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

Print

Internship & Career Resources

FAQ: Finding jobs and internships

Print

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.

Advising 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

Learn more from the OGE

Other Important Study Abroad Resources

University Resources