Are you a problem solver with a strong curiosity about math and science? Do you systems design and data modeling? Do you often wonder how things work? If so, engineering may be the career path for you! This pre-major pathway is designed to prepare you to transfer at the junior-level into a related engineering program at a four-year college or university.
Mechanical engineering is the study of maintaining, analyzing, designing and manufacturing machinery. The scale of mechanical engineering projects can range from designing the tiny parts of machines, as well as the handling of large-scale machinery. Mechanical engineers train to become experts in material science; they understand the chemical and mechanical properties of each material and how they interact. Industrial engineering is the branch of engineering that involves figuring out how to make products or complete tasks more safely and efficiently with less wasted material and energy. Industrial engineers are concerned with reducing production costs, evaluating lifecycle costs and sustainability, increasing efficiency, improving the quality of products and services, ensuring worker health and safety, protecting the environment and complying with government regulations.
Aerospace engineering is the primary field of engineering concerned with the design, development, testing, and production of aircraft, spacecraft, and related systems and equipment. The field has traditionally focused on problems related to atmospheric and space flight, with two major and overlapping branches: aeronautical engineering and astronautical engineering. While many who work in the Aerospace Industry have general mechanical engineering degrees, some students choose to specialize in aerospace engineering with a major or minor. In this program, you’ll complete the requirements of the freshman and sophomore years of most mechanical, industrial and/or aerospace engineering programs at a four-year college or university. You’ll study areas such as calculus, physics, engineering, and chemistry, but you’ll also take courses in English, social sciences and humanities. Along the way, you’ll get an opportunity to join South’s rocket club as well as design, develop and test challenging projects with peers outside of class in our MakerSpace. If you’re interested in troubleshooting, designing, and developing solutions to the some of the world’s most complex problems in manufacturing, industry, and/or aerospace, this might be the right career path for you!
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Are you a problem solver with a strong curiosity about math and science? Do you systems design and data modeling? Do you often wonder how things work? If so, engineering may be the career path for you! This pre-major pathway is designed to prepare you to transfer at the junior-level into a related engineering program at a four-year college or university.
Mechanical engineering is the study of maintaining, analyzing, designing and manufacturing machinery. The scale of mechanical engineering projects can range from designing the tiny parts of machines, as well as the handling of large-scale machinery. Mechanical engineers train to become experts in material science; they understand the chemical and mechanical properties of each material and how they interact. Industrial engineering is the branch of engineering that involves figuring out how to make products or complete tasks more safely and efficiently with less wasted material and energy. Industrial engineers are concerned with reducing production costs, evaluating lifecycle costs and sustainability, increasing efficiency, improving the quality of products and services, ensuring worker health and safety, protecting the environment and complying with government regulations.
Aerospace engineering is the primary field of engineering concerned with the design, development, testing, and production of aircraft, spacecraft, and related systems and equipment. The field has traditionally focused on problems related to atmospheric and space flight, with two major and overlapping branches: aeronautical engineering and astronautical engineering. While many who work in the Aerospace Industry have general mechanical engineering degrees, some students choose to specialize in aerospace engineering with a major or minor. In this program, you’ll complete the requirements of the freshman and sophomore years of most mechanical, industrial and/or aerospace engineering programs at a four-year college or university. You’ll study areas such as calculus, physics, engineering, and chemistry, but you’ll also take courses in English, social sciences and humanities. Along the way, you’ll get an opportunity to join South’s rocket club as well as design, develop and test challenging projects with peers outside of class in our MakerSpace. If you’re interested in troubleshooting, designing, and developing solutions to the some of the world’s most complex problems in manufacturing, industry, and/or aerospace, this might be the right career path for you!
If you need help with the Steps to Enroll, please contact the Welcome Center.
Step 1: Apply and register
at South Seattle College anytime (the application is always free). Once you become a student, register for classes using the
online class schedule
and go to the
academic calendar
for registration dates and tuition deadlines.
Step 2: See an advisor
to create a personalized educational plan by the end of your second quarter. Your plan will include prerequisites, graduation requirements,
and transfer preparation if you plan to transfer to another college or university to earn a bachelor's degree.
Sample Schedule and Quarterly To-Do List
135 Units
A sample schedule and quarterly to-do list are below.
The schedule and to-do list will help you explore courses and complete tasks on time. The guide assumes a fall
quarter start, but you can begin in any quarter and start at any placement level.
Note about the sample schedule: Classes are offered in
various formats
such as online (e-learning) and may not be offered each quarter. Click the button with arrows throughout the map to expand the section and view detailed information.
