General Engineering

Catalog Home

Engineering Bldg. (13), Room 263
Phone: 805.756.6339
gene@calpoly.edu
https://gene.calpoly.edu/

Program Director: Lizabeth Lea Thompson

Engineering Student Services
Engineering South (40), Room 115
Phone: 805.756.1461

Academic Programs

Program Classification
General Engineering BS

General Engineering

The mission of the General Engineering Program is to provide students with the highest quality technical and professional engineering education, with a particular emphasis in new or evolving interdisciplinary areas, while allowing the student to participate in designing their own programs of study.

Undergraduate Program

BS General Engineering

General Engineering is a comprehensive and unique interdisciplinary engineering program that cultivates problem solving with an emphasis on a hands-on approach (“Learn by Doing”).  The General Engineering program provides students with the highest quality technical and professional engineering education, with a particular emphasis in new or evolving interdisciplinary areas while allowing students to participate in designing their own curricula.  It brings together mathematics, the fundamental sciences, engineering sciences, engineering design, and the liberal arts in a rich, flexible, student-driven academic environment that allows each student to develop core competencies and a unique, individualized area of expertise.  All practitioners of engineering must have a solid understanding of the physical sciences and mathematics as well as a firm grasp of engineering sciences.  The General Engineering curriculum provides the framework for this matrix of understanding, upon which the practitioner may begin to develop a unique area of expertise.  The theoretically rigorous and  laboratory-centered, practice-oriented, hands-on education that is the foundation of the General Engineering program allows graduates to immediately participate and to excel in professional environments.  The BS degree in General Engineering is, therefore, a direct path to employment in a traditional engineering field or in an emerging technology area.  It is also a natural step toward a professional or a graduate degree.

There are two concentrations in the General Engineering program:  the General Curriculum in General Engineering, which provides a broad, but rigorous, undergraduate course of study, and the Individualized Course of Study in which students, in consultation with their faculty advisor, select advanced technical elective classes that allow the students to put their own mark on their degrees, ensuring a unique competency with a solid technical underpinning.  In addition to the abilities expected of all engineering graduates (as articulated in the section of this catalog describing the College of Engineering), General Engineering graduates are expected to leave the University with special capabilities pertinent to their own concentrations.

The General Curriculum in General Engineering is designed to provide the broad foundation of engineering competency in preparation for further graduate or professional studies, for engineering careers requiring a breadth of knowledge, or for non-engineering careers benefiting from a broad technical background (e.g., education, engineering entrepreneurship, or work in non-profit organizations with a technical focus).  The Individualized Course of Study is for self-directed, highly motivated students who have clearly-defined career goals and want to pursue a customized engineering-based course of study that is not addressed by the curriculum of any other single engineering department.  The Individualized Course of Study concentration is designed to allow students the latitude in course selection required to educate themselves either in the classical study of engineering or in new and evolving interdisciplinary technologies.  A sound foundation in the fundamental principles of engineering and engineering systems is built during the early years of study, and students customize the later years of their study plan with the help of a faculty advisor, allowing students the opportunity to focus their education while still at the undergraduate level.  This is accomplished primarily by selecting advanced technical elective courses that are consistent with the student’s sharply defined career goal.  Examples of study plans created in the past have emphasized audio engineering, sustainable energy, bioengineering, chemical engineering, engineering physics, technology management, and engineering in unique environments.

General Engineering students demonstrate an ability to satisfy their personal needs for further education, as expressed in their matriculation to graduate or professional schools in many cases, and an interest in life-long learning.  Both the General Curriculum and the Individualized Course of Study concentrations in General Engineering are excellent preparation for pursuing a master’s degree in interdisciplinary fields, including via the Blended BS+MS program described in the MS Engineering section of this catalog.  This program recognizes that the entry-level expertise of engineers in many fields, particularly in new and evolving technological fields, often requires a master’s degree as a prerequisite for success.  The Blended BS+MS program allows motivated students to reduce the time necessary to earn both degrees.

General Engineering graduates are also ready for immediate entry into the professional engineering field.  They possess a solid engineering foundation that underpins a successful career.  They can become leaders, based on solid fundamental engineering knowledge, strong communication skills, a capacity to form teams and perform at a high level in teams, and an understanding of the economic and social impact of their decisions.  General Engineering graduates have used this program as a foundation for advanced studies and careers in engineering, project management, technical sales, law, entrepreneurship, medicine, education, and many other paths defined by their keen intellects and adventuresome spirits.

