically to students in the College of Engineering and Applied Science.

Advanced Placement

Advanced placement credit may be granted by special examination or by College Entrance Examination Board (CEEB) tests. If the applicant has scored four or five on the CEEB Advanced Placement Examination, credit toward graduation may be awarded. Students who have scored three may be considered for advanced placement by the department concerned. All advanced placement and transfer credit must be validated by satisfactory achievement in subsequent courses in accordance with standard transfer policies of the college.

College-Level Examination (CLEP) Credit

Prospective students may earn college-level credit through the College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) subject examinations, provided that they score at the 50th percentile or above. The Engineering Student Services advisor will advise students of the credits accepted for such courses toward a degree program. CLEP general examinations are not acceptable. (See also “College-Level Examination Program” in the Information for Undergraduate Students  chapter of this catalog.)

Attendance Regulations

Successful work in the College of Engineering and Applied Science is dependent upon regular attendance in all classes. Students who are absent should make arrangements with instructors to make up the work missed. Students who for illness or other good reason miss a final examination must notify the instructor or Engineering Student Services in the Office of the Dean no later than the end of the day on which the examination is given. Failure to do so may result in an F in the course.

Changing Departments

Students who wish to change to another department within the College of Engineering and Applied Science must apply for transfer by submitting a change of major for undergraduate degree student’s form, which must have the approval of the new department. (See also discussion of interdepartmental transfer requirements under “Transfer Students” in this chapter of the catalog.)

Advising

Freshman students are advised by Engineering Student Services and by representatives from each academic department. These representatives are readily available to assist students with academic or vocational concerns. Contact Engineering Student Services at 303-556-4768. Students are assigned specific departmental advisors for academic planning and should contact the departmental office for advising appointments.

Counseling

Personal counseling is available through the UC Denver Student and Community Counseling Center. Contact 303-556-4372 for questions or an appointment.

Course Load Policy

Full-time Students. Undergraduate students employed less than 10 hours per week should consider registering for courses as outlined in the departmental curricula. Additional courses may be allowed when there is satisfactory evidence that the student has the capability to handle the added load. Permission to take more than 19 hours may be granted by written petition and approval of the department chair and the dean’s office.

Freshman Year

Fundamentals taught in the freshman year are of critical importance in the more advanced classes. Special attention should be given to taking courses in the proper sequence. (Course requirements for freshmen are detailed within the typical curriculum given under each department.) All students are urged to consult their instructors whenever they are experiencing difficulties with course materials or for questions related to the class.

Repetition of Courses

Undergraduate students may not register for credit in a course in which they already have received a grade of C- or higher. An F grade in a required course necessitates subsequent satisfactory completion of the course. Students must repeat a prerequisite course in which a grade of D+ or lower was earned before moving on to the subsequent course, if that course is a prerequisite to another required course. If students do not successfully complete (C- or higher) an engineering class on the second attempt, they must obtain written approval from their major department to enroll for the course for the third time. When a course is retaken because of a D or F grade, both grades will appear on the transcript and both will be averaged into the GPA. Any exceptions to these policies must be made by written petition through Engineering Student Services in the Office of the Dean.

No Credit

An engineering student must request approval before enrolling for no credit (NC) for any course. Required courses must be taken for credit. Once a course has been taken NC, the course cannot be repeated for credit.

Work Experience

The College of Engineering and Applied Science does not award academic credit for work experience.

College Policy on Academic Progress

All undergraduate students must declare a major by the time they have accumulated 60 semester hours. An undergraduate engineering student must maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or better in all hours attempted at the University of Colorado, in those courses applied toward graduation requirements and in all courses taken from the student’s major department in order to remain in good standing in the College of Engineering and Applied Science. Grades earned at another institution are not used in calculating the GPA at the University of Colorado. However, grades earned in another school or college of the University of Colorado will be used in determining the student’s scholastic standing and progress or lack of progress toward the bachelor of science degree in the College of Engineering and Applied Science.

Read about academic probation and suspension in the University Policies  section.

Dean’s List Criteria

UC Denver will use a fixed criterion across all colleges for determining eligibility for the Dean’s List. This policy applies to undergraduate students.

