Student sitting at desk doing homework

Engineering Tracks & Course Requirements

The Pre-Engineering program offers five pathways to different engineering degrees offered at UH Mānoa or another engineering program of your choosing. Select one of the following academic paths that aligns with your interests.

On this page:

Students enrolled at UH Hilo may complete the first two years of engineering degree requirements for UH Mānoa's Electrical Engineering program or Mechanical Engineering program (including the Aerospace Engineering concentration), or the first three semesters of course requirements in Civil Engineering and Construction Engineering.

Please note that actual course pathways may vary depending on your preparation in previous studies. The Pre-Engineering Program can be completed in two years if students place into Calculus I and General Chemistry in their first semester.

For more information about the courses listed below, visit the UH Hilo Course Catalog.

Mechanical Engineering

Automobile engine

Design, development, and analyze machines, vehicles, and systems that move. Mechanical Engineers work on a broad range of technologies, from engines and robotics to manufacturing systems. As a mechanical or aerospace engineer, you'll create efficient, innovative designs that push the boundaries of transportation, energy, and exploration.

Required Courses

Year 1: Fall Semester

Course Credits
ENG 100 Composition I (3) (Prerequisite: C or better in MATH 140X or 5+ in all 3 parts of math placement test) 3
MATH 241 Calculus I (4) * 3
CHEM 161-161L General Chemistry I (3), General Chemistry I Lab (1) ** 4
FG (A/B/C): Global & Multicultural Perspectives 3
Credits 14

Year 1: Spring Semester

Course Credit
MATH 242 Calculus II (4) * 4
PHYS 170-170L Gen Phys I: Mechanics (4), Gen Phys I Lab (1) * 4
ECE 160: Programming for Engineers* 4
CHEM 162 General Chemistry II (3) ** 3
Credits 15

Year 2: Fall Semester

Course Credit
MATH 243 Calculus III (3) 3
PHYS 272-272L Gen Phys II: Elec & Magnetism (4), Gen Phys II Lab (1) 4
CE 270 Applied Mechanics I (3) 3
EE211 [Course Info Not Available] 4
ME 213: Intro. to Engineering Design 4
Credits 18

Year 2: Spring Semester

Course Credit
MATH 244 Calculus IV (3) 3
MATH 300 Ordinary Diff Equations (3) 3
ECON 100 Intro To Economics (3) /ECON 130 Intro To Microeconomics (3) /ECON 131 Intro To Macroeconomics (3) 3
CE 271 Applied Mechanics II (3)
FG (A/B/C): Global & Multicultural Perspectives 3
COM 251 Public Speaking (3) 3
Credits 18

Year 3: Fall Semester

Transfer to UH Mānoa

Course
UH Mānoa Mechanical Engineering Program

Note: Deadline to apply for fall semester is Apr. 1st.

Aerospace Engineering

Artist rendering of a spacecraft orbiting the Earth

Aerospace engineering is the study and design of aircraft, spacecraft, and related systems. It combines principles of physics, mathematics, and engineering to develop cutting-edge technology for use in aviation, space exploration, and defense. Aerospace engineers work on projects such as designing commercial airplanes, building satellites, and creating rockets for space missions.

Required Courses

Year 1: Fall Semester

Course Credit
ENG 100 Composition I (3) (Prerequisite: C or better in MATH 140X or 5+ in all 3 parts of math placement test) 3
MATH 241 Calculus I (4) 3
CHEM 161-161L General Chemistry I (3), General Chemistry I Lab (1) 4
FG (A/B/C): Global & Multicultural Perspectives 3
Credits 14

Year 1: Spring Semester

Course Credit
MATH 242 Calculus II (4) 4
PHYS 170-170L Gen Phys I: Mechanics (4), Gen Phys I Lab (1) 4
ECE 160: Programming for Engineers[^1] (or) CS 150 Intro To Computer Science I (3) 3
CHEM 162 General Chemistry II (3) 3
Credits 15

Year 2: Fall Semester

Course Credit
MATH 243 Calculus III (3) 3
PHYS 272-272L Gen Phys II: Elec & Magnetism (4), Gen Phys II Lab (1) 5
CE 270 Applied Mechanics I (3) 3
CE211 [Course Info Not Available] 4
FG (A/B/C): Global & Multicultural Perspectives 3
Credits 18

Year 2: Spring Semester

Course Credit
MATH 244 Calculus IV (3) 3
MATH 300 Ordinary Diff Equations (3) 3
MATH 311 Intro Linear Algebra (3) 3
CE 271 Applied Mechanics II (3) 3
ME 201: Space Exploration (If not offered, select COM 251 Public Speaking (3) (or) ECON 100 Intro To Economics (3) /ECON 130 Intro To Microeconomics (3) /ECON 131 Intro To Macroeconomics (3) 3
Credits 15/16

Year 3: Fall Semester

Transfer to UH Mānoa

Course
UH Mānoa Aerospace/Mechanical Engineering Program

Note: Deadline to apply for fall semester at UH Mānoa is Apr. 1st.

