Engineering

Program Overview

Associate of Science in Engineering

The Associate of Science degree in Engineering provides students with an introductory knowledge of physics and math, as well as the skills necessary to pursue upper-division coursework at a four-year university and entry-level internships. The degree program is composed of common courses consistent with the transfer requirements to both UC and CSU systems, and elective and specialty courses that allow students to tailor the degree to match the specific requirements of their transfer institution.

Salary, Growth, and Careers

Salary

Careers associated with this program have a salary range from $50,000 to $225,000, with an average salary of $143,000.

Growth

Career opportunities for this program are expected to grow nationwide from 2022 to 2032, with a job growth rate of +5.7%.

Careers

• Postsecondary Teachers, All Other
  • Education Level: Doctoral or professional degree
  • Job Growth: +5.9%
  • Average Salary: $105,000
  • Salary Range: $50,000 - $165,000
• Architectural and Engineering Managers
  • Education Level: Bachelor's degree
  • Job Growth: +4.1%
  • Average Salary: $201,000
  • Salary Range: $160,000 - $225,000
• Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary
  • Education Level: Doctoral or professional degree
  • Job Growth: +9.3%
  • Average Salary: $133,000
  • Salary Range: $103,000 - $167,000
• Engineers, All Other
  • Education Level: Bachelor's degree
  • Job Growth: +3.3%
  • Average Salary: $136,000
  • Salary Range: $98,000 - $165,000

Program Map

The program map represents one possible pathway through the program and is for reference only. Students should make an appointment to create a customized education plan that fits their needs.

Engineering - MATH 140 start (Full-time)

• Associate of Science
  • 76.0 Units
  • Major Course
  • General Education Course
  • Elective Course
  • Milestone
  • Offers Microcredential
• Fall 2024 (1st Term)
  • 14.0 UNITS
  • MAJ MATH 140 (3.0 Units) - Trigonometry
  • MAJ / GEN CHEM 110 (4.0 Units) - Elementary Chemistry
  • GEN English Composition (4.0 Units) - Choose a course from Area 1A
  • GEN U.S. History (3.0 Units) - Choose a course
  • MILE Department Information - Link to this department
• Spring 2025 (2nd Term)
  • 16.0 UNITS
  • MAJ / GEN MATH 155 (5.0 Units) - Precalculus
  • MAJ CHEM 111 (5.0 Units) - General Chemistry
  • GEN Biological Sciences (3.0 Units) - Choose a course from Area 5B
  • GEN Oral Communication (3.0 Units) - Choose a course from Area 1C
• Fall 2025 (3rd Term)
  • 17.0 UNITS
  • MAJ MATH 170 (4.0 Units) - Analytic Geometry and Calculus I
  • MAJ PHYS 100 or PHYS 101 (4.0 Units) - Choose a course
  • GEN Critical Thinking (3.0 Units) - Choose a course from Area 1B
  • GEN U.S. Government (3.0 Units) - Choose a course
  • GEN Arts and Humanities (3.0 Units) - Choose a course from Area 3
• Spring 2026 (4th Term)
  • 14.0 UNITS
  • MAJ MATH 190 (4.0 Units) - Analytic Geometry and Calculus II
  • MAJ PHYS 201 (4.0 Units) - Engineering Physics
  • GEN Arts (3.0 Units) - Choose a course from Area 3A
  • GEN Social and Behavioral Sciences (3.0 Units) - Choose a course
• Fall 2026 (5th Term)
  • 12.0 UNITS
  • MAJ MATH 225 (5.0 Units) - Calculus III
  • MAJ PHYS 202 (4.0 Units) - Engineering Physics
  • GEN Social and Behavioral Sciences (3.0 Units) - Choose a course from Area 4
• Spring 2027 (6th Term)
  • 3.0 UNITS
  • ELEC Elective (3.0 Units) - Choose a course
• Engineering - Associate of Science
  • 76.0 units
  • Print Program Map
  • Make Appointment

Program Outline

Engineering Associate of Science Degree at Cerritos College

Degree Overview:

This program provides an introduction to physics and mathematics, equipping students with the skills necessary for:

• Transfer to four-year universities: The program aligns with transfer requirements for both UC and CSU systems.
• Undergraduate research: Develop the necessary skills and experience for engaging in undergraduate research opportunities.
• Entry-level internships: Gain the practical experience required for securing entry-level internships in various engineering fields.
The degree allows students to tailor their learning to their specific transfer goals through a combination of:
• Common core courses: These courses meet the general transfer requirements for both UC and CSU systems.
• Elective and specialty courses: These courses allow students to customize their degree based on their specific transfer institution's requirements.
This approach ensures efficient completion of the A.S. degree while fulfilling transfer requirements and preparing students for further academic and professional pursuits.

Outline:

The Associate of Science degree in Engineering comprises 76 units, distributed across various categories:

• Major Courses: These courses form the core of the engineering curriculum, focusing on mathematics, physics, and engineering-specific disciplines.
• General Education Courses: These courses fulfill the general education requirements for transfer to four-year universities.
• Elective Courses: These courses provide students with the flexibility to explore specific areas of interest within the engineering field.
• Milestone: This designation signifies a departmental information section within the program map.
The program typically follows a six-term structure:

Term 1:

Introduces students to trigonometry and basic chemistry while fulfilling general education requirements in English composition and U.S. history.

Term 2:

Focuses on precalculus, general chemistry, and additional general education requirements in biology and oral communication.

Term 3:

Dives deeper into calculus and introduces students to physics concepts, along with critical thinking and U.S. government general education courses.

Term 4:

Continues the calculus sequence and introduces engineering physics, along with fulfilling general education requirements in arts and social and behavioral sciences.

Term 5:

Focuses on advanced calculus and continues the engineering physics sequence, while completing the social and behavioral sciences general education requirement.

• Exams: Traditional written and practical exams to assess knowledge and understanding of key concepts.
• Assignments and projects: Open-ended assignments and projects that require students to apply their learning to real-world scenarios.
• Presentations: Class presentations and discussions that allow students to demonstrate their knowledge and communication skills.
• Quizzes: Regular quizzes to gauge understanding and track student progress.
• Lectures: Instructors presenting core concepts and information to students.
• Hands-on learning: Offering opportunities for students to engage with practical exercises and projects.
• Problem-solving activities: Encouraging students to apply their knowledge to real-world problems.
• Group work and collaboration: Fostering teamwork and communication skills through group projects and activities.
The faculty teaching the program are likely to hold advanced degrees and possess extensive experience in their respective engineering disciplines.

Careers:

The A.S. degree in Engineering opens doors to diverse career opportunities within the engineering field.

• Salary range: $50,000 to over $208,000 with an average salary of $128,000.
• Growth: Expected nationwide growth of 6.3% from 2019 to 2029.
Several potential career paths are highlighted, including:
• Postsecondary teachers: Specializing in teaching engineering subjects at colleges and universities.
• Architectural and engineering managers: Leading teams of engineers and overseeing projects in various industries.
• Engineers (all other): Covering a broad range of engineering disciplines and applying technical knowledge to solve real-world problems.
• Microcredentials: Certain courses within the program offer microcredential opportunities, allowing students to earn recognition for specific skills or knowledge gained.