First Semester | Second Semester | Third/Fourth Semester | Other Tips | Major Options | Key Questions
Open Option Seeking Engineering
(OPEG)
For information regarding admission requirements into an engineering major: Controlled Majors List
Advising for First Semester
- Explore why student is interested in Engineering and if
there is a particular area of emphasis
- Stress the importance of doing well in math and getting
through the math mini courses quickly
- Academic advising with the student will focus on meeting
the requirements and quality necessary to achieve the goal
of changing his/her major to Engineering
- Review engineering handout for course selection
- Review advising strategies with student regarding math, sciences, and engineering courses
- Address the course sequencing in the catalog. OPEG students will typically be one year behind in introductory engineering classes but can catch up later, especially if they take summer classes.
- Encourage tutoring at College of Natural Sciences Tutorial Hall (top)
Advising for Second Semester
- Review progress in or toward math and science courses
- Discuss course scheduling in meeting prerequisites
- Refer to key advisor for additional information on major
if about to complete MATH 160
- Discuss alternative major(s)
- Recommend summer classes to meet engineering admission requirements (top)
Advising for Third/Fourth Semester
- Review progress toward math and science courses
- Use "What If?" calculation for GPA
- Discuss alternative major(s)
- Refer to key advisor(s) in area of interest(s) (top)
Other Advising Tips
- Students seeking admission to the College of Engineering are expected to test out of or complete with an A or B all math mini-courses: MATH 117, MATH 118, MATH 125, MATH 126, MATH 124 by the end of fall semester.
- MATH 124 should be taken concurrently with MATH 160 as it is a prerequisite for MATH 161
- A's in the math mini-courses are a good indicator as to whether or not the student will be successful in MATH 160
- Students will take General Chemistry I and Chemistry Lab I: CHEM 111, CHEM 112
- Additional chemistry courses may be required depending on major area of interest
- It is recommended that MATH 160 and PH 141 not be taken concurrently as MATH 160 is a prerequisite for PH 141
- If appropriate, refer to academic department of interest - especially in the semester student anticipates being accepted
- Encourage students who expect to complete OPEG requirements at the end of the semester, but are not presently admitted, to request overrides into introductory Engineering courses, as they are sequenced and only offered once per academic year
- Engineering students should expect at least 3:1 or 4:1 ratio of out-of-class study time versus in-class time. Their coursework is very demanding and time-intensive. (top)
Options for Open Option Seeking Engineering Students
Since approximately 1 of 7 OOSE students eventually
earns admission into the College of Engineering, it is important
to discuss alternative majors early. Students may be interested
in Manufacturing Technology and Construction Management,
Business, etc. However, many of the alternative majors have high GPA requirements that can be a challenge to attain if student do poorly in math and science classes. If a student is intent on majoring in Engineering,
but does not meet the admission requirements, they may want
to transfer to another institution. There are several Engineering
programs in the state, including Fort Lewis, CSU-Pueblo, and Mesa State.
(top)
Key Questions
- Why are you interested in Engineering?
- What do you know about the area you are interested in?
- What was your science and math background from high school or transfer institution?
- What are your strategies to build your math skills?
- What are your career plans?
- What are your
study habits like? (top)