Non-Technical Electives

Students are encouraged to explore their non-engineering interests, which the faculty views as an integral part of a sound education.  Furthermore, since civil engineers provide professional services to the public and have significant influence on society, it is important that they have an appreciation of societal concerns and humanistic issues.  Requirements are as follows:

 

• Courses used for the H and S elective requirements

  • Must total at least 24 credits;

  • May include any course labeled as H and/or S;

  • Can include only ROTC courses labeled as H and/or S.

• Courses used for the H elective requirements

  • Must total at least 9 credits;

  • Must include one of the following:
    

    
    

    060.113	Practical Composition I, OR
    220.105	Introduction to Fiction and Poetry Writing I

    (See notes below for further information of the writing requirement)
    
    

  • The first semester course of a foreign language is not labeled as H and cannot be included.

• Courses used for the S elective requirements

  • Must total at least 9 credits;

  • Must include one of the following:
    

    
    

    180.102	Elements of Microeconomics OR (must be taken in the Freshman or Senior year to avoid scheduling conflicts)
    570.493	Economic Foundations for Public Decision Making (this course substitution requires approval of the student's Advisor)

    
    

  • May include the following suggested elective:
    

    
    

    500.150

    Ethical Questions in Engineering

 

Other restrictions are listed in the JHU Catalog.  Credits for courses not counting toward H or S or T electives can be counted toward unspecified (U) electives.

 

Students should develop coherent programs featuring reasonable depth.  Students shall not satisfy the non-technical electives requirement by taking exclusively introductory (100-level) courses.  Faculty advisors have sample programs in a document entitled "Making the most of Distribution Credits" that may prove helpful.

 
Through an appropriate selection of courses reflecting a well-planned program, students may gain an appreciation of societal and cultural issues, philosophy and the arts, in addition to communication and economic values.  For those desiring general guidance on the philosophy of such program selection, the Department of Civil Engineering has a copy of Social Responsibilities in Engineering and Science; A Guide for Selecting General Education Courses by R.H. McCuen and J.M. Wallace.  This is available for loan in the Department office.

Writing Requirement

Two writing-intensive courses (at least 6 credits) are required, one of which must be 060.113 (Practical Composition I) or 220.105/106 (Introduction to Fiction and Poetry Writing I and II). These should be taken early in the student's program (they must be taken for a letter grade and passed with a grade of C or better). Students entering JHU in Fall 2006 and beyond: the second writing course of at least 3 credits must be taken from the Krieger School of Arts and Sciences. Students enrolled prior to Fall 2006: students may consider 500.211 (Technical Communication) as the second writing-intensive course.

Oral Presentation Proficiency

Effective oral communication skills are essential for academic and professional success. Students will be evaluated on their ability to deliver oral presentations in 560.141 Perspectives on the Evolution of Structures and 560.380 Introduction to Ocean Science and Engineering. Students with an average oral presentation grade below B will be required to take a course with a significant oral presentation component. The course will be selected by the student and faculty advisor.