General Curriculum in General Engineering or Individualized Course of Study

General Curriculum

The General Engineering Curriculum in General Engineering is designed to meet the needs of students interested in a broad, but rigorous, undergraduate course of study.  Students will primarily use this degree as preparation for further graduate/professional studies (e.g. engineering, law, business), engineering careers requiring breadth, and non-engineering careers benefiting from a broad technical background (e.g. education, entrepreneurship, non-profit organizations).

Degree Requirements and Curriculum

How to Read Course Descriptions

ENGR Courses

ENGR 101. Engineering Student Success. 1 unit

Term Typically Offered: TBD

CR/NC

Strategies for success as an engineering student, including development of intrinsic motivation, time management, self-advocacy, campus resources, and career preparation. Engineering design process, teamwork, and communication skills. Credit/No Credit grading only. 1 activity.

ENGR 110. Introduction to Engineering. 2 units

Term Typically Offered: F

Introduction to engineering and the computing disciplines with emphasis on the design process, professionalism, communication, teamwork, diversity and skills for academic success in engineering. 2 lectures.

ENGR 234. Introduction to Design Thinking. 4 units

Term Typically Offered: F

Prerequisite: Entrepreneurship minors only.

Introduction to the process of design thinking and human centered design, including design process, methodology, and implementation. Empathy, creativity, iterative prototyping, and contextual design of products and services. 4 lectures. Crosslisted as BUS/ENGR 234.

ENGR 270. Selected Topics. 1-4 units

Term Typically Offered: TBD

Prerequisite: Open to undergraduate students and consent of instructor.

Directed group study of selected topics. The Class Schedule will list topic selected. Total credit limited to 8 units. 1 to 4 lectures.

ENGR 301. Engineering Professional Success. 1 unit

Term Typically Offered: F

CR/NC

Prerequisite: Consent of instructor. Recommended: ENGR 101.

Strategies for success as an engineering professional. Preparation for job searches, including networking and building a professional identity. Exploration of engineering within context of society and community. Intended for First Generation and new transfer students. Credit/ No Credit grading only. 1 activity.

ENGR 310. Introduction to Entrepreneurship. 4 units

Term Typically Offered: TBD

Prerequisite: Completion of GE Area A with grades of C- or better.

Role and impact of entrepreneurship and technology startups; characteristics and traits of entrepreneurs; opportunity identification and assessment; frameworks for building startups; the founding team; organizational and legal issues; business and value proposition models; acquiring resources; entrepreneurial risk; realizing and harvesting value. Course may be offered in classroom-based or online format. 4 lectures. Crosslisted as BUS/ENGR 310.

ENGR 322. The Learn By Doing Lab Teaching Practicum. 2 units

Term Typically Offered: W, SP

CR/NC

Prerequisite: Completion of GE Areas B1 through B4, with a grade of C- or better in one course in GE Area B4 (GE Area B1 for students on the 2019-20 or earlier catalogs).

Early teaching experience in an informal science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) teaching and learning environment. Principles of inquiry-driven STEM education, lesson design, implementation and assessment. Intended for undergraduates exploring STEM teaching as a career. Total credit limited to 4 units. Credit/No Credit grading only. 1 seminar, 1 laboratory. Crosslisted as ENGR 322/SCM 302/HNRS 302.

ENGR 334. Needfinding in New Product Design. 4 units

Term Typically Offered: TBD

Prerequisite: BMED 212, ENGR 234, IME 144, or ME 234.

Identification and characterization of human needs for future products, systems, services, and environments. Observation and interview techniques based on ethnographic approaches and building design empathy. Emphasis on development of broad and flexible thinking skills for designers to address the needs of a changing society. Field trips required. 4 lectures.

ENGR 350. The Global Environment. 4 units

Term Typically Offered: TBD

2020-21 or later: Upper-Div GE Area B

2019-20 or earlier catalog: GE Area B5, B6, or B7

Sustainability Focused

Prerequisite: Junior standing; completion of GE Area A with grades of C- or better; and completion of GE Areas B1 through B4, with a grade of C- or better in one course in GE Area B4 (GE Area B1 for students on the 2019-20 or earlier catalogs).

