Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering

CEE Upper Division Preparation Program

About the CEE Upper Division Prep Course

CE 299-001
CRN 80160
2 credits

Offered as a hybrid Summer 2022, from June 26th through August 20th. You will have the opportunity to meet with your instructor online or in-person.

This intensive review of 100-200 level math, science, and engineering coursework is set up as a "bridge" to help students successfully transition from the Lower Division to the Upper Division in Civil and Environmental Engineering. This two-credit course is graded pass/no pass, subject to normal tuition rates, and will not count toward BSCE or BSENVE degree requirements. Instead, the Upper Division Preparation Program will support student success in the Upper Division, with the potential to help keep students on track to complete challenging classes strongly, the first time. It also provides a great foundation preparation review for the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) Exam. While the course is required for some applicants to the CEE Upper Division, it is strongly recommended for all students starting their junior year coursework.

Course Content

Subjects covered in the course include differential/integral/vector calculus, linear algebra, chemistry, physics, and engineering physics (statics, strengths of materials, and dynamics).  The final exam will be a comprehensive multiple-choice test modeled after the Fundamentals of Engineering exam.

Prerequisites

Completion of all required Lower Division math, science, and engineering courses. The CEE Upper Division Preparation Program is NOT a replacement for any of the required courses.

Course Materials

The text for this course will be the FE Exam Supplied Reference Handbook, which may be downloaded for free by registering on MyNCEES.

Students will be allowed to use the handbook during quizzes and the final exam, so a physical copy will also need to be purchased. They can be ordered from the NCEES website for $29.95 plus shipping.

Diagnostic Exam

This is a self-administered diagnostic exam for students to test their base-line knowledge prior to starting the Upper Division Preparation Program and junior year courses. We encourage all incoming juniors to take this exam to test their understanding of key concepts that will be the foundation of their Upper Division coursework. Students enrolled in the Upper Division Preparation Program program are encouraged to study the areas in which they are weak prior to starting the Program to maximize the benefit of that course. Instructions for the exam are included in the link below.

Diagnostic Exam

Diagnostic Exam Solutions (Contact Evan Kristof at ekristof@pdx.edu for exam solutions)  

Students are encouraged to take the exam once without using the solutions, but are welcome to return to the exam using the solutions to check work.

Funding Information

Summer term financial aid is calculated and distributed differently than other terms. Please read through the PSU Summer Financial Aid site to learn more about dispersals for summer courses. Questions about financial aid should be directed to the PSU Financial Aid office.

Registration

All current PSU students can register directly for the course using the online registration system.  Students transferring to PSU in fall term are encouraged to contact the Department (ceedept@pdx.edu) to request being added to this course.  By registering through the Department, students will avoid unnecessary administrative fees or complications.  Students wishing to drop the course should do so no later than the first day of the class, or risk incurring tuition fees for the course.  

FAQs

Q1. I'm required to take this course as a condition to admission to the Upper Division Program.  What should I do about registering for fall term?

A1. If you have not been formally accepted to the Upper Division Program, you should plan for Fall term as if you will not be admitted at that time. Please register for Fall classes with the following priority:

Once students pass the Upper Division Preparation Program and are admitted into the Upper Division Program, they can drop those classes and register for Fall term 300-level engineering classes (space is reserved for admitted students in all the required engineering classes, though lab sections are first-come, first-serve).

Additional course planning questions can be answered in an advising session with the CEE Department advisor, Evan Kristof; schedule an advising appointment here.

Q2. Will I be competing with my classmates in the Upper Division Preparation Program for entry into the Fall term Upper Division program?

A2. No, you will not be competing with your classmates. The intention of the course is to raise the knowledge base of all the students, and our hope is for success for all.