Pre-Engineering Program

Explore the Pre-Engineering program

With an ever-growing population and an ever-changing world, engineers will always be needed. Bridges, roads, tunnels, houses, and other building structures need to be built and maintained. In our Pre-Engineering program, you will spend time at Wayne State building a solid foundation in physics, math, and chemistry, and then transfer to a professional engineering to complete your engineering degree. Or you can remain at WSC for all four years and obtain an undergraduate degree, then move on to graduate work in engineering.

Recommended programs of study at WSC:

Area engineering schools

Iowa State University - College of Engineering (Ames, Iowa)
South Dakota State University - Jerome Lohr College of Engineering (Brookings, SD)
University of Iowa - College of Engineering (Iowa City, Iowa)
University of Nebraska-Lincoln - College of Engineering (Lincoln, Neb.)

View program courses Download program fact sheet (PDF)

Prepare for your future

Your undergraduate path to becoming an engineer

Nebraska S-STEM Scholars Program

Incoming first-year students studying Biology, Chemical Sciences, or Applied Math are eligible for the Nebraska S-STEM Program. Students in the program are awarded up to $10,000 per year based on their unmet financial needs. If selected for the program, you’ll be guided by faculty mentors through independent research projects beginning your first year and supported by a team of advisors, supplemental instructors, and peer tutors. A research and travel stipend is also provided to help you attend regional conferences and network with fellow mathematicians, and present your research. Additionally, you’ll live in the residence halls for your first two years alongside other S-STEM scholars, where you’ll support each other while developing leadership and professional skills.

Nebraska S-STEM Scholars Program

Pre-Engineering internships and job shadowing

Our outstanding Career Services Office is available to help you find internships and career opportunities. Students recently completed internships at the following locations:

Garmin - Boulder, Colo. - Software Engineer Intern
Stockwell Engineers (Yankton, S.D.) - Civil Engineering Assistant
University of New Mexico (Albuquerque, New Mexico) - Microsystems Fabrication Assistant

Career services and internships

Topics covered in the Pre-Engineering program

Methods to solve problems in math and science
Proficiency in solving complex math problems
Chemical processes and materials
Chemical experiment and design
University physics and experimentation
Research, observation, and analysis of data
Critical thinking and problem-solving
Ability to work independently
Time management

Graduates of the Pre-Engineering program continue their studies using the skills they learned while at Wayne State College.

Recent grads are pursuing their advanced degrees at the following schools:

Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering - Iowa State University (Ames, Iowa)
Ph.D. in Computer Engineering - Iowa State University (Ames, Iowa)

Career possibilities:

Aerospace engineer
Architectural engineer
Biomedical engineer
Chemical engineer
Civil engineer
Computer engineer
Electrical engineer
Industrial engineer
Mechanical engineer
Product design engineer

job or grad school placement rate
within six months of graduation
Data based on most recent
employment outcomes survey

Cost of attendance

Most Affordable College in Nebraska

- College Affordability Guide, 2024

Wayne State is considered the most affordable four-year college or university in Nebraska. With same rates for in- and out-of-state students, our tuition guarantee, and our generous scholarship packages, it is clear to see how WSC earned the title. In fact, the average remaining annual cost of attendance for 2024-25 is $2,268 for undergraduate students after financial aid and scholarships.

Pre-Engineering Program of Study

The following majors are recommended for students obtaining a bachelor's degree at Wayne State College before pursuing advanced studies in engineering. Additional electives may be recommended. Participation in the Pre-Engineering program at WSC does not guarantee acceptance to an engineering program.

Applied Mathematics (B.A. or B.S.) - The Applied Mathematics program focuses on not just equations, but on how to apply these equations to tackle engineering challenges across various engineering fields.

Biology (B.A. or B.S.) - Our Biology program offers plenty of time in the lab and lays the groundwork needed for students pursuing advanced studies in biomedical, environmental, or biotechnology engineering programs

Chemical Sciences (B.A. or B.S.) - Many branches of engineering, such as chemical, environmental, biomedical, or materials engineering, are heavily based on chemistry.

