Undergraduate

Q&A for Prospective Engineering Students

What do I need to become an engineering student?   

Mathematics and Science: While you’re reviewing the curriculum, please note that Calculus with Analytical Geometry and Physics with Calculus series are fundamental to the engineering progression. Prepare yourself for success before you arrive at USF and register for as many math classes (algebra, geometry and trigonometry ) as you have time for in order to develop your problem solving skills.

General Admission Requirements for First Year Students  

  • Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Cyber, Information Technology
    • High school GPA of 4.00 AND 570 SATM or ACTM of 24 or better
    • Ready to start in precalculus by the fall semester

  • All other Engineering majors, must meet the minimum of either:
    • 3.6 High school GPA or,
    • ACT Math of 26 or,
    • SAT Math of 610.
    • Ready to start in precalculus by the fall semester

Some programs have other admission requirements in addition to the general admission requirements.

Once admitted as a lower-level division student (pre-engineering for Biomedical Engineering), you will follow your degree program to meet the department admission requirements. Each department maintains their respective admissions requirements and progression requirements. After completing the courses with the required grades and progression requirements, and you have matriculated into your major department, you will meet with your department undergraduate advisor for formal academic advising.

Admission Requirements for Transfer Students

  • Meet USF admission requirements and be fully admitted to USF as a degree-seeking student with more than 30 earned credits.
  • Meet College of Engineering admission requirements for Transfer Students for all engineering majors and for the Computer Science major. Information Technology and Cybersecurity majors are excluded from this requirement. NOTE: Other requirements apply. See catalog for details.
  • Meet department/major admission requirements. Note: These requirements vary within departments and majors. See catalog for details.

How do I apply to USF?

Visit the Admission Office to stay on top of USF application deadlines, events, scholarships. Complete the entire USF application and ensure you submit all transcripts and materials as stated on the website. Check to ensure all test scores and transcripts are sent to USF, as lacking or lagging information can hinder the processing of your application.

If accepted to USF and you meet the requirements for admission to the College of Engineering, your information will be forwarded to Engineering Admissions for evaluation and processing.
 
If accepted to USF and you do not meet the requirements for admission to the College of Engineering, or you are unsure of your major, your information may be forwarded to the USF Office of Academic Advocacy Exploratory Curriculum Major where you can continue to gain knowledge about career pathways and strength in specific academics.

How do I schedule a campus and college tour?

USF Campus Visit and Tour: University Admissions hosts prospective student tours at 10 a.m. or 2 p.m. If you are interested in an on-campus tour, please register through the Admission Office.

College of Engineering Tour: Join an Engineering Student Ambassador for a guided tour of the engineering classrooms, and teaching and research labs (when available) and other facility spaces. Most tours begin in front of Engineering Building III, ENC 1302 (TECO Energy Hall Annex), at 1 p.m. weekdays, in the fall, spring and summer C semesters. Appointments and RSVPs are not required. Please plan on one hour to complete the tour.

Before coming to campus, be sure to visit the USF Visitor Parking website to view parking options.  

Can I speak with an advisor?

College Connections: To schedule a phone call (813 974-9503) to discuss your specific interests and goals, or send an email to Eva Fernandez so we can guide you in planning your academic career pathway.

Pre-College Advising: Contact the Engineering Advising Office either by phone (813 974-2684) or online via eScheduler so we can answer your questions or address any of your concerns. 

Advanced Credit: If you have earned advanced credit through AP, CAPE, IB, early college, or other programs prior to graduation from high school, review the USF Credit-By-Exam Equivalents to determine if the courses will be accepted at USF. Recognize that an accepted course does not guarantee that the course will be applied to your degree program. However, early coursework is considered a success predictor for admission and could provide a buffer for excess hours counter. 

Where can I find out about College Scholarships?

The College hosts a college-wide application process where one application is submitted to the scholarship selection committees for engineering scholarships which you are eligible. February 1 is the priority deadline, for the following fall semester. There are some scholarships for first year students but most of the scholarships are department based. Scholarships can be awarded for need-based or merit, depending on the donor.

Are academic support and engagement resources available for first-year students?

The college and university has many resources to support your academic and personal progression through your college career. An engineering first-year student (FYS) retention rate of >93% attests to our commitment to work with students. Engineering Student Services has seven advisors designed to support pre-engineering and engineering students in academics, career pathways, and guidance referral for personal situations. In addition, the college has a full-time Industry Liaison and Internship Advisor, and Talent Acquisition and Outreach Director that provide valuable insight to engineering students.

Academic course-based learning teams: FYS registering for pre-calculus, calculus, and/or chemistry for engineers will be scheduled into a zero credit “learning team” that is associated with a specific academic course. Each team of 24 students will meet for 50 minutes once per week for academic, social and peer networking. 

Engineering Living Learning Communities: Students have the opportunity to “live and learn” with engineering classmates in a supportive collegiate environment ELLC. Complete and submit the Learning Community application after you complete the USF Housing application.

First Year Foundations of Engineering, EGN 3000 and Laboratory, EGN 3000L: Many career positions hire engineers from across many disciplines so multiple perspectives are considered on projects to create or design the optimal project solution. This team approach is implemented with your first engineering course, Foundations of Engineering Lab, where you will work as a member of a small team in a project-based environment to begin learning the problem solving and design process.
 
In addition, the Foundations of Engineering EGN 3000 lecture portion of the course will provide information on networking with your colleagues, time management, study skills, career connections, resume writing, career fair protocol and attendance, designing your educational career and semester road map.  Each person is different, and these differences can set you apart.  Here, you can enhance your bachelor of science program with your personal goals to create your educational path over the next four years as well as how to accomplish and achieve the goals that are important to your education.

Mandatory advising: FYS and those students who have not matriculated into a department must meet with an academic advisor each semester prior to registration or to be able to register for classes. Foundations of Engineering students meet with an academic advisor multiple times throughout the first semester for both academic support and engagement. 

Math Prep: Incoming summer FYS are registered into a mathematics preparation course. The course is zero to three credits, and helps a student build the mathematics foundation ready for the upcoming semester courses.

Professor mid-term grades notifications: FYS receive notification of mid-term grades from first-year courses professors. For engineering students, engineering advisors are notified of those students who are at a “C” grade or less as early warning notification.  FYS who receive an early warning notification will be invited by their engineering advisor to meet about course progression and to discuss causes and extenuating circumstances for the grade in question and possible solutions.   
 
Engineering Undergraduates Email List serve: Students are registered into a canvas course system to receive official notifications from the college regarding advising, student organizations, career information scholarships and other important and timely information.

What if I am interested in other engineering degree programs such as Aerospace, Aeronautical, Automotive, or Robotics?

The college offers broad fundamental degree programs and our graduates work in all these fields of practice.  These fields are considered interdisciplinary, meaning that skill sets from another engineering discipline can provide the expertise to work in this discipline. For example: a mechanical engineer has the skills to work in automotive, aerospace, aeronautical, robotics, and materials engineering fields as does an electrical, computer, civil, or other engineer. It really depends on what the company is seeking in their hiring, and the experience and skills you bring to the position through research, student organizations, internships, and work experience.