Case School of Engineering

All undergraduates at Case Western Reserve must complete the SAGES Program and the physical education requirement, in addition to school-specific general education requirements based on the school of their major.

Course credit earned by AP, IB, proficiency examinations, and transfer credit may be used to satisfy Case School of Engineering general education requirements.

Mathematics, Sciences, and Engineering Core Requirements (44 credit-hours)¹

Mathematics (14 credit-hours)

1. MATH 121
2. MATH 122 or 124
3. MATH 223 or 227
4. MATH 224 or 228 

Chemistry (four credit-hours)

1. CHEM 111²

Physics (eight credit-hours)

1. PHYS 121 or 123
2. PHYS 122 or 124 

Engineering (18 credit-hours)

1. ENGR 131 or EECS 132³
2. ENGR 145²
3. ENGR 200
4. ENGR 210
5. ENGR 225⁴

Natural Sciences, Mathematics, or Statistics Requirement (three credit-hours)

Course designated by major department.

Breadth Requirement (15 credit-hours)

1. ENGL 398 (two credit-hours) and ENGR 398 (one credit-hour); together, these courses fulfill the departmental seminar requirement.
2. At least 12 credit-hours comprised of three- or four-credit-hour courses outside of the areas of engineering, natural sciences, and mathematics.  The selection of courses to satisfy this requirement should be done in consultation with the student’s academic advisor(s).
   • Courses to meet this requirement include those offered by:
     • The College of Arts and Sciences (except those offered by science and mathematics departments)
     • The Weatherhead School of Management
     • The Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing
     • The Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences
     • The School of Medicine Department of Bioethics
     • The Cleveland Institute of Music
     • The Cleveland Institute of Art
     • Other courses approved by the Case School of Engineering’s Undergraduate Studies Committee are also acceptable.

¹Students completing the Bachelor of Science in computer science (as opposed to the Bachelor of Science in engineering with a major in one of the engineering disciplines) are not required to take ENGR 200, 210, or 225; also, they will take MATH 201 or 307 in place of MATH 224. Students completing the Bachelor of Science in data science and analytics (as opposed to the Bachelor of Science in engineering with a major in one of the engineering disciplines) are not required to take ENGR 145, 200, 210, or 225.

²The chemistry-materials course sequence CHEM 105, CHEM 106, ENGR 145 may substitute for the sequence CHEM 111, ENGR 145.

³Note that some majors (computer engineering, computer science, the computer-oriented concentrations in biomedical engineering, and data science and analytics) specifically require EECS 132.

⁴Students pursuing a polymer science and engineering major or the biomaterials concentration in the biomedical engineering major may substitute EMAC 351 and 352 for ENGR 225. Students pursuing majors in aerospace or mechanical engineering may substitute EMAE 251, 252, and 353 for ENGR 225.

Schedule development instructions:

1. Students with AP or IB chemistry credit should proceed to ENGR 145.
2. Students with credit for PHYS 121 should register for PHYS 122 (assuming prerequisites are met).
3. EECS 132 – Introduction to Programming in Java may be substituted for the ENGR 131 requirement.
4. Students without any previous credit for the recommended fall semester courses should enroll in all four or otherwise risk delaying progress in the major.

For more information about aerospace engineering, visit bulletin.case.edu/schoolofengineering/mechaeroeng. 

*Students with credit for a course have the option of using that credit as a prerequisite and registering for a higher-level course or forfeiting their credit and repeating the course for a grade at CWRU. Students who choose either option may make changes to their enrollment during the first two weeks of the semester (drop/add period) should they discover that the course in which they originally enrolled is not at the appropriate level. Students may find it more manageable to change to lower-level course after beginning at the higher level.

