Prospective Students
Index
Topics covered on this page include:
- High School Students
- Potential Career Fields
- LAES Coursework
- Concentrations
- Individualized Course of Study
- FAQ
Interdisciplinary Undergraduate Program
The Liberal Arts and Engineering Studies (LAES) degree is a hybrid B.S. program that combines the study of Engineering with the study of the Arts and Humanities. Students in this program will be able to take courses in both the College of Engineering (CENG) and the College of Liberal Arts (CLA). The LAES program is designed to be flexible and is centered around the slogans: "Freedom to Choose," "Freedom to Create,"
and "Freedom to Travel." Students who transfer into the program work with the Program Directors to create a curriculum best suited to their goals and interests.
The curriculum allows Liberal Arts and Engineering Studies students, in collaboration with students from all other Cal Poly majors, to participate in development teams working on national and international technology and cultural projects. To further prepare students for work with diverse teams that include participants from across the globe, the program strongly encourages students to spend three to six months studying and/or working abroad. Graduates of the LAES Program receive a Bachelor of Science Degree.
Note: If you are a high school student, parent, or counselor interested in learning more about LAES, please visit the High School Students page.
The B.S. in Liberal Arts and Engineering Studies can lead to careers in fields such as:
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Animatronics
-
Audio Engineering
-
Digital Media Production and Management
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Environmental Technology Education
-
Film and Television Production
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Game Design
-
Government Policy Making / Analysis
-
International Technology Management
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STEM Education in School and Out-of-School Contexts
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Sustainable Community Development
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Technical Communications
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Technology Services and Management
-
Web Design
-
UI/UX Design
Check out our alumni testimonials to get a better understanding of how the LAES program has helped out their careers.
Check out project collaborations our students have worked on!
Note: This page only gives summary information. For accurately detailed degree requirements, curriculum sheets, degree flowcharts, and learning objectives, please consult the current catalog.
LAES Coursework
The elements of coursework that make up the LAES major include (180 total units):
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Core curriculum
-
Concentrations (Engineering & Liberal Arts)
-
Study abroad / global perspectives courses
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General education courses
-
Free electives
major courses |
UNITS |
---|---|
English |
4 |
LAES Project-based Learning |
16 |
Science & Mathematics |
40 |
Engineering Concentration (minimum 12 units at 300-400 level) |
34-35 |
Liberal Arts Concentration (minimum 12 units at 300-400 level) |
24 |
Study Abroad or Global Perspectives Courses (required at the 300-400 level) |
8 |
Total Major Units |
126-127 |
Total General Education Units |
40-52 |
Free Electives |
1-14 |
Total BS Degree Units |
180 |
Concentrations
A concentration is a group of courses designed to provide specialized knowledge within a degree program. If you are interested in changing your major, visit the advising page for more details.
2019-2020 LAES Concentration and Study Abroad Declaration form (SAMPLE only)
LAES students select one concentration from Engineering and one from Liberal Arts. Students may choose to follow an individualized course of study in Engineering and/or the Liberal Arts, constructed in consultation with LAES advisors.
Engineering Concentrations (select one)
- Computer Graphics
- Electrical Engineering (Power)
- Industrial/Manufacturing Engineering - System Design
- Usability Studies
- Individualized Course of Study (ICS) - consult with a LAES advisor
Liberal Arts Concentrations (select one)
- Interactive Communication - Cinematic Focus
- Interactive Communication - Theatrical Focus
- Publishing Technology
- Technical Communication
- Individualized Course of Study (ICS) - consult with a LAES advisor
Individualized Course of Study (ICS)
An Individualized Course of Study (ICS) concentration allows students more freedom to hand pick the classes they want to take in each college to better personalize a concentration that fits their career goals outside of the pre-defined ones. An ICS may be selected instead of a pre-defined Engineering or Liberal Arts concentration for certain catalog years.
AREA OF FOCUS |
combinations |
Sample Courses |
---|---|---|
Audio Engineering |
Engineering: Electrical Engineering
Liberal Arts: Sound Design |
Electrical Engineering:
Music:
|
Game Design |
Engineering: Game Design
Liberal Arts: Student's Choice (Typically Art & Design or Theatre) |
Computer Science:
Art:
English:
Interdisciplinary Studies:
Theatre:
|
Industrial Design |
Engineering: Industrial/Manufacturing Engineering or Materials Engineering
Liberal Arts: Art & Design
|
Industrial/Manufacturing Engineering:
Art:
|
Sustainability |
Engineering: Environmental Engineering
Liberal Arts: Student's Choice (Typically Interdisciplinary Studies)
|
Environmental Engineering:
Environmental Design:
Interdisciplinary Studies:
|
Product Design |
Engineering: Mechanical Engineering
Liberal Arts: Student's Choice (Typically Art & Design, Communications, or Graphic Communication) |
Mechanical Engineering:
Civil Engineering:
Art:
Communications:
Graphic Communication:
Interdisciplinary Studies:
|
Project Management |
Engineering: Industrial Manufacturing Engineering
Liberal Arts: Student's Choice (Typically Technical Communication or Psychology) |
Industrial/Manufacturing Engineering:
Communications:
English:
Psychology:
|
UI/UX |
Engineering: Usability Studies
Liberal Arts: Student's Choice (Typically Art & Design, Graphic Communication, or Technical Communication) |
Usability Studies:
Art:
Communications:
Graphic Communication:
English:
|
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can I apply to Cal Poly as a LAES major? What major should I apply to if I plan to change my major to LAES?
At this time, students cannot apply directly to LAES when they apply to Cal Poly. Students can only change into LAES after their first year. We recommend applying to another major that you would equally enjoy while at Cal Poly! New first-year students can work with an advisor in the Mustang Success Center to see how Calculus and Physics can fit into their block schedule. During your first quarter, you should plan to meet with a LAES Change of Major advisor. New transfers should reach out to a LAES Change of Major advisor after they have received an email that their transfer evaluation has been completed (usually mid-July to late Aug).
How do I change my major to LAES?
Check out the change of major resources!
Is LAES ABET accredited?
No. LAES is not specifically ABET accredited. However, this has not slowed our graduates from getting amazing jobs in exciting and creative areas that blend engineering and liberal arts.