Global Engineering Minor
Global Engineering Minor
The undergraduate Minor in Global Engineering will expand your understanding of how to operate within an international context from an engineering perspective. You will learn theÌýimpact of engineering solutions in a global, babyÖ±²¥app, environmental, and societalÌýcontext.Ìý
The Global Engineering Minor is designed to create a globally-focused pathway through existing major requirements and does not add on significant credit requirements.Ìý
Credit Requirements:
ÌýÌý Foundation (3 credits). Choose one of the following:
- Offered every spring
- Can be taken as upper- or lower-division
- Double counts as Humanities, Social Sciences credit
- Next offered in Spring 2026
- Link to course description
- Required to access upper-division Mortenson Center courses
- Double counts as Humanities, Social SciencesÌýcredit
Ìý
- Fall, 16 weeks, 3 credits
- Must be taught by Mortenson Center Faculty
- Link to course description
ÌýÌýForeign Language
Students must demonstrate intermediate foreign language ability through any of the following avenues
- Completing the intermediate level (2000) of their chosen foreign language, e.g. SPAN 2120 for Spanish.
- Testing into the 3000-level of a foreign language through CU's foreign language placement test.
- Completing "intermediate II" level of a foreign language through the ALTEC language lab. Must earn certificate of completion, which requires 80% attendance.
- Undergoing a language proficiency evaluation through ALTEC.
Please note:
- Students who do not receive academic credit for a foreign language must take an additional three-credit course to ensure a minimum of 18 credits are earned for the Minor. Course options include taking both foundation courses or selecting an additional course from the regional, global, or technical perspective category.
- International students from non-English-speaking countries are exempt from this requirement.
- Foreign language courses also count toward Humanities, Social ScienceÌýrequirements
ÌýÌý Regional, Global, and Technical Perspective Courses (12 credits; 9 must be upper-division):
You get to tailor your Minor with 12 credits of your choice. The courses you choose should expand yourÌýunderstanding of:
- A particular country, region, or language (e.g. Contemporary Chinese Pop Culture, FREN 3000, 20th Century International Relations in Latin America, etc.)
- Global topics (e.g. International Economics, Politics of Ethnicity and Nationalism, Women and Development, etc.)
- Global Engineering (e.g. Community Appraisal, WASH Series, other Mortenson Center courses, etc.)
- Herbst Seminar Courses
Please note:
- International students may choose U.S. context courses to fulfill these requirements.
- Many global and regional context courses also count toward Humanities, Social SciencesÌýrequirements, so you can count the courses toward both the Minor and your HSS requirements.
- Global engineering courses may also double count as technical, professional, or focus-area electives.
ÌýÌý Global Experience -OR- a Mortenson Center in Global Engineering & Resilience approved project (no specific credit allocation):
Global Engineering Minor students should seek global experience as part of their undergraduate studies. This can include CU-approved study abroad programs, overseas internships/practica, travel with Engineers Without Borders-USA or Engineers in Action/EIA Bridge Buffs. Other international experience can be requested by petition.
Students may substitute this requirement on a case-by-case basis by completing a project with the Mortenson Center in Global Engineering & Resilience. For more information on this option, please contact laura.a.macdonald@colorado.edu.
ÌýÌý Admissions Requirements
To enroll in the Global Engineering Minor, you need:Ìý
- To be rostered inÌýthe College of Engineering and Applied Science
- To have a minimum 2.50 cumulative GPA
ÌýÌý Additional Requirements
- Grandfathering policy: Students who entered the College of Engineering and Applied Science prior to fall 2016 and made progress towards meeting the requirements of the Undergraduate Certificate in Global Engineering or the International Engineering Certificate will be able to complete that credential if they desire. Alternatively, those students may switch to the minor in Global Engineering and meet all applicable requirements stated for the new program.
- AP/IB Credit: Students may count up to 6 credits of Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) towards the requirements.
- Transfer Credit: Students may count up to 9 credits of transfer coursework to fulfill the requirements for the minor.
- Pass/Fail: Students may not enroll in courses required for the minor using the pass/fail grading option.
- Overlapping Credits Between Two Minors: Students may count up to 6 credits from another minor to meet the requirements of the Global Engineering Minor. PLEASE NOTE: A certificate in International Engineering cannot be awarded if the student is completing a major or minor in the same language.
- GPA Requirements: In order to earn the minor, students must have a minimum 2.000Ìýaverage in all courses for the minor; in addition, each course must be passed with a D- or better. However, according to College rules, courses required as pre-requisites for higher level courses must be completed with a C- or better.
- Modifications for International Students: For international students enrolled in the College of Engineering and Applied Science, the global experience requirement is already met. If the student is from a non-English-speaking country, the student is exempt from the foreign language requirement but must instead take a U.S. context course from an approved list.
Contact Dr. Laura MacDonald with any questions: laura.a.macdonald@colorado.edu.Ìý