The Swanson School of Engineering’s undergraduate programs prepare students for entrance into a diverse spectrum of careers, providing both a strong, fundamental engineering education and a thorough understanding of the broader aspects of society. Students have an opportunity to participate in the highly successful Cooperative Engineering Education Program, an increasing number of global opportunities, joint programs with the David C. Frederick Honors College, and a number of certificate programs. Students also have the option of earning a minor or a dual degree from various Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences programs. Minors may also be earned from the other Swanson School of Engineering undergraduate degree programs, as well as some programs in the School of Computing and Information. The curricula provide sufficient flexibility to allow graduates to pursue careers in industry, government, or education, including programs in medicine, law, and business.
Full-time Bachelor of Science in Engineering degree programs are offered on the Pittsburgh campus in the following engineering disciplines: bioengineering, chemical, civil, computer, electrical, engineering science, environmental, industrial, materials science, and mechanical. Special interdisciplinary programs can be structured based upon individual student interest and ability through the engineering science program. The Cooperative Engineering Education Program, in which students alternate terms of relevant work experience with course work, is available for students in all undergraduate engineering majors. Approximately 40% of the graduating seniors complete at least three co-op rotations. There are also certificate programs in cybersecurity in engineering, engineering data analytics; engineering for humanity; engineering simulation in design; health systems engineering; innovation, product design and entrepreneurship; international engineering studies; nanoscience and engineering; nuclear engineering; supply chain management; and sustainability.
Contact Information
Prospective First-Year & Transfer Students
University of Pittsburgh
Swanson School of Engineering
First Year Recruitment
152 Benedum Hall
3700 O’Hara Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15261
412-624-9825
pittengrvisitors@pitt.edu
University of Pittsburgh
Swanson School of Engineering
Transfer Student Services
152 Benedum Hall
3700 O’Hara Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15261
412-624-9825
ssoetransfer@pitt.edu
Academic Issues
University of Pittsburgh
Swanson School of Engineering
Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs
151 Benedum Hall
3700 O’Hara Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15261
412-624-9815
ssoeacademicdean@engr.pitt.edu
Administrative Issues
University of Pittsburgh
Swanson School of Engineering
Student Records
151 Benedum Hall
3700 O’Hara Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15261
412-624-9800
ssoeadministration@pitt.edu
Application Procedures
The Swanson School of Engineering works closely with the University of Pittsburgh’s Office of Admissions and Financial Aid (OAFA). Ultimately, all admissions, financial aid and scholarship decisions take place through OAFA following the procedures detailed below:
First Year Engineering Program
All admissions to the Swanson School of Engineering are determined by the University’s Office of Admissions and Financial Aid. (Please see Pittsburgh Campus First-Year Admissions section of this bulletin for details.) Approximately 650-700 first-year students enter the Swanson School of Engineering each fall term.
Transfer Students from Other Colleges and Universities
The Swanson School of Engineering admits transfer students from within the University system, and from other U.S. and international programs. Transfer applicants are evaluated according to their academic record as well as space available in the program of choice. An applicant for transfer to the Swanson School of Engineering from another college or university should apply through the Office of Admissions.
Contact the Office of First Year Recruitment at 412-624-9825, ssoetransfer@pitt.edu or see the transfer engineering student Web site for more information on transfer procedures.
A transfer applicant from a four-year college should have a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least a 3.0 (for courses that satisfy Swanson School of Engineering’s first year requirements) on a 4.0 scale to be considered for admissions. Applicants from a two-year college should have a minimum GPA of a 3.25 on a 4.0 scale. Students interested in the Bioengineering program from any institution (two-year or four-year) need a minimum of 3.5 GPA. Students must also have completed two semesters of Calculus, Calculus-based Physics and Chemistry for consideration. In general transfer students will only be accepted for the upcoming Fall Term except for special cases of well-prepared applicants.
All transfer applicants are required to provide high school academic records. Advanced standing credits will be granted for college course work at another accredited institution depending on grades received and equivalency of the courses to the applicant’s proposed program in the Swanson School of Engineering.
Articulation Agreements
The Swanson School of Engineering has developed combined liberal arts/engineering articulation agreements with a number of accredited liberal arts colleges. In these programs, students first complete a three-year structured course of study at the liberal arts college, including that college’s general education requirements, specific introductory courses required for the engineering program of interest, and other courses necessary for acceptance into a Swanson School of Engineering program. With the recommendation of the faculty advisor at the liberal arts college, the student applies for transfer to the University of Pittsburgh, Swanson School of Engineering, spending the final two or more years in an engineering program.
Transfer Students from University of Pittsburgh
Oakland Campus
Students from any of the University’s other schools at the Oakland campus are eligible for transfer if they meet the Swanson School of Engineering’s requirements. Students must submit an Academic Program Change Form through their current advising or academic records center for transfer consideration.
An applicant for transfer from an Oakland campus school must have a minimum 3.000 cumulative GPA (3.500 for Bioengineering) and must have completed no fewer than 7 of the 8 First Year Engineering courses (MATH 0220 and 0230 - Analytic Geometry and Calculus 1 and 2; PHYS 0174 and 0175 - Physics for Science and Engineering 1 and 2; CHEM 0110 and 0120 - General Chemistry 1 and 2; and ENGR 0015 and 0016 Introduction to Engineering Analysis and Introduction to Engineering Computing) with a grade of “C” or better to be considered for admission. Completion of all transfer minimum requirements does not guarantee transfer, as space limitations within each degree program will be considered. For additional information, see the transfer engineering student Web site.
Regional Campuses
Request forms for relocation from the Bradford, Greensburg, Johnstown, or Titusville campuses are available at each regional campus. Pre-engineering students who have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher (with the exception of Bioengineering, which requires a 3.5 GPA) in the required first year engineering curricula are eligible to relocate pending departmental approval. Completion of all transfer minimum requirements does not guarantee transfer, as space limitations within each major will be considered.
Consistent with our admissions deadlines with the Office of Admissions, we will not be able to consider Regional Campus transfer students for the Spring semester if required engineering curricula course grades are in process during the applicant’s Fall term. Exceptions to this rule must be approved in advance by the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs.
