Courses & Units
What is the normal number of units that I should take each semester?
380 units are required by the mechanical engineering department for graduation (381 units are required for the Class of 2013 forward). On average, therefore, you should take about 48 units per semester in order to complete the program in four years. The actual number of units taken each semester will depend on specific courses that are taken, however. The number of units taken in any given semester can vary, as indicated in the curriculum as described in the Undergraduate Catalog.
What is the minimum number of units required for full time status?
A student must complete 36 factorable units of coursework in a semester to be considered a full-time student in CIT.
Can I register for an overload of units if I want to?
Students with a 3.0 QPA or higher may register for an overload of up to 12 units. Applicable students receive an increase in maximum units about a week after registration or after final grades for the semester are calculated. Overloads greater than 12 units or other exceptions must be approved by the engineering college's Office of Undergraduate Studies. Freshmen and transfer students are required to take a normal workload during their first semester of enrollment.
Will I be able to take all the courses that I need in order to complete my major within four years?
Yes. The mechanical engineering program is designed to be completed within four years. In fact, it is also possible to complete minor and certain double major programs within the four-year period without a course overload.
When should I complete the required statistics course?
The statistics course, 36-220- Engineering Statistics and Quality Control, may be taken when it best fits your schedule; it is not a prerequisite for any core ME class. It should not take precedence over a required math class (21-120, 21-122, 21-259, 21-260), however, as many core classes do have mathematics prerequisites.