Click
to see details
Quarter 1
To-Do List
12
UNITS
To-Do List
Schedule an appointment with your advisor in Starfish to meet and discuss your goals.
Please work with an advisor to determine your math placement.
MATH 102:
College Algebra
For students in Math and Science. Bridges the gap between Intermediate Algebra and Pre-Calculus functions. Strongly recommended in preparation for MATH& 141(S).
The sequence Math& 141 and Math& 142 covers polynomial, rational, exponential and logarithmic functions; related functional and algebraic topics; topics in analytic geometry; systems of equations; trig and inverse trig functions; right triangle and oblique triangle trig; polar coordinates; vectors; and related trig applications. Fulfills the QSR requirement for A.A. degree.
The sequence Math& 141 and Math& 142 covers polynomial, rational, exponential and logarithmic functions; related functional and algebraic topics; topics in analytic geometry; systems of equations; trig and inverse trig functions; right triangle and oblique triangle trig; polar coordinates; vectors; and related trig applications.
Please work with an advisor to determine your English placement.
ENGL 99:
Supporting College Writing
This course is intended for students who are English 098 ready who wish to move directly into English 101. Any students who choose to bypass English 098 must enroll in a hard-linked English 099 and English 101. The primary focus of this course is to provide students with more in-depth opportunities to acquire the reading, writing, and critical thinking skills needed to write at the career and college ready level.
English 101 is a college-level writing course that emphasizes academic writing and major strategies of reading and writing analytically. Writing assignments focus on engaging with and responding to a variety of texts. Instruction encourages students to develop, through revision and reflection, as readers, writers, and critical thinkers.
The sequence MATH&151, &152 and &163 covers limits, differential calculus and its applications, integral calculus and its applications, intro to differential equations, series including Taylor series, vector geometry in three dimensions, multivariable calculus, partial differentiation, double integrals in Cartesian and polar coordinates and applications. Fulfills QSR requirement for A.A. degree.
Lecture. Includes chemical mathematics, basic atomic structure, chemical bonding, chemical equation balancing, mole concept and chemical stoichiometry. Prereq: MATH 098.
Freshman level drawing. Study of line, value, space, perspective and composition through the use of a variety of drawing media.
Course ID 0774395 Units
HUM 105:
Intercultural Communication
Examines the skills in communication and empathy required for intercultural communication. Includes an interdisciplinary study of diverse cultures and perspectives in the United States in the context of economic, political, and cultural globalization.
The sequence MATH&151, &152 and &163 covers limits, differential calculus and its applications, integral calculus and its applications, intro to differential equations, series including Taylor series, vector geometry in three dimensions, multivariable calculus, partial differentiation, double integrals in Cartesian and polar coordinates and applications. Fulfills QSR requirement for A.A. degree.
For science majors. A three-quarter sequence introducing basic concepts of chemistry: structure and bonding, chemical reactivity, physical measurement, stoichiometry, structure of matter, gas laws, intermolecular forces, solutions, chemical kinetics, equilibrium, acid/base, thermodynamics, redox and electrochemistry. Satisfies the general chemistry requirement for science and engineering majors, pre-Med, pre-Pharmacy, pre-Veterinary, etc. Lab included. This class has an additional Science Lab Course Fee.
Covers the concepts of production, consumption and distribution with emphasis on price determination, production costs and market structures. Application of economic reasoning to public issues and business.
Course ID 0779945 Units
ENVS 170:
Energy and Resources - Now and Future
Study of energy and material resources, both personal and worldwide production and consumption. Investigates the impact on the natural environment from production of coal, wind, solar and hydropower; gasoline, electricity and hydrogen fuel transportation; and natural gas and biomass heating options. Focus on sustainable alternatives to meet energy and material needs.
Course ID 0838645 Units
CMST& 230:
Small Group Communication
Experience in and analysis of communication within groups, emphasizing interdependent thoughts and efforts, active listening and empathizing, cooperation, power and conflict management, and collaborative decision making/problem solving.
Course ID 0831065 Units
Quarter 5
To-Do List
16
UNITS
To-Do List
Apply for financial aid for the upcoming school year in Fall or early Winter Quarter to maximize your funding options.
Finalize your three top choices for transfer intitutions and programs.
Apply to universities or colleges and scholarships.
The sequence MATH&151, &152 and &163 covers limits, differential calculus and its applications, integral calculus and its applications, intro to differential equations, series including Taylor series, vector geometry in three dimensions, multivariable calculus, partial differentiation, double integrals in Cartesian and polar coordinates and applications. Fulfills QSR requirement for A.A. degree.