Interdepartmental Transfers
A Swanson School of Engineering student whose academic record satisfies the minimum requirements for continued registration may apply for transfer from one engineering department or program to another. To initiate a program change, the student must complete a Program Change form with their academic advisor. It is the prerogative of the department or program to which the student desires to transfer to approve or reject a program change request, based on academic performance and/or space limitations/availability.
Guest Students
Students wishing to enroll in a Swanson School of Engineering course as a guest student (enrolled as a degree-seeking student at another college or university and planning to transfer credit to their home institution) or as a non-degree post-baccalaureate student must complete a Special Student Application, available from the Swanson Office of Student Records. Students must meet prerequisites for the specific course(s) they wish to take.
Reinstatement
An engineering student in good academic standing who has not attended the University of Pittsburgh for three consecutive terms and has attended no other institution in the intervening period must complete a Request for Reinstatement, available from the Swanson School Office of Student Records. If the student has attended another institution and completed more than 12 credits, the student must reapply through the University’s Office of Admissions and Financial Aid in accordance with the procedure for transfer applicants from other colleges or universities.
A student who has withdrawn while on academic probation may be reinstated only by action of the appropriate faculty committee, typically based upon substantial evidence of a positive change in the student’s attitude toward academic work. The student must complete a Request for Reinstatement, available from the Swanson School Office of Student Records.
Transfer Credit
Advanced Standing / Transfer Credit for Courses Taken Outside the University
Students transferring into the Swanson School of Engineering from other college-level programs will have their academic records officially reviewed for advanced-standing credit only after they have been admitted and pay their tuition deposit. This determination will be made by the responsible academic department or program in accord with Swanson School of Engineering’s policy and criteria established by ABET, the engineering accrediting agency. Courses that are taken on a pass/fail system that includes a D grade as passing will not be approved for advanced standing.
Transfer credit policies are as follows:
- Advanced standing for engineering or engineering science courses will be considered only if the student completed the course and earned a grade of C or better. Courses that are taken on a pass/fail system that includes a D grade as passing will not be approved for advanced standing.
- The Swanson School of Engineering accepts credits, but not grades, for transfer. Consequently, any courses that are accepted for transfer will be used as credit toward graduation, but will not be calculated into the student’s GPA at the University of Pittsburgh.
- All engineering courses that have equivalent counterparts in the Swanson School of Engineering, in both content and credits, are eligible for transfer consideration.
- Mathematics, science, humanities, and social sciences courses will be awarded to the extent that such courses match specific University of Pittsburgh, Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences courses. Humanities and social sciences courses must correspond to those on the Swanson School of Engineering’s approved list of humanities and social sciences electives.
- No transfer credits can be part of the final 25% of credits required for a degree. These credits must be earned in residence. In interpreting this regulation, credits earned on regional campuses are considered as transferable.
- Transfer credits need to be earned within 12 years of the date when the Swanson School of Engineering degree requirements will be completed.
- In accordance with University policy, re-evaluation of credits will be done by the admitting school, when necessary, according to applicable University policy and procedure. The policy applies to all previous credits earned, no matter if they were earned at the University of Pittsburgh or another institution.
- No more than 60 credits may be transferred from a two-year college. No more than 90 credits may be transferred from a four-year college.
- The number of transfer credits granted for a given course cannot exceed the number awarded on the transcript of the original school or the number earned for the corresponding course at the University of Pittsburgh.
- If a course for which advanced standing credit has been granted is repeated, the advanced standing credit is canceled, even if a grade of W is earned.
- Coursework earned in approved foreign study programs will be awarded on a Satisfactory/No Credit (S/NC) basis, assuming a grade of C or better has been earned.
- One credit taken at a quarter system school is equal to two-thirds a credit at the University of Pittsburgh. This may affect the ability of a course to transfer.
- Engineering courses must be completed at an ABET certified institution with the exception of approved study abroad courses.
- The Swanson School of Engineering does not accept CLEP credit for course credits.
- Writing Designated courses (“W” Courses) may not be transferred in from another institution.
If a student participates in the University of Pittsburgh College in High School Program, grades earned in Pitt CHS courses appear on the official University of Pittsburgh transcript and are part of the student’s academic record. The grade(s) will be included in the calculation of the student’s grade point average at the University. CHS courses are only eligible to be repeated at the University if the original grade was below C and no more than one year has passed since the original course was taken, per the Swanson School of Engineering Course Repeat policy. Exceptions may be made only with the approval of the Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs.
Students may also earn advanced standing credit by taking Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate classes in their high schools. Students who have their AP or IB scores sent to the University of Pittsburgh will have those scores evaluated by an academic advisor, who will determine their transferability. For more information on the IB, see the IB Score Information . For more information on the AP, see the AP Score Information .
Foundational courses in the First-Year Engineering program are taken in sequence. Transfer credit may be used for foundational courses (e.g. Math, Chemistry, and/or Physics). If a student chooses to repeat a course at Pitt for which he/she has transfer credit, then transfer credit for subsequent courses in the same sequence is forfeited. Please note that this applies to equivalent courses (e.g. CHEM 0110 and 0120/CHEM 0960 and 0970 are equivalent courses. If a student with transfer credit for Chemistry chooses to take CHEM 0960 at Pitt, they may not then use transfer credit for CHEM 0120). Additionally, if a student with test/transfer credit repeats a class at the University and earns less than the minimum required grade to move forward in the course sequence, he/she may not retroactively use test/transfer credit to earn credit for that course.
Summer/Special Session Courses Taken Elsewhere
Swanson School students in good academic standing (cumulative GPA of at least 2.000) may attend a summer or special session of another accredited institution in order to supplement their program, provided they receive prior approval from the Swanson School of Engineering. Students must submit the name of the institution, the course number, and the relevant course descriptions to their advisor.
Swanson School students may not be enrolled for classes at the University of Pittsburgh and another institution concurrently. Courses may not be a repeat of any course taken before (passed or failed) unless an exception is made by the undergraduate coordinator. A maximum of two courses (no more than 8 credits) may be taken in a single period of enrollment elsewhere.
Students who wish to take “winter term” (e.g. “wintermester”, “January-term”) courses at another institution must obtain the approval of the Associate Dean through their Academic Advisor/Undergraduate Coordinator. Math, science, and engineering courses will not be approved winter term courses. The winter term in question may not overlap with Pitt’s fall or spring term.
