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sce@nau.eduMultidisciplinary Engineering, Bachelor of Science
Engineering
The Bachelor of Science in Multidisciplinary Engineering provides students learning opportunities in multiple engineering disciplines and complemented by other disciplines across campus. The program supports a customizable curriculum that includes a capstone experience focused on multi- and inter-disciplinary teamwork. Specific combinations of coursework are formulated in several named emphases that provide unique opportunities and inspires students to build their own unique engineering pathways.
To receive a bachelor’s degree at Northern Arizona University, you must complete at least 120 units of credit that minimally includes a major, the liberal studies requirements, and university requirements as listed below.
- All of Northern Arizona University’s diversity, liberal studies, junior-level writing, and capstone requirements.
- All requirements for your specific academic plan(s).
- At least 30 units of upper-division courses, which may include transfer work.
- At least 30 units of coursework taken through Northern Arizona University, of which at least 18 must be upper-division courses (300-level or above). This requirement is not met by credit-by-exam, retro-credits, transfer coursework, etc.
- A cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0 on all work attempted at Northern Arizona University.
The full policy can be viewed here.
In addition to University Requirements:
- At least 92 units of major requirements, including at least 54 units of emphasis requirements
- Up to 9 units of major prefix courses may be used to satisfy Liberal Studies requirements; these same courses may also be used to satisfy major requirements
- For this major the liberal studies prefix is CENE, CS, EE, EGR, INF, ME
- Elective courses, if needed, to reach an overall total of at least 120 units.
Students may be able to use some courses to meet more than one requirement. Contact your advisor for details.
| Minimum Units for Completion | 120 |
| Highest Mathematics Required | MAT 137 |
| University Honors Program | Optional |
| Some online/blended coursework | Required |
| AZ Transfer Students complete AGEC-S | Recommended |
| Progression Plan Link | View Progression Plan |
| Emphasis or Coursework Required | An emphasis or coursework is required for this degree. |
Purpose Statement
The Bachelor of Science in Multidisciplinary Engineering provides students learning opportunities in multiple engineering disciplines and complemented by other disciplines across campus. The program supports a customizable curriculum that includes a capstone experience focused on multi- and inter-disciplinary teamwork. Specific combinations of coursework are formulated in several named emphases that provide unique opportunities and inspires students to build their own unique engineering pathways.
The core of the program is a design sequence with loose commonality across most of NAU’s engineering programs. All students, regardless of emphasis, engage in contextualized engineering design and project management courses. This core is supported by foundational math, computer science, and physics coursework. The design sequence also becomes the scaffolding for integrating and synthesizing coursework across several disciplines and content areas.
Students who do not select an emphasis area may work with either an advisor or a faculty mentor to select course work in the plan that supports their own personal engineering aspirations and interests. Students who get an MDE degree have many general engineering career opportunities. This includes areas such as engineering sales, engineering management, engineering communication, or an engineering technician.
Students who select the Audio Engineering emphasis take specialized coursework in electrical engineering, computer science, and media production that prepares them to work as an audio engineer or a broadcast engineer. These students learn the foundation broadcast communication theory and engage in actual media production practice that builds on an engineering foundation. This curriculum is intended to support certification preparation for the society of broadcast engineers.
Engineering Design Emphasis
Students who select the Engineering Design emphasis take specialized coursework in engineering design and art. This allows students to learn how to design for practical specification and utility while also learning the aesthetic foundations of design and creativity. This emphasis is intended to support students interested in becoming product or industrial design engineers.
Energy Engineering Emphasis
Students who select the Sustainable Engineering emphasis take specialized coursework in environmental engineering, civil engineering, mechanical engineering, and environmental sciences, which allows them to engage in engineering practice that focuses on sustainability. This emphasis is intended to support students who are interested in working at the intersection of engineering and environmental science and practice with a focus on sustainable systems.
User Experience Emphasis
Students who select the User Experience emphasis take specialized coursework in psychology and user experience design and testing, by combining core engineering coursework, computer science, and psychology. User interfaces and human computer interaction is explored in CS coursework while the foundational principles of human perception and engagement is explored in Psychology coursework. This emphasis is intended to support students interested in becoming UX engineers or product design engineers who focus on usability.
Student Learning Outcomes
Student learning outcomes are aligned with the Engineering Accreditation Commission (EAC). We anticipate that all emphases will be accredited under the EAC under the “General Engineering” program criteria.