For fall and spring semesters, students must successfully complete 9 hours in the semester upon which to determine the grade point. These courses can be both within and outside of the college. Pooled courses will not be included in the calculation nor will they count toward the 9 hours required for consideration. The GPA set for inclusion in the Dean’s List is 3.75. In the summer semesters, students must complete 6 hours as a basis for inclusion in the Dean’s List. Course inclusion will be the same as in fall and spring semesters. The GPA for Dean’s List in summer is also 3.75.

Colleges will collect data each semester on the number of students making the Dean’s List and report the numbers and percentage of total students in the college.

Scholarships tied to Dean’s Lists in individual college may have additional requirements.

The Registrar’s Office will calculate the semester GPAs for all students two weeks prior to the due date for semester grades. Those GPAs will be the basis for determining the Dean’s List. Incompletes will not be considered in the calculation of minimum number of hours. The Dean’s List will not be recalculated to include completed incompletes. 

Academic Ethics (Dishonesty, Cheating)

Students are expected to conduct themselves in accordance with the highest standards of honesty and integrity. Cheating, plagiarism, illegitimate possession and disposition of examinations, alteration, forgery or falsification of official records and similar acts or attempts to engage in such acts are grounds for suspension or expulsion from the university.

In particular, students are advised that plagiarism consists of any act involving the offering of the work of someone else as the student’s own.

At the Denver Campus of UC Denver, there is a student Academic Honor Code. The code is published in a brochure available from the Office of Student Life. Information regarding all student grievance procedures may be obtained in that office.

In addition, the college has a committee on discipline that hears cases of alleged violations of academic ethics and recommends disciplinary action. In a case of proven academic dishonesty/misconduct, the committee may invoke penalties that may include probation, suspension or expulsion. In a case of suspension or expulsion, a distinction may be placed on a student’s academic record indicating the action was due to academic dishonesty/misconduct. Students who suspect or observe violations of academic ethics should report them to their instructor, the department chair or the Office of the Dean.

Grading System, Incompletes, Pass/Fail and Drop/Add Procedures

See the Registration and Records  chapter of this catalog for the University of Colorado uniform grading system and for additional pass/fail information and drop/add procedures.

Final grades, as reported by instructors, are to be considered permanent and final. Grade changes will be considered only in cases of documented clerical error and must be approved by the dean.

Incompletes

An incomplete may be given by the instructor for circumstances beyond the student’s control, such as a documented medical or personal emergency. When it is given, the student, Engineering Student Services and the departmental office must be informed in writing by the instructor, who states what the student is to do in order to remove the incomplete and the date the tasks are to be completed. The instructor will assign an “I” distinction. The student is expected to complete the course requirements (e.g., the final examination or term paper), within the established deadline and not to retake the entire course. The majority of course requirements (75%) must have been completed with a passing grade to be eligible for an incomplete. An “I” distinction will be converted automatically to a grade of “F” after one year if the specified work is not completed.

Pass/Fail

The primary purpose for offering courses on a pass/fail grade basis is to encourage students, especially juniors and seniors, to broaden their educational experience by electing challenging upper-division humanities and social sciences elective courses without serious risk to their academic records. In general, pass/fail should be limited to 3000- or 4000-level humanities and social sciences courses. Students must process the pass/fail form during the first two weeks of the semester. Engineering students cannot take required courses pass/fail.

Dropping a Course

After the tenth week of the semester, dropping a course requires a petition signed by the department chair and Engineering Student Services. Only under very extenuating circumstances, such as a documented medical or personal emergency, will petitions for dropping courses be approved after the tenth week of the semester.

Sequence of Courses

Full-time students must generally complete the courses in the department in which they are registered, according to the typical curriculum shown under their major department in this catalog. Part-time students may modify the order of courses with their advisor’s approval.

Graduate-Level Courses Taken at Undergraduate Level

With faculty advisor approval, an undergraduate engineering student may be granted the opportunity to take graduate courses to be counted toward an undergraduate degree. A maximum of 6 semester hours of graduate-level course work taken as an undergraduate can be considered for credit toward a graduate degree. Only a grade of B (3.0) or above will be considered for graduate-level credit. All consideration of graduate work to be counted toward both an undergraduate and a graduate degree must be approved by a faculty advisor and Engineering Student Services.

Graduation with Honors

In recognition of high scholarship and professional attainments, Honors, Special Honors or With Distinction may be awarded at graduation at the discretion of the student’s major department. These honors are recorded on the diploma of the graduate and indicated in the commencement program. Grades earned during the semester of graduation will not be considered.

