Technical Electives & Options

Technical Electives

Technical Electives allow students to explore engineering, mathematical, and natural science topics to increase the breadth of knowledge or to focus on a specific field for a more in-depth understanding. Students may follow one of many paths in completing this requirement.

  • Tracks
  • Minors
  • Experiential credits and other courses

For specific questions, email a request to the undergraduate academic advisor.

TRACKS

The optics core is supplemented with courses from the department of biomedical engineering dealing with the development of technologies in areas such as biomaterials, biosensors, and imaging systems. Students take:

  • PSIO 201: Human Anatomy and Physiology I,
  • BME 330: Biomedical Instrumentation,
  • OPTI 420: Biomedical Photonics,
  • Seven units of technical electives from the approved list
    • ACBS 467, AME 250, AME 466, AME 488, AME 489A, BAT 201, BAT 434, BE 201, BE 434, BE 447, BE 467, BE 481A, BE 481B, BE 486, BE 488, BE 489A, BME 3TR, BME 214, BME 295C, BME 302, BME 310, BME 330, BME 331, BME 376, BME 416, BME 417, BME 420, BME 447, BME 461, BME 466, BME 477, BME 480, BME 481A, BME 481B, BME 483, BME 484, BME 485, BME 486, BME 492, BME 493B, BME 497G, BME 499, CHEE 481A, CHEE 481B, ECE 403A, ECE 404, ECE 417, ENGR 481A, ENGR 488, ENTR 481A, LAW 481A, MED 481A, MSE 404, MSE 461, MSE 464, MSE 488, MSE 489, OPTI 205, OPTI 403A, OPTI 404, OPTI 414, OPTI 424A, OPTI 435, OPTI 468, OPTI 469L, OPTI 481A, OPTI 484, PATH 415, PATH 416, PATH 481A, PHYS 431, PHYS 440, SOC 481A

Biomedical Engineering does not offer a minor.

The optics core is supplemented with courses from the department of electrical and computer engineering dealing with the design and analysis of electronic circuits and electromagnetic theory. Students will take ECE 220 when given the option between ECE 207 and 220, then:

  • ECE 175: Computer Programming for Engineering Applications,
  • ECE 274A: Digital Logic,
  • ECE 381A: Introductory Electromagnetics,
  • Five units of upper division ECE technical electives as approved by their academic adviser.

To earn the minor in Electrical Engineering, students must take ECE 320A (Circuit Theory) as a part of the five units of ECE technical electives.

The optics core is supplemented with courses from the department of material science and engineering dealing with the structure, processing and properties of metals, semiconductors, ceramics, polymers, and composite materials. Students take:

  • MSE 345: Thermodynamics,
  • MSE 365: Structure and Properties of Materials I,
  • MSE 434: Electrical and Optical Properties of Materials,
  • MSE 480: Experimental Methods for Microstructural Analysis,
  • Four units of MSE technical electives at the 200 level or above as approved by their academic adviser.

The minor requirements for MSE are met by completing this track.

The optics core is supplemented with courses from the department of aerospace and mechanical engineering dealing with the design, analysis, and control of mechanical systems. Students take:

  • CE 214: Statics,
  • AME 250: Dynamics,
  • AME 324A: Mechanical Behavior of Engineering Materials,
  • AME 324B: Engineering Component Design,
  • Six units of upper division AME technical electives as approved by their academic adviser.

Students must also complete AME 230 (Thermodynamics) and AME 331 (Intro to Fluid Mechanics) to complete the ME minor.

The optics core is supplemented with courses chosen from science or engineering departments. Students take:

  • 18 units of Technical Electives;
    • at least 6 units from the College of Engineering (this includes OPTI courses),
    • up to 6 units at the 200 level (ECE 175, CSC 110, SFWE 101, and OPTI 100H are allowed in this count),
    • all courses must be STEM related.

FULL LIST - coming soon!

OTHER POTENTIAL MINORS

The minor in Astronomy requires the following courses:

  • PHYS 141 or 161H - met in major
  • PHYS 241 or 261H - met in major
  • PHYS 142 or 162H - they use OPTI 201R as a substitute
  • ASTR 250:
  • Three courses from a specific list

This meets the 12 units outside of the College of Engineering. To complete the Technical Electives, a student will need 6 more units from Engineering with no more than 3 units being at the 200 level.

The minor in Computer Science requires the following courses:

  • CSC 110 - it is suggested to take ECE 175 in place of this to meet the College of Engineering requirement of the technical electives
  • CSC 120
  • Six units of upper division CSC courses
  • Four units from a specific list

This meets the 12 units outside of the College of Engineering and 3 of the units from COE if ECE 175 is taken. To complete the Technical Electives, a student will need 3 more upper divsion units from Engineering.

The minor in Physics requires the following courses:

  • PHYS 141 or 161H - met in major
  • PHYS 241 or 261H - met in major
  • PHYS 142 or 162H - this course is necessary in this minor and does not meet technical elective requirement
  • PHYS 263H
  • Six units from a specific list

This meets 9 of the 12 units outside of the College of Engineering. To complete the Technical Electives, a student will need 6 more units from Engineering with no more than 3 units being at the 200 level plus 3 more units of STEM (consider a Mathematics minor!).

The minor in Mathematics requires the following courses:

  • MATH 125 or 122, 129, 223, 254 - met in major
  • MATH 310 or 313
  • Three more units of upper division MATH - met in major with MATH 322

This minor only uses 3 of the 12 units outside of the College of Engineering. To complete technical electives, a student would need 6 more units from the College of Engineering plus 9 more units in STEM with no more than 6 units at the 200 level.

The minor in Statistics and Data Science requires the following courses:

  • MATH 125 or 122, 129, 223 - met in major
  • MATH 310 or 313
  • MATH or DATA 363
  • Three more units of upper division from a specific list

This minor only uses 9 of the 12 units outside of the College of Engineering. To complete technical electives, a student would need 6 more units from the College of Engineering plus 3 more units in STEM with no more than 6 units at the 200 level.

Engineering and Honors students tend to have many interests that lead to a life of learning. While in college, they want to pursue many disciplines and a minor can assist in doing so. In the past, students have supplemented their degree with the following minors. Discuss how any minor may meet some technical electives with the undergraduate advisor.

Discuss how any minor or certificate, not just those listed, may meet some technical electives with the undergraduate advisor.

EXPERIENTIAL CREDITS AND OTHER COURSES

Up to 6 units of Directed Research or Independent Study may be used towards technical electives. The units must be administered by a STEM unit at the University of Arizona. Internship credits are not allowable for this requirement.

  • Directed Research - it is suggested to complete up to 3 units of 392 in a STEM field and up to 3 units of 492 in a STEM field. Speak with the advisor of the unit the faculty member is in to enroll.
  • Independent Study - Honors students may take 299H, 399H, or 499H in a STEM field to earn credits towards the Honors requirements as well as meeting the technical electives. Other students may take 299, 399, or 499 in a STEM field.

Courses that are not typically noted as STEM can be used as technical electives as the courses may relate directly to the student's desired career. Technical Writing courses are allowed as this is a relevant skill for engineering employers. The UArizona Art Department offers courses in 2D and 3D animation that can prepare students for work in VR/AR.

Other courses of interest to a student may be proposed to the academic advisor. The advisor will seek approval from faculty on behalf of the student to determine if the course may be used as a technical elective.