Resources for Current Students
This page is designed to provide HCE majors with additional information about the HCE program. Since our program is still new, some of this guidance will change over time. As always, students should reach out to their faculty advisors and/or Prof. Tonn who is the Director of Undergraduate StudiesÌý(jenna.tonn@bc.edu)Ìýwith any questions, clarifications, or concerns.Ìý
Below please find guidance on:
- Academic Planning
- Internships & Careers
- Advising
- Study Abroad
** Note: Some of these resources do require a ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ login.
Academic Planning Resources
Important Academic Planning Documents & Forms
Creating a 4-year Plan
HCE majors should work with their advisors to create a 4-year plan for completing the 20 engineering courses, 5 math/science co-requisite courses, and 8 semesters of HCE Reflection, in addition to the MCAS Core CurriculumÌý(15 courses) and theÌýMCAS Language Requirement, which is attaining intermediate proficiency in a modern or classical language.
The following are planning documents, templates, and forms to help you appropriately plot out your course of study:
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Example 4-year plans
HCE Major Policies
Engineering follows the MCAS policies around AP placement. In general, this means that AP exams taken in high school (depending on the exam grade)Ìýcan fulfill math/science requirementsÌýfor the HCE major or the Core Curriculum.
HCE students should take Calculus 1 and Calculus 2 in their first year and should work with their HCE advisors to determine the appropriate calculus sequence. Regarding advanced placement, students who receive at least a 4 in Calculus AB (or ABÌýsub score) place out ofÌýMATH1100/1102. Students who receive at least a 4 in Calculus ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ place out ofÌýMATH1100/1102 andÌýMATH1101/1103. Students who are exempted from one or both of these calculus requirements due to their advanced placement scores must take an equivalent number of math/science credits and consult with their HCE advisors to identify appropriate course substitutions.Ìý
All HCE majors must fulfill the MCAS Language Requirement to graduate. This means intermediate language proficiency in a modern or classical language, or four semesters of language. There are a number of ways to fulfill this requirement from AB/IB test scores, to coursework, to heritage proficiency.Ìý
Engineers interested in studying abroad should ensure that they will be able to fulfill the first year of their langauge requirement before going abroad.
The HCE majorÌýrequires at least 32 credits of math/science. This includes 16 credits from math/science co-requisite courses: Calc 1 (4 credits), Calc 2 (4 credits), Gen Chem 1 with Lab (4 credits), and Physics 1 (4 credits). It also includes 16 credits of math/science that are integrated within required engineering courses.Ìý
Students who place out of Calc 1 and/or Calc 2, will need toÌýmake up those creditsÌýin order to graduate. In consultation with faculty advisors in HCE, students should select math/science courses from the departments ofÌýBiology, Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Earth and Environmental SciencesÌýas substitutions. Note: Computer Science courses do not count.Ìý
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Clarification about Physics 1:
We only accept PHYS2200 for the Physics 1 requirement. We do not currently accept PHYS2100 for this requirement.Ìý
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Students should regularly request their Degree Audits on EagleApps to keep track of their degrees. There is a section on the Degree Audit that notes whetherÌýCalc 1 and/or Calc 2 have been satisfied by AP exams and documents courses taken in Biology, Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Earth and Environmental Sciences that are approved substitutions.Ìý
If there is another course that is either not in one of the previously listed departments that you would like to be considered for approval for math/science credit for the HCE major, then fill out aÌýDegree Audit Course Substitution and Waiver formÌýfor the course you would like to be considered for approval.Ìý
ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ allows students to takeÌýÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ coursesÌýonline or in person during the summer for credit. In additionÌýÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ allows students to take summer courses atÌýinstitutions outside of ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½Ìýfor credit to make up for a credit deficiency (e.g.Ìýunderload, a "W", or a failing grade)Ìýor for enrichment.Ìý
HCE students are able to take summer courses at institutions outside ofÌýÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½Ìýto fulfill their HCE math/science credit requirements even if theyÌýdo not have a credit deficiency. For example, some students might take Gen Chem I w/Lab at another institution during the summer and then transfer those credits to the HCE major at ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½. Summer courses for HCE credit must be approved in advance using theÌýHCE Summer Course Pre-Approval Form.ÌýIf you take a course at an institution that is not at ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½, don't forget to send your transcript to Office of Student Services, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467.
Internship & Career Resources
FAQ: Finding jobs and internships
- Sign up forÌýHandshakeÌývia the ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ Career Center where you can search for internship opportunities.Ìý
- Create aÌýLinkedIn ProfileÌýand explore possibilities through LinkedIn connections.
- Look out for opportunities sent via email from ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ faculty which are archived in the folder on this page.
- Explore potentialÌýNational Science Foundation-Research Experiences for UndergraduatesÌý(NSF-REUs) listings. NSF-REUs generally offer 10-12 week paid summer research experiences for students.Ìý
- Use old-fashioned Google to identify engineering firms in your area and look to see if they have internship possibilities listed on their websites.Ìý
- Draft your materials (resume and cover letter) and ask your faculty advisor and the Career Center to review them. Note you are earning a B.S. in Human-Centered Engineering.
- Apply for internships!Ìý
Students should start looking for internships in the fall using Handshake and LinkedIn. Make a list of potential internships, including deadlines and whether or not you need letters of reference. It's a great idea to have engineering faculty and the Career Center review your resume and cover letter and help brainstorm potential internship or research opportunities. We suggest applying for a minimum of 7-10 internships and summer research experiences, so it can be helpful to get organized early on in the process.
