Engineers apply scientific and mathematical principles to design, create, and operate useful devices, structures, or processes in an efficient and economical manner. Many branches of engineering exist within this broad definition. Examples are:
Electrical Engineering: Electrical engineers deal with the capture and transmission of energy and information (think of fuel cells, solar panels, hydroelectric plants, satellite transmission, TV, your cell phone).
Mechanical Engineering: Mechanical engineers harness power and mechanical forces to develop all sorts of machines (think of supersonic jets, automobiles, robots, and even artificial organs). They also design and build heating and cooling systems, manufacturing facilities, and machine tools.
Civil Engineering: Civil engineers design and supervise construction of visible infrastructure items (think of bridges, highways, airports, skyscrapers, or waste-water treatment facilities).
Systems Engineering: Systems engineers help integrate many different components of a project to see that they work together smoothly and still meet performance, scheduling, and cost goals.
Students can complete almost everything needed for the first two years of an engineering degree right here at the University of Hawaii at Hilo. UH-Hilo Pre-Engineering gives a solid background in the mathematics, physics, and chemistry needed for any engineering degree. In the second year of the program, three foundational engineering courses are offered – CE 270 and 271, commonly known as statics and dynamics, and EE 211, a basic electrical engineering course. Additional required courses such as English, Speech, and Economics round out the program.
Students who finish this two-year program can transfer with a very good start to a four-year accredited engineering program in Civil, Electrical, or Mechanical engineering.
| Freshman - First Semester | Freshman - Second Semester | ||||
| 3 | Eng 100 | Composition | 3 | CS 150 | Intro. to Computer Science I |
| 4 | Math 205 | Calculus I | 4 | Math 206 | Calculus II |
| 3 | Chem 124 | Chemistry I | 3 | Chem 125 | Chemistry II |
| 1 | Chem 124D | Chemistry Discussion | 1 | Chem 125D | Chemistry Discussion |
| 1 | Chem 124L | Chemistry Lab | 4 | Physics 172 | Physics I |
| 3 | Com 251 | Speech | 1 | Physics 170L | Physics I Lab |
| 15 Credits | 16 Credits | ||||
| Sophomore - First Semester | Sophomore - Second Semester | ||||
| 4 | Physics 173 | Physics II | 3 | Econ 100 | Intro Economics |
| 1 | Physics 171L | Physics II Lab | 3 | CE 271 | Applied Mech II |
| 3 | CE 270 | Applied Mech I | 4 | EE 211 | Basic Circuit Analysis I |
| 3 | Math 231 | Calculus III | 3 | Math 232 | Calculus IV |
| 3 | History 151 | World History I | 3 | History 152 | World History II |
| 3 | Hum/SS Elective | ||||
| 15 Credits | 16 Credits | ||||
Contact: EngrUHH@hawaii.edu