Degree Options
| Name |
BSE |
Minor1 |
Certificate2 |
EAGrMS3 |
Available To |
| Bioengineering |
x |
x |
|
x |
Minor - Pitt Oakland Students |
| Civil Engineering |
x |
x |
|
x |
Minor - SSOE & Science Students |
| Environmental Engineering |
x |
x |
|
x |
Minor - SSOE & Science Students |
| Civil Engineering and Architectural Studies Certificate |
|
|
x |
|
Certificate - ARC BS & ARC BA |
| Architectural Design |
|
x |
|
|
Minor - CEE students |
| Chemical Engineering |
x |
x |
|
x |
Minor - Pitt Oakland Students |
| Pertoleum Engineering |
|
x |
|
|
Minor - SSOE Students |
| Polymer Engineering |
|
x |
|
|
Minor - SSOE Students |
| Electrical Engineering |
x |
x |
|
x |
Minor - SSOE Students |
| Computer Engineering |
x |
x |
|
x |
Minor - Pitt Oakland Students |
| Cybersecurity in Engineering |
|
|
x |
|
Certificate - SSOE Students |
| Engineering for Humanity |
|
|
x |
|
Certificate - Pitt Oakland Students |
| Innovation, Product Design, and Entrepreneurship |
|
|
x |
|
Certificate - SSOE & CBA Students |
| International Engineering Studies |
|
|
x |
|
Certificate - SSOE Students |
| First Year Engineering Program |
|
|
|
|
N/A |
| Sustainability |
|
|
x |
x |
Certificate - Pitt Oakland Students |
| Industrial Engineering |
x |
x |
|
x |
Minor - Pitt Oakland Students |
| Health Systems Engineering |
|
|
x |
|
Certificate - SSOE Schools |
| Supply Chain Management |
|
|
x |
|
Certificate - SSOE Students |
| Engineering Data Analytics |
|
|
x |
|
Certificate - SSOE Students |
| Materials Science and Engineering |
x |
x |
|
x |
Minor - SSOE Students |
| Mechanical Engineering |
x |
x |
|
x |
Minor - SSOE Students |
| Engineering Science |
x |
x |
|
|
Minor - SSOE & Science Students |
| Engineering Simulation in Design |
|
|
x |
|
Certificate - SSOE Studmets |
| Nuclear Engineering |
|
|
x |
|
Certificate - SSOE & Science Students |
| Nanoscience and Engineering |
|
|
x |
|
Certificate - SSOE & Science Students |
The programs listed are for students admitted and registered at the Pitt-Oakland campus
1. SSOE students cannot obtain a minor in their major (e.g., cannot obtain a minor in bioengineering if they are majoring in bioengineering)
2. Certificates have a home department but are available to students across SSOE and other units, where specified
3. The EAGr MS program is available to SSOE students who qualify
Assessment
As part of the Swanson School of Engineering’s commitment to student learning and academic achievement, effective teaching, and continuous improvement of our programs, we regularly conduct outcomes assessment activities. To obtain periodic measurements of student perceptions and intellectual growth, students will be expected to participate in surveys, focus groups, interviews, and related activities. While individual input is collected, the data resulting from these assessments will be published only in aggregate form.
Degree Requirements
General Requirements
The degree requirements are established by the individual departments and programs. Depending on the program, between 126 to 135 credits may be required for the individual degree. Each program’s requirements include the common first year, a mathematics sequence, and six approved humanities and social science electives (including the W-course requirement). The specific degree requirements are found in the program pages linked below in this catalog.
Humanities and Social Science Requirement
An important part of the undergraduate engineering student’s education is the humanities and social science component. All Swanson School of Engineering undergraduates must complete at least six humanities and social science elective courses from the school’s approved list of Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences (A&S) courses, while meeting the school and ABET requirements for breadth and depth. To meet the depth requirement, a student must complete two or more courses in the same area, only one of which can be below the 0200-level (see list ) from the Dietrich School. The depth requirement can also be satisfied by taking two or more courses with a related theme, e.g., courses that focus on a geographic region, historic period, or ideological perspective. For the breadth requirement, the courses must include approved offerings from at least three different humanities and social science departments from the Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences. Students may use one study abroad course that might not otherwise be counted toward satisfying this requirement, at the discretion of their undergraduate coordinator.
No more than two of the required six elective courses can be satisfied via high school Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, and/or GCE-A-Level credits.
Students must also complete one Writing Intensive W-designated course; i.e., a course that has a substantial writing component that has been so designated by the Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences (A&S). Depending on the course, it may also count as one of the humanities/social science electives. The Associate Dean for Academic Affairs maintains a list of approved humanities and social science electives. Students are not permitted to use College of General Studies courses.
Additional information about the Humanities and Social Sciences electives can be found here: Approved Humanities/Social Science Electives and Requirements .
Writing Course Requirement
Engineering students must demonstrate an ability to communicate effectively. This includes both written and oral communication and the ability to make professional presentations. Upon admission, some students demonstrating writing deficiencies may be required to take at least one linguistics and/or english composition course during their first year that will not count toward the Swanson School of Engineering graduation requirements.
While most students take their W course as part of their humanities/social science requirements, students may also satisfy the W requirement by taking a math, science, or elective course with a writing component. In addition, each engineering program has substantial communications components throughout the curriculum. Some programs require a specific course in communications. It is important to refer to each program’s graduation requirements to identify requisite communication courses.
For students planning on a dual degree from the Swanson School of Engineering and a Dietrich School major, the University of Pittsburgh Composition Program has agreed that the Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences composition requirement is satisfied by ENGCMP 0210 .
Writing intensive courses may not be transferred in from another institution.