Computer Science (B.A. or B.S.) - Core skills in programming, hardware, software design, and operating systems can ensure a smooth transition into advanced computer engineering concepts.

Sample courses for Pre-Engineering students

Students may be advised to take the following courses while pursuing one of the recommended majors. Please consult with your advisor to draft a final plan of study, and be sure to check with your intended medical school to make sure you're meeting all prerequisite course requirements.

Credits: 4
Description: Emphasis on nomenclature, atomic structure, bonding, gaseous and liquid states, equilibrium, and stoichiometry. 3 hours of lecture and 3 hours of laboratory. Class fee of $20 required.
Prerequisite: High school chemistry or CHE 102 Chemistry for General Studies
Credits: 4
Description: A continuation of CHE 106 General Chemistry I with emphasis on kinetics, redox reactions, molecular geometry, hydrolysis, electrochemistry, and solubility products. Qualitative analysis included. 3 hours of lecture and 3 hours of laboratory. Class fee of $20 required.
Prerequisite: C- or better in CHE 106 or by consent of instructor
Credits: 3
Description: An introduction to modern programming and problem-solving methods using a high-level programming language. Emphasis on algorithm development, top-down design, and structured programming. Topics include data types, files, I/O operations, control structures, functions, arrays, strings, and records. Software documentation and testing will be included as an integral part of the course.
Credits: 2
Description: A course presenting professional issues pertinent to engineers and scientists along with an overview of the various engineering and science disciplines. A course intended primarily for pre-engineers. Case studies based upon actual technical problems will be presented by practicing engineers and scientists.
Credits: 3
Description: The study of rigid bodies in static equilibrium. A course intended primarily for pre-engineers. Topics include static equilibrium, couples, two- and three-dimensional force systems, trusses, frames and machines, friction, centroids, and moments of inertia.
Prerequisites: MAT 140 Calculus I, and PHY 301 University Physics I
Credits: 3
Description: Newton’s laws of motion are applied to particles and rigid bodies. A course intended primarily for pre-engineers. Topics include absolute and relative motion, forces, acceleration, work and energy, momentum, torque, and angular momentum.

Prerequisites: PHY 214 Applied Statics and PHY 302 University Physics II
- PHY 301 University Physics I (4 credits) - A calculus-based general physics course intended primarily for scientists, pre-engineers, computer and math majors and advanced health professional students. Topics include vectors, kinematics and dynamics, equilibrium, rotational motion, energy, momentum, oscillations, fluids, and thermodynamics. Concurrent enrollment in PHY 321 Physics Laboratory I required. Prerequisite: High school physics and MAT 140 Calculus I or equivalent calculus class
- PHY 321 Physics Lab I (1 credit) - Experiments, appropriate to the level of lecture, include topics in mechanics, momentum, work and energy, and fluids. Corequisite: PHY 201 General Physics I and PHY 301 recommended but not required. Class fee: $30
- PHY 302 University Physics II (4 credits) - A second semester calculus-based general physics course intended primarily for scientists, pre-engineers, computer and math majors, and advanced health professional students. Topics include electricity, magnetism, optics, and modern physics.Prerequisite: PHY 301 University Physics I. Corequisite: PHY 322 Physics Lab II by advisement.
- PHY 322 Physics Lab II (1 credit) - Experiments, appropriate to the level of the lecture, include topics in electricity, magnetism, and basic optics. Class fee: $30
Credits: 5
Description: Integration techniques, parametric equations, polar equations, conic sections, infinite sequences and series.
Prerequisite: “C-” or better in MAT 140 Calculus I
Credits: 3
Description: First- and second-order methods for ordinary differential equations including: separable, linear, Laplace transforms, linear systems, series solutions, and applications. Qualitative, analytic, and numerical techniques will be considered.
Prerequisite: “C-” or better in MAT 240 Calculus II

Suggested minors

Students pursuing Pre-Engineering may add a minor to complement their program of study. Students who recently followed the Pre-Engineering track paired their major with one or more of the following minors:

View all majors and minors