For science majors. Second of three-quarter sequence introducing basic chemistry concepts: structure, bonding, chemical reactivity, physical measurement, stoichiometry, structure of matter, gas laws, intermolecular forces, solutions, chemical kinetics, equilibrium, acid/base, thermodynamics, redox and electrochemistry. Satisfies the general chemistry requirement for science and engineering majors, pre-Med, pre-Pharmacy, pre-Veterinary, etc. Lab included. This class has an additional Science Lab Course Fee.
Freshman level drawing. Study of line, value, space, perspective and composition through the use of a variety of drawing media.
Course ID 0774395 Units
HUM 105:
Intercultural Communication
Examines the skills in communication and empathy required for intercultural communication. Includes an interdisciplinary study of diverse cultures and perspectives in the United States in the context of economic, political, and cultural globalization.
Intro to linear algebra and its implications. Includes systems of linear equations, matrices, determinants, vector spaces, inner product spaces, eigenvalue problems, and similarity transformations.
Development of the basic principles of classical mechanics--kinematics, Newton's laws and the conservation laws using calculus. Lab included. This class has an additional Science Lab Course Fee.
For science majors. Covers chemistry principles, structure of matter, atomic and molecular theory, the elements, quantitative relationships, nuclear chemistry, aqueous solutions, kinetics, chemical thermodynamics, oxidation and reduction, electro-chemistry, periodicity, equilibrium systems, qualitative analysis and organic chemistry. Fulfills the QSR requirement for A.A. degree. This class has an additional Science Lab Course Fee.
Course ID 0837056 Units
ENGL& 235:
Technical Writing
Explores basic formats and content of technical communication. Covers writing process; analysis of purpose and audience for various reports and documents; research, documentation, presentation of technical material; and communication in digital media. Projects include writing and editing, digital communication, and collaboration. Prereq: ENGL& 101.
Covers first order differential equations, second order differential equations, their applications, and Laplace transforms. Covers the elementary theory of differential equations and the interrelationship between pure mathematics and applied mathematics.
Covers Maxwell's classical laws of electricity and magnetism which developed from the study of the Laws of Coulomb, Ampere, Gauss and Faraday. Lab included. This class has an additional Science Lab Course Fee.
An overview of computer program design and problem solving with a focus on problem analysis, program development, testing and debugging. Students will use functions, control structures, and data structures to develop a variety of increasingly complex programs to solve scientific and technical problems. Students will learn to document and test their solutions. Programming language may vary.
Introduction to waves and oscillations and the study of sound, geometric and physical optics. Covers the dualistic particle-wave nature of microscopic phenomena as an intro to modern physics. Lab included. This class has an additional Science Lab Course Fee.
An in-depth treatment of the dynamics of particles and rigid bodies using vector analysis. Topics include kinematics, kinetics, momentum, and energy principles for both particles and rigid bodies. A required course for numerous engineering programs. Transfer class.
Course ID 0838595 Units
Quarter 9
To-Do List
15
UNITS
To-Do List
Check in with your university for transfer planning.
Order cap and gown for commencement and join alumni association.
General principles of modern programming, including how to design, implement, document, test and debug computer programs, using the Java programming language. Topics include objects, messages, expressions, statements, methods, classes, conditionals, iteration, arrays, and collections. Computer fee. Transfer class.
Covers basic relationships between axial, torsional, bending, and shear loads acting on solid elements such as rods, shafts, columns, and beams and their allowable stress, strains and deformations(axial deformation, angle of twist, and deflection). Mohr's circle of stress.
It's time to apply for Financial Aid for next year by completing either the
FAFSA or the
WASFA 2024-25.
Need help paying for college?
To apply for financial aid, including grants and scholarships you don’t have to pay back, visit
South's Financial Aid Department for details.
Part-time and full-time students can qualify for financial aid funds.
A bachelor’s degree or higher degree may be required for some careers listed above. For current employment and wage estimates, please visit the following online resources and search for the relevant occupational term:
South Seattle College has direct transfer agreements with four-year institutions throughout Washington state, including University of Washington, Washington State University and Seattle University. Graduates from South have also transferred to out-of-state institutions.
Program and admissions requirements vary from college to college. Contact an advisor to create an educational plan tailored to transfer to the institution of your choice.
If you are already registered for classes or a returning student, please see your primary advisor to create an educational plan. If you need assistance getting connected to the appropriate advisor, visit the Advising Center website.
