The pathway below represents an efficient and effective course taking sequence for this program. Individual circumstances might require some changes to this pathway. It is always recommended that you meet with an academic counselor to develop a personalized educational plan.
The courses have been intentionally placed and should be prioritized in
the order
in which they appear. If you are unable to take all the courses in
a semester, you
should prioritize enrolling in the courses in the order below.
Some courses have
been noted as “Appropriate for Intersession” . Should you need (or want) to take
classes
in the summer and/or winter intersessions,
the program recommends these courses as appropriate for the condensed
schedule of
the intersessions.
Some pathways combine a “Certificate of Achievement” and an “Associate
Degree”. If
you are pursuing only the Certificate of Achievement, you are only
required to take
the courses marked “Program Requirement” .
All pathways include at least one “Gateway Course” which introduces you to the program and/or field of study and helps you
decide if you want to continue with this Academic and Career Path.
Most Associate degrees (though not Associate Degrees for Transfer)
require satisfying the SMC Global Citizenship requirement. If the Program
Requirements do not include a “Global Citizenship course” , be sure to select a General Education course that also satisfies Global Citizenship.
The Engineering program provides students with a fundamental knowledge of engineering and familiarizes them with modern engineering design tools and skills. In addition, students will be prepared for engineering internship opportunities or entry-level industrial jobs, through developing skills in areas such as as computer drafting, solid modeling, circuit build and design, and problem solving. Upon completion of this program, students will also have a strong academic foundation in the field and be prepared for upper division baccalaureate study.
Upon completion of the program, students will:
- Upon completion of the program, students will demonstrate basic knowledge of engineering principles of design and analysis, and exhibit effective communication skills and ethical behavior as shown through their written work, teamwork, and lab work.
Icon Key
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Gateway Course
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Program Requirement
-
General Education
-
Appropriate for Intersession
-
Available Online
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Global Citizenship
Semester 1
14 Units
An intensive preparation for calculus. This course is intended for computer science, engineering, mathematics and natural science majors. Topics include algebraic, exponential, logarithmic and trigonometric functions and their inverses and identities, conic sections, sequences, series, the binomial theorem and mathematical induction.
- Prerequisite: MATH 20 and
- Prerequisite: MATH 32
- Skills Advisory: Eligibility for ENGL 1
- 2A: Mathematic
- B4 - Mathematics/Quantitative Thinking
- Area IV-B: Language and Rationality (Group B) Option 1
This course is an introduction to the methods and tools of engineering problem solving and design, including the interface of the engineer with society and engineering ethics. While addressing the branches of engineering, the functions of an engineer, and the industries in which engineers work, this course examines the engineering education pathways and explores effective academic strategies. Communication skills pertinent to the engineering profession are also addressed.
In this course, students receive instruction in academic reading and writing, including writing processes, effective use of language, analytical thinking, and the foundations of academic research.
- Prerequisite: ENGL 21B or
- Prerequisite: ENGL 22
- Prerequisite: ESL 19B or
- Prerequisite: Group A on the Placement Test
- 1A: English Composition
- A2 - Written Communication
- Area IV-A: Language and Rationality (Group A)
SMC GE Area 1B Course 3 units

This class is designed for students who are either undecided about their educational or career goals, validating their decisions, or seeking to transition into a new career. Students are guided through a process that focuses on their individual interests, skills, personality and values to aid in the selection of a major, determine a career direction and develop career goals. Students will relate their self-assessment information to possible college major and career choices. Decision-making models and goal setting techniques are examined and will be used to develop short and long term education and career plans.
- E - Lifelong Understanding and Self-Development
Semester 2
16 Units
This first course in calculus is intended primarily for science, technology, engineering and mathematics majors. Topics include limits, continuity, and derivatives and integrals of algebraic and trigonometric functions, with mathematical and physical applications.
- Prerequisite: MATH 2 or
- Prerequisite: MATH 3 and
- Prerequisite: MATH 4
- 2A: Mathematic
- B4 - Mathematics/Quantitative Thinking
- Area IV-B: Language and Rationality (Group B) Option 1
This course serves as a preparation for calculus-based physics. It serves as an introduction to classical mechanics, including concepts and principles pertinent to the mechanics of solids. It also prepares students for handling data and analysis at the level required in Physics 8 and 21.
This course is advised prior to PHYSCS 21
- Advisory: MATH 2 or
- Advisory: MATH 3 and
- Advisory: MATH 4
This is a beginning course intended for students who plan to take additional computer science courses. The course covers an introduction to programming concepts such as designing, coding and testing. Other concepts such as computer hardware, operating systems, compilers and databases are also discussed. The Internet and an introduction to cybersecurity and cloud computing are also included.
advisory course for CS 50
In this course, students receive instruction in critical thinking for purposes of constructing, evaluating, and composing arguments in a variety of rhetorical forms, using primarily non-fiction texts, refining writing skills and research strategies developed in ENGL C1000 Academic Reading and Writing (or C-ID ENGL 100) or similar first-year college writing course.
