Engineering

Objectives

Graduates of our program will be able to demonstrate the ability to:

• Be flexible and resourceful, able to learn and apply new knowledge, and to adapt successfully to novel circumstances and challenges.
• Communicate and work effectively with people with a broad variety of backgrounds at both a technical and nontechnical level.
• Apply engineering principles and methodology to the design and analysis of systems and to the solution of a wide variety of problems.
• Consider scientific, technologic, ethical, societal, economic, political and/or environmental issues in a local or global context, as appropriate.

Math and Science Requirement

To fulfill the math and science requirement for the engineering major, students must receive at least eight credits in math and science (for this purpose science is defined as biological, chemical, and physical sciences). All of the courses used to fulfill the requirement must be acceptable for the minimal major in the offering department. The science courses must include two credits of college level physics, and one credit of either biology or chemistry. All but one of the science courses must include a substantial laboratory component. Students must have either placement or credit for: Elementary Single Variable Calculus (MATH 015 ); Further Topics in Single Variable Calculus (MATH 025 ); Several-Variable Calculus (MATH 033 , MATH 034 , or MATH 035 ); and Differential Equations (MATH 043  or MATH 044 ). The minimal requirement is three credits in Mathematics. Students are recommended to take Linear Algebra (MATH 027  or MATH 028 ), which can count as a fifth math credit of the eight required math and science credits.

Engineering Requirement

Students in the class of 2027 and above are required to take seven credits of Engineering core courses: Introduction to Engineering Design (ENGR 017 ), Mechanics (ENGR 006), Electrical Circuit Analysis (ENGR 011), Linear Physical Systems Analysis (ENGR 012), Computer Engineering Fundamentals (ENGR 021 ), Mechanics of Solids (ENGR 059), and Engineering Design (ENGR 090). 

Incoming students interested in Engineering are expected to take ENGR 017 in their first semester. Students who are taking MATH 025 or have credit for MATH 025 are welcome to take ENGR 011 concurrently with ENGR 017. Students who do not take an Engineering class in their first semester should consult the department on how to satisfy the ENGR 017 major requirement.

Mechanics (ENGR 006) is usually taken in the spring of the first year. Linear Physical Systems Analysis (ENGR 012) and Electrical Circuit Analysis (ENGR 011) are typically completed by the end of the second year. Engineering Design (ENGR 090) is the culminating experience for engineering majors and must be taken by all majors in spring of senior year. Submission and oral presentation of the final project report in Engineering Design constitutes the comprehensive examination for engineering majors.

Students graduating in 2026 or earlier should complete the previous core course requirements: ENGR 006, ENGR 011, ENGR 012, ENGR 014, ENGR 041, and ENGR 090. For students in these class years, the prior ENGR 015/ENGR 019 requirement may be satisfied by completing any elective that counts towards the major.

The department is willing to waive the ENGR 014 requirement for students who take either STAT 021 or STAT 051; however students who elect to waive the ENGR 014 requirement must also replace ENGR 014 with an additional ENGR elective to maintain 12 total credits in ENGR. Both STAT 021 and STAT 051 can be counted as a MATH course for the eight math/science credits required for the ENGR major.

Elective Program for Course Majors

Each student devises a program of advanced work in the department in consultation with his or her adviser. The choice of electives is submitted for departmental approval as part of the formal application for a major in engineering during the spring semester of the sophomore year.

A student’s elective program may or may not conform to some traditional or conventional area of engineering specialization (e.g., computer, electrical, mechanical, or civil). The department therefore requires each plan of advanced work to have a coherent, well-justified program that meets the student’s stated educational objectives.

At most one credit of directed reading (ENGR 093 ) may be counted for the major.

At most one Swarthmore course taught by a faculty member outside the Engineering Department can count as one of the 12 engineering credits required for the major.

Normally a maximum of 2.5 transfer credits that are preapproved by the Engineering Department will be accepted as partial fulfillment of the 12 engineering credits required for the major. Exceptions to this rule include students who transfer to Swarthmore and others with special circumstances; the amount of credit accepted in their cases will be determined on a case-by-case basis by the department chair.

Students should be aware that most lecture courses at other institutions carry only 0.75 Swarthmore credits, unless they include a full lab sequence. Students who wish to receive credit for courses taken at other institutions, including those taken abroad, as partial fulfillment of the requirements for the major should consult their academic advisers and the chair of the Engineering Department as early as possible to ensure that all requirements are met.

The courses available for traditional elective programs include the following:

• Electrical engineering group. Electronic Circuit Analysis, Physical Electronics, Electromagnetism, Communication Systems, Digital Signal Processing, and Control Theory and Design. Students having an interest in digital systems might replace one or more of these courses with Embedded Systems, Principles of Computer Architecture, Mobile Robotics or Computer Vision.
• Computer engineering group. Principles of Computer Architecture, Embedded Systems, Computer Graphics, Computer Vision, Computational Optics, Mobile Robotics, Operating Systems, and Compilers. Students with an interest in computer hardware may include Electronic Circuit Analysis, Physical Electronics, Digital Signal Processing, and Control Theory and Design.
• Mechanical engineering group. Mechanics of Solids, Fluid Mechanics, Heat Transfer, Thermal Energy Conversion, Solar Energy Systems, and Control Theory and Design.
• Civil and environmental engineering group. Mechanics of Solids, Structural Analysis, Geotechnical Engineering: Theory and Design, and Water Quality and Pollution Control. Structural Design is recommended for those interested in architecture and construction. Other recommended courses include Solar Energy Systems and Fluid Mechanics.

Academic Advising

Students interested in pursuing a minor must have a faculty member within the Engineering Department to advise them. If possible, this faculty member should have interests that overlap the area of the minor. Students who encounter difficulties in identifying an adviser should seek the assistance of the chair of the Engineering Department. Students who plan to minor in engineering should regularly consult their engineering advisers. The sophomore papers of engineering minors should indicate the plan to minor and the courses chosen to fulfill the minor.

Requirements

A minimum of 5 credits in engineering is required, of which at least 2 but not more than 3 must be core courses (see “Engineering Requirement” above for core course listings). ENGR 090 is only available to ENGR majors. The remainder will be selected from elective course offerings within the department. Only those electives that count toward an engineering major can be counted toward a minor. No courses taken at Swarthmore and intended to satisfy these departmental requirements, except those taken fall semester in the first year, may be taken credit/no credit.

At most one Swarthmore course taught by a faculty member outside the Engineering Department can count as one of the 5 engineering credits required for the minor.

Supporting work in mathematics, physics, chemistry, and computer science is necessary only when designated as a prerequisite to an individual engineering course.

No directed readings (ENGR 093 ) may be used as one of the 5 credits for the minor.

A maximum of 1 transfer credit that is preapproved by the Engineering Department will be accepted as partial fulfillment of the minor requirements. Transfer credits will not count for any of the three courses used to fulfill the core course requirement of the minor. No culminating experience will be required. Only students pursuing the major in engineering may enroll in ENGR 090.

Areas of Study

Although packaged selections of courses will be suggested as options for those interested in an engineering minor, students may tailor their programs to meet individual needs and interests in consultation with their advisers.