Credit Hours
In the Swanson School of Engineering, a credit or credit hour is one of the following:
- One hour of lecture or recitation a week, requiring two hours of outside preparation
- Two hours of laboratory a week, requiring one hour of outside preparation
- Three hours of laboratory a week, requiring no outside preparation
Co-Curricular Academic Opportunities/Programs
Experiential Learning and Professional Engagement (ELPE)
Cooperative Engineering Education Program/Internships
The school’s Cooperative Engineering Education Program enhances the student engineer’s educational experience through a series of challenging, highly relevant “real world” work sessions. This is accomplished by integrating rotations of school and employment terms that enables the cooperative education student to complement his or her formal classroom training with additional technical knowledge, hands-on experience, and financial remuneration. The co-op graduate possesses the maturity and assurance of a more seasoned employee and the ability to incorporate academic knowledge and theory into practice. During co-op sessions, students earn competitive salaries, which also makes the program financially rewarding.
Through the assistance of the Swanson School of Engineering’s Cooperative Education program, formal arrangements are established with industry that permit students to participate in four-month or six-month rotations alternating work experience with coursework. At the University of Pittsburgh, these rotations begin primarily during their sophomore year, with the additional alternating rotations, or second six-month rotation happening Junior/Senior year. Students working longer at an employer can experience increased job duties as the knowledge and skills of the student engineer progress. The positions can be local, national, or international. This practical work experience has also been found to increase academic motivation and classroom performance.
Students can work three alternating rotations, or two six-month rotations. Alternating rotations can start summer, fall, or spring terms. Six-month rotations can run a Spring/Summer (January-June) or a Summer/Fall (July-December). Students can opt to stay with the same employer, or switch to a different company or industry for their remaining rotations. Co-op students become aware of business practice and etiquette and possess a mature, responsible attitude. Thus, upon graduation, students who have successfully completed the co-op program are able to handle more challenging initial assignments with confidence and assurance. A high percentage of co-op students also obtain and accept full-time offers from their co-op employers.
Sample Co-op schedules are available through the Co-op Program Office and faculty Co-op advisors in the Engineering departments as well.
Keep in mind that students while on co-op rotations are unable to simultaneously hold employment positions as student workers or federal work study positions during that timeframe. Students earn transcript certification and a total of 3 credits towards departmental graduation requirements upon satisfactory completion of the program requirements. The Co-op program offers resume preparation, interviewing skills, workshops, and job fairs in order to facilitate appropriate placements for students.
For more information, please contact:
University of Pittsburgh
Swanson School of Engineering
Cooperative Engineering Education Program
152 Benedum Hall
Pittsburgh, PA 15260
412-624-9826
caf54@pitt.edu
www.engineering.pitt.edu/coop/
SSOE Global Experiences and Engagement
As the world around us grows ever more connected, it is evident that engineering students must be prepared to engage in an increasingly globalized world, and, upon graduation, to compete in an international job market. Accordingly, the Swanson School of Engineering has placed a strong emphasis on the development of exciting and academically enriching global programs for its students.
All students in SSOE are encouraged to add a global dimension to their education by pursuing one or more international programs as part of their academic study. At present, SSOE students may elect to participate in study, research, co-op, internship, or service learning abroad. Most of these opportunities are offered on a for-credit basis, and many can be used to satisfy major, minor, technical elective, or other degree requirements. Foreign language study is helpful, but not required, as many courses are on offer in English. Depending on their academic and personal interests, students may elect to participate in dozens of individual international programs. Some of these may last for only a week or two, either during spring break or over the summer term. Others may involve a commitment of a semester or even an entire academic year abroad. Depending on the type of study abroad global program, there may be a minimum GPA requirement.
The Swanson Signature Global Programs are short term opportunities that focus on a relevant engineering topic in detail over the course two to five weeks. Recently, Swanson Signature programs have occurred in Brazil, Germany, Guam, Italy, South Africa, and Uruguay, studying such diverse topics as renewable energy and sustainability, island nation risk, and global supply networks. Plus3 is another innovative short term program designed for first-year SSOE students, and which has taken place in locations such as Brazil, China, Costa Rica, Germany, Italy, South Korea, and Vietnam. Students who wish to invest in longer term study may decide to participate in an exchange program. This affords them the opportunity to study engineering, social sciences or humanities at a foreign college or university for one or two consecutive academic terms, and for little more than the cost of a regular term in Pittsburgh. Finally, scholarships and other funding opportunities are also available, and financial aid administered by the University of Pittsburgh may apply.
There is an International Engineering Studies Certificate as well as a Global Distinction offered to University of Pittsburgh students that formally recognizes broad and meaningful engagement in global learning. The Swanson School of Engineering encourages its students to explore the requirements to obtain these complements to their degree program.
Current and prospective SSOE students and their parents are welcome to contact the Office of Global Experiences and Engagement for more information:
University of Pittsburgh
Swanson School of Engineering
Office of Global Experiences and Engagement
152 Benedum Hall
3700 O’Hara Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15261
412-624-5942
http://www.engineering.pitt.edu/international/
Career and Industry Engagement
On the career side, helping students to grow and develop professionally throughout their time at SSoE is essential. Through customized professional development, students are provided with the career tools that they need to help prepare them for the future. Being able to build and demonstrate those skills through experienced based opportunities gives our students the confidence and competitive edge that they need to be as successful as possible in the post graduate job market.
On the industry side, we help to build, manage, and maintain relationships between the companies that want to work with the Swanson School of Engineering (SSoE) and our departments, faculty, administration, student clubs/organizations, and alumni. We help companies effectively engage within SSoE to provide maximum experienced based learning benefits to our students. These relationships not only help students to connect to opportunities to grow and develop professionally, but also helps students practice what they learn in the classroom in real time.
Learning involves developing from both a curricular and co-curricular perspective. The Career and Industry Engagement office helps to provide opportunities for students to develop and connect with the companies that can potentially hire them and individuals that can help build their networking relationships well into the future.
Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives
The Engineering Office of Diversity exists to create and sustain learning and working environments where differences and similarities are valued and respected, and all scholars, especially underrepresented scholars, are included and empowered to excel in engineering education. The office provides diversity education to the community, undergraduate scholars, graduate scholars, staff and faculty. The office also provides continuous academic and community support services through its undergraduate and graduate scholar programming.
The Swanson School of Engineering undergraduate diversity program develops and implements activities that promote and support the academic excellence of high achieving undergraduate scholars from groups historically underrepresented in engineering fields. These initiatives provide a continuous pipeline for scholars to prepare for, enter and graduate from the University of Pittsburgh as engineering majors.