- Prerequisite: ENGL C1000
- Prerequisite: College-level composition (ENGL C1000/ ENGL C1000H/ ENGL C1000E/C-ID ENGL 100) or equivalent
- 1B: Critical Thinking-English Composition
- 3B: Humanities
- A3 - Critical Thinking
- C2 - Humanities
SMC GE Area 4 Course 3 units

Semester 3
16 Units
This second course in calculus is intended primarily for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics majors. Topics include derivatives and integrals of transcendental functions with mathematical and physical applications, indeterminate forms and improper integrals, infinite sequences and series, and curves, including conic sections, described by parametric equations and polar coordinates.
- Prerequisite: MATH 7
- 2A: Mathematic
- B4 - Mathematics/Quantitative Thinking
- Area IV-B: Language and Rationality (Group B) Option 1
This course is a calculus-based study of the mechanics of rigid bodies, emphasizing Newton’s laws and its applications. This course includes an introduction to fluids. It is designed for engineering, physical science, and computer science majors.
- Prerequisite: MATH 7
- 5A: Physical Science
- 5C: Physical or Biological Science LABORATORY
- B1 - Physical Science
- B3 - Laboratory Sciences
- Area I: Natural Science
This course will include a review of the concepts of structured programming, error checking, sorting, searching, data types, advanced array handling methods, pointers, and data structures. Applications in business, mathematics, and science will be discussed.
- Advisory: CS 3
- Area IV-B: Language and Rationality (Group B) Option 2
MATLAB is a scientific computing tool for data modeling and analysis, image processing, and other data intensive applications. This class is designed primarily for students majoring in the sciences. It covers the basics of programming using MATLAB and uses numerical methods as an application to help students learn how to accelerate simple and complex numerical data modeling and analyses.
- Advisory: MATH 7
- Area IV-B: Language and Rationality (Group B) Option 2
Elective Course 3 units
Semester 4
14-15 Units
This course is a calculus-based study of electromagnetism covering aspects of electric and magnetic fields, DC and AC circuits, electromagnetic interactions, light, and relativity. The course is intended for engineering and physical science students.
- Prerequisite: PHYSCS 21 and
- Prerequisite: MATH 8
- 5A: Physical Science
- 5C: Physical or Biological Science LABORATORY
- B1 - Physical Science
- B3 - Laboratory Sciences
- Area I: Natural Science
This course is a calculus-based study of fluids, waves, thermodynamics, and light intended for engineering and physical science students.
- Prerequisite: PHYSCS 21 and
- Prerequisite: MATH 8
- 5A: Physical Science
- 5C: Physical or Biological Science LABORATORY
- B1 - Physical Science
- B3 - Laboratory Sciences
- Area I: Natural Science
This course covers the principles of engineering drawings to visually communicate engineering designs. The course also serves as an introduction to computer-aided design (CAD). Topics include the development of visualization skills, orthographic projections, dimensioning and tolerancing practices, and an introduction to the engineering design process. Sketching, engineering drawings, and 3D CAD solid modeling skills are developed. The use of CAD software is an integral part of the course.
- Prerequisite: MATH 2 or
- Prerequisite: MATH 3 and
- Prerequisite: MATH 4
This course serves as an introduction to the analysis of electrical circuits through the use of analytical techniques based on the application of circuit laws and network theorems. The course covers DC and AC circuits containing resistors, capacitors, inductors, dependent sources, operational amplifiers, and/or switches. The analysis of these circuits include natural and forced responses of first and second order RLC circuits, the use of phasors, AC power calculations, power transfer, and energy concepts.
- Prerequisite: PHYSCS 22 and
- Pre/Corequisite: MATH 15
This course serves as an introduction to the construction, measurement, and design of elementary electrical circuits and basic operational amplifier circuits. Students gain familiarity with the basic use of electrical test and measurement instruments, including multimeters, oscilloscopes, power supplies, and function generators. Using principles of circuit analysis for DC, transient, and sinusoidal steady-state (AC) conditions, students develop data interpretation skills by using circuit simulation software and by direct measurements of circuits. Practical considerations such as component value tolerance and non-ideal aspects of laboratory instruments are also introduced.
- Pre/Corequisite: ENGR 21
This course covers the principles of engineering drawings to visually communicate engineering designs. The course also serves as an introduction to computer-aided design (CAD). Topics include the development of visualization skills, orthographic projections, dimensioning and tolerancing practices, and an introduction to the engineering design process. Sketching, engineering drawings, and 3D CAD solid modeling skills are developed. The use of CAD software is an integral part of the course.
- Prerequisite: MATH 2 or
- Prerequisite: MATH 3 and
- Prerequisite: MATH 4
This course covers basic principles of static equilibrium in two and three dimensions utilizing vector analysis and Newton's laws. Various structures are considered which include trusses, frames, machines, and beams.
- Prerequisite: PHYSCS 21 and
- Prerequisite: MATH 7
This course addresses the kinematics and dynamics of particles and rigid bodies in two and three dimensions. Topics considered include universal gravitation, conservation laws, work-energy and impulse-momentum relations, and mechanical vibration.
- Prerequisite: ENGR 12
This course serves as an introduction to the analysis of electrical circuits through the use of analytical techniques based on the application of circuit laws and network theorems. The course covers DC and AC circuits containing resistors, capacitors, inductors, dependent sources, operational amplifiers, and/or switches. The analysis of these circuits include natural and forced responses of first and second order RLC circuits, the use of phasors, AC power calculations, power transfer, and energy concepts.
Select one of these courses not previously taken
- Prerequisite: PHYSCS 22 and
- Pre/Corequisite: MATH 15