Therefore, in cases of inadequate secondary preparation, poor health, or financial necessity requiring considerable time for outside work, the undergraduate program is extended beyond four years. The degree programs in engineering at ASU are intended to develop habits of quantitative thought having equal utility for both the practice of engineering and other professional fields. In response to the opportunities provided by changing technology, educational research, and industrial input, possible improvements of various aspects of these programs are routinely considered. It is the intent of the faculty that all students be appropriately prepared in the four areas described below. Oral and written English.
Communication skills are an essential component of an engineering education.
Selected nonengineering topics. This area ensures that the engineering student acquires a satisfactory level of basic knowledge in the humanities and fine arts, social and behavioral sciences, numeracy, and the natural sciences. Courses in these subjects give engineers an increased awareness of their social responsibilities, provide an understanding of related factors in the decision-making process, and also provide a foundation for the study of engineering. Required courses go toward fulfilling the General Studies requirement. Additional courses in mathematics and the basic sciences are selected to meet ABET requirements.