Pitt EXCEL Program
The Pitt EXCEL Program is a comprehensive undergraduate diversity program committed to the retention, development, and graduation of historically underrepresented engineering scholars. Pitt EXCEL scholars strive to advance in the areas of scholarship, professionalism, graduate endeavors, and community engagement. In addition, Pitt EXCEL scholars have access to academic counseling, peer mentoring for first year and upperclassmen scholars, year specific seminars, tutoring resources, engineering research, graduate school preparation and professional development workshops. Lastly, first year Pitt EXCEL scholars are eligible to participate in our two-week intensive study skills, math and science summer bridge program.
The vision of the Pitt EXCEL Program:
1. Achieve 100% placement in each Pitt EXCEL scholar’s desired engineering field of pursuit, inclusive of graduate school, industry, and medical school.
2. Establishing lifelong connections with fellow undergraduate scholars, staff, faculty, alumni, and industry relations.
3. Producing the highest achieving scholars that rank in the top 20% in all engineering disciplines within the Swanson School of Engineering.
For additional information, please contact:
University of Pittsburgh
Swanson School of Engineering
Pitt EXCEL Program
152 Benedum Hall
3700 O’Hara Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15261
excel@pitt.edu
http://www.engineering.pitt.edu/EXCEL/
PITT STRIVE Program
The University of Pittsburgh Swanson School of Engineering PITT STRIVE Program stands for Success, Transition, Representation, Innovation, Vision, and Education. The STRIVE program was established through a grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF), the University of Pittsburgh Swanson School of Engineering, and its Office of Diversity (EOD) to improve the transitions of Underrepresented Minorities (URM), who are U.S. citizens, into doctoral engineering programs at the University of Pittsburgh and to ensure their successful completion by employing evidence-based strategies for student and faculty engagement and fostering an inclusive academic climate for URM doctoral students.
Scholarship Eligibility
PITT STRIVE Scholars will be recruited from members of underrepresented minority group (Black/African American, American Indian, Hispanic/Latino, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander) meeting US citizenship or permanent residency requirements with an undergraduate GPA of 3.3/4.0.
Diversity Professional Development Workshops
During Fall and Spring semesters, the Engineering Office of Diversity and PITT STRIVE program organize a series of workshops that allow the campus community to meet the leading experts in diversity-related issues and initiatives. The Engineering Office of Diversity and PITT STRIVE program also organize seminars and workshops dedicated to such nationally recognized celebrations as Hispanic Heritage Month, Black History Month, and Women’s History Month, etc.
For additional information, please contact:
University of Pittsburgh
Swanson School of Engineering
Engineering Office of Diversity
152 Benedum Hall
3700 O’Hara Street
Pittsburgh PA 15261
eodadmin@pitt.edu
412-624-2118
http://www.engineering.pitt.edu/diversity/
David C. Frederick Honors College
Students admitted to the David C. Frederick Honors College (Pitt Honors) and students interested in participating in honors courses have the opportunity to participate in several unique programs. Students admitted to Pitt Honors may elect to pursue the Bachelor of Philosophy degree or the Honors Joint degree in addition to their engineering Bachelor of Science degree. Students who have not been admitted to Pitt Honors prior to the first year may apply for degree candidacy in the David C. Frederick Honors College (FHC) after completing their first year at Pitt. Students admitted to the Honors College will be assigned an Academic Advisor in the Swanson School and another in the Honors College. Swanson students admitted to the David C. Frederick Honors College are given earlier enrollment appointments than non-Honors College engineering students with the same academic level. However, Swanson students, including those admitted to the Honors College, may be restricted from taking a course in a particular term if space is needed to accommodate other students completing graduation requirements.
Students interested in taking honors courses but who do not wish to pursue the honors degree options may instead choose to challenge themselves in and out of the classroom by electing to pursue Honors Distinction , which involves both honors coursework and participation in the Honors Outside the Classroom Curriculum (OCC) . Students interested in the Honors College should contact the Honors College: 3500 Cathedral of Learning, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, or call 412-624-6880. (See the David C. Frederick Honors College section of this bulletin.)
Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC)
Academic programs within the Swanson School of Engineering may give credit to students enrolled in Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC). This credit may be given in one of the following ways.
- Upon commissioning, some departments will award one technical elective for the student’s entire ROTC coursework and training; or
- Some programs may review the specific courses and course objectives for individual ROTC courses to see if the individual course or courses may be counted toward program requirements.
- Select ROTC courses rooted in the humanities and social sciences are on the SSOE list of approved electives
Students enrolled in the ROTC program should meet with the undergraduate coordinator for review of how the ROTC program and courses may be counted for a specific major. Students are encouraged to participate in ROTC if this is of interest to them. With this in mind, the Swanson School of Engineering is lenient with those in the Navy program who must travel to Carnegie Mellon University for coursework and typically are permitted to take over 18 credits per term to satisfy the ROTC requirements.
Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences Dual Degree Program
The Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences (A&S) and the Swanson School of Engineering have developed an undergraduate dual degree program that permits a student to combine a major in arts and sciences with a program in engineering and then receive degrees from both A&S and the Swanson School of Engineering. A student can apply for admission into this program through either A&S or the Swanson School of Engineering and must be admitted into both schools.
While the form of the program is dependent upon the individual student’s interests, the first year curriculum is typically the standard engineering program. During the next three years the student may complete the specific requirements for his or her engineering degree while fulfilling certain A&S major and general education requirements. Typically, the fifth year is then used to complete the A&S requirements. Students must complete a minimum of 90 A&S credits, including all A&S skills and general education requirements and an A&S major (but not a related area). Students must also complete all the degree requirements of their chosen engineering program, usually consisting of 70 or more Swanson School of Engineering credits. Each program should be developed with an advisor in the Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences and an advisor in the Swanson School of Engineering and tailored to the student’s special interests. Students in this program have combined engineering with neuroscience, philosophy, economics, music, language, and a number of other programs.
