Pre-Engineering

An excellent preparation for a career in engineering combines a liberal arts background with a traditional engineering program. Dickinson offers this opportunity through two options: admission to Master's program in engineering after completion of a science major, or, by the 3:2 option with three prominent Engineering programs: Case Western Reserve University, Columbia University, and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.

Preparation for admission to M.S. programs in engineering: Students must satisfactorily complete a science major, preferably in the area of the intended field of engineering. Course work should include PHYS 131, 132, 212, and 213, plus two years of mathematics, and CHEM 141, 241. Students with 3.0 or higher cumulative averages are generally admitted to quality engineering schools. Most students can complete the requirements for an M.S. degree in two years after completing the Dickinson degree.

3:2 Option with Case Western Reserve University, Columbia University or Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute: Students who chose the 3:2 option students must plan their program carefully in order to meet all the requirements.

The 3:2 option is a five-year program consisting of three years at Dickinson and two years at either Case Western Reserve University, Columbia University or Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Upon successful completion of both portions of the program, students receive the B.S. degree from Dickinson and the B.S. in engineering from the engineering school.

Requirements for the Dickinson degree: a student must complete the Dickinson distribution requirements and requirements for a major field of concentration during the three years at Dickinson. Students must begin the major field of concentration in the first year. Courses taken at the engineering school to complete Dickinson requirements must be approved before leaving Dickinson.

Requirements for admission to the engineering schools, engineering majors available and the pre-requisite courses necessary to qualify for admission vary for each school. Detailed information regarding the admissions criteria, including pre-requisite coursework that must be completed, application deadlines and the majors available at each Engineering school can be found on the Engineering Program Linkage Agreements web site.

Suggested Four Year Program

Physics major:
First Year: PHYS 131, 132; MATH 170, 171 (or 151, 170)
Second Year: Major courses*; PHYS 211, 212; MATH 270(or 171 and 270)
Third Year: Major courses*; CHEM 141, 241, COMP 131

Chemistry major:
First Year: CHEM 141, 241; MATH 170, 171 (or 151, 170)
Second Year: Major courses*; PHYS 131, 132; MATH 270(or 171 and 270)
Third Year: Major courses*; PHYS 212; COMP 131; (MATH 262)

Computer Science major:
First Year: COMP 131, 132; MATH 170, 171 (or 151, 170)
Second Year: Major courses*; PHYS 131, 132; MATH 270(or 171 and 270)
Third Year: Major courses*; PHYS 212; COMP 131; (MATH 262)

Biology major:
First Year: Any two 100-level BIOL courses; CHEM 141, 241; MATH 170, 171 (or 151, 170)
Second Year: Major courses*; PHYS 131, 132; MATH 270(or 171 and 270)
Third Year: Major courses*; PHYS 212; COMP 131; (MATH 262)

* The choice of major courses should be made in consultation with the major adviser and the binary engineering director.