With an increase in engineering jobs and a decrease in engineering enrollment, the “Step to College Program” at California State University, Fresno is now accepting applications for a class that provides good opportunities for junior or senior year high

school students who are interested in science and math subjects and are contemplating engineering as a career.

Students may now apply for the Engineering Applications class through the program in the College of Engineering and Computer Science at Fresno State.

The next class will be offered during the fall semester, 2004 and will commence on Aug. 24, Applications are available through Fresno area high school counselors and completed applications will be accepted till the first class meeting.

Under the Step to College program, the fee for the entire course is only $9 for eligible students, who will also receive college credit upon successful completion of the class.

The program provides a significant opportunity because recent statistics forecast an overall growth rate of more than 20 percent for engineering jobs in the United States combined with an actual decline in overall enrollment in engineering majors at the college level, said William Wright, assistant engineering professor at Fresno State who is the coordinator of the program.

“This means that there is a need for more engineers in society and that need is not being met,” Wright said. “Starting salaries for graduate engineers are significantly higher than most, if not all other, college undergraduate majors. ”

In the ENGR 11 Engineering Applications class (formerly ENGR 1T), students learn the basics of various engineering disciplines taught in two-week segments each, covering Fresno State’s six engineering majors and two closely related non-engineering majors.

The students also gain first-hand experience working on projects in the department laboratories under the guidance of professors.

“This solid academic curriculum and hands-on experience will help them learn more about engineering as a possible college major,” Wright said.

The class has been offered for the past five years as part of the Step to College Program, which offers college level courses to high school students.

High school students in their junior or senior year with a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or greater are eligible to apply for the course. For home-schooled applicants, the parents or teachers will need to submit transcripts from 9th grade and later. A counselor recommendation is also required.

Wright urges students to apply soon because the class fills up quickly.

High school students should also contact their school counselor but for more information, contact Wright at (559) 278- 5591 or e-mail wfwright@csufresno.edu.

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