Students must satisfy both schools’ normal progress requirements and criteria for academic standing as long as they remain in the joint degree program. Students also must apply for graduation from both schools. A&S students earn either a BA or BS degree, depending upon the A&S program of study. The student’s GPA for graduation from A&S is calculated based solely upon the credits earned for the A&S degree. For further information, students may contact one of the following: the First Year Engineering Program Office, 152 Benedum Hall; an engineering departmental undergraduate coordinator; the A&S Office, 140 Thackeray Hall; the A&S Advising Center, 252 Thackeray Hall; or the David C. Frederick Honors College engineering advisor, 3600 Cathedral of Learning.
Advising
First Year Students
All students are assigned an advisor and are expected to meet with their advisor prior to registration. The First Year Engineering Program’s professional staff serves as first year advisors. Throughout the first year, students are encouraged to meet with their advisor if they need to register for classes, withdraw from classes, add and/or drop classes, seek out resources, find out about their academic progress, discuss problems they are having in a course, or get help deciding on a program. First-Year Students are also assigned an Engineering Peer Leader, who co-facilitates ENGR 0081 - First-Year Engineering Seminar with a professional staff advisor. First-Year Engineering students admitted to the Honors College will be assigned both an SSOE Academic Advisor and an Honors College Advisor.
Continuing Undeclared Engineering Students will be advised by staff in the First Year Engineering Program (in collaboration with the Engineering programs) until they are department-ready. Students are considered Continuing Undeclared Engineering Students if they meet any of the following criteria:
- have yet to successfully complete more than one First-Year Engineering course
- have a cumulative GPA below 2.000
- have a grade of C- or lower in MATH 0230 (Calculus 2)
- have yet to successfully complete a critical class for their intended major, as follows:
Students are expected to make progress toward completion of First-Year Engineering Program requirements within the first year of enrollment. Students who are unable to declare their major due to incomplete First-Year Program Requirements at the end of the first year have one additional year to complete these requirements and may be limited or restricted from taking departmental classes until first-year requirements are finished. Students should consult with their academic advisor on the most efficient academic path toward First-Year Program completion. Review of a student’s academic progress will be made if first-year requirements are not completed by the end of the second year of enrollment. Not completing first-year requirements in the first year may delay time to degree.
Transfer Students
Incoming transfer students are directly admitted into their upper-level engineering program and will have a declared major, unless otherwise noted on their admission letter. For academic advisement, transfer students will be assigned an engineering faculty advisor by their department, which will be found in the student’s PeopleSoft Student Service Center. Undergraduate Coordinators/Directors and the Office of Transfer Student Services are also available as support resources during their academic career.
Departmental/Program Advising
Undergraduate engineering students who have declared their major and entered an engineering department are assigned a departmental/faculty advisor upon entering their department. Undergraduate Coordinators/Directors are also available as faculty resources to undergraduate engineering students in their major. Students may consult their PeopleSoft Student Service Center to see the name of their Academic Advisor.
Office of Retention
Swanson School of Engineering (SSoE) is committed to the success of our students, which is why we have created the Office of Retention. We take a proactive approach in supporting our students.
The Academic and Career Enhancement (ACE) program is focused on the retention and graduation of SSoE students. When SSoE students experience an academic set-back, they will be invited by the Director of Retention to have the opportunity to participate in ACE.
Eligible sophomores, juniors, and seniors who have had an academic set-back such as:
- Academic probation
- Academic warning
- Repeating a course(s)
are strongly encouraged to participate in the ACE program.
For additional information, please contact:
Anita Persaud, DEd
University of Pittsburgh
Swanson School of Engineering
Office of Retention
152 Benedum Hall
3700 O’Hara Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15261
412-624-9161
apersaud@pitt.edu
www.engineering.pitt.edu/friends-giving-admin/retention/ace-program/
Academic Policies
Registration
Each student registers for future terms with the assistance of their academic advisor during registration periods specified by the Office of the University Registrar. A student who has registered for a course but has failed to satisfy the prerequisites for that course prior to the beginning of the term may not be permitted to continue attending class and must withdraw from the course if requested to do so. First Year engineering students register for the fall term during the summer advising sessions. Entering students are required to take the ALEKS Math placement exam before registering for their first Math class at the University of Pittsburgh. Students may be exempt from taking ALEKS if they have advanced standing credit for MATH 0220. ALEKS results will only be used to place students into their first math course at the University and cannot be used to skip subsequent math courses.
Maximum Credit Registration
All full-time undergraduate engineering students are expected to register for a normal full term of academic courses (i.e., at least 12 credits). No student shall be allowed to register for more than 18 credits without specific written permission from their academic advisor and approval by the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs. Such permission is given only after a review of the student’s academic record in order to verify that an overload is academically justifiable. All credits above 18 for undergraduates will be billed over and above the full-time tuition rate at the prevailing per-credit tuition charge.
Online Courses
Undergraduate engineering students who have completed 24 or more credits in residency at the University of Pittsburgh may take online courses (either at Pitt or outside the University of Pittsburgh for transfer credit), subject to the following conditions:
- Student must present a valid reason for taking the course online.
- If a transfer course, the course must be from a two- or four-year college or university that is accredited by Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools (or equivalent if outside the region).
- Any engineering or engineering science course must be from an ABET-accredited program.
- Humanities or social science courses must be from the arts and sciences unit of the institution and not from a continuing education or general studies unit.
- The course(s) must be first approved by the student’s undergraduate coordinator.
Late Withdrawal Policy
Between the end of the University’s stated add/drop period (approximately the third week of the fall and spring terms) until the last day of the monitored withdrawal period (approximately the ninth week of the academic term for fall and spring terms), a student may withdraw from any Swanson School of Engineering course for any reason. The academic dean or designate will approve the course withdrawal (the instructor’s approval is not required).
After the end of the monitored withdrawal period, students will only be withdrawn from courses with the permission of the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs. Withdrawals will be approved only for documented exceptional reasons including medical or personal incidents that preclude the student from continuing with and/or completing their studies; in those cases the student must withdraw from all courses. Withdrawals from a specific course outside the Swanson School of Engineering must be arranged through the dean’s office of the unit offering the course. Note that a withdrawal cannot be processed after grades have posted and students should seek withdrawals prior to final exams or the deadline set forth by that school. Late withdrawals may be subject to additional school-specific guidelines.
Grading Policies
The following section details the Swanson School of Engineering’s regulations regarding some of the grades that may appear on a student’s transcript. (For a complete discussion of all grades and grading options, see the Grading and Records section of this bulletin.)
