ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

ENGINEERING AT OSU

Direct Admission to Engineering (Calculus-Ready)

Beginning with Fall 2024 freshman applicants, OSU will provide direct admission into an Engineering degree if the applicant is considered ready to take Calculus.  This determination is based on a review of both completed coursework shown on available transcripts and self-reported courses that are in progress or planned for later in the school year.  A student with a C- or better in a Pre-Calculus or Calculus course, OR who is registered or planning to take Pre-Calculus or Calculus will be deemed calculus-ready and will be admitted to their Engineering major of choice.  Applicants that have taken college coursework while in high school will be deemed calculus-ready if they have taken or are taking the equivalent of OSU’s MTH 111/111Z and MTH 112/112Z.

Engineering majors (and campus location) where you must be ready to take Calculus to get direct admission into the major:

  • Architectural Engineering (Corvallis)
  • Bioengineering (Corvallis)
  • Chemical Engineering (Corvallis)
  • Civil Engineering (Corvallis)
  • Computer Science (Corvallis and OSU-Cascades)
  • Construction Engineering Management (Corvallis)
  • Ecological Engineering (Corvallis)
  • Electrical and Computer Engineering (Corvallis)
  • Energy Systems Engineering (OSU-Cascades)
  • Engineering Science (OSU-Cascades)
  • Environmental Engineering (Corvallis)
  • Industrial Engineering (Corvallis)
  • Manufacturing Engineering (Corvallis)
  • Mechanical Engineering (Corvallis)
  • Nuclear Engineering (Corvallis)
  • Radiation Health Physics (Corvallis)

Some programs associated with Engineering DO NOT have a calculus-ready requirement for direct admissions.  These include:  Outdoor Products (OSU-Cascades), Pre-Forest Engineering (Corvallis), and Pre-Forest Civil Engineering (Corvallis).

Applicants who are required to be Calculus-Ready at enrollment

Students who are not calculus ready based on their application materials but are admitted to OSU will be invited to enroll initially as an undeclared student in the University Exploratory Studies Program or another non-Engineering major of their choice, but will still have available pathways to study Engineering at OSU and OSU-Cascades.  These pathways include:

1.  Get calculus-ready before their Fall enrollment.  Students who provide proof of becoming calculus-ready prior to their OSU or OSU-Cascades enrollment will have their major changed back to their Engineering major of choice.  There are multiple ways a student can become calculus ready prior to enrolling at OSU or OSU-Cascades:

  • Complete high school coursework equivalent to Pre-Calculus or higher

  • Take college coursework equivalent to OSU’s MTH 111 and MTH 112 with a C- or better

  • Provide CLEP, AP or IB exam scores that demonstrate Pre-Calculus proficiency (where OSU awards credit for MTH 112 or higher)

  • Take Khan Academy’s free online coursework in Pre-Calculus and score a 90% or higher on the Schoolhouse.world Pre-Calculus certification test.  Get more details.

Students that believe they are calculus ready or who become calculus-ready prior to enrolling at OSU will complete the Calculus Ready Status Form in their Beaver Basecamp to initiate the re-review process and gaining admission in their Engineering major of choice.

2.  Enroll at OSU or OSU-Cascades initially as an undeclared student through University Exploratory Studies or in another major of the student’s choice and get calculus-ready by successfully completing MTH 111/111Z and MTH 112/112Z with a C or better and maintain a 2.50 OSU GPA or higher.

  • Students admitted in this manner and who are entering through the University Exploratory Studies Program will also be assigned advising support in the College of Engineering to help them navigate their path to an eventual Engineering degree.  Once a student has met these criteria, they will be allowed to change their major into Engineering.

3.  Enroll at an Oregon community college through the Degree Partnership Program and take MTH 111Z and MTH 112Z in preparation for enrollment at OSU when they are ready.

 

How does OSU initially determine if I am “Calculus-Ready” for Admissions?

