Mar 28, 2024  
Undergraduate Catalog 2017-18 
    
Undergraduate Catalog 2017-18 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]


College of Engineering

College of Engineering and Applied Sciences



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Houssam Toutanji
Dean

Edmund Tsang
Associate Dean for Undergraduate Programs and Assessment

Andrew Kline
Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Education

 

College Vision
To be the college of choice for tomorrow’s engineers through excellence in education, discovery, and service.

Mission
Our mission is to

  • Educate: develop career-ready engineering and applied science graduates for success in the global market;
  • Discover: advance knowledge and innovation through high-quality research, teaching, and student engagement;
  • Inspire: prepare our learning community for lifelong excellence, ethical behavior, and professional leadership;
  • Transform: cultivate an inclusive learning environment, contributing to diversity in the engineering workforce;
    and
  • Respond: answer challenges in our local and global communities to improve the well-being of society.
     

Academic Units:

Chemical and Paper Engineering
Computer Science
Civil and Construction Engineering
Electrical and Computer Engineering
Engineering Design, Manufacturing, and Management Systems
Industrial and Entrepreneurial Engineering & Engineering Management
Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

Programs
The College of Engineering and Applied Sciences offers undergraduate programs in several curricula and majors that prepare graduates for productive careers in a wide variety of fields. Students should refer to the programs listed throughout the College section of this Catalog for specific information relative to the academic program of interest.

The College also offers graduate programs leading to master’s degrees in Aerospace Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Engineering Management, Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Paper and Printing Science, and Ph.D. degrees in Computer Science, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Paper and Printing Science, and in Engineering and Applied Sciences. Students interested in a graduate program should see the WMU Graduate Catalog for more information.

Computer Aided Engineering Center
Chris Rand, Director

Serving both WMU faculty and students as well as regional business and industry is the Computer Aided Engineering Center. The Center employs state-of-the-art CAD/CAM (Computer Aided Design/Computer Aided Manufacturing) equipment that enhances technical educational programs and provides training for regional industrial personnel.

Academic Advising

A central advising office is maintained for the convenience of College of Engineering and Applied Sciences students. Because prerequisites are strictly enforced and it is essential to follow the program plans that appear in the curricula descriptions, students must contact their academic advisor in the first semester of enrollment at Western Michigan University.  Failure to meet with the advisor on a regular basis may result in difficulty receiving requested class schedules and/or in delayed graduation. 

Advisors are available to assist in program planning, to recommend electives appropriate to the student’s educational objectives, to discuss employment opportunities, and to help with general academic problems. Transfer credit and all course substitutions must be recommended by the advisor and approved by the appropriate department curriculum committee.

Prerequisites Prerequisites are designed both to increase the probabilities of successful completion of the course and to insure the proper conduct of the course. Therefore, prerequisites will be strictly enforced in all departmental courses. Exceptions must be approved by the department no later than the end of the “add” period of the semester or session.

Credit Hour Definition for the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences
An undergraduate credit hour is a unit of academic measurement nominally equivalent to 3 hours of work per week on the part of the student. Thus, for a course in which 3 credits are earned, a student can expect to work 9 hours per week (4 credits, 12 hours per week, etc.) in various combinations of lecture hours (50 minutes), laboratory hours, and home study.

Standard of Academic Honesty
All courses offered by the College will be conducted in concert with the high standards of the University as stated in the Student Guide to Academic Honesty. Each student is expected to support these standards by neither giving nor accepting assistance on tests, and by submitting only his or her own work for credit. Violations of the standard of academic honesty will result in appropriate disciplinary action. Such disciplinary action may include a failing grade in the course, reassignment of work, dismissal from the curriculum, probation, or dismissal from the University.

Computer Use in College Programs
Most degree programs offered in the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences require extensive use of computers. Although Western Michigan University and the College provide adequate computer facilities for student use, many students find it advantageous to have their own laptop computer (computer science majors are required to have their own laptop computers). The University maintains special marketing arrangements with several major computer manufacturers and is therefore able to offer substantial discounts to students and faculty for the purchase of micro-computers and software. Interested students may obtain current information about the purchase of computing equipment from the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences Advising Office (Room E102, Floyd Hall) or from their academic advisor.

