Michael J. Quinn, PhD, Dean
Jean Jacoby, PhD, Associate Dean
Mara Rempe, PhD, Associate Dean

Objectives

Rooted in the Jesuit tradition of liberal education, the College of Science and Engineering at Seattle University seeks to provide dynamic, integrated, and challenging academic programs in science, engineering, and health. The college is dedicated to preparing students for responsible roles in their chosen professions and to advancing the educational qualifications of practicing professionals. The college seeks to foster among all students an understanding of scientific inquiry and a critical appreciation of technological change, and to inspire them to lifelong intellectual, professional, and human growth.

Pre-Science and Pre-Engineering

Many students come to Seattle University interested in science or engineering but unsure of the focus of their studies.

Pre-Science offers the opportunity to explore the different science programs while being a part of the College of Science and Engineering. Certain courses are common to all science programs, so there is time to learn about the degree programs available. Advisors help direct students toward a major that fits their interests and talents.

Jennifer Sorensen, PhD, Pre-Science Advisor
Phone (206) 296-5591
E-mail pre-sci@seattleu.edu

Pre-Engineering provides an opportunity to get started in an engineering program while learning about the different branches of engineering. Initially the curriculum consists of common classes for all engineering disciplines, giving students time to choose the best program for them. Advisors help direct students toward a major that fits their interests and talents.

Mary Kelly, Pre-Engineering Advisor
Phone (206) 296-2542
E-mail pre-eng@seattleu.edu

Accreditation

Individual programs within the college are accredited by the following professional bodies:

• Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET (civil engineering, electrical engineering, and mechanical engineering) http://www.abet.org.
• Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (diagnostic ultrasound)
• In addition the Chemistry Department is approved by the American Chemical Society to grant ACS certified B.S. degrees in chemistry and biochemistry. See departmental listing for requirements.

Admission Requirements

Freshmen applicants for admission to the College of Science and Engineering must have completed at least four years of high school mathematics, including the equivalent of pre-calculus, except for Pre-Science. At least two years of laboratory science for all majors except mathematics and computer science. Laboratory biology and chemistry are required for BS Biology, and laboratory chemistry and physics are required for all engineering programs.

Transfer applicants will be considered when their overall college grade point average is at least 2.50 on a 4.00 scale and when their cumulative grade point average in all engineering, mathematics, or science courses is also at least 2.50. A history of withdrawals, incompletes, and repeated courses lessens the chances for admission. To be accepted for transfer credit, required engineering, mathematics, or science courses must be graded C (2.00) or above. No technology courses will be accepted as transfer credit.

College of Science and Engineering Requirements

Students seeking the bachelor’s degree in the College of Science and Engineering must complete a minimum of 180 credits, including the university core curriculum requirements. A bachelor of science in civil engineering or in civil engineering with a specialization in environmental engineering requires 192 credits. For all of the engineering programs, for all degrees in computer science, diagnostic ultrasound, and for the bachelor of science in mathematics, the student’s cumulative grade point average for graduation must be at least 2.50. In addition, for these programs, the minimum Seattle University grade point average for all courses applied to major and major department requirements is 2.50.

The core requirements have been modified for several of the degree programs, as described in the individual departmental sections of this Catalog, but in no case may a student have fewer than 45 credits in the combination of history, humanities, and social sciences. Students also must complete the specific departmental requirements for their particular degree.

A maximum of 15 credits taken by an undergraduate non-matriculated student may be applied toward a baccalaureate degree in the College of Science and Engineering. For post-baccalaureate students taking courses in preparation for graduate health professional programs, any pre-professional courses taken in non-matriculated status may be applied toward a second bachelor’s degree in the College of Science and Engineering.

No course may be taken without the indicated prerequisites. Only the dean may waive this policy.

Premedical and Predental

Rebecca A. Bregel, Pre-Health Advisor

If you are interested in careers in medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, optometry, physical therapy, pharmacy, or biomedical research, please meet with Dr. Hudson early during your first year at Seattle University, and after that on a regular basis, so that we can work together toward your professional goals. It is important also to meet regularly with your academic advisor in your major department. You will probably want to get involved in the PreHealth Club, which sponsors speakers, outings, and projects of interest to students preparing for careers in the health professions. The PreHealth Handbook, available online through the Seattle University website, should be helpful at all stages of your planning and exploration of careers in the health professions.

Most of Seattle University’s premedical, predental, preveterinary, preoptometry, and other pre-health professions students major in biology, chemistry, biochemistry, physics, general science, or psychology, but you may choose any academic major at Seattle University as long as you complete at least the minimum science course work listed below. Within the framework of any one of these undergraduate degree programs, students obtain strong backgrounds in the liberal arts through the core curriculum.

Most medical, dental, and veterinary schools typically require the following undergraduate science sequences: CHEM 121 , CHEM 122 , CHEM 123 , CHEM 131 , CHEM 132 , CHEM 133 , CHEM 335 , CHEM 336 , CHEM 337 , CHEM 345 , CHEM 346 , CHEM 347 ; BIOL 161 /171 , BIOL 162 /172 , BIOL 163 /173 ; PHYS 105 , PHYS 106 , PHYS 107  or PHYS 121 , PHYS 122 , PHYS 123 . Schools of optometry generally require less organic chemistry. Professional schools also recommend or require calculus, cell physiology, and biochemistry. Check the Catalogs of the professional schools of interest to you and talk with Dr. Hudson to learn about specific requirements. Most professional schools require, as a part of the application process, nationally standardized exams that draw on your college science background and analytical skills. These exams are taken a year to a year and a half in advance of the time you expect to enroll in the professional school, so planning the timing of required science courses is important.

Competition for entrance into medical, dental, veterinary, optometry, and other health professions schools is strong. The schools look for evidence of intellectual ability, understanding of the profession based on your own direct experience, a sense of service, and personal qualities appropriate to the profession. Since required academic course work is challenging and professional demands are high, it is important that you regularly assess whether your original goal is still right for you.

The application process for entering graduate programs or professional school should start at least a year in advance of the time you hope to enroll. Dr. Hudson and your academic advisor will be happy to assist you. The required standardized tests such as the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT), Optometry Admission Test (OAT), Graduate Record Exam (GRE) and the Dental Admission Test (DAT) are administered individually on computer by appointment with a testing service. The health professions schools to which you are applying will ask you to provide to them transcripts and individual letters of recommendation from people who are able to speak directly about your strengths.

The Premedical/Predental Advisory Committee is available to conduct an interview with each applicant and subsequently will write a supportive letter of evaluation for each qualified applicant. Interviews with the Committee are scheduled with Dr. Hudson and are held in May.