What Math Classes Should an Engineering Major Take in High School?

If you're thinking about majoring in engineering, the best math classes to take in high school are Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, Pre-Calculus, and Calculus (if available). The most important goal isn't necessarily reaching the highest-level math course possible—it's building a strong understanding of algebra, functions, trigonometry, and problem-solving.

At Oregon State University, engineering students are expected to be calculus-ready before beginning their engineering coursework, making pre-calculus one of the most important classes you can take in high school.

Whether you're a student exploring engineering, a parent helping your child prepare for college, or a counselor advising future engineers, this guide explains which math classes matter most, why they matter, and how to build a strong foundation for success in an engineering degree program.

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Oregon State pre-calculus requirement for admission to engineering

Oregon State will provide direct admission for new students into an engineering major if one of the following requirements are met before the date their OSU coursework will begin:

Currently registered for a high school pre-calculus or calculus course.
Have completed a high school pre-calculus or calculus course with a grade of C- or better.
A grade of C- or better for college coursework that is equivalent to Oregon State’s MTH 111/111Z and MTH 112/112Z or higher.
Provide CLEP, AP or IB exam scores that demonstrate pre-calculus proficiency (where OSU awards credit for MTH 112Z or higher).

The pre-calculus requirement applies to all engineering majors and campus locations except the following:

What happens if I am not directly admitted to the College of Engineering?

Students who are admitted to OSU but do not satisfy the pre-calculus requirement will be invited to enroll initially as an undeclared student in the University Exploratory Studies Program (UESP) or may choose another non-engineering major of their choice. But don’t worry! Your engineering future does not need to stop there.

All students involved with UESP have access to first-year engineering courses, activities, and clubs. This policy ensures that you can take the necessary engineering courses and participate with the College of Engineering without falling behind during the first year. After completing the pre-calculus requirement, you can be admitted into the College of Engineering the following term.

Switching to the College of Engineering after Admission to OSU

Students who do not receive direct admission into the College of Engineering, but are admitted into UESP or other majors, are welcome to satisfy the pre-calculus requirement prior to starting coursework at OSU and switch into an engineering major.

Students need to complete the calculus-ready status form in their Beaver Basecamp portal to initiate the re-review process and gain admission into their engineering major.

Incoming students can satisfy the pre-calculus requirement in this situation through the paths listed above or by taking Khan Academy’s free online coursework in Pre-Calculus and score a 90% or higher on the Schoolhouse.world Pre-Calculus certification test.

Switching to the College of Engineering after starting at OSU

Students can satisfy the pre-calculus requirement by successfully completing MTH 111Z and MTH 112Z with a C- or better and maintaining a 2.50 OSU GPA or higher.

Once a student has met these criteria, they will be allowed to change their major to engineering the following term.

Learn more about calculus-ready requirements

Do I need to be good at math to be an engineer?

Engineering is all about solving problems. Whether you're designing bridges, programming robots, developing medical devices, improving renewable energy systems, or creating computer software, engineers use math as a tool to understand and solve real-world challenges.

The good news? You don't need to be a "math genius" to become an engineer.

Successful engineering students are usually the ones who:

Build strong foundational skills over time.
Practice problem-solving consistently.
Stay curious when concepts get challenging.
Develop confidence with algebra and functions.

A strong math background makes the transition to college engineering courses much smoother. But that background can happen either in high school or when you start at college. That way you will be ready to hit the ground running when the engineering courses really ramp up.

The ideal high school math path for future engineers

Most engineering students should aim for a progression similar to this:

Freshman Year of High School

Algebra I (or Geometry)

Students should begin building a strong foundation in:

Equations
Variables
Graphing
Problem-solving strategies

These concepts appear throughout nearly every engineering discipline.

Sophomore Year of High School

Geometry

Geometry helps students develop:

Spatial reasoning
Visualization skills
Logic and proofs
Measurement and design thinking

These skills are especially useful in civil, mechanical, aerospace, manufacturing, and architectural engineering-related fields.

Junior Year of High School

Algebra II

If there is one class engineering students absolutely should take before graduation, it's Algebra II.