Professional and Honorary Societies
The College and each department have student branches of professional and honorary societies whose purpose is to provide opportunities for students to become more directly involved with specific activities in their areas of interest. Students interested in enhancing their understanding of the professional field in which they intend to work are encouraged to participate in one of these societies. Students may obtain further information by contacting their academic advisor or department chair.

A majority of engineering technology and applied science students are involved in one or more of the several professional organizations that have student chapters on campus. Such involvement enhances the “textbook learning” by providing students with opportunities to interact with other students having similar interests, to gain a closer look at the profession they have chosen to enter, and to plan and direct programs and projects.

Scholarships Many scholarships are available to both first-year and upper-level students in the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences. The majority of these scholarships available specifically for students in the College are administered by the individual departments of the College. For the most current and accurate information on each of these many scholarship opportunities, call the individual department office or visit the website of the Office of Student Financial Aid and Scholarships at www.wmich.edu/finaid

Engineering and Applied Sciences Students
Four common characteristics are prevalent among students who are attracted to engineering and applied sciences. First, engineering and applied sciences students possess a strong desire to make a difference in the world and to shape the future. Second, all show an interest in problem-solving - not only to know how something works, but why. Third, engineering and applied sciences students possess a degree of technical aptitude - the ability to think in mathematical and scientific terms - which, fourth, is coupled with a strong interest in mathematics and the sciences.

Graduates
Undergraduate programs offered by the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences prepare graduates for immediately productive careers and for continued professional practice in industry. A survey of graduates indicated WMU engineering alumni held positions of president, vice president, owner, plant manager, chief engineer, senior design engineer, sales manager, lawyer, and doctor.

Students interested in advanced studies in engineering may pursue at WMU a Master of Science in Computer Science, Engineering Management, Manufacturing Engineering, or Paper and Printing Science; or a Master of Science in Engineering in Aerospace Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering. Additionally, the College of Engineering offers the Doctor of Philosophy in Computer Science, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Evaluation, Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Paper and Printing Science, and in Engineering and Applied Sciences.

Graduation Requirements - Bachelor of Science in Engineering
The baccalaureate programs in engineering are designed to be completed in four consecutive years. A student must meet all the requirements listed in any one of the catalogs in effect during the four-year period immediately prior to the date of graduation.

Graduation Requirements - Bachelor of Science in Computer Science
Students interested in an undergraduate degree in computer science will complete the computer science program and receive a B.S. in Computer Science. The program can be completed in four consecutive years.

Graduate students interested in computer science may pursue a Master of Science in Computer Science or a Ph.D. in Computer Science.

Students interested in degrees in computer science should read abut the specifics of undergraduate computer science programs elsewhere in this undergraduate catalog or refer to computer science in the graduate catalog.

Professional Registration
Graduates of engineering programs are encouraged to seek professional registration. Eligibility requirements in Michigan are established by the State Board of Professional Engineers. In general, only graduates of EAC/ABET (www.abet.org)accredited engineering programs are eligible to be licensed in Michigan. Students interested in professional registration should consult with their department advisor.

Repeated Courses in the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences
Students in the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences may enroll in a course that is required in their curriculum only three times. Any additional enrollments require prior written approval of their department chair. This is consistent with the University Repeated Course Policy as stated elsewhere in this catalog.

Appeal Procedure for Dismissal from a CEAS Program
This procedure applies when a student wants to appeal the decision to dismiss the student from a CEAS program. For a detailed explanation of the process of appeal, see Course Grade and Program Dismissal Appeals in the section entitled Students Rights and Responsibilities in Academic Policies.
 

