FAQs

• How does Syracuse apply AP credit?

  To earn AP credit, students must generally earn an AP exam score of 4 or 5, depending on the exam.  To receive AP credit for calculus, an Engineering or Computer Science student must earn a 4 or 5 on the AP Calculus (AB or BC) exam and do well on the Math Placement Exam (MPE). In addition, some new first-year Engineering and Computer Science students are required to take the Calculus Readiness Exam (CRE). The results of the CRE are considered along with a student’s MPE results in order to place students in the appropriate level of calculus.

  Students may earn credit for AP Chemistry with a 5 on the AP exam.

  Students may earn credit for AP Physics if they earn a 3 or better on the AP Physics C (mechanics or electricity and magnetism) exams.
  Complete details on AP credit may be found in the SU Course Catalog.

• Is it possible to have a second major or a minor as an engineering or computer science student?

  Yes! Students have the flexibility to pursue studies in other academic areas at Syracuse University. If a student chooses to pursue a second major, this would be accomplished through a combined degree program with The College of Arts and Sciences (natural sciences and math, social sciences, humanities) and typically takes five years to complete. A minor consists of six or seven courses in a particular area of study and can be accomplished within the normal four years of study. Minors are listed under their respective school/college in the SU Course Catalog.

• How can I combine my interests in engineering and business?

  The H. John Riley Dual Engineering/MBA Program allows Syracuse University students to earn a bachelor’s degree from the College of Engineering and Computer Science and an MBA degree from the Whitman School of Management in a total of five years. Graduates of this program enter the workforce with a unique combination of skills – the engineering or computer science expertise needed to develop technological innovations and the business knowledge necessary to put these ideas into action.

• Will I be able to participate in performing arts if I’m not a music or drama major?

  Absolutely! Many engineering and computer science students have significant talents and passions for the performing arts. Syracuse University boasts many extracurricular music and drama organizations that are open to all SU students. Two of the best-known bands are The Pride of The Orange Marching Band and the Sour Sitrus Society. The University also has many other instrumental ensembles and choral ensembles, as well as numerous a cappella groups. Two of the most popular theater groups for non-drama majors are the First Year Players and What? Theatre.

• Will I be required to take a foreign language at Syracuse?

  Engineering and computer science majors are not required to take a foreign language. All students are required to complete several courses in the social sciences or humanities. To fulfill this requirement, you may choose courses from a very broad range of disciplines such as English literature, political science, economics, psychology, foreign language, and many more.

  If you are interested in continuing to study a foreign language or starting to study a new one, there are many options at Syracuse. The University offers courses in 20 different languages! You may learn more via the Department of Languages, Literatures and Linguistics.

• Does Syracuse offer summer engineering classes?

  Yes! Some engineering courses are offered each summer as well as a variety of mathematics, chemistry, physics, and biology courses. These courses are available to full-time undergraduate students.

  Also, Syracuse’s Summer College for High School Students offers rising juniors and seniors an opportunity to take innovative engineering courses and live in one of our residence halls. Students attend Summer College during the summer prior to the start of their 11th grade or 12th grade year.

• What academic support is available to students?

  The Student Success Center is the headquarters for student support. A signature Student Success program is the Academic Excellence Workshops (AEW). Students register for AEWs at the beginning of the semester and they meet weekly with their workshop groups. These workshops are aligned with key courses such as calculus, statics, dynamics, etc. The workshop consists of 6-8 student participants and a upper-class student facilitator. They work on problems that are aligned with a particular course that all of the participants are taking in that semester. Many students attribute their academic success in part to their participation in AEW.

  It is also important to note that students have excellent opportunities to establish strong connections with their professors. Students are always welcome to meet with their professors during their office hours – just to say hello or to ask for assistance with a concept discussed in the course. In addition, teaching assistants, who work closely with faculty to ensure student learning, are excellent resources, and TAs also have office hours.

  The College also has success coaches who specialize in study skills, time management, etc. The Center for Learning and Student Success can also connect students with tutoring sessions. In addition, the physics and math department clinics offer extra support for students enrolled in calculus and physics courses.

• Will I have an advisor to help me?

  Yes! Advisors will guide you through each step of your education. All new students are assigned to three advisors who will follow them through to graduation.  They will have a Faculty Advisor, who is a professor in their major; they will have a Success Advisor who will connect them to any resources they need to be successful, academically or otherwise; and they will have a Career Advisor, who will work with them on their resume, internship search, preparing for Engineering and Computer Science Career Fair, etc.

  New students also have the benefit of working with Peer Leaders, who are upper-class students who share their knowledge and experiences to assist new students in their successful transition to SU.

• Are there research opportunities for undergraduates?

  Yes! There are many opportunities available for undergraduates to engage in significant research experiences. Students can become connected with these opportunities by reaching out to faculty members whose research area they find to be intriguing. Upper-class students are also valuable resources in educating new students about research opportunities and about the focus of various laboratories in the College. It is not uncommon for undergraduates to author papers and present their work at professional conferences.

• Are there special housing opportunities for students in my major?

  Yes! Syracuse offers a variety of Learning Communities, which are themed housing environments based on academic, social, or extracurricular interests. Participation in a learning community offers a number of benefits, all of which help promote academic and social success at SU.

  First-year students are encouraged to consider living in the Engineering and Computer Science Learning Community, which is located in Shaw Hall, home of the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) residential college. Living in this Learning Community means that students are living with peers who are enrolled in very similar majors and taking the same or very similar classes. They work on homework together and study together, and this becomes a very supportive academic environment.

• What co-curricular organizations are available?

  The College of Engineering and Computer Science boasts 20+ active co-curricular organizations related to engineering or computer science. There is a strong tradition of active student chapters of professional societies that represent all of academic majors. Student societies include the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA), American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE), American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES), Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE), Society of Asian Scientists and Engineers (SASE), Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE), and the Society of Women Engineers (SWE). There is also an active chapter of Alpha Omega Epsilon, the professional STEM and engineering sorority.

  Society activities include professional development workshops; social activities; and service to the profession, to the College, and to the University community. Student societies also sponsor design competitions. For example, the College has design teams which design and build a steel bridge, a race car (Formula SAE), a Chem-E Car, rockets, robots, and more. These teams work together to prepare their design for regional and national competitions.

  Joining a student society or organization is an excellent way to meet peers and professors, become more engaged with your major, and gain early exposure to your future career through networking opportunities with industry professionals.

• How does the Co-op Program work?

  Students have excellent opportunities to participate in internship and co-op placements across the nation. Internships and co-ops involve paid work experience in industry or paid research experience at a university. The College Career Services Office will assist students with finding these opportunities and with the application process. Students participate in internships and co-ops with industry leaders across the engineering and computer science fields, typically during the summers following their sophomore and/or junior years.

• How successful are graduates in finding jobs?

  On average, ninety-five percent of Engineering and Computer Science graduates are employed full-time in industry or enrolled in graduate school by graduation or within a few months of graduation.