Majors

Engineering is the profession in which the knowledge of the mathematical and natural sciences gained by study, experience, and practice is applied with judgment to develop ways to use economically the materials and forces of nature for the benefit of mankind (ABET, Inc., 2002).

Hence, engineering and the practice of engineers refer to activities that involve the beneficial application of scientific knowledge to the solution of problems. Notice that this application includes economic considerations, uses of materials (for example, resources), and the forces of nature. Engineers have a specialized charge of using knowledge, experience, and creativity, to tackle and systematically design solutions to challenges and problems.

The student who pursue and engineering degree will complete the study of mathematics courses through differential equations, basic classes in chemistry and calculus-based physics, and the normal set of general education classes during the whole of the first 2 years of college.  After completing these 2 years as a pre-engineer at NKU, a student may transfer to any engineering school in which they are accepted to finish their engineering degree (requiring 2 additional years of coursework).  Alternatively a pre-engineer can stay an additional year at NKU to pursue a dual degree (see sidebar) or a student might consider a related major: engineering technology (4-year, BS degree in MMET or EET).

Dual Degree Option for Pre-Engineers

Transferring from NKU to an engineering degree program elsewhere generally requires at least 2 years of study at NKU and then an additional 2 years of study after transfer to the engineering degree program at the institution of choice.  Pre-engineers have the opportunity to earn a bachelor’s degree in physics from NKU if they complete 3 years of study at NKU prior to transferring to an engineering school. The 4th year physics requirements for the NKU degree are obtained after transferring course credit to NKU that was earned at the engineering school. This dual-degree program (one bachelor’s degree from NKU, the other from an engineering school) generally takes 5 years to complete.