The College of Engineering (COE) Honors Program is designed to enrich the educational opportunities for outstanding students within the College. Students in the Honors Program will be encouraged to participate in early experiences in research and scholarship in preparation for independent research and inquiry. Admission to the Honors Program, pre-matriculation, will likely be put on hiatus for students entering UCSB in fall 2026.
Membership Details*
Students in the program are benefited by:
- Graduate student library privileges (extended book check out and library locker request)
- Honors advising
- Quarterly honors programming, including special tours and lectures
- Scholars Floors, located in several university-owned residence halls, are available to eligible first-year students
*Membership privileges are subject to change annually.
Eligibility
Upon UCSB Admission: The College of Engineering invites approximately the top 10% of incoming freshmen into the Honors Program based on a comprehensive review of the applicant. Select transfer students will be invited to join the Honors Program.
Students who are not eligible for the Program at the time of admission may request to enter the program after attaining a cumulative UCSB GPA of 3.5 or greater after three regular quarters at UCSB.
For all new and continuing students, effective fall 2019, admittance to the Honors Program may occur during three windows of opportunity:
- Prior to your first term at UCSB: Eligible freshmen will be notified about joining Honors when notified about UCSB admission (note: Regents Scholars are automatically admitted). Select transfer students will be invited to join the Honors Program.
- By applying to the program between your freshman (first-year) and sophomore years, if you have completed at least 36 letter-graded units with a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or above.
- By applying to the program between your sophomore and junior years, if you have completed at least 72 letter-graded units with a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or above.
Students may not join the Honors Program after July 1, the summer between the junior and senior curriculum year.
Annual Program Requirements
To maintain status in the program, all continuing students must:
- Complete 10 hours of community service each academic year (done during fall, winter, spring quarters) and report hours by June 15.
- Maintain a 3.5 cumulative GPA at the end of each spring quarter.
Students are encouraged to pursue enrichment activities and should review the yearly program guide for enrichment suggestions and guidance.
Mechanical Engineering Honors Students
Engineering honors students with upper division standing may, with faculty approval, enroll in ME 199 to research topics that will compliment their major studies. Please reach out to the undergraduate staff advisor for petition and instructions- meugrad@engineering.ucsb.edu.
Pi Tau Sigma is the national mechanical engineering honor society. Membership is based on academic achievement. To be eligible for membership, juniors must rank in the top quarter of their class and seniors in the top third of their class. Students who are qualified for membership will be contacted by representatives of Pi Tau Sigma.
Tau Beta Pi is the national engineering honor society. Membership is based on academic achievement. To be eligible for membership, juniors must rank in the top 1/8th of their graduating class and seniors in the top 1/5th of their graduating class.