 

Admission To Engineering Programs

Admission to Pre-Engineering, Pre-Engineering Technology, and Pre-Computer Science Curriculum

All students admitted to the University and planning to pursue one of the following curricula will be enrolled in the Pre-Engineering curriculum:

Aerospace Engineering
Chemical Engineering
Civil Engineering
Computer Engineering
Construction Engineering
Electrical Engineering
Industrial and Entrepreneurial Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Paper Engineering

All students admitted to the University and planning to pursue one of the following curricula will be enrolled in the Pre-Engineering Technology curriculum:

Engineering Design Technology
Engineering Management Technology
Manufacturing Engineering Technology

For high school students interested in pursuing a bachelor’s degree in engineering or engineering technology, to be eligible for admission to the Pre-Engineering or Pre-Engineering Technology curriculum, the student must have an ACT-MATH score of 25 or higher (SAT-MATH 600 or higher), in addition to meeting the admissions requirement to Western Michigan University. Students admitted to the Pre-Engineering or Pre-Engineering Technology curriculum should have appropriate academic preparation.

High school students interested in pursuing a bachelor’s degree in engineering, engineering technology or computer science with an ACT-MATH score of 20 to 24 (SAT-MATH 520-599) will be admitted to CEAS Exploratory.

Students in CEAS Exploratory who have accumulated 12-16 (or more) credit hours and with a grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 or higher in MATH 1110 in no more than two attempts, may apply and be admitted into Pre-xxxxEngineering/Pre-xxxEngineering Technology/Computer Science. If unsuccessful at the first attempt in MATH 1110, students must have a GPA of 2.00 or higher in MATH 1110 to be given a second attempt to achieve a GPA of 3.00 or higher in MATH 1110.

High school students interested in pursuing a bachelor’s degree in engineering, engineering technology, or computer science with an ACT-MATH score of less than 20 (SAT-MATH less than 520) will be admitted to Exploratory Advising. A student may apply for admission to Pre-xxxxEngineering/Pre-xxxxEngineering Technology/Computer Science if the student has a grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher in MATH 1100 and MATH 1110. Students have two (2) chances to achieve a GPA of 3.00 or higher in MATH 1100 and MATH 1110.

For current WMU students, transfer students, and second degree students, their admission to the Pre-Engineering, Pre-Engineering Technology, or Computer Science curriculum will follow the same criteria described above, and it will be based on the last, highest-level mathematics course completed.

Academic Advising
All students enrolled in the Pre-engineering curriculum will receive academic advising by the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences.

Enrollment Restrictions
Pre-Engineering and Pre-Engineering Technology students will not be permitted to enroll in any course offered by the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences at the 3000-level or above that is required in any of the engineering curricula.

Pre-Engineering Curriculum Requirements Displayed below are the courses required in the Pre-engineering curriculum for all students planning to pursue one of the engineering curricula listed above. See the respective department catalog entry for full degree requirements.

Common Requirements For All Curricula
MATH 1220 or 1700, 1230 or 1710, and 2720 12 hours
CHEM 1100 and 1110 4 hours
General Education AREA I, II, III, IV, or V 6-8 hours

Additional Courses Required By Curricula

Aerospace Engineering CS 1022 or 1023; ECE 2100; IEE 1020; ME 2320 and 2560; PHYS 2050 and 2060; PHYS 2070 and 2080; and PHYS 3090 or CHEM 1120. See the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering for complete Aerospace Engineering curriculum requirements.

Chemical Engineering CHEM 1120 and CHEM 1130; CHEG 1010, CHEG 1810, CHEG 2810; IEE 1020; and PHYS 2050 and PHYS 2060. See the Department of Chemical and Paper Engineering for complete Chemical Engineering curriculum requirements.

Civil Engineering CCE 1001 and CCE 1002; EDMM 1420; CS 1022 and 1023; IEE 1020; ME 2560 and ME 2570; PHYS 2050 and PHYS 2060; and PHYS 2070 and PHYS 2080. See the Department of Civil and Construction Engineering for complete Civil Engineering curriculum requirements.

Computer Engineering CS 1110; ECE 2100; ECE 2500; IEE 1020; PHYS 2050 and PHYS 2060; and PHYS 2070 and PHYS 2080. See the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering for complete Computer Engineering curriculum requirements.