For Special Honors, a student must have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.80, and for Honors, a GPA between 3.60 and 3.79. With Distinction is awarded at the discretion of the College Executive Council.

Transfer students, to be considered for honors, will be expected to complete a minimum of one-half of their work within the University of Colorado System. Grades earned at other institutions will not be considered. Transfer students must have completed at least 54 semester hours at University of Colorado before their last semester and must have a minimum of 64 semester hours completed at graduation.

Planning an Engineering Program

^Top

It is the responsibility of all students to do the following:

• meet with department academic advisor at least once each year
• meet with department transfer credit advisor as necessary
• meet with the assistant dean of engineering student services as necessary
• meet with department senior check-out advisor prior to their last 30 semester hours of course work to finalize a graduation program that will be reviewed by the assistant dean of engineering student services 
• complete a graduation contract and an application for diploma card before or during the first two weeks of their last semester
• keep the assistant dean of student services informed of any changes in the student’s plans throughout their last year

Graduation Requirements

In order to become eligible for one of the bachelor’s degrees in the College of Engineering and Applied Science, a student, in addition to being in good standing in the university, must meet the following minimum requirements:

Courses—The prescribed and elective work in any curriculum as determined by the appropriate department must be completed satisfactorily.

Hours—A minimum of 130 semester hours is required for students seeking a civil engineering degree; a minimum of 128 semester hours for computer science and engineering, electrical engineering or mechanical engineering degrees.

Hours in Residence—At least 30 semester hours of course work applicable to a bachelor of science degree in engineering must be taken at the Downtown Campus while a declared student in good standing at the College of Engineering and Applied Science. Students must be enrolled in the college for at least the final two semesters prior to graduation.

Transfer Credit—All requests for consideration of transfer credit and its application toward a degree in Engineering and Applied Science must be submitted prior to the student’s last two semesters at the Downtown Campus.

Grade Point Average (GPA)—A minimum GPA of 2.0 (C) is required for all courses attempted, for all required courses and for all courses taken from the student’s major department.

Faculty Recommendation—The recommendation of the faculty of the department offering the degree and the approval of the faculty of the College of Engineering and Applied Science is required.

Incompletes and Correspondence Courses—It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that all incompletes and correspondence courses are officially completed before the tenth week of the student’s final semester in school.

Simultaneous Conferring of Degrees—For any double degree program, both bachelor’s degrees must be conferred at the same commencement.

Commencement Exercises—Commencement exercises are held in December and May. A student finishing in August is encouraged to attend commencement the following December, but may request that the diploma be mailed.

Undergraduate Degrees

^Top

In addition to the standard four-year degree programs previously listed, the college is involved in double degree programs.

Business and Engineering

Undergraduates in the College of Engineering and Applied Science with career interests in management may complete all of the requirements for both a BS degree in engineering and a BS degree in business administration by extending their study programs to five years, including one or two summer terms. The business courses required by the Business School may be started in the second, third or fourth year, depending upon the curriculum plan for the particular field of engineering in which the student is enrolled.

Students interested in this undergraduate program are required to submit an application to the Business School. Students should contact a business advisor to obtain the application form and determine an acceptable degree program.

Requirements for the undergraduate business degree and engineering degree must be completed concurrently. At least a 2.0 GPA must be earned in all business courses undertaken in the Business School. No fewer than 30 semester credits in business courses from UC Denver must be earned after admission to business to establish residency credit. Courses offered or required by the Business School may be used in lieu of electives required for undergraduate engineering degrees, subject to the approval of the individual department.

Joint Engineering Degrees

A student may obtain two engineering majors by meeting the requirements of both programs; however, the approval of both departments and the dean is required. Thirty hours of elective or required subjects must be completed in addition to the largest minimum number required by either of the two departments. A course taken for one completed master’s degree may not be counted toward a second master’s degree.

Premedicine Option

A professional school in a field such as medicine requires a student to have a college education prior to pursuing its professional courses. In practically all cases, medical students are university graduates, although occasionally a student may enter medical school after three years of university training.

The desirability of obtaining an engineering education prior to undertaking a study of medicine is increasing continually as medicine itself is evolving. A great deal of new equipment, most of it electronic, is being developed to assist the medical practitioner in treatment of patients. Bioengineering, engineering systems analysis, probability and communication theory are highly applicable to medical problems. Improved communication techniques also are allowing the storage and retrieval of information not previously available to the medical doctor. An advanced knowledge of basic mathematics and computing techniques, along with increased understanding of physical chemistry, improves the scientific base upon which medical knowledge rests. It is therefore desirable that the future medical practitioner and researcher be well equipped with the tools engineering can offer.

