Admission Requirements for New Students
Students who excel in science and mathematics, enjoy solving real-life problems, and wish to serve others have the highest potential for careers in engineering and computer science. Entering students are required to have an ACT composite score of at least 22 (or an SAT of at least 1020) in order to declare a major in the department. We have also determined that incoming engineering students should present an ACT Math sub-score greater than 24 or an SAT Math sub-score greater than 590 to be successful engineering. To assist the incoming students who desire an engineering major but do not meet our identified math scores to succeed, such students will be identified as “Engineering” students for the first year rather than by one of the specific engineering degree programs. Students identified as “Engineering” will receive closer academic monitoring during their first year and will be permitted to declare a specific engineering program major after successfully completing both Calculus I (MATH-1710) and Digital Logic Design (EGCP-1010) at Cedarville with a minimum grade of ‘C’. We strongly encourage all students interested in engineering to read Engineering: Is it a four- or five-year degree program? which outlines the importance of being ready to enter Calculus I at the start of our engineering programs as well as some options to help prepare for Calculus.
To prepare for engineering or computer science, we recommend that high school students take a college preparatory curriculum which includes:
- 4 units of mathematics (algebra, geometry, trigonometry, and advanced mathematics or precalculus)
- 4 units of science (such as physical science, biology, chemistry, and physics)
- 2 units of the same foreign language
Although not required, incoming students benefit from having some computer programming experience using a language such as VisualBasic, C++, or JAVA. Experience with spreadsheets and word processors is also helpful.
Our students must demonstrate proficiency in certain lower-level courses to advance into 3000- and 4000-level courses. Therefore, all students must earn an overall GPA of at least 2.0 by the end of their sophomore year. In addition, each program within the department has its own specific retention requirements as follows:
To advance into the junior year, Cp.E. majors must earn a combined GPA of at least 2.0 in the following courses: EGCP-1010, EGGN-1110, EGEE-2010, EGME-1810-2510, CS-1210, -1220, - 2210, MATH-1710, -1720, -2740, -3110, and PHYS-2110, -2120.
In order to advance in the computer science program, CS majors must achieve a grade of at least a C- in each of the following courses: CS-1210, -1220, -2210 and MATH-2510.
To advance into the junior year, EE majors must earn a combined GPA of at least 2.0 in the following engineering courses: EGCP-1010, EGGN-1110, EGEE-2010, and EGME-1810, -2510, - 2630.
In addition, EE majors must earn a combined GPA of at least 2.0 in the following cognate courses: CS-1210, MATH-1710, -1720, -2710, -2740, and PHYS-2110, -2120.
To advance into the junior year, ME majors must earn a combined GPA of at least 2.0 in the following engineering courses: EGCP-1010, EGGN-1110, EGEE-2050, and EGME-1810, -2050, -2530, -2630.
In addition, ME majors must earn a combined GPA of at least 2.0 in the following cognate courses: MATH-1710, -1720, -2710, -2740, and PHYS-2110, -2120.
- All engineerin majors must earn a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0 in all major and cognate courses.
- All engineering majors must take an assessment exam similar to the NCEES Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam.
We welcome transfer students. However, because of the sequential nature of an engineering curriculum, transfers between programs become progressively more difficult later in the sequence. Therefore, we recommend contacting us for guidance when considering transferring into our program.