Civil Engineering

A steel bridge with red beams and trusses crossing a river

Design, build, and maintain vital infrastructure like roads, bridges, buildings, and water systems. Civil Engineers apply math and science to solve real-world problems and improve public spaces, ensuring they are safe, efficient, and sustainable. They play a key role in shaping the built environment and work on projects that impact daily life.

Required Courses

Year 1: Fall Semester

Course Credit
ENG 100 Composition I (3) 3
MATH 241 Calculus I (4) 4
CHEM 161-161L General Chemistry I (3), General Chemistry I Lab (1) 4
FG (A/B/C): Global & Multicultural Perspectives 3
Credits 14

Year 1: Spring Semester

Course Credit
MATH 242 Calculus II (4) 4
PHYS 170-170L Gen Phys I: Mechanics (4), Gen Phys I Lab (1) 5
ECE 160: Programming for Engineers (or) CS 150 Intro To Computer Science I (3) 3
CHEM 162 General Chemistry II (3) 3
Credits 15

Year 2: Fall Semester

Course Credit
MATH 243 Calculus III (3) 3
PHYS 272-272L Gen Phys II: Elec & Magnetism (4), Gen Phys II Lab (1) 5
CE 270 Applied Mechanics I (3) 3
CEE 250: CAD/BIM/3D Visualization (If not offered, course can be taken at UH Mānoa or substituted with FG course) 3
COM 251 Public Speaking (3) 3
Credits 17

Year 2: Spring Semester

Transfer to UH Mānoa

Course
UH Mānoa Civil Engineering Program

Electrical Engineering

Close-up image of a circuit board

The study and application of electricity, electronics, and electromagnetism to design and develop electrical systems. This includes everything from power generation and distribution to communication systems, electronics, and renewable energy technologies. Electrical Engineers work on solving complex problems and innovating new technologies that power modern life, from smart devices to large-scale electrical grids.

Required Courses

Year 1: Fall Semester

Course Credit
ENG 100 Composition I (3) 3
MATH 241 Calculus I (4) 4
CHEM 161-161L General Chemistry I (3), General Chemistry I Lab (1) 4
FG (A/B/C): Global & Multicultural Perspectives 3
Credits 14

Year 1: Spring Semester

Course Credit
MATH 242 Calculus II (4) 4
PHYS 170-170L Gen Phys I: Mechanics (4), Gen Phys I Lab (1) 5
ECE 160: Programming for Engineers (or) CS 150 Intro To Computer Science I (3) 3
CHEM 162 General Chemistry II (3) 3
Credits 15

Year 2: Fall Semester

Course Credit
MATH 243 Calculus III (3) 3
PHYS 272-272L Gen Phys II: Elec & Magnetism (4), Gen Phys II Lab (1) 5
CE211 [Course Info Not Available] 3
COM 251 Public Speaking (3) 3
Credits 14

Year 2: Spring Semester

Course Credit
MATH 244 Calculus IV (3) 3
PHYS 274 Gen Phys III: Intro Modern Phy (3) 3
ECE 213: Basic Circuit Analysis II
ECE 296: Sophomore Project
FG (A/B/C): Global & Multicultural Perspectives 3
ECE 260: Intro. to Digital Design
Credits 17

Note: Deadline to apply for fall semester at UH Mānoa is Apr. 1st.

Construction Engineering

Bridge span and trusses

Plan, design, and manage infrastructure projects by combining the principles of civil engineering with practical skills in construction. As a construction engineer, you'll work on solving real-world problems and bringing designs to life, often overseeing projects from concept to completion.

Required Courses

Year 1: Fall Semester

Course Credit
ENG 100 Composition I (3) 3
MATH 241 Calculus I (4) 4
CHEM 161-161L General Chemistry I (3), General Chemistry I Lab (1) 4
FG (A/B/C): Global & Multicultural Perspectives 3
DH/DL 3
Credits 17

Year 1: Spring Semester

Course Credit
MATH 242 Calculus II (4) 4
PHYS 170-170L Gen Phys I: Mechanics (4), Gen Phys I Lab (1) 5
CHEM 162 General Chemistry II (3) 3
COM 251 Public Speaking (3) 3
ECE 160: Programming for Engineers[^1] (or) CS 150 Intro To Computer Science I (3) 3
Credits 18/19

Year 2: Fall Semester

Course Credit
MATH 243 Calculus III (3) 3
PHYS 272-272L Gen Phys II: Elec & Magnetism (4), Gen Phys II Lab (1) 5
CE 270 Applied Mechanics I (3) 3
CEE 250: CAD/BIM/3D Visualization (If not offered, can be taken at UH Mānoa or substituted for an SE course) 3
FG (A/B/C): Global & Multicultural Perspectives 3
Credits 17

Year 2: Spring Semester

Transfer to UH Mānoa

Course
UH Mānoa Civil Engineering Program