New & Prospective Students

The College of Engineering does not require students to have their own laptop/computer as there are multiple open computer labs available around campus. If you are looking to purchase a new computer for school, the University provides minimum recommendations. Some of our majors have additional recommendations noted below. In addition, many of the software programs used are accessible remotely.

Additional recommendations by major:

Civil & Environmental Engineering - the university guidelines are adequate with a slight preference for a Windows machine (for software compatibility).

Computer Science and Data Science - recommends the following on both Apple and Windows machines: 16 GB RAM, Intel i7 processor or equivalent, 256GB Solid State hard drive. Please note, M1/M2 chips are NOT recommended for Apple machines.

Electrical & Computer Engineering - recommendations

Mechanical Engineering - recommendations

Physics - Apple M1 powered iMac, MacBook, or Mac Mini with 8 GB RAM, 256 GB SSD.  Intel i5 (6th generation or newer) or AMD Ryzen 5000 series powered laptop or desktop with 8 GB (16 GB preferred), 256 GB SSD for Windows or Ubuntu systems.

All new students (first-year and transfer) are required to first complete an online orientation accessible through the UMassD portal (login to myumassd.edu, then select the student resources tab).

The online orientation provides an introduction to the university and contains information vital to a successful start. Students can also view the COIN orientation video to help them learn how to navigate our student information system (COIN stands for Corsair Online INformation).

Math Placement Exam: The math placement exam consists of two parts, algebra and pre-calculus, and determines your first math course at UMassD, either Calculus or Pre-Calculus. This online exam should be completed shortly after submitting your deposit, and ideally no later than June 1st. You can access the math placement exam through the myumassd portal, under student resources, new students. For students who place into Pre-Calculus, it is strongly recommended you reach out to ES³ for options on how to become calculus ready for Fall (which usually requires completing pre-calculus during the summer).

Academic Advising and Course Registration: Students are invited to experience their first academic advising session in June during Orientation. This session reviews academic advising in the college, explains curriculum requirements, and provides information on how to be successful in the first semester. All of our first-year students are block enrolled in their courses to ensure you are enrolled in courses needed for your degree and you will receive this schedule at Orientation. Please do not make adjustments to your course schedule on your own. ES³ advisors are here to assist you with any changes as you learn to navigate COIN and understand your requirements.

Advanced Placement (AP), CLEP, and International Baccalaureate (IB) Credits: The university awards credits to students depending on the score received, exam taken, and level of exam. Students should submit the appropriate materials to the Registrar's office for review and posting to the transcript. Please note: credit will be accepted at the discretion of the College of Engineering.

First-year students will continue the orientation process through the start of the semester. Additional information regarding the University's Orientation for all first-year students is available on the Orientation website.

The online orientation is the only orientation transfer students must complete. The University does offer aTransfer Welcome Day prior to the start of the semester which allows students an opportunity to interact with other students and complete any final items prior to the start of the semester.

Math Placement Exam: Math placement exams are not needed if you have already completed precalculus or calculus at your previous institution. If you have not completed one of these courses, then you should complete the online exam as soon as possible.

Academic Advising and Course Registration: Transfer students are required to meet with an academic advisor before being eligible to register themselves in courses. Students are encouraged to have this meeting soon after depositing since transfer students are eligible to enroll along with our current students.

Advanced Placement (AP), CLEP, and International Baccalaureate (IB) Credits: The university awards credits to students depending on the score received, exam taken, and level of exam. Students should submit the appropriate materials to the Registrar's Office for review and posting to the transcript. Please note: credit will be accepted at the discretion of the College of Engineering.

Students currently enrolled at a community college or four-year university who are interested in transferring to engineering, are strongly encouraged to reach out to an ES³ advisor early in the transfer process. We offer pre-transfer advising to help ensure the courses you are completing at the community college or university will be applicable to UMassD engineering requirements. 

Bristol CC students, please view this brief video prior to scheduling an advising appointment with ES³.

Additional information on the transfer process, application, and transfer agreements is available on our Transfer Admissions page.