To provide a minimum of the necessary knowledge, the additional courses listed below must be completed with superior grades. Students can meet these requirements by careful substitution of electives in the engineering curriculum. In some cases where additional hours may be required, interested students should consult with the engineering department chair.

General Chemistry (two semesters) (CHEM 2031, 2038, 2061, 2068), 9 semester hours
Organic Chemistry (two semesters) (CHEM 3411, 3421, 3418, 3428), 10 semester hours
General Biology (two semesters) (BIOL 2051, 2061, 2071, 2081), 8 semester hours
English Composition (one semester), 3 semester hours
Literature (two semesters), 6 semester hours
Total: 36 semester hours

 

Students desiring to enter a premedical program should consult the representative of the department involved. On the Downtown Campus, premedical advising is available through the health careers advisor, North Classroom, 3014B, 303-556-4350.

Graduate Study in Engineering

^Top

The College of Engineering and Applied Science at UC Denver offers graduate programs in civil engineering, computer science, electrical engineering, and mechanical engineering.

For information regarding courses and requirements leading to the master of science, master of engineering or the PhD degree, see the appropriate discipline heading in this section. For graduate admission information and policies, see the Information for Graduate Students  chapter of this catalog.

TOEFL/Language Requirements

International graduate students who take the TOEFL English proficiency exam must score at least 525 on the paper-based exam or 71 on the Internet-based exam (IBT). International students must score a 6.0 on the IELTS exam. International students who successfully complete study at Spring International with a grade of B or better are not required to submit TOEFL scores. Students must successfully complete studies through Level Six to be eligible for the waiver consideration. Contact Spring International for more information at www.spring.edu.

Education for Employed Professional Engineers

Continuing education for employed engineers grows more important each year. Therefore, the college puts great emphasis upon making graduate courses available through late afternoon and evening  courses. The master of engineering degree permits graduate students more flexibility in defining specialized interdisciplinary fields that meet their professional needs. This degree has standards equivalent to those of the master of science degree.

In addition to credit course work, the college also offers courses of interest to practicing engineers through its Continuing Engineering Education Program, 303-556-4907. (See also information under “Continuing Engineering Education Program” in this chapter.)

Concurrent BS and MS Degree Program in Engineering

A student who plans to continue on to graduate study after completing the requirements for the BS degree may be admitted to a graduate program through his/her major department in the senior year (after completion of at least 110 semester hours). Requirements are the same as for the two degrees taken separately: 128 or 130 semester hours, depending on the major, for the BS degree; and 30 semester hours for the MS degree. Humanities and social sciences requirements must be completed within the first 128 or 130 semester hours. A 3.0 GPA for all work attempted through the first six semesters (at least 96 semester hours) and written recommendations from at least two major-field faculty members are required.

The purpose of the concurrent degree program is to allow students who qualify for graduate study and expect to continue for an advanced degree to plan their graduate program from the beginning of the senior year rather than from the first year of graduate study. The student can then reach the degree of proficiency required to begin research at an earlier time and can make better and fuller use of courses offered only in alternate years.

Students will be assigned faculty advisors to help them develop the program best suited to their particular interests. The program selected must be planned so that the student may qualify for a BS degree after completing the semester-hour requirements for the degree, if the student so elects, or if the student’s GPA falls below the 3.0 required to remain in the program. In this case, all hours completed with a passing grade while in the program will count toward fulfilling the normal requirements for the BS degree.

Graduate Work in Business

Undergraduates in engineering who intend to pursue graduate study in business may complete some of the business background requirements as electives in their undergraduate programs. Seniors in engineering who have such intentions and appear likely to qualify for admission to graduate study in business may be permitted to register for graduate fundamentals courses, which are designed to provide qualified students with needed background preparation in business. Students must see an advisor from the Business School for approval.

Programs of Study

^Top

Courses listed in the following curricula are typical illustrations. Changes in specific courses may be necessary to accommodate students’ needs and/or changes in institution requirements; however, students should take courses in logical sequence, i.e., complete all freshman courses before taking sophomore courses.

 Back to Top | Print-Friendly Page (opens a new window)