Schedule development instructions:

1. Students who place into MATH 120 via the math diagnostic exam must successfully complete this course before enrolling in PHYS 121.
2. It is important for students to follow the recommendations for the timing of MATH courses, as well as CHEM 111, ENGR 131, and PHYS 121 so as to make timely progress in the major and avoid future complications. Students who place into MATH 120 for the fall semester should discuss with the Academic Representative summer options for completing MATH 122 before the start of the second year.
3. EBME 105 is optional. It provides information about four BME tracks related to devices, computational analysis, biomechanics, and biomaterials. EBME 105 is recommended for students who are unsure of which BME track is most suitable.  Opportunities for participation in research and design projects are described.  Students should choose to prioritize/arrange core courses based on the following orientations (if known):
   • Devices (Electrical): Students should complete PHYS 122 as early as possible. Students with no prior PHYS credit should take PHYS 121 in the fall (if eligible) and PHYS 122  in the spring.
   • Computation and Analysis: Students should take EECS 132 (JAVA) in the fall. ENGR 131 (MATLAB) will be needed for required BME courses.
   • Biomechanics: After MATH 121, take PHYS 121 and then ENGR 200. ENGR 145 can be taken in the second year.
   • Biomaterials: Take CHEM 111 in the fall semester.  Take ENGR 145 right after CHEM 111.
   • Pre-Health: Take CHEM 111 and ENGR 145 as soon as possible
4. Students who are uncertain of any particular orientation in BME should follow the standard recommendations on the course grid below.
5. EECS 132 – Introduction to Programming in Java may be substituted for the ENGR 131 requirement but ENGR 131 (MATLAB) will be needed for required BME courses.
6. Students are encouraged to contact the BME faculty representative when further information is needed.

For more information about biomedical engineering, visit bulletin.case.edu/schoolofengineering/biomedicalengineering.

*Students with credit for a course have the option of using that credit as a prerequisite and registering for a higher-level course or forfeiting their credit and repeating the course for a grade at CWRU. Students who choose either option may make changes to their enrollment during the first two weeks of the semester (drop/add period) should they discover that the course in which they originally enrolled is not at the appropriate level. Students may find it more manageable to change to lower-level course after beginning at the higher level.

Schedule development instructions:

1. Students with AP or IB chemistry credit should proceed to ENGR 145.
2. Students with credit for PHYS 121 should proceed to PHYS 122 (assuming prerequisites are met).
3. EECS 132 – Introduction to Programming in Java may substitute for the ENGR 131 requirement.
4. Chemical engineering students should take ECHE 151 during the fall of their first year, and should complete CHEM 111 and ENGR 145 during the first year.

For more information about chemical engineering, visit bulletin.case.edu/schoolofengineering/chemicalengineering. 

*Students with credit for a course have the option of using that credit as a prerequisite and registering for a higher-level course or forfeiting their credit and repeating the course for a grade at CWRU. Students who choose either option may make changes to their enrollment during the first two weeks of the semester (drop/add period) should they discover that the course in which they originally enrolled is not at the appropriate level. Students may find it more manageable to change to lower-level course after beginning at the higher level.

Schedule development instructions:

1. Students with AP or IB chemistry credit can proceed to ENGR 145 or select another recommended course to take in place of CHEM 111.
2. EECS 132 – Introduction to Programming in Java may substitute for the ENGR 131 requirement.
3. Students with credit for ENGR 131 or EECS 132 should register for PHYS 121. Students with credit for both ENGR 131/EECS 132 and PHYS 121 should register for PHYS 122 (assuming prerequisites are met).
4. Students without any previous credit should follow the fall semester schedule recommendations.
5. Students interested in learning about the field of civil engineering might consider including ECIV 160 – Surveying and Computer Graphics – in their fall semester schedule.

For more information about civil engineering, visit bulletin.case.edu/schoolofengineering/civilengineering.

*Students with credit for a course have the option of using that credit as a prerequisite and registering for a higher-level course or forfeiting their credit and repeating the course for a grade at CWRU. Students who choose either option may make changes to their enrollment during the first two weeks of the semester (drop/add period) should they discover that the course in which they originally enrolled is not at the appropriate level. Students may find it more manageable to change to lower-level course after beginning at the higher level.

