Technical standards outline the skills and expectations required for students to successfully enter, progress through, and complete the program. They ensure clarity and consistency for students, faculty, staff, administration, and disability services. These standards apply equally to all students.
If you require accommodations to fully participate in the program, please contact the Office of Disability Services to confidentially discuss your needs. Technical standards can be met with or without accommodations, and the examples provided are not all encompassing.
Technical Standard, Definition and Examples
Skills that demonstrate ability to measure, calculate, reason, analyze, synthesize, and integrate information and solve problems.
Examples:
- Ability to make meaningful cognitive connections and analysis of topics between varieties of subjects over several years.
- Synthesize meaning and make cognitive connections, predictions, and interpolations about various parts of labs.
- Understand graphs, symbols, and quantitative information well enough to learn higher-level engineering concepts.
- Comprehend written material and/or verbal instruction to perform laboratory test procedures, assessment instructions, classroom activities, handouts, and workshops correctly and independently.
Physical and tactile abilities sufficient to function in a classroom, laboratory, or online setting with ease.
Examples:
- Move around and work in a classroom setting. Classes could be up to 90 minutes in duration and could require presentations and movement within the classroom for group work.
- Perform physical activities including but not limited to manual dexterity sufficient to assemble components and operate a computer, keyboard, microscope, or other lab equipment.
- Tolerate wearing personal protective equipment including but not limited to safety goggles, gloves, or aprons.
- Assess, examine, and interpret findings through touch.
Ability to use basic digital tools for communication and coursework.
Examples:
- Navigate a learning management system (LMS) such as Moodle, Canvas, or Blackboard.
- Access and manage institutional email, digital resources, and online support services.
- Submit assignments and participate in online discussions.
- Use basic word processing, presentation, and spreadsheet software.
Possess sufficient physical strength, flexibility, and dexterity to produce artwork in the instructed medium or perform manual procedures in a science laboratory.
Examples:
- Sufficient strength to lift and move objects of at least 20 pounds.
- Sufficient physical endurance to perform prolonged periods of walking, standing, and sitting.
Auditory abilities sufficient for classroom or online needs.
Examples:
- Hear and interpret verbal instructions, alarms, or auditory signals relevant to classroom and laboratory environments.
- Distinguish and respond to auditory alarms (e.g., monitors and fire alarms).
Visual ability sufficient for comprehending printed materials, specimens under a microscope, images or videos projected on a screen in a classroom or online setting.
Examples:
- Observe demonstrations, read instruments, and interpret measurements from devices such as multimeters, calipers, or oscilloscopes.
- Detect physical indications of system changes or irregularities (e.g., indicator lights, gauge movements, unusual sounds).
- Use depth perception and peripheral vision.
- Visual acuity to use sharp instruments, carpentry tools, or laboratory equipment safely and accurately.
Ability to communicate both verbally and nonverbally. Must be able to read, comprehend, and communicate in English with sufficient skills to interact with others.
Examples:
- Communicate with others in a clear and timely manner.
- Speak and write in standard English (unless the student is enrolled in a foreign language course).
- Interpret and follow directions from the instructor and convey information clearly to the instructor and others.
- Participate in team discussions, presentations, and collaborative problem-solving.
Ability to interact with others both in person and virtually and respect for those from diverse social, emotional, cultural, and intellectual backgrounds.
Examples:
- Respond to instructors and other students with respect for their viewpoints in the classroom and online.
- Work respectfully with diverse students, faculty, and industry partners.
- Negotiate interpersonal conflict.
- Work independently to meet project goals.
Olfaction sufficient to detect odors and tolerate various odors.
Examples:
- Ability to recognize and respond appropriately to environmental cues such chemical indicators or other odors when working in classroom or laboratory environments.
Possess coping skills sufficient to maintain composure in stressful situations and emotional stability sufficient to assume accountability for actions.
Examples:
- Receive constructive feedback for improvement.
- Respect instructors, students, and equipment.
- Adapt rapidly to changing environments and/or stress.
- Maintain appropriate professional behavior in labs, internships, and project teams.
We are committed to ensuring all students have the support they need to succeed in this program. If you have a documented disability, reasonable accommodations will be provided unless they fundamentally alter essential training requirements, create undue hardship, or pose a safety risk to you or others.
Disability Services Statement
If you have a documented disability and need accommodations, please contact the Disability Services Office (Ward Hall Building; 252-638-1454) as soon as possible—ideally before classes or field experiences begin. You are also encouraged to inform your instructor as needed so we can best support your learning.