Pre-Engineering

Pre-Engineering Program

Is math important?

Yes! The key to successfully mastering engineering courses is a strong foundation in mathematics.  Your first semester courses will include Calculus I.  To be successful in this class, you need a good foundation in college algebra and trigonometry.  If you did not have algebra and trigonometry in high school, you will need to take one or more courses before entering Calculus I. 

This means it may take you longer than two years, but the time spent building your foundation will be well worth it.  The community college has the classes available to develop your math skills from where you are now to a level ready to take calculus.  Your advisor at JCC will help you determine where you need to start to build a solid foundation.

Do I need a foreign language?

You do not need a foreign language to graduate from JCC in the pre-engineering program; however, if you plan to transfer to NCSU, you will need to show foreign language proficiency in one of these ways:

• completion of two years high school course work in the same language with a B (85.0%) average or better each year
• completion of three years high school course work in the same language with a C (78.0%) average or better each year
• 2 semesters of college foreign language (SPA 111/112 at JCC).

Will I be able to transfer to NCSU?

When you complete the pre-engineering program, you will be able to apply for transfer into the College of Engineering at NCSU. Specific transfer requirements can be found at http://www.engr.ncsu.edu/students/docs/transfer.html and general requirements for transfer to NCSU are as follows:

• 30 credit hours or more of transferable college-level courses.
• 3.0 or higher cumulative GPA on all transferable college-level courses.
• Two college-level English composition courses (ENG 111 and ENG 112 or ENG 113 or ENG 114).
• College-level chemistry course with lab (CHM 151).
• Strong performance in all NCSU distance engineering classes taken.
• Calculus I and Calculus II (MAT 271 & MAT 272) with at least a 2.5 GPA in the last two calculus or higher college mathematics classes taken.
• Calculus-based physics I (PHY 251).

How do I get started?

The best way to insure a smooth transfer from the community college to one of the engineering schools is to have a plan and start early.  Establish contact with the JCC pre-engineering advisor during your junior year or early in your senior year.  Depending on your math background, it is a good idea to prepare for college level calculus by taking MAT 175 at JCC the summer right after you graduate from high school.

How does the program work?

1. Fill out a JCC Application - use either the online (will open in a new browser window) or printed application.  Select Pre-Engineering as the program for which you are applying.  Write in Pre-Engineering in the "other" line on the printed application.
2. Arrange placement testing through Student Services to determine math placement.
3. Talk to the pre-engineering program advisor.  See listing as Associate in Science-A1040D - Pre-Engineering
4. Follow the curriculum for the intended engineering degree.
5. During the 2nd year, apply for transfer admission into NCSU College of Engineering.  Must have a 3.0 overall GPA, 2.5 GPA in the last 2 advanced math, and a strong performance in engineering courses.
6. Complete NCSU courses at the Raleigh campus for desired engineering degree.