Course and Degree Planning
Science, math, engineering classes in the Associate of Science (AS) in engineering are designed to meet transfer prerequisites. If you do not take the classes at Highline, you will have to take them at your transfer institution so we recommend taking as many classes as you need for your engineering degree to shorten the time to graduation.
At Highline, we offer four Associate’s of Science (AS) engineering degrees that can help you prepare for transfer. Three of these degrees are specialized Major Related Program (MRP) degrees aimed at helping you transfer with Junior status standing and ensuring that all prerequisites are satisfied for being able to apply to transfer schools. The fourth is a general engineering degree that can be tailored for those interested in a field of engineering for which we do not offer an MRP degree.
- AS-Computer/Electrical Engineering MRP (101 credit degree)
- AS-Civil/Mechanical Engineering MRP (105 credit degree)
- AS-Bio/Chemical Engineering MRP (95 credit degree)
- AST-Track 2 General Engineering (90 credit degree)
If you do not see a specific engineering discipline above, you will likely take either the Civil/Mechanical AS or the General Engineering AS. Speak to a faculty advisor to determine the correct degree for you.
The Most Important Step: Request a Faculty Advisor
Faculty advisors can help you with:
- Planning Classes
- Career advice
- Choosing a specific engineering discipline
- Transfer university choices
- Transfer university applications
- Looking for scholarships and internships
- Finding campus resources
- Overcoming obstacles
- Being a source of support and encouragement
You should meet with your faculty advisor every quarter so that you can make sure you are on track for your degree, and you get the information and resources you need to succeed. Do not try to go it alone!
To request a faculty advisor, fill in this form: Faculty Advisor Request Form
What classes do I need to take?
The following are links to sample program maps for students depending on the field of engineering you are interested in who wish to transfer to University of Washington or Washington State University. Remember that you should always check the transfer prerequisite for the specific colleges you want to transfer to and speak with your faculty advisor to make sure you are taking the correct courses for your specific education goals and background.
Remember that you do not have to be tied down to a specific engineering discipline at this early stage. There are lots of options within each discipline and in your career you will be able to work on the problems you enjoy based more on your skills than the specific discipline you choose.
Important Tips for Ensuring You Succeed
This does not mean students will take classes in this order since every student’s background is different. Students should reach out and speak with an academic or faculty advisor as soon as possible to help develop an academic plan best suited for them. Below are helpful tips to keep in mind when developing an academic plan.
- Start taking math as soon as possible. To get your math placement please go to the Placement and Testing Center and speak to an entry advisor by emailing entryadvising@highline.edu
- Math is a prerequisite for all science classes.
- To graduate on time you need to take math every quarter.
- Please do not drop/withdraw from a math class without talking to your instructor.
- Take series courses at one institution (eg. take the entire physics series at Highline College to ensure that it transfers). Some schools do not accept part of a series upon transferring.
- Take series courses back-to-back. Try not to take a quarter off in between series classes so that the material taught in the previous class in the series is more fresh in your mind and easier to remember while you are taking the next class in the series.
- Not all classes are offered every quarter so it is really important to meet with an advisor to develop an academic plan