Construction Engineering CCE 1001 and CCE 1002; EDMM 1420; CS 1022 and 1023; IEE 1020; IEE 2610; ME 2560; ME 2570; PHYS 2050 and 2060; PHYS 2070 and 2080. See the Department of Civil and Construction Engineering for complete Construction Engineering curriculum requirements.

Electrical Engineering CS 1200; ECE 2100; ECE 2500; IEE 1020; PHYS 2050 and PHYS 2060; PHYS 2070 and PHYS 2080. See the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering for complete Electrical Engineering curriculum requirements.

Industrial and Entrepreneurial Engineering IEE 1020; IEE 2010; and PHYS 2050 and PHYS 2060. See the Department of Industrial and Entrepreneurial Engineering and Engineering Management for complete Industrial and Entrepreneurial Engineering curriculum requirements.

Mechanical Engineering CS 1022 or 1023; IEE 1020; ECE 2100; ME 2320; ME 2560; PHYS 2050 and PHYS 2060; PHYS 2070 and PHYS 2080. See the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering for complete Mechanical Engineering curriculum requirements.

Paper Engineering CHEG 1810; CHEG 2611; CHEM 1120 and CHEM 1130; IEE 1020; PHYS 2050 and PHYS 2060; and PAPR 2040. See the Department of Chemical and Paper Engineering for complete Paper Engineering curriculum requirements.

Admission to an Engineering Curriculum
The student seeking a baccalaureate degree in Aerospace Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Computer Engineering, Construction Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or Paper Engineering may apply for formal admission to one of these engineering curricula after successfully completing the pre-engineering curricular requirements. Only students who have demonstrated the potential for success will be admitted to an engineering curriculum.

  1. All students seeking admission to a degree-granting engineering curriculum must submit an application, following procedures established by the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences. Upper level transfer students may complete an application prior to their first semester of enrollment. The College of Engineering and Applied Sciences processes admission applications to engineering curricula and makes admission decisions to these programs.
  2. Admission to an engineering curriculum is dependent on successful completion of all required courses or approved alternatives in the Pre-engineering curriculum with no grade less than “C.” Only students in good academic standing as defined by the University are eligible for consideration for admission to an engineering curriculum.
  3. There are currently no established enrollment limits for admission to engineering curricula.

General Programs General programs in the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences are designed to meet specific student needs not satisfied by any other curricula in the college.

Pre-Engineering Curriculum
Non-engineering students who have not decided on a particular program in the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences may initially enroll in the Pre-Engineering Curriculum.

Written permission of the academic advisor is required to enroll in this curriculum beyond the second year.

Related Academic Programs

Practicum

Students enrolled in engineering and related degree curricula may gain experience and knowledge about a professional field of interest by enrolling in the practicum program. Additional information may be obtained from the Advising Office in Room E-102 Floyd Hall.

While on the job, students can enroll in a practicum course in their disciplines. During their employment periods, students are paid an appropriate salary by their employer. Single semester practicum work experiences are also available.

Practicum students work in such areas as manufacturing, assembly, research, design, quality control, and safety. They may perform tests, prepare engineering drawings, collect and record data, design tools and fixtures, and assist in supervision. The student’s practicum program is supervised by a college coordinator.

Foundry Program

Any student enrolled in an engineering or related curriculum and interested in a career in the metal casting industry may be admitted into the Foundry Program. While engaged in this special program, the student must also meet the requirements for a B.S. degree offered by the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences. The Foundry Program is designed to allow the student an opportunity to elect various specific interest courses while earning a degree in any standard curriculum.

Foundry Program students must join the student chapter of the American Foundrymen’s Society and register with the Foundry Educational Foundation. Upon reaching the sophomore year, it is recommended that all students apply for the Cooperative Education Program by contacting the Advising Office in agreement with many sponsoring industries.

Students following the Foundry Program are eligible to be considered for scholarship awards made available each semester by the Foundry Educational Foundation.

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