G Grade
An instructor may give the G grade when a student is unable to complete the work of a course during the term because of extenuating personal circumstances. When given a “G” grade, both the student and instructor complete the Swanson School G Grade Form to define the work that needs to be completed (e.g. a final examination paper) and the date by which it will be completed (no later than one year after the term or session in which the course was taken). Upon completion of the course work, the instructor of the course will complete a Grade Change Authorization form and send it to the University Registrar via PeopleSoft for processing. A student should not request or be given a “G” grade if, in actuality, the student will need to repeat the course. Once the deadline has passed, the “G” grade will automatically change to “NG” and will no longer appear as “in progress” on a student record. The “NG” grade will remain on the record and the student will be required to re-register for the course if it is needed to fulfill requirements for graduation.
Students may not move forward in a course sequence until a G grade in a previous class in the same sequences has been changed to a letter grade, indicating that all work has been completed and the previous course requirements have been satisfied. Students who register for subsequent classes in a course sequence anticipating completion of the previous course are responsible to drop such classes if a G grade is assigned. Students may only enroll in the next class after outstanding work is completed.
S/NC
With the exception of undergraduate seminar courses, which are only offered satisfactory/no-credit (S/NC), the S/NC option cannot be used for any course that is used to meet graduation requirements. All other Swanson School of Engineering courses are only offered on a letter grade basis. This restriction includes humanities/social science electives and other open/science/engineering electives. First-Year Students may not elect to take courses under the S/NC option. Upper-class engineering students may elect to take non-engineering courses that will not be used to meet graduation requirements as S/NC. Because S/NC courses are not considered in the calculation of the grade point average, the option is appropriate for students wishing to explore disciplines they might not otherwise pursue because of potential negative impact on the grade point average.
A student who wishes to take a course under the S/NC option should first consult his/her advisor to assure that the S/NC option is permissible. A student must register for and complete at least one course for a letter grade to be eligible for an S/NC option course in any term. To register for more than one S/NC option course per term, and a maximum of two, a student must register for 12 or more credits for letter grades.
Calculation of Grade Point Average (GPA)
Each credit carried for a letter grade is awarded quality points as noted under the Grading and Records section of this bulletin. A student’s term grade point average (term GPA) is the total quality points earned for the term divided by the total credits assigned letter grades. The cumulative grade point average (cumulative GPA) is determined by dividing the total number of quality points by the total number of credits assigned letter grades. Only credits and quality points for courses taken at the University of Pittsburgh and that count toward the requirement for the BSE degree are used in the calculation of the GPA.
Repeating Courses
A Swanson School of Engineering student may wish to repeat a course or may be required to repeat a course to fulfill degree requirements.
- A student may only repeat a course twice.
- A student’s third attempt must be approved by the undergraduate coordinator.
- A student who fails to successfully complete a required course after three attempts will be dismissed from the Swanson School of Engineering even if the student’s GPA is 2.000 or higher.
- No sequence course may be repeated for credit after a more advanced course in that sequence has been passed with a C or higher grade.
Course repeats must be completed at the University of Pittsburgh.
A grade replacement may be possible in some situations; refer to the Grade Replacement section below for more details.
Grade Replacement for Repeated Courses
A grade replacement and GPA recalculation occurs for a Swanson School of Engineering student who repeats a course in which they have earned below a C and repeats the course within one year of the original registration.
- No course may be repeated at any other institution and have that grade accepted as a replacement for the original grade earned at the University of Pittsburgh.
- The original course and grade remain on the transcript and/or the academic record; however, the grade and credits originally earned are not counted in the calculation of the QPA (prior to Fall term 2005) or the GPA. All grades earned when repeating a course will be posted and recalculated into the academic transcript, even if the student earns a lower grade than the prior attempt.
- The repeated course does not increase the number of credits counted toward meeting the degree requirements unless an F is replaced by a passing grade.
- W, R, N, or NC grades reported for the repeated course will not be identified as a course repeat, thus the original grade earned will continue to be counted in the QPA (prior to Fall term 2005) or GPA. Incomplete (G or I) grades will not be identified as repeated courses until the course work is completed.
- A sequence course cannot have the grade replaced if a succeeding course in that sequence has been taken (e.g., MATH 0220, 0230, and 0240 Analytic Geometry and Calculus 1, 2, and 3; PHYS 0174 and 0175 Basic Physics for Science and Engineering 1 and 2).
- Course number and title must match for the grade replacement to occur unless an exception has been made by the Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs. Exceptions should be discussed with your advisor or undergraduate coordinator.
- The same course repeat and grade replacement rules will apply to transfer students from other schools within the University of Pittsburgh and the regional campuses.
Academic Standing
Every engineering student’s academic record is reviewed at the end of each term to certify whether or not the student is in good academic standing. Students will be notified by email if they are no longer in good academic standing and are on probation, school probation, suspension, or dismissal.
Good Standing
To be considered in good academic standing, a student’s cumulative grade point average (GPA) must be at least 2.000, AND the student must be making satisfactory progress toward earning an engineering degree. More information on Satisfactory Academic Progress standards can be found at https://oafa.pitt.edu/financialaid/satisfactory-academic-progress/.
Term Warning
A student who earns a term GPA less than 2.000 but has a cumulative GPA greater than or equal to 2.000 will receive a warning letter from the Swanson School of Engineering. Academic Warning indicates that the student is potentially subject to probation, suspension, or dismissal if academic performance does not improve. The student is still considered to be in good academic standing. A student may only receive one term warning before the possibility of more serious action. (See Academic Probation and Swanson School Probation, below.)
Academic Probation
A student with cumulative GPA below 2.000 is not in good academic standing and will be placed on Academic Probation. A student on probation may be subject to suspension or dismissal if their cumulative GPA remains below a 2.000 for two consecutive terms (with the exception of first year students, see Dismissal below).
Swanson School of Engineering School Probation
Engineering students will be placed on School Probation if:
- The student meets two consecutive semesters at full time status where their Term GPA is less than 2.000, but their Cumulative GPA is still greater than or equal to 2.000 (see Term Warning, above), or,
- The student fails a course for the second time.
