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www.nsci.plu.edu/3-2program
The Dual-Degree Engineering Program at Pacific Lutheran University
provides students with the opportunity to combine a liberal arts
education with rigorous study in engineering. Students who complete the
program earn two degrees - one from PLU and the other from an engineering
school accredited by ABET (Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology). For the well- prepared student, the total length of study is
five years. Three years at PLU and two years at the engineering school; hence, the program is sometimes referred to as the "Three-Two Engineering
Program."
Most subdisciplines of engineering are available to students in the Dual-degree program, including electrical, mechanical, civil, chemical, aerospace and biomedical engineering. Formal agreements exist with Columbia University
in New York City and Washington University in St. Louis. At both
schools, Dual-degree students form a community. They share residence
facilities and often are enrolled in many of the same courses. PLU
students who have participated in the Dual-degree program report their
rich cultural and academic experiences at both schools and are
routinely very pleased with their decision to have participated in the dual-degree program.
The Dual-degree student is awarded a PLU
degree when the PLU requirements are satisfied and the program of study
at the engineering school is completed.
The PLU degree that typically is awarded is the Bachelor of Arts in physics. The BA in physics is well recognized by engineering schools and is the most frequently awarded degree by four-year schools with Dual-degree programs. The physics degree can be selected by Dual-degree students in all engineering subdisciplines, but students wishing to study chemical engineering may wish to consider the option of obtaining the BA in chemistry from PLU.
Occasionally, PLU students choose to transfer to an engineering school that does not participate in the Dual-degree program. PLU nonetheless recognizes these students as participants in the dual-degree program and awards the appropriate PLU degree upon successful completion of their program at the engineering school. Since the PLU curriculum may not mesh smoothly with courses at unaffiliated institutions, the total time for degree completion may be more than five years.
Individual departments do not provide advice on the dual-degree
program. All prospective Dual-degree students, regardless of their
intended engineering subdiscipline, should consult with the Dual-degree
director (in the Physics Department) very early in their academic
program.
PLU and the participating engineering schools recommend that Dual-degree students use their time at PLU to secure their academic
foundations in mathematics, physics, and chemistry. Math skills are
particularly important to develop, and poor math skills are the most
frequent reason prospective engineering students fail to succeed in the
program. While at PLU, students should concentrate on the fundamentals and enroll in the engineering courses at the Three-Two affiliated engineering school.
In order to earn a PLU degree in the Dual-degree program, the following requirements must be satisfied:
Completion of an additional 12 semester hours of electives in science and mathematics from the following courses:
The particular courses chosen will depend on the intended subdiscipline and the engineering school's entrance requirements. Students should consult with the program director before choosing their electives.
Completion of organic chemistry (CHEM 331, 332, 333, 334) and physical chemistry (CHEM 341, 342, 343)
The course of study at the engineering school will depend on both the school and the
subdiscipline. Between Columbia University and Washington University,
approximately 20 different engineering subdisciplines are available to
dual-degree students. These include the more common subdisciplines
(civil, chemical, electrical, mechanical) and others such as operations
research, applied mathematics, geological engineering and systems
science. Details are available from the PLU program director.
For admission to their engineering program,
both Columbia University require a cumulative
PLU grade point average of 3.00 or higher, and a grade point average of 3.00 or higher in
pertinent mathematics and science courses.For Washington University, the required grade point average is 3.25 both overall, and in science and mathematics courses. Students who do not meet
these requirements are considered on a case-by-case basis. Although
students who choose to transfer to another engineering school may be
able to gain admission with slightly lower grades than those required
by Columbia University and Washington University, all prospective
engineering students are well advised to use the higher standard as a
more realistic indication of what will be expected of them in the
engineering school.
Engineering schools often do not allow pass-fail courses; thus, PLU students are advised not to enroll in mathematics, science or engineering courses for pass-fail grading.
Columbia University requires that students attend at least two full-time years at PLU before transferring.
For more information, contact the dual-degree program director in the Department of Physics or visit the program website at www.nsci.plu.edu/3-2program.