Upper Division Classes

Engineering and computer science majors need departmental approval before enrolling in 300- and 400-level courses. Each department runs its own process, deadline, and form. Start with your major below.

Find your department

• Civil & Environmental Engineering — Approval runs once a year in spring for a fall term start, for both the Civil and Environmental Engineering BS. Deadline: April 15. Contact: ceedept@pdx.edu
• Computer Science — An opt-in you submit once you reach junior standing and finish the required lower division courses. Differential tuition applies once approved. Deadline: week 8 of the term before you enroll. Contact: csoffice@pdx.edu
• Electrical & Computer Engineering — Approval runs once a year for fall term, for both the Electrical and Computer Engineering BS. Form opens January 2, deadline April 15. Contact: eceinfo@pdx.edu
• Mechanical Engineering — Request approval when you are within six courses of finishing the required lower division coursework. Deadline: April 15. Contact: mmedept@pdx.edu

Approval is separate from admission to PSU and from declaring your major. You can declare an engineering or computer science major at any time, but you cannot register for upper division courses in that major until your department approves you.

What the process looks like

1. Finish, or plan to finish, the lower division courses your department requires, at the minimum grade it sets.
2. Run a DARS report for your major's admission audit to confirm what is complete and what is outstanding. How to run a DARS report
3. Gather your materials. Transfer students need unofficial transcripts from every college attended.
4. Submit your department's request or opt-in form by its deadline.
5. Watch your PSU email for the decision, then register for upper division courses.

Requirements, GPA thresholds, and forms differ by department. Your department page is the authority.

Questions about your own plan

Contact your academic advisor if you are unsure whether you are ready to apply, if your DARS report does not reflect a course you completed, or if you are missing more courses than your department allows.