Santa Clara University

Undergraduate Bulletins - School of Engineering

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School of Engineering

Dean: M. Godfrey Mungal
Associate Dean for Undergraduate Studies: Ruth E. Davis
Associate Dean for Graduate Studies: Aleksandar Zecevic
Associate Dean for Research and Faculty Development: Nam Ling

The mission of the School of Engineering is to educate and serve students for the benefit of the Silicon Valley area, the state, the nation, and the world. The engineering school does this through academic programs that educate professional engineers who practice with competence, conscience, and compassion, through scholarly activities that create and disseminate new knowledge, and through service activities that benefit our various constituencies and humanity in general. The specialized Bachelor of Science programs in Civil Engineering, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering are accredited by ABET.

All courses offered through the School of Engineering are taught under tenets set forth in the Engineering Honor Code. The Engineering Honor Code is a long-standing Santa Clara tradition instituted at the request of students. The code states: “All students taking courses in the School of Engineering agree, individually and collectively, that they will not give or receive unpermitted aid in examinations or other coursework that is to be used by the instructor as the basis of grading.” Students and teachers cooperate and share responsibilities under the code. Teachers are responsible for making clear what aid is permissible and for using procedures that minimize temptations to violate the code. Students are responsible for behaving honorably, for actively ensuring that others uphold the code, and for being responsive to violations.

UNDERGRADUATE DEGREES

The School of Engineering confers the degree of Bachelor of Science with majors in civil engineering, computer engineering, computer science and engineering, Web design and engineering, electrical engineering, general engineering, and mechanical engineering. The Bachelor of Science degree in General Engineering can be individualized to accommodate the interests of a student. There is a predefined concentration that prepares a student for the field of bioengineering. In addition, the engineering school offers minors in engineering, computer engineering, computer science and engineering, electrical engineering, and mechanical engineering as well as an interdisciplinary minor in biomedical engineering. All of the undergraduate engineering programs require students to complete extensive course sequences in mathematics and natural science as well as engineering. Success in completing these critical course sequences is highly dependent upon having the necessary technical background at each stage. Accordingly, prerequisites for all engineering courses are strictly enforced.

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE BACHELOR OF SCIENCE

To qualify for the degree of Bachelor of Science in the School of Engineering, students must complete the minimum number of units specified for the particular major and satisfy the requirements of the University Core Curriculum and the departmental major.

University Core Curriculum

Critical Thinking and Writing
Two courses in composition:

  • CTW 1 and 2 (engineering students should take sections with special emphasis on Science, Technology, and Society)

Advanced Writing
One course as specified in the respective departmental major requirements

Religion, Theology, and Culture
Three courses approved to satisfy the core requirements

Culture and Ideas 1 and 2
One course sequence from the approved list of Culture and Ideas course sequences

Mathematics and Natural Sciences
Course requirements are specified in the respective departmental major requirements

Second Language
Recommended proficiency in one foreign language; requirement is satisfied by two years of high school study in a foreign language

Social Science
The social science requirement may be met by any course from the approved list

Civic Engagement
The civic engagement requirement may be met by one of two options:

  • One course with an approved civic engagement component
  • A combination of ENGR 1 and a senior design project

Ethics
One course in general or applied ethics from the approved list

Diversity
One course from the approved list

Arts
The arts requirement may be met by one of two options:

  • One course from the approved list
  • A combination of ENGL 181 and a senior design project (pending approval)

Experiential Learning
One course with an approved experiential learning component

Pathways
Three courses with a common theme linked into a declared pathway

MINORS IN THE SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING

Minor in Engineering

The School of Engineering offers a minor in general engineering open to engineering and nonengineering majors. Requirements for the minor are outlined in the General Engineering section of this chapter.

Minor in Computer Engineering

The Department of Computer Engineering offers a minor in computer engineering open to engineering and non-engineering majors. Requirements for the minor are outlined in the Computer Engineering section of this chapter.

Minor in Computer Science and Engineering

The Department of Computer Engineering offers a minor in computer science and engineering open to engineering and nonengineering majors. Requirements for the minor are outlined in the Computer Engineering section of this chapter.

Minor in Electrical Engineering

The Department of Electrical Engineering offers a minor in electrical engineering open to engineering and non-engineering majors. Requirements for the minor are outlined in the Electrical Engineering section of this chapter.

Minor in Mechanical Engineering

The Department of Mechanical Engineering offers a minor in mechanical engineering open to engineering and nonengineering majors. Requirements for the minor are outlined in the Mechanical Engineering section of this chapter.

Minor in Biomedical Engineering

The School of Engineering offers an interdisciplinary minor in biomedical engineering designed for students who are science majors in the College of Arts and Sciences, students completing prerequisites for medical school, and engineering majors. Requirements for this minor are outlined in Chapter 6, Interdisciplinary Minors and Other Programs of Study.

CENTERS, INSTITUTES, AND SPECIAL PROGRAMS

Cooperative Education Program
The Cooperative Education Program integrates classroom work with practical experience by providing alternate or parallel periods of college education with periods of training in industry and government. The objective of the program is to provide students the opportunity to enhance their academic knowledge, to further their professional development, and to learn how to work effectively as individual contributors and group members. The industrial training is related to the student’s field of study and often is diversified to afford a wide range of experience. To qualify for the program, undergraduate students must have completed at least 90 quarter units and have a grade point average of 2.5 or higher. Credit earned in the program may be used to meet undergraduate degree requirements.

Center for Nanostructures
The Center for Nanostructures uses state-of-the-art equipment to educate students and to advance the field of nanoscale science and technology. The mission of the center is to conduct, promote, and nurture nanoscale science and technology, interdisciplinary research, and education activities at the University, and to position the University as a national center of innovation in nanoscience education and nanostructures research. Ongoing research projects include On-Chip Interconnect Modeling, Carbon Nanotubes/Nanofibers and Electrical/Biological System Interfaces. Faculty, graduate students, and undergraduate students utilize the center for research projects.

Combined Bachelor of Science and Master of Science
Combined Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degree programs are offered by the departments of Civil Engineering, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering. Requirements for the combined degree programs are outlined in the appropriate departmental section of this chapter.