Using transcripts and information provided in your admissions application, we look to see if you have taken or is planning to take a Pre-Calculus or Calculus course prior to graduation.  If you've already taken the course, you need to have a C- or better each semester/term.  You are also determined "Calculus-Ready" if you have taken or are taking a college coursework if the course or courses are the equivalent of OSU’s MTH 111/111Z and MTH 112/112Z (Pre-Calculus courses at OSU).

 

Should I wait until I have completed my Pre-Calculus course to apply?

No.  On your application you are able to report that Pre-Calculus is in progress.  If you haven't taken Pre-Calculus or Calculus and are not currently taking either course, you can be admitted to OSU as an undeclared student initially and get yourself calculus-ready - either before you enroll or after you enroll, at which point you may change your major to Engineering.

 

What do I do if OSU said I wasn’t ready to take Calculus but I believe I am?

When you are admitted, you'll have a form that you can fill out in your Beaver Basecamp admissions portal to provide information about your readiness for Calculus.  That will trigger a re-review of your status.

 

What are the different ways I can get calculus-ready prior to enrolling at OSU?

  • Complete high school coursework equivalent to Pre-Calculus or higher
  • Take college coursework equivalent to OSU’s MTH 112 with a C- or better
  • Provide CLEP, AP or IB scores that demonstrate pre-calculus proficiency (where OSU awards credit for MTH 112 or higher based on student score)
  • Take Khan Academy’s free, online coursework and score a 90% or higher on the free Schoolhouse.world Pre-Calculus certification test. See details here.

 

What if I've prepared myself to take Calculus in a way not outlined by OSU in this policy?

When you are admitted, you'll have a form that you can fill out in your Beaver Basecamp admissions portal to provide information about how you've become ready for Calculus.  One of the options there will be to outline any alternative ways you've become Calculus ready and a way to upload any supporting information/documentation.  These will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

 

How can I get calculus-ready once I enroll and change my major to Engineering?

If you enroll at OSU and are not ready to take Calculus right away, you can meet requirements to declare an Engineering degree by successfully completing MTH 111 and MTH 112 with a C or better at OSU and maintain a 2.50 OSU GPA or higher. Once MTH 112 is completed, you may work with your advisor to change your major to Engineering.

You may also choose to enroll at an Oregon community college through the Degree Partnership Program and take MTH 112 in preparation for enrollment at OSU when you are ready here.

 

What if I was unable to take a Pre-Calculus or Calculus course in high school?

We understand that some students don't have access to Pre-Calculus or Calculus coursework.  Our goal is to help you get caught up in math as quickly as possible using OSU resources so that you will succeed and earn a highly desired Engineering degree here.

 

What if I fail to get a C- in an Pre-Calculus course that I am currently taking?

We assume that you will get a C- or better in the Pre-Calculus or Calculus course that you report as in-progress on your application.  If you end up with a lower grade you could be asked to begin as an undeclared student (or another non-engineering major of your choice) until you have met the requirements outlined above to declare a major in Engineering.

 

I know I’ll have to take a Math Placement Exam prior to getting advised and signing up for courses.  How does the score on that exam factor in to my admission status in Engineering?

As outlined above, we determine your calculus-ready status at the time we review your application for admission.  If you are deemed calculus ready, later take our ALEKS Math Placement exam (just prior to new student orientation) and don't place into Calculus, your admission into Engineering will not be affected.  However you will still need to take the necessary math courses based on your placement, which may delay your ability to take Calculus right away and thus impact when you are able to take other Engineering courses in your major.  Bottom line:  get Calculus ready and stay Calculus ready so that you can start off on the right foot when you enroll!

 

What if I want to change from another major into an Engineering major?

If you have been admitted in a non-Engineering major and wish to change to Engineering, you will only be able to do so if you are Calculus-ready.  The change of major form in Beaver Basecamp will only display Engineering majors if you have been determined Calculus-ready.  If you believe you are calculus-ready and trying to change into Engineering but cannot do so, please contact the Office of Admissions.

 

Who can I talk to about this requirement and my situation?

You should begin by reaching out to your assigned Admissions Advisor.  You can find this person's contact info in your Beaver Basecamp under the Resources tab.