EIU Department of Physics

What is Pre-Engineering?

Pre-Engineering at Eastern Illinois University is a program designed to provide the first years of a four-year Engineering degree. The first years of most Engineering programs have the same curricula (basic science and math) so transferring from EIU to a 4 year Engineering program is generally a smooth transition.  EIU offers three different options for our pre-engineering students.  Those options are: Pre-Engineering 2-2, Engineering BS 3-2, and Engineering Physics 3-2 and are described below.

EIU offers lower cost and a different atmosphere than the 4 year Engineering programs. The smaller class size, faculty teaching lecture and labs, research opportunities, and integrative learning environment set EIU apart from larger schools. The collegial atmosphere leads to a more inviting and collaborative learning environment. Students who might get lost in large lecture halls can quickly become a part of the community at EIU. With a high success rate after transfer to other institutions, our students find that this preparation is equivalent to spending all four years at a 4 year Engineering program.

Pre-Engineering 2-2 

In the Pre-Engineering 2-2 program, students will complete two years of courses at EIU, mainly general education courses and the introductory physics and mathematics courses they will need to succeed as engineers.  After those two years, the students will transfer to an engineering school, where they will complete an additional two years.  Upon completion of their degree requirements, these students will earn an engineering degree from their engineering school.  Click the link below to see what courses are a part of the Pre-Engineering 2-2 program.

• Pre-Engineering 2-2 Checklist
• Pre-Engineering Data Sheet

Engineering Physics 3-2 and Engineering BS 3-2

EIU also offers a 3-2 degree in conjunction with either the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) or with Southern Illinois University at Carbondale (SIUC).  These programs differ from the 2-2 program, as the student will spend their first three years at EIU before transferring to an Engineering School, like UIUC or SIUC.  The benefit the 3-2 program, is that the student will earn two degrees upon completion: an engineering degree from an engineering school, as well as a degree from EIU.  Their are two options for the EIU degree that can be attained in this program.  A student in the 3-2 program can either earn a Physics Degree from EIU or an Engineering Physics degree from EIU, in addition to their engineering degree. See below for a list of the courses required for both options in the 3-2 program.

• Engineering BS 3-2 Checklist
• Engineering Physics BS 3-2 Checklist
• Engineering Physics BS 3-2 Datasheet

For more information about any pre-engineering program, contact Dr. Jie Zou at jzou@eiu.edu and visit the Pre-Engineering Website.