Breadcrumb
The College of Engineering and Applied Science has numerous minor and certificate options for engineering students. You can find out about all of your options by visiting the College of Engineering & Applied Science Minor Programs website.
You may also be interested in minors and certificates offered outside of the College of Engineering and Applied Science such as Applied Math, Astrophysics, Economics, World Languages, and more. You can find information about all available minors at CU Boulder through our University Catalog.
How to Structure Your Classes
Considering a minor or certificate but wondering how it might impact your course schedule? Most minor and certificate classes can also be used to fulfill requirements of your mechanical engineering degree. The charts below outline how to best structure your classes to overlap with your major for the most common minor, certificate, and option programs. Use the web links above each chart to view the official, current requirements for each program.
Please note: some minor programs require an application/ prerequisites/ minimum GPA. Please contact your academic advisor with questions regarding minors/certificates and their potential impact on your degree plan.
Minors
Visit the Applied Math Minor website
| Applied Math Minor Requirements | ME Equivalent |
|---|---|
|
APPM 2350: Calculus 3 for Engineers |
Calculus 3 |
|
APPM 2360: Diff Eq w/Linear Algebra |
APPM 2360 |
|
APPM 3310: Matrix Methods |
|
|
One area of emphasis (see below) |
Choose One Emphasis:
General Emphasis
Choose two of the following three courses
| APPM 4600: Numerical Methods and Scientific Computing | MCEN 3030 |
| APPM 4350: Fourier Series & Boundary Value Problems | General Technical Elective |
| APPM 4360: Complex Variable and Applications | General Technical Elective |
and
| One upper-division APPM or STAT Course (3000/4000 Level) | General Technical Elective |
Scientific Computation Emphasis
|
APPM 3050: Scientific Computing Matlab |
General Technical Elective |
| APPM 4600: Numerical Methods and Scientific Computing | MCEN 3030 |
| APPM 4610: Numerical Differential Equations | General Technical Elective |
Probability & Statistics Emphasis
| APPM 3570: Applied Probability | General Technical Elective |
and one of the following sequences
|
STAT 4000: Statistical Methods and Applications I |
|
|
APPM 4560: Markov Processes, Queues, and Monte Carlo Simulations |
Visit the Astrophysics Minor website
| Astrophysics Minor Requirements | ME Equivalent |
|---|---|
|
Lower-division ASTR course Recommended: ASTR 2000: Ancient Astronomies |
LD HSS Elective |
|
Advanced ASTR course |
Free Elective |
|
One upper level course sequence (see below) |
One of the following sequences:
Planetary Sequence
| ASTR 3720: Planets and Their Atmospheres | Math/Science Foundations |
| ASTR 3750: Planets, Moons, & Rings | General Technical Elective |
Astrophysics Sequence
| ASTR 3730: Stellar & Interstellar | General Technical Elective |
| ASTR 3830: Galactic & Extragalactic | General Technical Elective |
Visit the Biomedical Minor website
| Biomedical Minor Requirements | ME Equivalent |
|---|---|
|
BMEN 2000: Biomed Gateway |
Not Applicable to BS* |
|
Biomed Elective |
|
|
Biomed Elective |
|
|
Biomed Elective |
|
|
Biomed Elective |
|
|
Biomed Elective |
*The Biomed Minor requires that three credits of coursework for the minor not be applied to any BS degree requirements.
Visit the Business Minor website
| Business Minor Requirements | ME Equivalent |
|---|---|
|
BUSM 2010 & 2011: Marketing & Management |
Free Elective |
|
BUSM 2020 & 2021: Finance & Accounting |
Free Elective |
|
Track Elective |
|
|
BUSM 4010: Business Plan Development |
Visit the Computer Science Minor website
|
Computer Science Minor Requirements |
ME Equivalent |
|---|---|
|
CSCI 1300/ ECEN 1310/ ASEN 1320: Computer Science 1 |
CSCI 1300 |
|
CSCI 2270: Data Structures |
Free Elective |
|
CSCI 2824: Discrete Structures |
Free Elective |
|
CSCI 2400: Computer Systems |
Free Elective |
|
Core option: CSCI 3104 or CSCI 3155 or CSCI 3753) |
|
|
Computer Science Elective (MCEN 3030 or CSCI 3656) |
MCEN 3030 |
| Computer Science Elective |
Please note that while CSCI 2824 (Discrete Structures) or ECEN 2703 (Discrete Math for Computer Engineers) are no longer required courses for the CSCI minor as of Fall 2019, both CSCI 3104 (Algorithms) and CSCI 3155 (Principles of Programming Languages) require a discrete mathematics course as a prerequisite. Students who want to take either of these courses as their Core option will need to plan to take an approved discrete mathematics prerequisite course in addition to the course requirements for the minor.