This course introduces:

Advanced functions
Exponential relationships
Polynomials
Logarithms
Systems of equations

Many topics in calculus, physics, and engineering depend heavily on Algebra II concepts.

Senior Year of High School

Pre-Calculus

Pre-calculus is often the most important math class for prospective engineering students.

It combines algebra and trigonometry while preparing students for college-level calculus.

Students learn:

Functions and transformations
Trigonometry
Unit circles
Vectors
Advanced graphing
Mathematical modeling

At Oregon State University, engineering applicants seeking direct admission to engineering majors must demonstrate pre-calculus readiness before starting their coursework. Students can satisfy this requirement through high school pre-calculus or calculus coursework, qualifying college courses, or approved exam scores.

If your school offers pre-calculus, take it.

Calculus (if available)

If your high school offers calculus, it's one of the best ways to prepare for engineering.

Calculus introduces concepts such as:

Rates of change
Optimization
Motion
Integration
Mathematical modeling

These ideas become central to engineering coursework in college.

However, here's an important point:

Taking calculus in high school is helpful, but it is not required to become an engineer.

Many successful engineering students begin calculus during their first year of college.

A strong understanding of pre-calculus is often more valuable than struggling through calculus without mastering the fundamentals.

Should engineering students take AP Calculus or IB Math?

If AP Calculus or IB Math is available at your high school, it can be an excellent way to prepare for college engineering coursework.

Potential benefits include:

Strong college preparation.
Experience with college-level expectations.
The possibility of earning college credit.
Greater confidence entering an engineering program.

For students pursuing the International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum, Oregon State University's College of Engineering recommends:

IB Math Applications & Interpretation HL.
IB Mathematics: Analysis & Approaches SL or HL.

These courses help build the algebra, functions, trigonometry, and mathematical reasoning skills that engineering students rely on throughout their college experience.

That said, students should prioritize understanding the material rather than simply taking the most advanced class available.

What If my high school doesn't offer calculus?

If your high school doesn't offer calculus, focus on:

Taking the highest math level available.
Succeeding in pre-calculus.
Building strong algebra skills.
Exploring math enrichment opportunities when possible.

Another option to consider is taking college-level math courses through your local community college. Many high school students earn dual-credit or concurrent-enrollment credit while still in high school, allowing them to continue progressing in math even if calculus isn't offered by their school.

If this interests you, talk with your school’s counselor or academic advisor to learn what opportunities are available in your area and how the credits may transfer to your future college or university.

Remember, many engineering students enter college without having taken calculus in high school and still thrive in their programs. What matters most is taking challenging courses when available and developing the mathematical confidence needed to tackle engineering problems.

Advice for parents

Many parents wonder whether their student is "advanced enough" to pursue engineering.

The better question is:

Are they building strong foundational skills and showing an interest in solving problems?

Engineering programs teach students advanced mathematics. Colleges do not expect incoming students to already know everything.

Encourage your student to:

Take challenging math courses when they’re ready.
Ask questions when concepts become difficult.
Develop good study habits.
Focus on understanding, not memorization.

Confidence and persistence often matter more than starting college ahead in calculus.

Advice for school counselors

When advising future engineering students, encourage them to:

Complete Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra II.
Take a Pre-Calculus course.
Consider Calculus if available and appropriate.
Pair advanced math courses with Physics.
Focus on mastery, not simply acceleration.

Not sure whether a student's math coursework will prepare them for engineering at Oregon State? School counselors can contact askengineering@oregonstate.edu to discuss course options, transferability, and engineering readiness.

Final takeaway

If you're wondering what math classes an engineering major should take in high school, the simplest answer is:

Take the strongest math sequence available to you, with the goal of reaching pre-calculus, and calculus if possible.

Focus on mastering algebra, functions, trigonometry, and problem-solving skills. Those fundamentals will prepare you for college engineering courses far more effectively than rushing ahead without understanding the basics.

For students considering Oregon State University engineering programs, becoming calculus-ready through pre-calculus preparation is an important milestone on the path toward direct admission and success in an engineering degree.