Discover Your Future

You’re a problem-solver. If a solution isn’t immediately apparent, you’ll investigate — pulling from math, science and technology to devise a solution. No challenge stands in your way, and as you think about your career, engineering appears as a path to make a long-term impact.

Yet, you’re not entirely sure which discipline you want to pursue. Clarkson University’s Engineering Studies program lets you explore during your first year before you select a major during your second year. This format takes advantage of Clarkson’s comprehensive resources, hands-on learning and research opportunities and allows you to complete your bachelor’s degree in four years.

What to Expect in Clarkson’s Engineering Studies Program

You see yourself transforming the future through innovative ideas. You also never step down from a problem and aim to grow your skills to not only push the boundaries of possibility but also preserve our world and its resources.

The Engineering Studies program helps you uncover your direction. Understand how this works:

  • You’ll enroll in the Coulter School of Engineering as an Engineering Studies student.
  • You’ll begin the engineering common curriculum, which exposes you to the disciplines and concepts of the school’s eight undergraduate majors.
  • As you start the program, you’ll be assigned an academic advisor to select courses and discuss your goals.
  • During your second year, you’ll select a major — be it from the Coulter School of Engineering or from any other Clarkson program — and continue along this academic track.
  • You’ll have a chance to participate in research, internships, hands-on learning, SPEED teams and other experience-building opportunities.
  • You’ll benefit from the support of Clarkson’s close-knit community, including more personalized teaching in smaller class sizes and mentorship from faculty and professors.
  • After matriculating into an engineering or other major, you’ll be on course to finishing your bachelor’s in four years.

What You’ll Learn

In starting the engineering core curriculum, you’ll get exposed to subjects in:

  • Calculus
  • Chemistry
  • Computing
  • Engineering’s role and impact on society
  • Physics

Finding The Right Discipline Through Engineering Studies

Learn from Haley May '24 why she found entering Clarkson University as an Engineering Studies major helpful in finding her path.

Hear From Haley

For all undergraduate Engineering Students, the first two years follow a similar structure. You’ll take the following courses:

  • Calculus I
  • Calculus II
  • General Chemistry I
  • Introduction to Engineering Use of the Computer
  • Physics I
  • Engineering & Society and/or Physics II

These may be joined by courses in computer science and/or biology.

This flexible structure presents the chance to explore courses from the Coulter School of Engineering’s eight undergraduate majors to determine what you want to study and take part in research.

Students who choose the Engineering Studies program work directly with our Director of Engineering Studies and support faculty members, who assist them in finding the right personalized pathway through engineering. Through a partnership with the Office of Undergraduate Advising, students in the Coulter School of Engineering also have additional resources for advisement.

Through this relationship, you’ll select courses related to your interests, discuss your goals and learn more about hands-on learning opportunities. You’ll have until your third semester to select a major, be it through Coulter or another Clarkson school.

Explore all of the Coulter School of Engineering’s undergraduate programs:

Majors

Minors

Professional Concentrations

Explore and Connect

Take advantage of opportunities to learn more about the Coulter School of Engineering’s majors and about potential careers:

  • Attend our Fall and Spring Career Fairs, where employers talk to our current engineering students about their fields and the preparation they look for.
  • Speak with upper-class engineering majors to learn more about their programs.
  • As you complete the engineering core, evaluate and take note of your own preferences and abilities, and discuss these directions with your advisor.

The Coulter School of Engineering’s faculty invest in your success while seeking to influence the future of their respective disciplines. In turn, our team conducts world-class research and opens up opportunities to inquisitive undergraduate students interested in exploring engineering’s vast applications.

In total, about 250 undergraduate students get involved with sponsored research. Learn more about research at Clarkson.

We’re a school of doers and thinkers, and this attitude comes to life through our competitive Student Projects for Engineering Experience and Design (SPEED) teams. Test your creativity and problem-solving skills while growing as a collaborator. The scope of projects available further lets you explore various engineering disciplines. Learn more about participating in a SPEED team.

Accelerating in STEM: Clarkson Women at Full SPEED

Clarkson University takes pride in providing great opportunities for women in STEM to be leaders in our SPEED teams. Watch as leaders in Baja SAE, Formula SAE, Chem-E Car, Steel Bridge, & beyond share their experiences in changing the narrative in STEM education.

Career Possibilities

The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts steady growth across engineering and architecture occupations through 2031. Based upon the major a student selects, Engineering Studies can form the bridge toward a career in: 

  • Air and water pollution control
  • Biochemical manufacturing
  • Computer engineering
  • Construction management
  • Consulting
  • Electrical engineering
  • Energy conservation
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Manufacturing and production
  • Manufacturing engineering
  • Materials engineering
  • Mechanical engineering
  • Project management
  • Quality systems management
  • Research and development
  • Software engineering
  • Structural design
  • Supply chain management
  • Transportation
  • Waste management

Recent Employers

Our engineering students have embarked on positions with organizations like:

  • Barton & Loguidice, D.P.C.
  • Corning Incorporated
  • C&S Companies
  • D.A. Collins Companies
  • DDS Companies
  • EDF Renewables
  • Ensign-Bickford Aerospace & Defense
  • General Dynamics Mission Systems
  • General Electric (GE)
  • GlobalFoundries
  • Horizon Solutions
  • Huntington Ingalls Industries
  • Ingersoll Rand
  • Lockheed Martin
  • Kiewit Corporation
  • National Grid
  • N.E. Controls, LLC
  • NextGen Power Systems
  • Pfizer, Inc.
  • Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

What Professional Experiences Look Like

"When I was trying to choose a college, it really stood out to me how Clarkson students have so many professional experiences when they leave college." Jack DiMeo '23, BS in Aerospace & Mechanical Engineering 

Read Blog

Contact Us

Office of Undergraduate Admissions
Email: admissions@clarkson.edu
Phone: 315-268-6480

Interested in learning more about the Engineering Studies program? Contact the Office of Undergraduate Admissions today with your questions.

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2023 Undergrad University Placement Rate

Achieve Your Purpose Here

Uncover a platform for innovation and exploration designed to launch your career. See yourself majoring in engineering at Clarkson University? Take the next step now.