Interdisciplinary investigation of how human activities impact the Earth's environment on a global scale. Examination of population, resource use, climate change, and biodiversity from scientific/technical and social/economic/ historical/political perspectives. Use of remote sensing maps. Sustainable solutions. Course may be offered in classroom-based, online, or hybrid format. 4 lectures. Crosslisted as AG/EDES/ENGR/GEOG/ISLA/SCM/UNIV 350. Fulfills GE Area Upper-Division B (GE Areas B5, B6, or B7 for students on the 2019-20 catalog).

ENGR 400. Special Problems for Advanced Undergraduates. 2-4 units

Term Typically Offered: F,W,SP,SU

Prerequisite: ME 212 or consent of department head.

Individual investigation, research, studies or surveys of selected problems. Total credit limited to 4 units.

ENGR 440. Engineering as a Profession. 3 units

Term Typically Offered: TBD

Prerequisite: Senior standing.

Preparation for the transition from academia to industry. Working knowledge of key topics such as leadership, organizational structure, intellectual property, business models, and product development cycles, along with an appreciation of impact of technology on society. 3 lectures.

ENGR 459. Interdisciplinary Senior Design Project I. 2 units

Term Typically Offered: F

Prerequisite: Senior standing.

First of three courses taken sequentially in a team based interdisciplinary senior design project. Development of sponsor's needs and generation of design solutions. Project management, cost analysis, intellectual property, test plans, impact analysis on society, and ethical considerations. Communication of results to project sponsor. 2 laboratories.

ENGR 460. Interdisciplinary Senior Design Project II. 2 units

Term Typically Offered: W

Prerequisite: ENGR 459.

Continuation of ENGR 459 and senior project. Activities focus on detail design, analysis and material procurement. 2 laboratories.

ENGR 461. Interdisciplinary Senior Design Project III. 2 units

Term Typically Offered: SP

Prerequisite: ENGR 460.

Continuation of ENGR 460 and completion of senior project. Design verified through prototyping and testing. 2 laboratories.

ENGR 462. Senior Project. 4 units

Term Typically Offered: F,W,SP,SU

Prerequisite: ME 212, junior standing, and consent of instructor.

Selection and completion of project under faculty supervision. Projects typical of problems which graduates must solve in their fields of employment. Project results presented in a formal report. Minimum commitment of 150 hours.

ENGR 463. Interdisciplinary Entrepreneurial Senior Design Project I. 2 units

Term Typically Offered: F

Prerequisite: Senior standing.

First of three courses taken sequentially in a team based interdisciplinary senior design project with engineering and business students. Entrepreneurial process through design of a product or service, using customer development and agile engineering. 2 laboratories.

ENGR 464. Interdisciplinary Entrepreneurial Senior Design Project II. 2 units

Term Typically Offered: W

Prerequisite: ENGR 463.

Continuation of ENGR 463 and a team based interdisciplinary senior design project with engineering and business students. 2 laboratories.

ENGR 465. Interdisciplinary Entrepreneurial Senior Design Project III. 2 units

Term Typically Offered: SP

Prerequisite: ENGR 464.

Continuation of ENGR 464 and a team based interdisciplinary senior design project with engineering and business students. 2 laboratories.

ENGR 470. Selected Advanced Topics. 1-4 units

Term Typically Offered: TBD

Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.

Directed group study of selected topics for advanced students. Open to undergraduate and graduate students. The Class Schedule will list topic selected. Total credit limited to 8 units. 1 to 4 lectures.

ENGR 471. Selected Advanced Laboratory. 1-4 units

Term Typically Offered: TBD

Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.

Directed group laboratory study of selected topics for advanced students. Open to undergraduate and graduate students. The Class Schedule will list topic selected. Total credit limited to 8 units. 1 to 4 laboratories.

ENGR 493. Cooperative Education Experience. 2 units

Term Typically Offered: TBD

CR/NC

Prerequisite: Sophomore standing and consent of instructor.

Part-time work experience in business, industry, government, and other areas of student career interest. Positions are paid and usually require relocation and registration in course for two consecutive quarters. Formal report and evaluation by work supervisor required. Credit/No Credit grading only. No major credit allowed; total credit limited to 6 units.