Schedule development instructions:

1. Students who place into MATH 120 via the math diagnostic exam must successfully complete this course before enrolling in PHYS 121.
2. Students with credit for MATH 122 or MATH 223 have the option of moving on to the next course in the sequence (MATH 223 or MATH 224), or may choose to take another course instead.
3. Students with AP or IB chemistry credit have the choice to proceed to ENGR 145 or take PHYS 121 and delay ENGR 145 until the spring semester.
4. Students with credit for EECS 132 should consider taking EECS 233 or EECS 281.
5. EECS 132 should be taken in the first semester; it is important for students to take EECS 233 and EECS 281 as early as possible.

For more information about computer engineering and related majors, visit bulletin.case.edu/schoolofengineering/elecengcompsci.

*Students with credit for a course have the option of using that credit as a prerequisite and registering for a higher-level course or forfeiting their credit and repeating the course for a grade at CWRU. Students who choose either option may make changes to their enrollment during the first two weeks of the semester (drop/add period) should they discover that the course in which they originally enrolled is not at the appropriate level. Students may find it more manageable to change to lower-level course after beginning at the higher level.

For information about the BA in computer science click here.

Schedule development instructions:

1. Students who place into MATH 120 via the math diagnostic exam must successfully complete this course before enrolling in PHYS 121.
2. Students with credit for MATH 121 should proceed to MATH 122.
3. Students with credit for MATH 122 or MATH 223 have the option of moving on to the next course in the sequence (MATH 223), or they may choose to take another course instead. (Students may consider EECS 302, for example.)
4. Students with AP or IB chemistry credit should proceed to ENGR 145.
5. Students with credit for EECS 132 may choose to take a higher-level EECS course (e.g. EECS 233 or 281) or take PHYS 121.
6. EECS 132 is required for upper-level computer science courses. Students who have credit for ENGR 131 will need to earn credit for EECS 132 should they later choose to pursue a computer science degree.

For more information about computer science and related majors, visit bulletin.case.edu/schoolofengineering/elecengcompsci.

*Students with credit for a course have the option of using that credit as a prerequisite and registering for a higher-level course or forfeiting their credit and repeating the course for a grade at CWRU. Students who choose either option may make changes to their enrollment during the first two weeks of the semester (drop/add period) should they discover that the course in which they originally enrolled is not at the appropriate level. Students may find it more manageable to change to lower-level course after beginning at the higher level.

Schedule development instructions:

1. Students interested in a data science and analytics major should enroll in EECS 132 in the fall semester so they are prepared to take DSCI 133 in the spring. 
2. Students who have credit for EECS 132 may instead take a general education course or open elective in the fall.
3. Students with credit for CHEM 111 should enroll in PHYS 121 (assuming prerequisites are met).

For more information about data science and analytics, visit bulletin.case.edu/schoolofengineering/elecengcompsci.

*Students with credit for a course have the option of using that credit as a prerequisite and registering for a higher-level course or forfeiting their credit and repeating the course for a grade at CWRU. Students who choose either option may make changes to their enrollment during the first two weeks of the semester (drop/add period) should they discover that the course in which they originally enrolled is not at the appropriate level. Students may find it more manageable to change to lower-level course after beginning at the higher level.

Schedule development instructions:

1. Students with AP or IB chemistry credit should take PHYS 121 and can delay ENGR 145 until the spring semester.
2. EECS 132 – Introduction to Programming in Java may substitute for the ENGR 131 requirement.
3. Students with credit for EECS 132/ENGR 131 should take EECS 281 or PHYS 121.
4. Students with credit for both EECS 132/ENGR 131 and PHYS 121 should take EECS 281 and/or PHYS 122 (assuming prerequisites are met).
5. Students intending to pursue the electrical engineering major must complete MATH 121, MATH 122, ENGR 131, and PHYS 121 by the start of the second year.

