Â鶹ÊÓƵ

Industrial and Systems Engineering

College of Engineering

Preparing for Engineering in Early College High School

Picture of students

Courses to Take in Early College High School

The following are six recommendations for Early College High School students planning to study engineering:

  1. Take as much math as possible (Algebra II, Trigonometry, Pre-Calculus and Calculus I).  You should take math each semester.  Math courses are the best preparation for engineering.  
  2. Review your planned university major degree plan and discuss it with your early college high school advisor.
  3. Take Calculus.  Lower division statistics does not apply to engineering degrees at Â鶹ÊÓƵ.
  4. Take as much Chemistry and Physics as possible. The science sequence of engineering degree is University Physics I-> University Physics II and University Chemistry I.  Most engineering degrees plans do not require Biology, so AP Biology is not as usefully as an additional course in Chemistry or Physics.  A strong background in Chemistry and Physics at the high school level will smooths the transition to engineering coursework.
  5. Understand the Texas and Â鶹ÊÓƵ Core.  All Texas Universities have the same core structure:
    010.  Communication / English (6 hours / 2 courses)
    020.  Mathematics (3 hours / 1 course)
    030.  Life and Physical Science (6 hours / 2 courses)
    040.  Language, Philosophy and Culture (3 hours / 1 course)
    050.  Creative Arts (3 hours / 1 course)
    060.  American History (6 hours / 2 course)
    070.  Government (6 hours / 2 course)
    080.  Social and Behavioral Sciences (3 hours / 1 course)
    090.  Component Area (6 hours / 2 course)
    Core courses in Communication (010), Government (060), Creative Arts (050), and Language/Philosophy/Culture can be applied without issue. Make sure the courses taken are in the core list at your school or Â鶹ÊÓƵ. Taking credit courses in high school in non-technical areas is a great way to reduce your course load, however, preparation in Math, Physics and Chemistry is more important for engineering. 
  6. Students with Spanish Language Skills should strongly consider taking the CLEP test in Spanish.  While Spanish is not required for the degree, it can be used as a Communication area 010 Elective (Spanish I).
  7. Technical hours can not be applied to an engineering degree.  Technical hours can be applied to the BS Industrial Technology degree. 

Advice to Incoming Students

  1. Read about your major (articles and job postings).
  2. Ask questions if courses due not transfer.
  3. Summer courses can often aid students in reducing the time until graduation. Early college high school students come to university with many credit hours, but might be missing key pre-requisite courses that can be taken in the summer.
  4. Start looking for an internship or co-op after you have completed some 2nd year courses.
  5. Do not take too many hours in your first semester.