Participation in activities such as the Co-op Program or International Programs is at the discretion of the Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs for students on School Probation.
Suspension and Dismissal
A student on probation may be subject to suspension or dismissal if their cumulative GPA remains below a 2.000 for two consecutive terms. The standard for first year engineering students is 1.75; see below. Suspension from the Swanson School of Engineering is a one-year action. Dismissal from the Swanson School of Engineering is a permanent action.
The following are additional points related to Suspension and Dismissal:
- Students in the First Year Engineering Program who enter in the fall term may be suspended or dismissed from the Swanson School of Engineering if they do not attain a cumulative GPA of 1.750 or greater by the end of the spring term. First term engineering courses should be completed by the end of the first year. Typical first term engineering courses are MATH 0220 , PHYS 0174 , CHEM 0960 , AND ENGR 0011 or their equivalents.
- First year engineering students with cumulative GPAs between 1. 750 and 1. 999 by the end of their first academic year who fail to obtain a cumulative GPA of 2.000 by the end of their third term are subject to suspension or dismissal. A similar timeline will apply to students who begin the First Year Engineering Program in the spring term.
- After being suspended, students are not eligible to re-enroll for one calendar year, after which they are required to apply for reinstatement through the Swanson School of Engineering Office of Student Records. Request for reinstatement must be approved by the student’s department and Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs in order to reenroll. Students returning from academic suspension are reinstated on academic probation and their academic performance will be reviewed after each subsequent term. You can take up to twelve credits elsewhere during your suspension, but they will not be transferrable to the Swanson School.
- Students may only repeat a course twice. (See Repeating Courses, above). Any student who fails to successfully complete a required course after three attempts will be dismissed from the Swanson School even if his or her cumulative GPA is 2.000 or higher.
- Students dismissed from the Swanson School of Engineering who wish to enroll at another school/ college at the University of Pittsburgh are subject to the admission requirements for that school.
Honors Lists
At the end of each term, the academic records of all undergraduate degree students in the Swanson School of Engineering are reviewed to determine eligibility for the Term Honor List and the Dean’s Honor List. Students who qualify for both honor lists will appear only on the Dean’s Honor List.
Term Honors List
To be eligible for the Term Honor List, a student must
- Earn a GPA of at least 3.250,
- Complete a minimum of 15 credits of academic work for letter grades at the University of Pittsburgh, and
- Complete a minimum of 6 credits of work for letter grades in the term of eligibility.
Dean’s Honors List
To be eligible for the Dean’s Honor List, a student must
- Earn cumulative and term GPA’s of 3.250 or higher,
- Complete a minimum of 30 credits of academic work for letter grades at the University of Pittsburgh, and
- Complete a minimum of 6 credits of work for letter grades in the term of eligibility.
Graduation Requirements
In order to graduate with a BSE, a student must have satisfactorily completed all degree requirements and earned the total number of credits required by the department or program in which the student is enrolled. The student must also have obtained a minimum GPA of 2.000 for (a) all required courses completed at the University of Pittsburgh and (b) all program courses.
The work of the senior year (a minimum of 24 credits) should be completed while in residence at the Swanson School of Engineering. Exceptions will be granted for students to take a limited number of credits needed to complete their degree, or through participation in an approved study abroad program. Such requests must be approved in advance by the appropriate undergraduate coordinator, chair or Associate Dean for Academic Affairs.
(See the Graduation section of this catalog for further information on graduation requirements and procedures.)
Statute of Limitations
All required academic work for the Bachelor of Science in Engineering degree, including courses for which advanced-standing credit has been granted, must be completed within 12 consecutive calendar years. Under unusual circumstances, a student may, with the approval of the department or program chair, request a waiver of this policy. This policy means that part-time students must progress toward the degree at a minimum rate of 12 credits per calendar year.
Academic Integrity
The integrity of the academic process requires fair and impartial evaluation on the part of faculty and honest academic conduct on the part of students. Students are expected to conduct themselves with a high level of responsibility in the fulfillment of their course of study and their conduct in and out of the classroom. Violations of the Academic Integrity Policy can impact a student’s grade or status with the University as some serious or subsequent violations could lead to suspension or dismissal. Academic Integrity violations can also affect a student’s eligibility for scholarships and holding leadership positions in student organizations. A lack of response by the student will result in a blank grade given in the course until the matter is resolved. Further, a student may not drop or withdraw from a course with a pending academic integrity allegation or resolution. A hold will be placed on the student’s account until the AI allegation is resolved or the monitored withdrawal period has ended. It is the corresponding responsibility of faculty to make clear to students those standards by which they will be evaluated and the resources permissible for use by students during their course of study. The educational process is perceived as a joint faculty-student enterprise that will involve professional judgment by faculty and may involve, without penalty, reasoned exception by students to the data or views offered by faculty. Consistent with these considerations (and without limiting their scope and application in their entirety to the academic programs of the University), faculty and students are directed to observe established University of Pittsburgh and Swanson School of Engineering guidelines on academic integrity and the University Code of Conduct. The Swanson School of Engineering and the University of Pittsburgh Guidelines on Academic Integrity are available to faculty and students at: https//www.engineering.pitt.edu/Academic-Integrity-Guidelines/. The University’s student Code of Conduct is available at: https://www.studentaffairs.pitt.edu/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Code-of-Conduct_10-1-2020.pdf.
Swanson School of Engineering Faculty
School of Engineering Faculty
Program and Course Offerings
First Year Engineering Program
After successful completion of theFirst-Year Student Engineering Program , students enter one of the specific engineering major programs below at the sophomore level.
Certificate Programs
Cybersecurity in Emerging Engineering Systems, Undergraduate Certificate
Engineering Data Analytics
Engineering for Humanity Certificate
Engineering Simulation in Design Certificate
Health Systems Engineering Certificate
Innovation, Product Design, and Entrepreneurship Certificate
International Engineering Studies Certificate
Nuclear Engineering Certificate
Supply Chain Management Certificate
Sustainability Certificate
Degree Programs in BS in Engineering
Bioengineering
Chemical Engineering
Civil Engineering
Computer Engineering
Electrical Engineering
Engineering Science
Environmental Engineering
Industrial Engineering
Materials Science and Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
