Integrated Design Engineering - Bachelor of Science (BSIDE)

Requirements

Program Requirements

In order to earn a bachelor's degree in Integrated Design Engineering (IDE), students must complete the curriculum in the undergraduate major program, as outlined below. For up-to-date program requirements, visit the Integrated Design Engineering webpage. Required courses in engineering, mathematics and physical science are interwoven throughout the curriculum to provide a multifaceted education. The degree requires coursework in math and science (a minimum of 30 credits), a core of project-based integrated design-focused engineering courses taught by IDE faculty, a Disciplinary Emphasis (which includes engineering and design content), a selected Concentration (12 or more credits), humanities and social sciences electives, a writing course, and free electives, for a total of 128 credits required for the degree.

Disciplinary Emphases

Integrated Design Engineering students select one disciplinary emphasis (i.e., aerospace, architectural, civil, electrical, environmental or mechanical) and then complete requirements associated with developing competency in that area. To meet graduation requirements, the combination of engineering core and disciplinary emphasis coursework must sum to 52 credits or more. All engineering core and disciplinary emphasis courses require a minimum grade of C-. All Integrated Design Engineering students, regardless of emphasis, are required to take the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam prior to graduation.

• Aerospace Emphasis
• Architectural Emphasis
• Civil Emphasis
• Electrical Emphasis
• Environmental Emphasis
• Mechanical Emphasis

Concentration

The Integrated Design Engineering concentration (minimum 12 credits) allows students to select additional coursework in a chosen field of study, either within or outside of engineering. The concentration course sequence must be a series of courses with increasing specificity or depth within a field, typically culminating in senior-level courses. Most concentrations will consist of at least four 3-credit courses. Every concentration must be pre-approved by the Integrated Design Engineering academic advisor prior to the commencement of the coursework. All concentration courses require a minimum grade of C-. Visit the program website for the current concentration requirements.

The Integrated Design Engineering degree is built around student choice and flexibility. The combinations of Engineering Emphases and available Concentrations allow for over 100 possible pathways. The sample curriculum represents only a general idea of what is possible with integrated design engineering. Students are encouraged to visit the Integrated Design Engineering website or advisor for more specifics in planning their own unique pathway and to ensure that all degree requirements are met.

Prerequisites and Passing Grades

The minimum passing grade for a course that is a prerequisite or corequisite for another required course is a C-. If a grade of D+ or lower is received in a course which is a prerequisite to another, the student may not register for the subsequent course until the first grade has been raised to a C- or higher. If a grade of D+ or lower is received in a course which is a corequisite to another, the course must be repeated until a grade of C- or higher is achieved.

The minimum passing grade for all required engineering core, disciplinary emphasis, and concentration courses is a C-. The minimum passing grade for a course that is not specifically a prerequisite or corequisite for another required course is D-, if not otherwise noted above.

Additional Graduation Requirements

• FE Exam: All Integrated Design Engineering students, regardless of emphasis, are required to take the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam prior to graduation.
• Senior Survey: All Integrated Design Engineering students, regardless of emphasis, are required to take the Senior Survey prior to graduation.

Disciplinary Emphases

Aerospace Emphasis

Architectural Emphasis

Civil Emphasis

Electrical Emphasis

Environmental Emphasis

Mechanical Emphasis

Sample Four-Year Plans of Study

Aerospace Emphasis

Architectural Emphasis

Civil Emphasis

Electrical Emphasis

Environmental Emphasis

Mechanical Emphasis

Additional Information

Students who select the CU Teach Engineering Math or Science Concentration will have a 9th semester student teaching experience. There is financial assistance available for these students.

Mission Statement

The mission of the Integrated Design Engineering program is to prepare students to be innovators in a wide range of careers, tackling complex global challenges ethically and creatively by integrating technical engineering knowledge with integrated design thinking and multidisciplinary collaboration skills.

Learning Outcomes

Program Educational Objectives

Within a few years after graduation, graduates of the Integrated Design Engineering program will have:  

• Achieved one or more of the following:
  • established themselves in engineering careers or in a professional field in which they apply their engineering mindset;
  • established themselves as STEM educators; and/or
  • earned or be enrolled in a graduate or professional degree program
• Brought an integrated design mindset to the projects, problems and/or systems they worked on   
• Integrated themselves into teams where they champion inclusive practices and diverse thinking
• Demonstrated professional and personal leadership through continued learning and growth
• Advanced in professional standing based on their accomplishments and accumulated additional expertise 
• Contributed to the betterment of society

Student Outcomes

Upon graduation, Integrated Design Engineering students are expected to be able to:

• Identify, formulate and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science and mathematics.
• Apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental and economic factors.
• Communicate effectively with a range of audiences.
• Recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgments, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental and societal contexts.
• Function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks and meet objectives.
• Develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions.
• Acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.