- 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.
Major Requirements
This major requires 92 – 100 units distributed as follows:
- Core Requirements: 38-40 units
- Emphasis or Coursework Requirement – Select one: 54 – 60 units
- Coursework Option: 60 units
- Audio Engineering Emphasis Option: 54 units
- Engineering Design Emphasis Option: 57 units
- Energy Engineering Emphasis Option: 57 units
- Sustainable Engineering Emphasis Option: 58 units
- User Experience Engineering Emphasis Option: 56 units
Take the following 92 – 100 units:
Core Requirements (38 – 40 units)
- Select one from the following (3 – 4 units):
- Select one from the following (3 units)
- Select one option from the following (3 – 4 units):
- EGR 186 (3 units)
- MAT 136, MAT 137 (8 units)
- Select one from the following (3 units)
- PHY 161, PHY 262 (7 units)
- Select one from the following which meet the junior-level writing requirement (3 units):
- EGR 476C, EGR 486C which meet the senior capstone requirement (5 units)
Emphasis or Coursework Requirement – Select one: 54 – 60 units
Students are encouraged to complete one of the emphasis areas below; however, no emphasis is required to complete the Multidisciplinary Engineering degree. Students electing not to complete an emphasis must complete the coursework option below.
Courswork Option (60 units)
If electing not to complete an emphasis, complete the following advisor approved coursework (60 units)- Additional CENE, CS, EE, ME or INF coursework (36 units)
- In consultation with your advisor, select either 18 units from two subject areas, or 12 units from three subject areas
- MDE Technical electives (24 units):
- In consultation with your advisor, select additional 200-level or higher AST, BIO, CENE, CHM, CS, EE, GLG, GSP, INF, MAT, ME, PHY and STA (excluding STA 270) courses.
- Additional CENE, CS, EE, ME or INF coursework (36 units)
Audio Engineering Emphasis Option (54 – 55 units)
- CS 105, CS 205, CS 136, CS 136L (6 units)
- CMF 121, CMF 135, CMF 226, CMF 251, CMF 438 (13 units)
- Select one from the following (2 – 3 units):
- EE 110, EE 188, EE 188L, EE 280, EE 348, EE 364, EE 380 (24 units)
- An additional 6 units at the 300- or 400-level in EE or CMF courses (6 units)
- MDE Technical electives (3 units):
- In consultation with your advisor, select additional 200-level or higher AST, BIO, CENE, CHM, CS, EE, GLG, GSP, INF, MAT, ME, PHY and STA (excluding STA 270) courses.
Engineering Design Emphasis Option (57 units)
- ART 174, ART 274, ART 376, ART 378 (12 units)
- CENE 251, CENE 253, CENE 253L (7 units)
- CHM 151, CHM 151L (5 units)
- CST 111 (3 units)
- MAT 238 (4 units)
- MDE Technical electives (11 units):
- In consultation with your advisor, select additional 200-level or higher AST, BIO, CENE, CHM, CS, EE, GLG, GSP, INF, MAT, ME, PHY and STA (excluding STA 270) courses.
- ME 240, ME 252, ME 365, ME 467, ME 482 (15 units)
Sustainable Engineering Emphasis Option (56 units)
User Experience Engineering Emphasis Option (56 units)
- CS 126, CS 105, CS 136, CS 136L, CS 200, CS 205, CS 249, CS 386, CS 477 (21 units)
- MKT 303 (3 units)
- PSY 101, PSY 260, PSY 290, PSY 353 (12 units)
- Select one from the following (3 units)
- MAT 226 (3 units)
- MDE Technical electives (14 units):
- In consultation with your advisor, select additional 200-level or higher AST, BIO, CENE, CHM, CS, EE, GLG, GSP, INF, MAT, ME, PHY and STA (excluding STA 270) courses.
General Electives
Additional coursework is required if, after you have met the previously described requirements, you have not yet completed a total of 120 units of credit.
You may take these remaining courses from any of the academic areas, using these courses to pursue your specific interests and goals. You may also use prerequisites or transfer credits as electives if they weren’t used to meet major, minor, or liberal studies requirements.
We encourage you to consult with your advisor to select the courses that will be most advantageous to you.
Additional Information
Be aware that some courses may have prerequisites that you must also successfully complete. For prerequisite information, click on the course or see your advisor.