Contents
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: application to an engineering Master's program after completion of a science major, or, by the Binary Engineering program. For the Binary program, students must plan their program carefully in order to meet all the requirements; new students need to contact the Pre-engineering advisor, Prof. Pfister, in July as they plan their first semester.
The Binary Engineering Program is a five-year program consisting of three years at Dickinson and two years at one of two engineering schools: Case Western Reserve University or Rensselaer Polytechnic. 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 of the engineering schools: the participating engineering schools require a 3.00 cumulative grade point average during the three years at Dickinson and satisfactory completion of the following:
Mathematics: two years, including Differential and Integral Calculus, Multivariable Calculus, and Differential Equations.
Physics: One and one-half years of calculus-based Physics, including Mechanics, Electricity and Magnetism, and Medical and Radiation Physics.
Chemistry: one year including States of Matter, Atomic and Molecular Structure, Thermodynamics, Equilibrium and Kinetics, and Chemistry laboratory.
Computer Science: one course in the use of computers for numerical analysis.
Humanities and Social Sciences: six to twelve courses in the humanities and social sciences, depending on the engineering school.
Other science courses in the area of the expected engineering field. (The complete list of engineering programs available at the participating schools is available from the Pre-engineering advisor, Professor Hans Pfister.)
Application to the engineering school: During the first semester of the junior year the student applies to one of the participating engineering schools. A student who has the required 3.0 average and is meeting the course requirements can expect to be admitted to full standing and to be able to complete the engineering degree in two additional years. During the spring semester of the junior year, the student pre-registers for the off-campus study for the subsequent two academic years.
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.
Physics major:First Year: PHYS 131, 132; MATH 161, 162 (or 151, 152)
Second Year: Major courses*; PHYS 211, 212; MATH 261, 262 (or 162, 261)
Third Year: Major courses*; CHEM 141, 241, COMP 131
Chemistry major:First Year: CHEM 141, 241; MATH 161, 162 (or 151, 152)
Second Year: Major courses*; PHYS 131, 132; MATH 261, 262 (or 162, 261)
Third Year: Major courses*; PHYS 212; COMP 131; (MATH 262)
Computer Science major:First Year: COMP 131, 132; MATH 161, 162 (or 151, 152)
Second Year: Major courses*; PHYS 131, 132; MATH 261, 262 (or 162, 261)
Third Year: Major courses*; PHYS 212; COMP 131; (MATH 262)
Biology major:First Year: BIOL 131, 132: CHEM 141, 241; MATH 161, 162 (or 151, 152)
Second Year: Major courses*; PHYS 131, 132; MATH 261, 262 (or 162, 261)
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.
