How can we help you make a decision
about college?
Campus visit—you’ve got to see it to believe it!
Come see what student life is like at Iowa State. Tour the engineering buildings
and hear about opportunities in different departments. To schedule a visit to
Iowa State, contact the Office of Admissions at 800 262-3810 or
www.admissions.iastate.edu/visit.
Apply for admission! Need more details or ready to apply?
Go to www.admissions.iastate.edu.
How can I learn more about engineering?
Visit our Web site at www.engineering.iastate.edu.
Financial support for new and continuing students is available at
www.financialaid.iastate.edu
For more information about engineering, contact our staff:
Phone: 515 294-8355 or 800 262-3810 ext. 8355
E-mail: [email protected]
Web: www.engineering.iastate.edu
Address: College of Engineering
113 Marston Hall
Ames, Iowa 50011-2152
Iowa State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, religion, national origin, sexual
orientation, gender identity, sex, marital status, disability, or status as a U.S. veteran. Inquiries can be directed
to the Office of Equal Opportunity and Diversity, 3280 Beardshear Hall, 515 294-7612. ECM 09500
Undeclared Engineering
Still Deciding? No Problem!
You know you want to be an engineer, but you’re the type of person who needs more information
and hands-on experiences to make a decision. The College of Engineering has great services and
people to help you decide on a specific field of engineering.
What resources are available to help “engineering undeclared” students select a major?
+ Engineering 101 + Engineering Advising Center
+ Learning Communities
About 28% of our students enter as “engineering undeclared.” You will not delay your academic
progress by waiting to decide on a field of engineering. In fact, all freshman engineering
majors take a common core of general education (English, math, chemistry, and physics) and
introductory engineering courses.
Engineering academic programs at Iowa State
Aerospace Engineering— The aerospace engineering program prepares students for many types of
engineering careers. More than half of our graduates work with equipment other than planes and rockets.
If it moves through the air, aerospace engineers study and design it—from golf balls to jet skis, from
weather balloons to wind generators, from bicycles to automobiles, and yes, you’ll study airplanes and
rockets, too. We even study the air—wind and weather-driven phenomena like tornados, hurricanes, and
(of course) cyclones.
Agricultural Engineering— Solve the world’s problems by developing systems and products that ease the
burden of world hunger, protect our food, and preserve environmental resources. Agricultural engineers
measure their success by the impact they’ve made—be a part of a task force that develops plans for
biosecurity; work with farmers to improve irrigation systems; develop methods to preserve rare, tropical
plants that promote healing; build greenhouses that capture gasses as reusable energy sources.
Biological Systems Engineering—Biological systems engineers have high-impact careers. Maintaining
air quality, a secure food supply, and clean water is important to everyone. In today’s global
marketplace, grains, produce, and livestock are transported from country to country, and food security
is increasingly of concern. Biological systems engineers help safeguard our air, water, and food supply
by developing sensors to detect problem compounds and by developing management plans to track
materials and to minimize the chances of contamination.
Chemical Engineering—What do hair spray, sunscreen, chocolate, petroleum, and human nerve
growth stimulants have in common? Their development and production rely on the ideas of chemical
engineers. Chemical engineers create, design, and operate processes that produce useful materials
including food products, cosmetics, structural materials, and fuels. These engineers also design and
develop product packaging and marketing solutions. Graduates often work for food processing,
agricultural, cosmetic, pharmaceutical, petrochemical, or biomedical companies.
Civil Engineering—Civil engineers leave a legacy of their achievements. They serve the public by doing
jobs we often take for granted—making water safer, shielding people from the elements, protecting the
environment, allowing people to travel safely. Civil engineers design systems and structures like highways,
bridges, and waste systems. They also design facilities that are occupied by or serve the public—museums,
skyscrapers, malls, amusement parks. Environmental engineers work with natural elements and environments
that we rely upon for specific purposes (like landfills, mines, dams, water, air). Graduates in these fields work
for local, state, or federal government or as private consultants and engineering specialists in private firms.
Computer Engineering—Where else would you study computer engineering but at the birthplace of the
world’s first computer and the first six-sided virtual reality lab? Computer engineering is not just about
using a computer—it’s about developing software to solve complex problems. Imagine developing
software that determines the gene that causes cancer or that sets up firewalls to prevent viruses.
Computers are even being integrated into military uniforms as sensory and tracking devices. This is
one of the fastest-growing fields in the world because of its applications for network security, medicine,
business, government, and education.
Construction Engineering—These engineers take satisfaction in saying, “I built that!” Construction
engineers build relationships with clients and lead teams to construct schools, hospitals, and
manufacturing facilities. Because they have a broad range of skills—planning, project management,
scheduling, purchasing, and financing—construction engineers are in demand. Graduates in this field
may work as construction managers, project engineers, estimators, or consultants for engineering or
architectural firms.
Electrical Engineering—Behind the scenes, it’s the electrical engineers who provide the skeleton
of those systems that power our world and impact the way our society communicates. Electrical
engineers design circuits, computer chips, cell phones, Palm Pilots, and televisions. New advances in
the field feature developments in network security systems and remote sensing control systems used in
security devices and transportation vehicles. Electrical engineers also develop screening systems that
ensure individual safety and protect our food sources. Graduates work with engineers, architects, and
specialists in many other fields.
Industrial Engineering—Safer, faster, better, easier, less labor intensive, less costly—these are the
design aims of industrial and manufacturing systems engineers. They design manufacturing and
communications systems that improve performance, increase and maintain quality, assist in planning,
and are more effective. They use computer simulation, linear programming, artificial intelligence, and
probability and statistics to make manufacturers competitive in global markets. Graduates work in
management, communications, health care, and food production fields.
Materials Engineering—Materials engineers develop new materials, improve traditional materials,
and produce materials reliably and economically. Materials engineers invent prostheses, less-invasive
medical devices, space shuttle tiles, and construction materials. Some materials engineers are artists,
developing materials for jewelry, textiles, and glassware. Graduates might work in fields such as
biomedical technologies, aerospace engineering, transportation, or manufacturing.
Mechanical Engineering—Mechanical engineers develop and design machines as large as a house or
so small they fit in your hand. The field is changing rapidly as consumers demand equipment that
is more compact, more efficient, less costly, more durable, and easier to use. Think about how much
cars, playground equipment, or phones have changed—this is the work of mechanical engineers.
Mechanical engineers also design roller blades and ice cream makers among millions of other things.
Graduates in this field find jobs in many areas such as construction, consumer product design, health
care, and food production.
Software Engineering—Software engineers use their expertise in computer science, engineering, and
math to design, develop, and evaluate software for companies that configure and install computer
systems. Specific tasks software engineers perform evolve quickly, reflecting changes in technology as well
as the needs of employers. They work as members of teams that may include engineering, marketing,
manufacturing, and design professionals who work together to create new products. This program is
jointly administered by the College of Engineering and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.