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Engineering

Engineering offers accredited programs * of study leading to the bachelor's degree in civil, computer, electrical/electronic, mechanical, and mechatronic engineering. All Engineering curricula are based on a thorough foundation in communication skills, humanities, mathematics, natural and social sciences, and engineering disciplines. Program faculty are committed to prepare engineering graduates who can work cooperatively with other engineers, scientists, and business professionals to develop innovative solutions to complex problems. A master's degree in electrical and computer engineering is also available to those seeking advanced degree in engineering.

High School Preparation For An Engineering Degree

High school graduates planning to study Engineering should complete three years of high school mathematics, including geometry, algebra, and trigonometry. In addition, courses in biology, English, computers, physics, chemistry, and mechanical or computer aided drawing should be taken to assist the student in transitioning into an Engineering program. If these high school courses are not completed, additional time may be required to complete the requirements for an Engineering degree.

FE (EIT) Examination

Senior engineering students are encouraged to take the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES) Fundamentals of Engineering (Engineer-In-Training) exam, which is the first of two exams required to become a licensed Professional Engineer (P.E.) by the California State Board of Registration.  The second required exam is Principles and Practice of Engineering (PE) exam, also administered by NCEES.

Student Organizations

Several engineering professional societies have student chapters on campus. Student organizations sponsor guest speakers, social events, field trips, community service events, and organize teams to compete at regional and national engineering student competitions. Student organizations also offer peer advising and tutoring. The American Society of Civil Engineers, the Structural Engineers Association of California, the Institute of Transportation Engineers, Engineers Without Borders, the Society of Plastics Engineers, the Association for Computing Engineers, the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, the Society of Manufacturing Engineers, the National Society of Black Engineers, and the Society of Women Engineers all have active chapters. The national honor societies Tau Beta Pi and Eta Kappa Nu are also available to qualified students. As no national society exists for mechatronic engineers, Chico has formed a local club, the American Institute of Mechatronic Engineers.

MESA Engineering Programs (MEP)

The Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement (MESA) Engineering Programs, known collectively as MEP, are a comprehensive recruitment, retention, and graduation effort which assists underrepresented and disadvantaged students pursuing degrees in engineering and computer science. The program offers tutoring, advising, and counseling, and includes a study center. Please visit or call us.

Career Outlook

According to the 2017 edition of the Occupational Outlook Handbook published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor, "Employment of architecture and engineering occupations is projected to grow 7 percent from 2016 to 2026"," Most of the projected job growth in this group is in the engineering occupations, as their services will be demand in various areas such as rebuilding of infrastructure, renewable energy, oil and has extraction, and robotics', and " The median annual wage for architecture and engineering occupations was $ 77,900 in May 2016.  The median annual wages for all occupations in this group was higher than the median annual wage for all occupations in the economy, which was $37,040."

Employment of civil engineers is projected to grow 11 percent from 2016- to 2026.  As infrastructure continues to age, civil engineers will be needed to manage projects to rebuild, repair, and upgrade bridges, roads, levees, dams, airports, buildings and structures of all types.

Computer hardware engineers, with opportunities expected to grow in 2016-26, are some of the most recruited graduates on campus. Recent surveys indicate that the demand for engineers with computer hardware and software design experience will continue to increase in both private and government sectors.

Electrical/electronic engineers, with opportunities expected to grow in 2016-26, are in demand by both industry and government. This demand is predicted to continue as electronic equipment and embedded systems become more vital to business, industry, and consumer products.

Mechanical Engineers, with opportunities to grow in 2016-26, are employed in a wide range of industries that include aerospace, automotive, manufacturing, power generation, HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning), electronics/computer, biomedical, food processing, pollution control, and many others.

Mechatronic engineers are in high demand as the number of "intelligent" products on the market increases. The need for graduates who can design products with embedded control is growing rapidly as microprocessors are integral to many devices and products.

* Accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of the (ABET) Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technology

Catalog Cycle:18