The following substitutions are allowed if the requirements specified below are met. The course(s) must be petitioned to your PNGE advisor and PNGE Chair so that the degree audit is correct.
As stated in the University policy 83-80, at least thirty-six of the last sixty credits counted toward the degree must be completed at Penn State for a baccalaureate degree. Furthermore, at least twenty-four credits of PNG course work have to be taken at the Penn State. The PNGE capstone course must be taken at Penn State.
Before a student schedules coursework at another institution, they should check the Transfer Credit Tool, and if their course isn’t there, then follow the Transfer Credit Evaluation process. External transfer credit for the substitution of the courses requires approval from the Penn State course instructor (who will check the course content) and PNGE Chair. Any transfer course has to have content that is at least 80% the same as the Penn State course in order to be a direct equivalent. Once the student receives approval for the credits transfer, they can proceed with the formal process.
Some substitute courses have controls that prevent PNGE students from registering for them. Even if the PNGE Program and EME Department permit a substitution, there is no guarantee that the department offering a substitute course will allow PNGE students to register for it. A completed degree audit determines whether you are eligible to graduate.
| Original Course | Substitution | Requirements/Comments |
| CMPSC 201 or 202 | CMPSC 121, CMPSC 200, or EME 210 | CMPSC 200 is allowed for all students, although C++ is recommended. CMPSC 121 is allowable only for change-of-campus students who took 121 while enrolled at their initial campus. **CMPSC 101 is not accepted as a substitute for CMPSC 201 or 202. |
| ECON 102 | ECON 104 | Allowed for all students, but 102 is recommended. |
| EMCH 210 (5) | EMCH 211 (3) and 213 (3) | The combination of EMCH 211 and 213 is equivalent to 210. Allowed for all students. |
| EME 301 | ME 300, CHE 320, or equivalent | These substitutions are only allowed for students who were enrolled in the College of Engineering at the time that they took these courses. Otherwise, EME 301 must be taken. |
| EME 303 | CE 360, ME 320, or equivalent | These substitutions are only allowed for students who were enrolled in the College of Engineering at the time that they took these courses. Otherwise, EME 303 must be taken. |
| EMSC 100 | CAS 100 | Students who began at a PSU campus other than UP or in a PSU college other than Earth and Mineral Sciences will take CAS 100 in place of EMSC 100. |
| MATH 230 (4) | MATH 231 (2) and 232 (2) | Allowed for all students. |
| MATH 230 (4) | MATH 220 (2) and 231 (2) | Allowed for all students. |
| MATH 251 (4) | MATH 250 (3) and 252 (1) | Allowed for all students. |
| PHYS 213 | PHYS 214 | Allowed only for students who were enrolled in the College of Engineering at the time that Phys 214 was taken. |
| Tech Electives (6) | See approved technical electives here. |