* At least one of the two ME Technical Electives must be completed as an MCEN class in the Mechanical Engineering curriculum, and undergraduate students may choose to apply one of the following CSCI courses toward an ME Technical Elective: CSCI 3302: Intro to Robotics and CSCI 3308: Software Development Methods and Tools.
Visit the Creative Technology and Design Minor website
| CDT Minor Requirements | ME Equivalent |
|---|---|
|
ATLS 2000: Meaning of Information Technology |
LD H&SS Elective |
|
ATLS 2100: Image |
Free Elective |
|
ATLS 2200: Web |
Free Elective |
|
ATLS 2300: Text |
Free Elective |
|
ATLS 3000: Code |
|
|
Upper-Division Critical Perspectives Elective |
General Technical Elective (ATLS or CSCI) or Free Elective |
|
MCEN 4026: Manufacturing |
MCEN 4026 |
Visit the Electrical Engineering Minor website
| Electrical Engineering Minor Requirements | ME Equivalent |
|---|---|
|
MCEN 3017 (Substitution for ECEN2250) |
MCEN 3017 |
|
ECEN 2260*: Circuits as Systems |
Free Elective |
|
ECEN 2270*: Electronics Design Lab |
Free Elective |
|
Electrical Engineering Elective |
|
|
Electrical Engineering Elective |
|
|
Electrical Engineering Elective |
Free Elective |
* ECEN 2260 and ECEN 2270 combined will satisfy ME's Math/Science Foundation requirement.
Visit the Energy Engineering Minor Website
| Energy Engineering Minor Requirements | ME Equivalent |
|---|---|
|
Fundamentals-based course: |
MCEN 3032 |
|
Energy policy/environment-based course: |
Humanities/Social Science, or |
|
Energy Elective |
ME Technical Elective*, or |
|
Energy Elective |
ME Technical Elective*, or |
|
Energy Elective - MCEN 3022 Heat Transfer |
MCEN 3022 |
|
Energy Elective - MCEN 3017 Circuits and Electronics |
MCEN 3017 |
*Student must choose an elective that is also approved as an ME Tech Elective.
Visit the Engineering Management Minor website
| Engineering Management Minor Requirements | ME Equivalent |
|---|---|
|
EMEN 4030: Project Management |
|
|
EMEN 4100: Engineering Economics |
|
|
MCEN 3047: Data/Measurements |
MCEN 3047 |
|
EMEN Elective |
Free Elective |
|
EMEN Elective |
Free Elective |
Vist the Engineering Entrepreneurship Minor website
| Engineering Entrepeneurship Minor Requirements | ME Equivalent |
|---|---|
|
EMEN 4820: Entrepreneurial Product Development |
|
|
EMEN 4800: Technology Ventures and Marketing |
|
|
Engineering Entrepreneurship Elective |
MCEN 4045 (if ESI section)*, or |
|
Engineering Entrepreneurship Elective |
UD HSS***/ Free Elective |
|
Engineering Entrepreneurship Elective |
Free Elective |
* A student may count 3 credit hours from an Entrepreneurship Capstone offered within their major as an elective.
** MCEN 4228: Special Topics in Mechanical Engineering (Design for Community) and MCEN 5830: Designing for Defense are approved elective substitution.
*** EMEN 4055: Designing for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion in Engineering counts towards H&SS credit
Visit the Global Engineering Minor website
| Global Engineering Minor Requirements | ME Equivalent |
|---|---|
|
HUEN 2843: Global State of Mind |
LD HSS Elective |
|
Language Course |
LD HSS Elective |
|
Global Perspectives Course |
HSS or Free Elective* |
|
Global Perspectives Course |
HSS or Free Elective* |
|
Regional/Local Perspectives Course |
HSS or Free Elective* |
|
Technical Elective |
General Technical Elective (CVEN, EMEN, GEOL) or Free Elective |
|
Global Experience |
|
*There are a lot of options for each elective, that could count for a variety of requirements. Please check with your Advisor for details.