ENGR 494. Cooperative Education Experience. 6 units

Term Typically Offered: F,W,SP,SU

CR/NC

Prerequisite: Sophomore standing and consent of instructor.

Full-time work experience in business, industry, government, and other areas of student career interest. Positions are paid and usually require relocation and registration in course for two consecutive quarters. Formal report and evaluation by work supervisor required. Credit/No Credit grading only. No major credit allowed; total credit limited to 18 units.

ENGR 495. Cooperative Education Experience. 12 units

Term Typically Offered: F,W,SP,SU

CR/NC

Prerequisite: Sophomore standing and consent of instructor.

Full-time work experience in business, industry, government, and other areas of student career interest. Positions are paid and usually require relocation and registration in course for two consecutive quarters. A more fully developed formal report and evaluation by work supervisor required. Credit/No Credit grading only. No major credit allowed; total credit limited to 24 units.

ENGR 500. Individual Study. 2-4 units

Term Typically Offered: F,W,SP,SU

Prerequisite: Graduate standing and consent of Program Director.

Advanced study planned and completed under the direction of faculty. Open to graduate students who have demonstrated the ability to do independent work. Total credit limited to 8 units.

ENGR 570. Selected Advanced Topics. 1-4 units

Term Typically Offered: TBD

Prerequisite: Graduate standing or consent of instructor.

Directed group study of selected topics for graduate students. Open to undergraduate and graduate students. The Class Schedule will list topic selected. Total credit limited to 8 units. 1 to 4 lectures.

ENGR 571. Selected Advanced Laboratory. 1-4 units

Term Typically Offered: TBD

Prerequisite: Graduate standing or consent of instructor.

Directed group laboratory study of selected topics for advanced students. Open to undergraduate and graduate students. The Class Schedule will list topic selected. Total credit limited to 8 units. 1 to 4 laboratories.

ENGR 581. Biochemical Engineering. 4 units

Term Typically Offered: TBD

Prerequisite: CHEM 312 and MCRO 221.

Types of microorganisms and microbially-mediated biochemical reactions for biotechnology applications. Stoichiometric and thermodynamic principles for microbial growth and metabolism. Material and energy balances for aerobic and anaerobic growth and bioreactor design. Kinetics of enzyme catalyzed reactions. Field trips required. 3 seminars, 1 laboratory. Crosslisted as ENGR/ENVE 581.

ENGR 593. Cooperative Education Experience. 2 units

Term Typically Offered: F,W,SP,SU

CR/NC

Prerequisite: Graduate standing and consent of instructor.

Advanced study analysis and part-time work experience in student's career field; current innovations, practices, and problems in administration, supervision, and organization of business, industry, and government. Must have demonstrated ability to do independent work and research in career field. Credit/No Credit grading only.

ENGR 594. Cooperative Education Experience. 6 units

Term Typically Offered: F,W,SP,SU

CR/NC

Prerequisite: Graduate standing and consent of instructor.

Advanced study analysis and full-time work experience in student's career field; current innovations, practices, and problems in administration, supervision, and organization of business, industry, and government. Must have demonstrated ability to do independent work and research in career field. Credit/No Credit grading only.

ENGR 595. Cooperative Education Experience. 12 units

Term Typically Offered: F,W,SP,SU

CR/NC

Prerequisite: Graduate standing and consent of instructor.

Advanced study analysis and full-time work experience in student's career field; current innovations, practices, and problems in administration, supervision, and organization of business, industry, and government. Must have demonstrated ability to do independent work and research in career field. A fully-developed formal report and evaluation by work supervisor required. Credit/No Credit grading only.

ENGR 596. Industry Sponsored Project Experience. 1-9 units

Term Typically Offered: F,W,SP,SU

Prerequisite: Graduate standing.

Designed for MS students who are performing a work-for-others research project that requires a Non-disclosure Agreement. Students who qualify will be required file a detailed, supervised report and undergo an examination on the work performed. Total credit limited to 9 units. 1 to 9 supervision.

ENGR 599. Design Project (Thesis). 1-9 units

Term Typically Offered: F,W,SP,SU

Prerequisite: Graduate standing.

Each individual or group will select, with faculty guidance and approval, a topic for independent research or investigation resulting in a thesis or project to be used to satisfy the degree requirement. An appropriate experimental or analytical thesis or project may be accepted.