Western Michigan University

Dec 26, 2024

Undergraduate Catalog 2023-24

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Undergraduate Catalog 2023-24 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

College of Engineering and Applied Sciences

Steven Butt
Dean

Steven Carr
Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Education

Matthew Cavalli
Associate Dean for Undergraduate Academic Affairs

College Vision
To be the college of choice for tomorrow’s engineers, engineering technologists, and applied scientists 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 that prepare graduates for productive careers in a wide variety of fields. Students should refer to the programs listed throughout the College section of the WMU Undergraduate Catalog for specific information relative to the academic program of interest.

The College offers graduate programs leading to master’s degrees in Aerospace Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Cybersecurity, Electrical Engineering, Engineering Management, Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Paper and Printing Science. The College also offers Ph.D. degrees in Civil Engineering, 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 (CAE Center)
The Computer-Aided Engineering (CAE) Center serves WMU faculty and students as well as business and industry. The Center supports state-of-the-art CAD/CAM (Computer-Aided Design/Computer-Aided Manufacturing) software as well as numerous other computing packages that enhance the College’s technical educational programs and provide relevant training for industrial personnel.

Academic Advising and Student Success
The Office of Advising and Student Success in Floyd Hall (Room E-102) provides a range of student services. Academic advisors are available to assist in program/degree planning, including discussing available electives and prerequisite requirements. Prerequisites are strictly enforced. Students should contact their academic advisor in the first semester of enrollment at Western Michigan University and plan to continue meeting with their advisor at least once per semester until graduation. Failure to meet with an academic advisor on a regular basis may result in difficulty receiving requested class schedules and/or in delayed graduation.

Any questions about transfer credits should be directed to a student’s academic advisor. Discipline-specific guidance related to transferring credits to a CEAS program can be found at wmich.edu/engineer/advising.

In addition to dedicated academic advisors for each undergraduate program, the Office of Advising and Student Success hosts a retention advisor focused on supporting students who have experienced academic challenges that resulted in situations like academic probation. The Office is also home to a dedicated career services counselor to assist students with job searches, exploring career options, improving interviewing skills, and fine-tuning resumes. The STEM Talent Expansion (STEP) Program Director, who oversees tutoring within the College as well as several other student success programs, is also located within the Office.

Prerequisites
Prerequisite requirements are designed to increase the probability of successful course completion and to guide the intellectual and professional development of students in each degree program. 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. All exception requests should begin with the student’s academic advisor.

Credit Hour Definition for the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences
An undergraduate credit hour is a unit of academic measurement that represents the nominal average contact hours per week between students and instructor in a structured setting. Note that one credit hour for a laboratory class typically corresponds to approximately 3 hours of contact time per week. In addition to the contact hours, students should expect to spend approximately two additional hours per week per credit hour on previewing course topics, reviewing notes from class, studying for exams, completing homework assignments and reports, etc. Thus, for a three-credit course without a laboratory component, students should expect to spend approximately nine hours per week on class-related activities (including attending class).

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 WMU Student Code. 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). Current recommendations for computer specifications for CEAS students can be found at wmich.edu/engineer/recommendations. Note that Computer Science students are required to have a laptop. Information can be found at the same link.

Professional and Honorary Societies
Student branches of professional and honorary societies provide opportunities for students to become more directly involved with specific activities in their areas of interest. Students interested in enhancing their understanding of their chosen professional field 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 CEAS students are involved in one or more of the professional organizations that have student chapters on campus. Such involvement enhances the student experience by providing opportunities to interact with other students having similar interests, to gain a closer look at their future profession, and to plan and direct programs and projects. A list of current organizations in the college can be found at wmich.edu/engineer/organizations.

Scholarships
Many scholarships are available to both first-year and continuing students in the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences. For the most current and accurate information on scholarship opportunities, students can visit wmich.edu/engineer/scholarships, they can call their individual department office, or they visit the website of the Office of Student Financial Aid at 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. Alumni of the WMU College of Engineering and Applied Sciences work in some of the most well-known and innovative companies around the world, holding 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 and applied sciences may pursue Master of Science degrees in Computer Science, Cybersecurity, 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 at WMU. Accelerated Master’s programs, which allow high-achieving students to double-count some credits towards both their undergraduate and master’s degree, are available in many disciplines. For more information see wmich.edu/engineer/academics/accelerated. Additionally, the College offers the Doctor of Philosophy in Civil Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Engineering and Applied Sciences, Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Paper and Printing Science.

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 or Cybersecurity
Students interested in an undergraduate degree in computer science or cybersecurity will complete the appropriate program and receive a B.S. in Computer Science or Cybersecurity. The program can 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.

