Each year, the CSULB Engineering Honors Track gets a little larger. The 6-year-old program offers students a fast-track plan toward earning an undergraduate degree completion, complete with a thesis and special events.
This fall, the program includes 124 students, including 38 freshmen. Denil Poudel, one of those freshmen, said he’s excited to be participating in the program. A graduate of the California Academy of Math and Science, and the grandson of an industrial engineer, Poudel said he’s always been drawn to engineering. He built things with Legos when he was young, then moved on to autonomous robots.
Ehab Elrashidy, a third-year mechanical engineering student, said he appreciates the small class sizes. “I’ve been able to network with people. It’s easier to form student groups,” said Elrashidy, who enjoys designing with Matlab and Solidworks and would like to work in the aerospace or automotive industry.
“You’re taking a big step here,” said Dean Forouzan Golshani. “This is really a distinction. You’re privileged to be in this program. It puts you on a different path.”
Students can earn priority registration by attending honors-sponsored events throughout the semester. Students who successfully complete the program receive an Honors Certificate and special recognition during commencement.
Faculty advisors are: Biomedical Engineering Assistant Professor Perla Ayala, Computer Engineering & Computer Science professor Alvaro Monge, Electrical Engineering professor I-Hung Khoo, Civil Engineering Assistant Professor Rebeka Sultana, Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Assistant Professor Daniel Whisler, and Chemical Engineering Assistant Professor Ted Yu.
Engineering Honors students must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher in Honors and in all university courses attempted to earn an Honors Certificate. For information on the program, visit http://www.csulb.edu/college-of-engineering/engineering-honors-track.