The Bachelor of Science in Multidisciplinary Engineering provides students learning opportunities in multiple engineering disciplines and complemented by other disciplines across campus. The program supports a customizable curriculum that includes a capstone experience focused on multi- and inter-disciplinary teamwork. Specific combinations of coursework are formulated in several named emphases that provide unique opportunities and inspires students to build their own unique engineering pathways.
With a strong engineering design core, students are well prepared to engage in engineering design, innovation, communication, and inter- and multi-disciplinary leadership.
To receive a bachelor's degree at Northern Arizona University, you must complete at least 120 units of credit that minimally includes a major, the liberal studies requirements, and university requirements as listed below.
The full policy can be viewed here.
In addition to University Requirements:
Students may be able to use some courses to meet more than one requirement. Contact your advisor for details.
| Minimum Units for Completion | 120 |
| Highest Mathematics Required | MAT 137 |
| University Honors Program | Optional |
| Some online/blended coursework | Required |
| Progression Plan Link | View Progression Plan |
| Emphasis or Coursework Required | An emphasis or coursework is required for this degree. |
Purpose Statement
The Bachelor of Science in Multidisciplinary Engineering provides students learning opportunities in multiple engineering disciplines and complemented by other disciplines across campus. The program supports a customizable curriculum that includes a capstone experience focused on multi- and inter-disciplinary teamwork. Specific combinations of coursework are formulated in several named emphases that provide unique opportunities and inspires students to build their own unique engineering pathways.
The core of the program is a design sequence with loose commonality across most of NAU’s engineering programs. All students, regardless of emphasis, engage in contextualized engineering design and project management courses. This core is supported by foundational math, computer science, and physics coursework. The design sequence also becomes the scaffolding for integrating and synthesizing coursework across several disciplines and content areas.
Students who do not select an emphasis area may work with either an advisor or a faculty mentor to select course work in the plan that supports their own personal engineering aspirations and interests. Students who get an MDE degree have many general engineering career opportunities. This includes areas such as engineering sales, engineering management, engineering communication, or an engineering technician.
Students who select the Audio Engineering emphasis take specialized coursework in electrical engineering, computer science, and media production that prepares them to work as an audio engineer or a broadcast engineer. These students learn the foundation broadcast communication theory and engage in actual media production practice that builds on an engineering foundation. This curriculum is intended to support certification preparation for the society of broadcast engineers.
Students who select the Energy Engineering emphasis take specialized coursework in EE, ME, and ECO, which allows them to engage in engineering design problems related to energy capture and storage as well as energy policy and critical thinking. This emphasis is intended to support students who are interested in working in the energy sector and especially at the intersection of mechanical and electrical engineering practice in this area.
Students who select the Sustainable Engineering emphasis take specialized coursework in environmental engineering, civil engineering, mechanical engineering, and environmental sciences, which allows them to engage in engineering practice that focuses on sustainability. This emphasis is intended to support students who are interested in working at the intersection of engineering and environmental science and practice with a focus on sustainable systems.
Students who select the User Experience emphasis take specialized coursework in psychology and user experience design and testing, by combining core engineering coursework, computer science, and psychology. User interfaces and human computer interaction is explored in CS coursework while the foundational principles of human perception and engagement is explored in Psychology coursework. This emphasis is intended to support students interested in becoming UX engineers or product design engineers who focus on usability.
Students who select the Engineering Design emphasis take specialized coursework in engineering design and art. This allows students to learn how to design for practical specification and utility while also learning the aesthetic foundations of design and creativity. This emphasis is intended to support students interested in becoming product or industrial design engineers.
With several distinctive emphasis areas, this program can also prepare students for roles as audio engineers, energy engineers, sustainability engineers, user experience engineers, and industrial design engineers.
Student Learning Outcomes
Student learning outcomes are aligned with the Engineering Accreditation Commission (EAC). We anticipate that all emphases will be accredited under the EAC under the “General Engineering” program criteria. Student Learning Outcomes (SLO) for this degree program are:
This major requires 92-99 units distributed as follows:
Take the following 92 - 99 units:
Core Requirements (38 - 39 units):
Optional Emphasis Requirements 54 - 58 units:
Select One:
Audio Engineering Emphasis (54 units):
Additional coursework is required if, after you have met the previously described requirements, you have not yet completed a total of 120 units of credit.
You may take these remaining courses from any of the academic areas, using these courses to pursue your specific interests and goals. You may also use prerequisites or transfer credits as electives if they weren't used to meet major, minor, or liberal studies requirements.
We encourage you to consult with your advisor to select the courses that will be most advantageous to you.
Be aware that some courses may have prerequisites that you must also successfully complete. For prerequisite information, click on the course or see your advisor.