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

Students interested in degrees in computer science should read about the specifics of undergraduate computer science programs elsewhere in this Undergraduate Catalog or refer to computer science in the Graduate Catalog.

Graduation Requirements - Bachelor of Science in Engineering Technology
The baccalaureate programs in engineering technology 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.

Professional Registration
Graduates of engineering programs are encouraged to seek professional registration. Eligibility requirements in Michigan are established by the Michigan Board of Professional Engineers. In general, only graduates of programs accredited by EAC of ABET (https://www.abet.org) are eligible to be licensed in Michigan. Students interested in professional registration should consult with their academic advisor or the Associate Dean for Undergraduate Academic Affairs.

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 degree program 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, Computer Science, and Cybersecurity Programs:

All students admitted to the University and planning to pursue one of the following majors will be enrolled in the corresponding Pre-Engineering program (assuming sufficient math placement – see below):

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 majors will be enrolled in the corresponding Pre-Engineering Technology program (assuming sufficient math placement – see below):

Engineering Design Technology
Engineering Management Technology
Manufacturing Engineering Technology

All students admitted to the University and planning to pursue a major in Computer Science or Cybersecurity will be directly admitted to the program (assuming sufficient math placement – see below).

For admission into the Pre-Engineering, Pre-Engineering Technology, Computer Science, or Cybersecurity, students must meet all WMU admission requirements and be placed into Pre-Calculus (MATH 1180) or higher. Students who meet all other WMU admission criteria and are placed into Algebra II (MATH 1110) will be admitted to CEAS Preparatory. Placement is determined through the ALEKS Math Placement Exam, performance on the mathematics portion of the ACT or SAT exams, AP/IB assessment scores or college-level transfer credit. More information on math placement can be found at wmich.edu/math/academics/placement.

Students in CEAS Preparatory 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-Engineering/Pre-Engineering Technology/Computer Science/Cybersecurity. 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.

Students who meet all other WMU admission criteria and are placed into Algebra I (MATH 1100) or below will be admitted to Exploratory Advising. A student may apply for admission to Pre-Engineering/Pre-Engineering Technology/Computer Science/Cybersecurity 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, Computer Science, or Cybersecurity program 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 CEAS Preparatory Pre-Engineering, Pre-Engineering Technology, Computer Science, and Cybersecurity majors 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 or engineering technology 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 majors listed above. See the respective department catalog entry for full degree requirements.

Common Requirements for All Engineering Majors
MATH 1220 or 1700, and 1230 or 1710
CHEM 1100 and 1110

Additional Courses Required by Major
Aerospace Engineering CS 1200; ECE 2100; IEE 1020; ME 2320 and 2560; PHYS 2050 and 2060; PHYS 2070 and 2080; MATH 2720. 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. WMU Essential Studies Level 1: Inquiry and Engagement Category; WMU Essential Studies Level 2: Artistic Theory and Practice Category. See the Department of Chemical and Paper Engineering for complete Chemical Engineering curriculum requirements.

Civil Engineering CCE 1100; EDMM 1420; GEOS 1300; 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 1100; EDMM 1420; GEOS 1300; IEE 1020; 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 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 2050; IEE 2610; ME 2560; PHYS 2050 and PHYS 2060; and PHYS 2070 and PHYS 2080. See the Department of Industrial and Entrepreneurial Engineering and Engineering Management for complete Industrial and Entrepreneurial Engineering curriculum requirements.

Mechanical Engineering CS 1200; IEE 1020; ECE 2100; ME 2320; ME 2560; PHYS 2050 and PHYS 2060; PHYS 2070 and PHYS 2080; MATH 2720. 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. WMU Essential Studies Level 1: Inquiry and Engagement Category; WMU Essential Studies Level 2: Personal Wellness Category. See the Department of Chemical and Paper Engineering for complete Paper Engineering curriculum requirements.

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

Common Requirements for all Engineering Technology Majors
PHYS 1150 and 1160
CHEM 1100 and 1110
IEE 1020 and 2610
EDMM 2460

Additional Courses Required by Major
Engineering Design Technology MATH 1220 or 1700 and MATH 1230 OR 1710
Engineering Management Technology MATH 1220 or 1700 or 2000
Manufacturing Engineering Technology MATH 1220 or 1700

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 and Entrepreneurial 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.

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.
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.
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 program 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:

Cooperative Education (Co-op)
Students enrolled in engineering and related degree majors may gain experience and knowledge about a professional field of interest by enrolling in the cooperative education program. Additional information may be obtained from the Office of Advising and Student Success in Room E-102 Floyd Hall.

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

Co-op 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 co-op program is supervised by a college coordinator.

Foundry Program
Any student enrolled in an engineering or related major 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 major.

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.