For more information about electrical engineering and related majors, visit bulletin.case.edu/schoolofengineering/elecengcompsci.

*Students with credit for a course have the option of using that credit as a prerequisite and registering for a higher-level course or forfeiting their credit and repeating the course for a grade at CWRU. Students who choose either option may make changes to their enrollment during the first two weeks of the semester (drop/add period) should they discover that the course in which they originally enrolled is not at the appropriate level. Students may find it more manageable to change to lower-level course after beginning at the higher level.

Schedule development instructions:

1. Students with AP or IB chemistry credit should proceed to ENGR 145.
2. Students with credit for PHYS 121 should register for PHYS 122 (if prerequisites are met).
3. EECS 132 – Introduction to Programming in Java may substitute for the ENGR 131 requirement.
4. Students planning on computer science or computer engineering as a concentration in engineering physics should enroll in EECS 132 instead of ENGR 131.
5. Students should take PHYS 121 in the fall and PHYS 122 in the spring (if eligible based on prerequisites) so that PHYS 211 can be taken in fall semester of the second year. Students who are not able to take PHYS 121 until the spring should speak with the academic representative for the engineering physics major about summer course options.
6. Students who are invited to take the enhanced physics courses, PHYS 123/124, should consider accepting the invitation, even if it means forfeiting AP/IB credit for PHYS 121. Note, however, that these enhanced courses are not required and are not necessarily better options for all students.
7. PHYS 166 – Physics Today and Tomorrow is not required, but is strongly recommended for students with an interest in physics.

For more information about engineering physics, visit bulletin.case.edu/schoolofengineering/engineeringphysics.

*Students with credit for a course have the option of using that credit as a prerequisite and registering for a higher-level course or forfeiting their credit and repeating the course for a grade at CWRU. Students who choose either option may make changes to their enrollment during the first two weeks of the semester (drop/add period) should they discover that the course in which they originally enrolled is not at the appropriate level. Students may find it more manageable to change to lower-level course after beginning at the higher level.

Schedule development instructions:

1. Students who place into MATH 120 via the math diagnostic exam must first successfully complete this course before enrolling in PHYS 121.
2. Students with calculus credit should proceed to the next course in the sequence:
   • Credit for MATH 121 ---> MATH 122
   • Credit for MATH 122 ---> MATH 223
   • Credit for MATH 223 ---> MATH 224
3. Students with AP or IB chemistry credit can proceed to ENGR 145 or select another recommended course to take in place of CHEM 111.
4. Students with credit for PHYS 121 can proceed to PHYS 122 (if prerequisites are met) or take a programming course (ENGR 131 or EECS 132, depending on major(s) of interest).
5. Students who are considering but have not decided between engineering majors that have different basic programming requirements (ENGR 131 vs. EECS 132) may delay taking a programming course until spring semester.
6. Students who are also considering a major outside of the Case School of Engineering should take the MATH, CHEM, and PHYS courses that satisfy engineering core requirements. 
7. Students who are considering specific engineering majors may benefit from taking an introductory course such as EBME 105, ECHE 151, EMSE 110, EMSE 125, or EMAC 125. Explore the schedule development recommendations for any engineering majors of interest for more information.

For more information about engineering (undesignated), visit bulletin.case.edu/schoolofengineering/engineeringundesignated.

*Students with credit for a course have the option of using that credit as a prerequisite and registering for a higher-level course or forfeiting their credit and repeating the course for a grade at CWRU. Students who choose either option may make changes to their enrollment during the first two weeks of the semester (drop/add period) should they discover that the course in which they originally enrolled is not at the appropriate level. Students may find it more manageable to change to lower-level course after beginning at the higher level.

