Engineering Dual-degree Program
253.535.7400
www.nsci.plu.edu/3-2program
nsci@plu.edu
Faculty: see Department of Physics and Department of Chemistry
Click here to view Physics (PHYS) courses
Click here to view Chemistry (CHEM) courses
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 PLU 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 B.A. 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 B.A. in chemistry from PLU.
Transfer to Non-Affiliated Engineering Schools
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.
Student Advising
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.
PLU Requirements
In order to earn a PLU degree in the Dual-degree program, the following requirements must be satisfied:Completion of the following science and mathematics courses
44 semester hours- MATH 151, 152, 253 (12 semester hours)
- MATH 351 or PHYS 354 (4 semester hours)
- PHYS 153, 154, 163, 164, 223 (14 semester hours)
- CHEM 115, 116 (eight semester hours)
- CSCE 131, 144 (six semester hours)
Completion of the general university requirements as specified in the catalog, except that the following general requirements are waived for all dual-degree (3-2) students:
- Completion of a minimum of 128 semester hours on the PLU transcript;
- Completion of a minimum of 40 semester hours from courses numbered 300 and above;
- The requirement that at least 20 of the minimum 40 semester hours of upper-division work must be taken at PLU;
- The requirement that the final 32 semester hours of a student’s program be completed in residence at PLU;
- The requirement that the senior seminar/project be completed at PLU. Senior projects from the engineering school (a characteristic of ABET-accredited schools) will satisfy the PLU senior project requirement for Dual-degree students upon approval of the project by the appropriate PLU department chair.
B.A. in Physics
12 additional semester hours
- 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.
- MATH 331, 356
- PHYS 240, 331, 333, 334, 336
- CSCE 245
- CHEM 341 may be substituted for PHYS 333.
B.A. in Chemistry
19 additional semester hours
Completion of organic chemistry (CHEM 331, 332, 333, 334) and physical chemistry (CHEM 341, 342, 343).
The Engineering School Program
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, earth and environmental engineering and systems science. Details are available from the PLU program director.Academic Expectations
For admission to their engineering program, Columbia University requires 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.