About the Associate of Science (AS) Degree & Pre-Engineering

 

The following is taken from page 55 of the 2008-2009 KCTCS Catalog:

 

Pre-Engineering

What do engineers do?

Engineers use physics, chemistry, and calculus to not only help them understand the world but also to apply what they know to solve problems. Unique skills and problem-solving techniques make the engineer a useful member of teams that work to solve technically based problems relating to social and political issues. Traditional aspects of the engineering field include design, development, testing, production, construction, systems, marketing and sales, research, teaching and administration, and supervision. ABET (Accreditation Board for Engineering & Technology)- accredited degree options within Kentucky universities with engineering programs include: Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Engineering & Computer Science, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Engineering Physics, Industrial Engineering, Materials Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Mining Engineering. In addition, it should be noted that there are ABET-accredited program in Kentucky in such fields as: Occupational Safety and Health, Technology, Electronic(s) Engineering Technology, Manufacturing Engineering Technology, and Civil Engineering Technology, as well as a Construction Engineering Technology Option of Civil Engineering Technology.

Where can I study engineering in Kentucky?

The Universities of Louisville and Kentucky both have colleges of engineering. The University of Kentucky offers engineering programs in Lexington and on the campus of West Kentucky Community and Technical College in Paducah (WKCTC). In addition, Murray State University and Western Kentucky University offer engineering programs in Murray, KY and Bowling Green, KY, respectively. University of Kentucky Lexington Campus (www.engr.uky.edu) Paducah* (WKCTC) (www.engr.uky.edu/paducah/) University of Louisville (speed.louisville.edu) Western Kentucky University** (www.wku.edu/engineering) Murray State University** (www.murraystate.edu)

How do I become an engineer?

Students should have a background that includes math skills equivalent to entry into College Algebra and English skills equivalent to entry into Writing I (ENG 101). Students who have developmental education needs must finish these sequences prior to entering a pre-engineering curriculum. This may require the student to take an additional 1-2 semesters to complete the pre-engineering curriculum.

Which preparatory courses do I need to take?

Along with the general education core required for the Associate in Science (AS) degree, all students should take as much of the following as possible at a KCTCS institution:
• Calculus I through Differential Equations (Calculus IV)
• General Chemistry I and II with laboratory
• University Physics I and II with laboratory
• Depending upon choice of major, pre-engineering courses such as Statics, Thermodynamics I, Circuits I, and/or Materials Science.
• An appropriate computer programming course
Note: Students should consult the engineering curriculum toward which he/she is aiming, as not all engineering majors have the same lower-division course requirements. Because different institutions have different break points within sequential courses, a student is strongly encouraged to finish sequences at one institution. All requirements for engineering programs are the responsibility of the department at the appropriate university and may change.

How can I find out which courses I need to take?

A pre-engineering student needs to have a KCTCS advisor familiar with engineering requirements at different institutions. The student should also make contact with an advisor at the engineering school to become familiar with their engineering and general education requirements. The sooner these contacts are made, the better advice a student will receive. The student should realize that different programs within an engineering school will have different required courses. To make maximum use of transfer credits, the student needs to decide on an institution as well as the area of study as early as possible, and certainly not later than the second year of community and technical college study. *Cooperative programs in conjunction with West Kentucky Community & Technical College and Murray State University ** Joint-degree programs in conjunction with the University of Louisville and the University of Kentucky

Transfer to Other Institutions

The Associate in Arts and Associate in Science degrees are designed for transfer to bachelor degree programs at universities. These degrees have substantial general education components and are designed to accommodate transfer. KCTCS has developed a number of transfer agreements to assist students completing AA, AS, and AAS programs to transfer to bachelor degree programs. A list of these transfer agreements can be found at the Council on Postsecondary Education web site at www.cpe. ky.gov Search words: Academicinit Transfer.