Don't forget to include that you will be getting a B.S. in Human-Centered Engineering. Students should also indicate why they are interested in the specific internship or opportunity. Include any relevant experiences you have had, which could include skills (software, makerspace, things you've learned in courses) or leadership experiences in student organizations or other activities. Companies often use algorithms to filter through resumes and cover letters, so it can be useful to include keywords and skills from the job ad in your cover letter.Ìý
You could ask any faculty member who has had a chance to get to know you through a course you've taken with them, whose lab or research group you've worked in, or who otherwise knows you in a professional way. Ideally you should ask them if they are willing to be a reference or letter writer in advance of the application and provide them with your resume and/or application materials so that they are prepared to speak to your interests, skills, and abilities.Ìý
Resume & Cover Letter Examples
Sample HCE Resume
Use this as a starting place and adapt with your own information.
Sample Resume Template
Use this this resume template from the ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ Career Center, modified for HCE, as a starting place and adapt with your own information.
Sample HCE Cover Letter
Use this as a starting place and adapt with your own information.
Sample Cover Letter Template
Use this this HCE cover letter template as a starting place and adapt with your own information.
HCE Advising Structure
The Department of Engineering is one of the only departments in MCAS that advises all of its students in-house starting with First-Year Orientation.Ìý
Summer Orientation:ÌýIncomingÌýfirst-year engineersÌýwork with theirÌýSummer Orientation AdvisorsÌýto register for fall courses and develop their four-year plans. Summer Orientation Advisors are HCE faculty members who have experience advising engineering students and supporting their transition to ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½.Ìý
First-year students:ÌýFirst-year HCE students are assignedÌýMajorÌýAdvisorsÌýat the end of summer orientation.ÌýMajor advisors are HCE faculty members who support students through course selection and registration and provide advice about the HCE major, the ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ Core, and any other questions about academics or life at ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½.Ìý
Upperclass students:ÌýHCE students stick with theirÌýMajor AdvisorsÌýuntil graduation. Major advisors are HCE faculty members who support the academic careers of HCE students.
OngoingÌýadvising support:ÌýReach out to the Director of Undergraduate Studies (Prof. Tonn,Ìýjenna.tonn@bc.edu) any time to discuss any aspect of the HCE program or the MCAS requirements. If for any reason, you would like to switch yourÌýMajor Advisor, emailÌýjenna.tonn@bc.eduÌýto request a change. Prof. Tonn also has a Calendly if you prefer to sign up for a meeting that way ().
HCE Advising Folders by Class Year
Class of 2025
Class of 2025 Advising Materials
Class of 2026
Class of 2026 Advising Materials
Class of 2027
Class of 2027 Advising Materials
Class of 2028
Class of 2028 Advising Materials
Study Abroad Planning
Process for HCE Majors Applying to Study Abroad with OGE
If students will have completed at least 1 year of their MCAS Language Requirement by the time they will go abroad and have fulfilled a substantial amount of the Core, then they can apply to study abroad throughÌýthe Office of Global Education (OGE).ÌýHCE majors apply to study abroadÌýduringÌýthe fall of their sophomore yearÌýand study abroad during the fall or spring of their junior year.
In terms of course planning, the Department of Engineering can accept up to two 3 credit engineering courses taken at institutions abroad. These courses can count as 3 credit technical electives for the HCE major.ÌýNote that these courses must be vetted by the engineering department and students must provide copies of course syllabi and grades in order to receive credit.ÌýStudents should not expect to fulfill Core requirements abroad.Ìý
Application Process (Sophomore fall)
Develop an updatedÌý4-year planÌýto ensure that studying abroadÌýfits into your academic plan.Ìý
AttendÌýaÌýStudy Abroad 101 session through theÌýOffice of Global EducationÌýand meet with a Regional Advisor to help identify programs of interest.Ìý
Make a list of at least 3 programs of interest and at least 2 engineering courses at each program that might count as technical electives. For each engineering course you might be interested in taking, list the title, course code, course description (including prerequisites) and link to course information. List at least 3 courses per school.Ìý
- Start with theÌýÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ Transfer/Study Abroad Equivalencies databaseÌýto see if there are approved engineering courses already in the ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ system
- Look atÌýthese suggested schools which have engineering courses open to ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ students
- If you don’t find a school that works for you in the list above, do research into any ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ Program or Approved ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ Program to identify potential engineeringÌýprograms of study.Ìý
- Look forÌýengineering courses that reflect yourÌýarea of interest (health/energy/environment) that are taught in English; and that meet your level of preparation in the program.
Clear your study abroad plans with Prof. Tonn in engineering before your OGE application is due in early January. To do so, reach out to Prof. Tonn (jenna.tonn@bc.edu) to schedule a 1:1 meeting before Jan 1st. Bring with you your 4-year plan andÌýyour list ofÌýprograms and coursesÌýfor approval.
Apply to OGE in early January. Once you hear back about your study abroad decision, familiarize yourself with theÌýFAQÌýbelow about the process of getting your study abroad courses to count for tech elective credit.Ìý
Financial Aid Opportunities for Study Abroad
Summer Projects Abroad with ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½ Engineering:
Since this is a summer course, term-time financial aid does not apply to these credits. There are opportunities to apply for summer grants to defray costs:
- Apply for funds through theÌýFung Scholars programÌýif your trip is in Asia. Applications usually due February 1.
- Apply forÌýan Engineering Project GrantÌýfor funds to defray costs for these courses.ÌýÌýApplicationsÌýusuallyÌýdue MarchÌý1.
Questions?ÌýReach out toÌýProf. GaudetteÌý(glenn.gaudette@bc.edu)ÌýorÌýProf. Tonn (jenna.tonn@bc.edu)Ìýwith questions.
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Study Abroad with the Office of Global Education:
Financial aidÌýpackages apply to term time Study Abroad.Ìý