Undergraduate Program: Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Any tips on registration, choosing instructors, deciding which math course?
A. Fall 2010 Registration Tips
Q. What are the "Basic Science Electives" approved to substitute for PHYS 2130 "Physics 3"?
A. The M.E. Department requires PHYS 2130 "General Physics 3" (modern physics) so that you will be literate in the last 100 years of physics -- quite a fascinating period from relativity to quantum theory, atomic physics, nuclear energy/weapons, and more! It's Albert Einstein to the present.
The "Basic Science Elective" the department permits as a substitute is limited to just the following three courses:
- PHYS 2170 "Foundations of Modern Physics" (Prereq. PHYS 1120 "Physics 2." Coreq. MATH 2400 or APPM 2350 "Calc. 2." This is the physics major's "Physics 3," and has an optional lab, PHYS 2150.
- IPHY 3410-3 "Human Anatomy" (Prereq. General Biology 1 & 2 with labs). MCEN majors may take it without the prerequisites, but you'll do better if you've had them. The IPHY 3415-2 "Human Anatomy Lab" is optional but priceless - you'll dissect a human cadaver and learn anatomy first-hand!
- CHEN 3311-4 "Organic Chemistry 1" (Prereq. General Chemistry 1 & 2 with labs). Engineering majors may take it, however, with just the General Chemistry 1 for Engineers, and without the "Organic Chemistry 1 Lab."
Note that our Environmental Engineering Option requires "Organic Chemistry 1." Note further that since Physics 3 carries only 3 credits, the fourth credit from "Organic Chemistry 1" (and any extra credit you earn by taking a lab) will go toward your General Tech Electives (3000-level or higher science or engineering).
Q. How can I choose a General Technical Elective?
A. It's easy to see a vast number, because General Tech Electives consist of 3000/4000-level engineering, science, math, or computer science. Then it's up to you to determine which courses are offered during the upcoming semester, which fit your schedule, and which have seats available. Before registering, though, please always clear your choice with the M.E. undergraduate advisor (Molly). Then you won't be picking something the M.E. Department has said no to. For instance, a course that can substitute for one of our required courses does not qualify as a General Tech, and no Geography Department course has ever qualified as a General Tech for us.
To help narrow down where to look, here are a few suggestions. In the College of Engineering, you might take a good look at least at Applied Math (APPM, which offers 3 minors), Civil Engineering (CVEN), Electrical & Computer Engineering (ECEN, which offers 4 minors), Computer Science (CSCI, which offers a minor), and Engineering Management (EMEN, which offers an Engineering Entrepreneurship Certificate). In the College of Arts & Sciences, you might consider ASTR, ATOC, CHEM, EBIO, GEOL, IPHY, MATH, MCDB, and PHYS. The Applied Mathematics Department spans both the College of Engineering and the College of Arts & Sciences.
Note that our M.E. Department does not attempt to post for you a cumulative list of General Tech Electives. The reason is that a third to a half or more of the acceptable General Techs in any given semester do not appear in the CU Catalog yet, because they are new. They are called “Special Topics” courses. For Fall 2010, for instance, you would not find CU Catalog course descriptions for 7 out of 10 Tech Electives in the M.E. Department schedule.