Engineering
The program requirements have been updated effective Winter Quarter 2024. To view the requirements for Summer Session 2023 and Fall Quarter 2023, refer to the Engineering (summer and fall) listing. If you have any questions, please meet with a Foothill counselor.
Program Description
Engineers apply the theories and principles of science and mathematics to practical technical problems. The engineering major provides a solid foundation in what is normally referred to as the "engineering core" at most colleges and universities. Mathematics, physics, chemistry, and introductory engineering courses such as circuit analysis and statics make up the bulk of this core. The major is intended to provide, in most cases, all of the basic subjects necessary for a smooth transfer to the candidate's chosen college or university.
Learn more about the program on the Engineering website.
Program Learning Outcomes
- Students will be able to formulate logical problem-solving approaches, generate solutions, and assess the reasonableness of the solutions for engineering-type analysis problems.
- Students will be able to design, construct, and produce creative solutions to engineering problems by applying the engineering design process and identifying pertinent design parameters based on the fundamental physics governing a system.
- Students will be able to demonstrate understanding of the fundamental knowledge necessary for the practice of, or for advanced study in, engineering, including scientific principles, rigorous analysis, and problem solving.
- Students will be able to demonstrate clear communication skills, responsible teamwork, professional attitudes, and ethics.
- Students will be able to demonstrate a preparation for the complex work environment and continuous learning.
Career Opportunities
Engineering continues to be an excellent choice for a career. Engineering consistently has low rates of unemployment. Salaries at the entry level begin at about $50,000 with an Associate in Science degree and may go as high as $170,000 for a Bachelor in Science degree in particular specializations.
Award Type(s)
- AS = Associate in Science Degree
Units Required
- Major: 68
Additional Information
Suggested Preparation Courses:
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| MATH 1A | CALCULUS (or equivalent) | 5 |
| MATH 48C | PRECALCULUS III (or equivalent) | 5 |
| CHEM 25 | FUNDAMENTALS OF CHEMISTRY (or equivalent) | 5 |
| PHYS 2A | GENERAL PHYSICS | 5 |
| or PHYS 6 | INTRODUCTORY PHYSICS | |
or equivalent | ||
Note: Students should check with the transfer institution for any additional required courses.
Associate Degree Requirements
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| English Proficiency | ||
| Select one of the following: | ||
| ENGL 1A | COMPOSITION & READING | 5 |
| ENGL 1AH | HONORS COMPOSITION & READING | 5 |
| ESLL 26 | ADVANCED COMPOSITION & READING | 5 |
| or equivalent | ||
| Mathematics Proficiency | ||
| College-level math course at or above the level of Intermediate Algebra | ||
A minimum of 90 units is required1 to include:
- Completion of one of the following general education patterns: Foothill General Education, CSU General Education Breadth Requirements or the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC)
- Core courses (53 units)
- Support courses (15 units)
- 1
Additional elective course work may be necessary to meet the 90-unit minimum requirement for the associate degree.
Note: All courses pertaining to the major must be taken for a letter grade. In addition, a grade of "C" or better is required for all core and support courses used for the degree.
Core and Support Courses
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses | ||
| CHEM 1A | GENERAL CHEMISTRY | 5 |
| CHEM 1B | GENERAL CHEMISTRY | 5 |
| ENGR 10 | INTRODUCTION TO ENGINEERING | 5 |
| MATH 1B | CALCULUS | 5 |
| or MATH 1BH | HONORS CALCULUS II | |
| MATH 1C | CALCULUS | 5 |
| MATH 1D | CALCULUS | 5 |
| MATH 2A | DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS | 5 |
| PHYS 4A | GENERAL PHYSICS (CALCULUS) | 6 |
| PHYS 4B | GENERAL PHYSICS (CALCULUS) | 6 |
| PHYS 4C | GENERAL PHYSICS (CALCULUS) | 6 |
| Support Courses | ||
| Select 15 units from the following: | 15 | |
| OBJECT-ORIENTED PROGRAMMING METHODOLOGIES IN JAVA | ||
| OBJECT-ORIENTED PROGRAMMING METHODOLOGIES IN C++ | ||
| OBJECT-ORIENTED PROGRAMMING METHODOLOGIES IN PYTHON | ||
| COMPUTER ARCHITECTURE & ORGANIZATION | ||
| ENGINEERING GRAPHICS | ||
| PROGRAMMING & PROBLEM-SOLVING IN MATLAB | ||
| INTRODUCTION TO BIOENGINEERING | ||
or BIOL 28 | INTRODUCTION TO BIOENGINEERING | |
| STATICS | ||
| INTRODUCTION TO CIRCUIT ANALYSIS | ||
| PROPERTIES OF MATERIALS | ||
| DYNAMICS | ||
| INTRODUCTION TO SEMICONDUCTOR TECHNOLOGY | ||
| LINEAR ALGEBRA | ||
| GENERAL PHYSICS (CALCULUS) | ||
| Total Units | 68 | |