Schedule development instructions:

1. Students who place into MATH 120 via the math diagnostic exam must first successfully complete this course before enrolling in PHYS 121.
2. Students with AP or IB credit for CHEM 111 should take PHYS 121 in place of CHEM 111 if they had calculus in high school, or take a general education (breadth) course if they have not had calculus.
3. Students with credit for PHYS 121 may take PHYS 122 (assuming prerequisites are met) in the fall or spring semester, and should take a general education course in place of physics during the semester in which they are not enrolled in physics. Such students may also elect to take ENGR 200 in the spring if their schedules allow.
4. EECS 132 – Introduction to Programming in Java may substitute for the ENGR 131 requirement.
5. Students should complete ENGR 145 by the start of the second year and MATH 224 by the start of the third year.
6. Students should complete ENGR 131 (or EECS 132), EMSE 110, and EMSE 120 in their first year. However, EMSE 110 (fall) and EMSE 120 (spring) are not required to be completed in the first year and can be taken in either order.
7. Students interested in doing research in the field of materials science should consider including EMSE 125 – Freshman Research in Materials Science & Engineering (1 credit hour) in their fall or spring semester schedule.
8. Students interested in pursuing a pre-health track along with Materials Science and Engineering should try to complete PHYS 121, PHYS 122, and CHEM 113 by the end of their first year, and may postpone EMSE 110, EMSE 120, and ENGR 131 or EECS 132 to a later semester.

For more information about materials science and engineering, visit bulletin.case.edu/schoolofengineering/materialsscienceengineering.

*Students with credit for a course have the option of using that credit as a prerequisite and registering for a higher-level course or forfeiting their credit and repeating the course for a grade at CWRU. Students who choose either option may make changes to their enrollment during the first two weeks of the semester (drop/add period) should they discover that the course in which they originally enrolled is not at the appropriate level. Students may find it more manageable to change to lower-level course after beginning at the higher level.

Schedule development instructions:

1. Students with AP or IB chemistry credit should proceed to ENGR 145.
2. Students with credit for PHYS 121 should register for PHYS 122 (assuming prerequisites are met).
3. EECS 132 – Introduction to Programming in Java may substitute for the ENGR 131 requirement.
4. Students without any previous credit for the recommended fall semester courses should enroll in all four or otherwise risk delaying progress in the major.

For more information about mechanical engineering, visit bulletin.case.edu/schoolofengineering/mechaeroeng.

*Students with credit for a course have the option of using that credit as a prerequisite and registering for a higher-level course or forfeiting their credit and repeating the course for a grade at CWRU. Students who choose either option may make changes to their enrollment during the first two weeks of the semester (drop/add period) should they discover that the course in which they originally enrolled is not at the appropriate level. Students may find it more manageable to change to lower-level course after beginning at the higher level.

Schedule development instructions:

1. Students with AP or IB chemistry credit should proceed to ENGR 145.
2. Students with credit for PHYS 121 should proceed to PHYS 122 (assuming prerequisites are met).
3. EECS 132 – Introduction to Programming in Java may substitute for the ENGR 131 requirement.
4. In the polymer science and engineering major, it is important that students earn credit for ENGR 145 in their first year (fall or spring semester) so that EMAC 270 can be taken in fall semester of the second year.
5. Students interested in learning about the field of polymer science might consider including EMAC 125 – Freshmen Research on Polymers in their fall semester schedule. Contact Professor David Schiraldi (david.schiraldi@case.edu) for information on enrolling.

For more information about polymer science and engineering, visit bulletin.case.edu/schoolofengineering/macromolecularscieng.

*Students with credit for a course have the option of using that credit as a prerequisite and registering for a higher-level course or forfeiting their credit and repeating the course for a grade at CWRU. Students who choose either option may make changes to their enrollment during the first two weeks of the semester (drop/add period) should they discover that the course in which they originally enrolled is not at the appropriate level. Students may find it more manageable to change to lower-level course after beginning at the higher level.