Visit the Leadership Minor website
| Leadership Minor Requirements | ME Equivalent |
|---|---|
|
LEAD 1000: Become a Leader |
Free elective |
|
Leadership Minor Elective |
HSS or Free Elective* |
|
Leadership Minor Elective |
HSS or Free Elective* |
|
Leadership Minor Elective |
HSS or Free Elective* |
|
LEAD 4000: Capstone |
Free Elective |
*There are a lot of options for each elective, that could count for a variety of requirements. Please check with your Advisor for details.
| Music Minor Requirements | ME Equivalent |
|---|---|
|
MUEL 1081: Basic Music Theory* |
Free Elective |
|
EMUS 1XX7: Music Ensembles** |
Free Elective or LD HSS (Concert Band/ Symphonic Band) |
|
Creating Music Electives |
Free Elective |
|
Creating Music Electives |
Free Elective |
|
Thinking Music Electives |
HSS or Free Elective*** |
|
Thinking Music Electives |
HSS or Free Elective*** |
|
Creative/Thinking Music Electives |
HSS or Free Elective*** |
* Students with appropriate background and instructor approval may substitute MUSC 1101 and MUSC 1121 for MUEL 1081.
** Ensembles requiring no audition include Golden Buffalo Marching Band (auditions for drumline and color guard only), Concert Band, Festival Chorus, Japanese Ensemble, Latin American Ensemble, African Ensemble, Gamelan Ensemble, and World Vocal Ensemble. Ensembles requiring an audition include Wind Symphony, Symphonic Band, University Singers, University Choir, Women’s Chorus, Jazz ensembles (Big Bands 1-3 and combos 1-7), Symphony Orchestra, and Campus Orchestra.
***There are a lot of options for each elective, that could count for a variety of requirements. Please check with your Advisor for details.
Visit the Physics Minor website
| Physics Minor Requirements | ME Equivalent |
|---|---|
|
PHYS 1110: Physics 1 |
PHYS 1110 |
|
PHYS 1120: Physics 2 |
PHYS 1120 |
|
PHYS 1140: Experimental Physics 1 |
PHYS 1140 |
|
PHYS 2150: Experimental Physics 2 |
Free Elective |
|
PHYS 2210: Classical Mechanics |
Free Elective |
|
PHYS 2130 or PHYS 2170 |
|
|
Physics Elective |
|
|
Physics Elective |
|
|
Physics Elective |
Free Elective |
| Space Minor Requirements | ME Equivalent |
|---|---|
|
ASEN 1969: Pathway to Space |
Free Elective |
|
Space Elective |
Gen Tech, HSS, or Free Elective* |
|
Space Elective |
Gen Tech, HSS, or Free Elective* |
|
Space Elective |
Gen Tech, HSS, or Free Elective* |
|
Space Elective |
Gen Tech, HSS, or Free Elective* |
*There are a lot of options for each elective, that could count for a variety of requirements. Please check with your Advisor for details.
Certificates
Visit the Engineering, Ethics, & Society Certificate website
| Engineering, Ethics, & Society Certificate Requirements | ME Equivalent |
|---|---|
|
Great Books Seminar course |
HSS Elective |
|
STEM & H&SS Intersection course |
HSS Elective |
|
Additional Herbst or EHON (Engineering Honors) course |
HSS Elective or Free Elective |
|
Course in Humanities or Social Science from the College of Arts & Sciences linked to EES (Engineering, Ethics & Society) themes* |
HSS Elective or Free Elective |
*Students must confer with the EES Certificate Director to determine the suitability of a particular course.
Visit the Social Innovation Certificate website
| Social Innovation Certificate Requirements | ME Equivalent |
|---|---|
|
SOCY 4160: Designing Social Innovations |
UD HSS Elective |
|
SOCY 4161: Executing Social Innovations* |
UD HSS Elective |
|
Social Innovation Elective |
HSS or General Technical Elective** |
|
Social Innovation Elective |
HSS or General Technical Elective** |
| Social Innovation Elective | ESI Section of MCEN 4045 |
| Social Innovation Elective | ESI Section of MCEN 4085 |
*With the Director’s permission, SOCY 4932 (Internship in Social Innovation) can be substituted for SOCY 4161
**Must be on approved list to count for designated requirement. This varies depending on the course you select.