Graduation Information

In addition to the University graduation requirements listed in the Graduation Requirements section of the Catalog, each major within the Pigman College of Engineering has the following common graduation requirements:​

1. Students must complete a minimum of at least 127 credit hours.​
2. Students in Engineering disciplines^1, 2 must meet the Engineering Standing requirements for their major, listed above under “Engineering Standing Admission”.​
3. Students must complete subject-matter courses for their major³ with a minimum GPA of 2.0.
4. Students must complete all individual program requirements for their major, as described below and on the curriculum pages for each major.​

¹ Engineering disciplines include Aerospace Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Biosystems Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Materials Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Mining Engineering. 

² Engineering Technology disciplines include Computer Engineering Technology and Lean Systems Engineering Technology. These disciplines do not have an Engineering Standing requirement.​

³ Subject-matter courses include all specified prefix courses and program electives which are used to fulfill degree requirements, as follows:

• Aerospace Engineering: AER-prefix, EM-prefix and Technical Electives​
• Biomedical Engineering: BME-prefix and Technical Electives
• Biosystems Engineering: BAE-prefix and Technical Electives
• Chemical Engineering: CME-prefix and Engineering/Science Electives
• Civil Engineering: CE-prefix and Technical Electives
• Computer Engineering: CPE-prefix, CS-prefix, EE-prefix, and Technical Electives​
• Computer Engineering Technology: CPT-prefix and Technical Electives
• Computer Science: CS-prefix and Technical Electives
• Electrical Engineering: EE-prefix and Technical Electives
• Lean Systems Engineering Technology: LST-prefix and Technical Electives
• Materials Engineering:  MSE-prefix and Technical Electives
• Mechanical Engineering: EM-prefix, ME-prefix, and Technical Electives
• Mining Engineering: MNG-prefix and Technical Electives

Additional Departmental Graduation Requirements

In the B.S. in Biomedical Engineering program, students must earn a grade of C or better in each BME prefix course and in each BME engineering and science elective, except that a maximum of one D is permitted.  Students must also have a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0 in these courses.

In the B.S. in Civil Engineering program, students must earn a grade of C or better in each CE prefix course, except that a maximum of one D is permitted in a CE prefix course numbered 400 or higher. In addition, a C or better must be earned in EM 302.

In the B.S. in Mining Engineering program, students must earn a grade of C or better in the following courses: MNG 441; MNG 551; MNG 591; and MNG 592.

Minimum Grade of C Requirement

Some engineering majors require a minimum grade of C on certain courses that represent foundational core material for those majors. There are several types of such requirements:

• Some majors have an explicit graduation requirement that students must have a minimum grade of C in certain courses. See the “Additional Departmental Graduation Requirements” section for full details.
• Some majors have a requirement that students must have a minimum grade of C in either all courses or a subset of courses that are part of the engineering standing requirement. See the “Engineering Standing Admissions” section for full details
• Some courses include a prerequisite that students have a minimum grade of C in specific prerequisite courses before enrolling. Prerequisite requirements for each course are listed in this Catalog, and your academic advisor will be able to provide information about which courses in your major require a minimum grade of C to enroll in future required courses.

NOTE: The chair of a department may refuse to allow a student to register in a course a third time. A withdrawal from the course shall not be counted as a registration for these purposes if a student can demonstrate that the withdrawal was for urgent non-academic reasons.

The following criteria is used to determine an undergraduate student’s eligibility to receive graduation honors.

• “Summa Cum Laude”: A grade point average of 3.8 or higher for at least three years of work (90 hours) at the University of Kentucky.
• “Magna Cum Laude”: A grade point average of 3.6 to 3.799 for at least three years of work (90 hours) at the University of Kentucky.
• “Cum Laude”: A grade point average of 3.4 to 3.599 for at least three years of work (90 hours) at the University of Kentucky.
• Students with a minimum of two but less than three years of work (60-89 hours) at the University shall receive the appropriate commencement honors if they attain a grade point average of 0.2 greater than the above.

Students are required to file a formal “Application for Degree” online through your myUK account. You may apply for graduation up to three semesters prior to the graduation date.

Degree Application Deadlines

• For a May graduation: April 1
• For an August graduation: April 1
• For a December graduation: November 1

Missed the deadline? You may still be allowed to apply. Go to Engineering Student Records (offices are located in 355S or 355R F. Paul Anderson Tower) to obtain current information and procedures.

Next Steps

• Check Your UK Email Regularly: Any updates from the College of Engineering will only be sent to your UK email address (@uky.edu; @g.uky.edu or @l.uky.edu).
• Stay Informed: Watch closely for graduation updates. Updates may be posted via email, through posts to information displays throughout the college, etc. 
• Get Your Class Photo Taken: You will be notified via email when the photographer will be on campus. Formal attire is required and you will be asked to sign up for a time to have your photo taken.
• Expect a Delay on Getting Your Diploma: Your diploma will arrive in the mail around 8-12 weeks after commencement.

To participate in commencement, you must do the following:

• Complete all degree requirements and successfully apply for graduation online through your myUK account.
• Register for your ceremony on UK’s Commencement website. You must register during the semester you plan to graduate unless you plan to graduate in August. August graduates may participate in either December or May ceremonies.
• Purchase your cap and gown, as participation in commencement activities requires that you wear appropriate academic attire. Visit UK’s Commencement website for information on purchasing regalia.

The Induction into the Profession Ceremony, which comprises the Order of the Engineer and the Pledge of the Computing Professional, includes all engineering majors and has no continuing membership fees and only one meeting in your lifetime. You will take an oath similar to the Hippocratic Oath taken by medical doctors. Each new member receives a certificate and a stainless steel ring to be worn on the little finger of the working hand or for computer science majors an ASCII lapel pin.

The Induction into the Profession Ceremony takes place at the end of the fall and spring semesters. Information regarding this event will be sent out via email to those students who are eligible to participate.