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Requirements
Engineering
The dual-degree cooperative engineering program (sometimes also referred to as a “3-2” program) combines a liberal arts education with a professional engineering education. A student generally spends three or four years at Beloit College, followed by two years at an engineering college, and earns two degrees (either two bachelor’s degrees, or a bachelor’s degree and an M.S. degree). Most entry-level engineering jobs are filled at the bachelor’s degree level and require both strong backgrounds in mathematics and science and the design skills taught in a bachelor’s program in engineering. The M.S. degree is for specialization, and holders of M.S. and Ph.D. degrees often work in research and development.
Students participating in the dual-degree engineering program may attend any engineering college accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET). However, Beloit College is formally affiliated with two universities (Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and Washington University in St. Louis). A student who fulfills all prerequisites with the GPA required by the engineering college and specialty, and is recommended by Beloit’s engineering liaison, will normally be admitted to the affiliated engineering college. Common specialties are chemical, civil, electrical, and mechanical engineering, but a student may pursue any engineering specialty.
Each engineering college has its own degree requirements, which often include English composition, specific humanities and social science courses, and science and mathematics courses not in the Beloit pre-engineering core curriculum. Some engineering colleges require completion of all humanities and social science requirements prior to matriculation at their institution. Information about requirements for the affiliated universities is available from the engineering program advisors.
Majors
- Seven physics departmental units:
- Physics 101, 102, 210, 330, 335, 340, and 345.
- Four engineering program units:
- Engineering 105, 220, 330 (.5), 340 (.5), 381 (.5), and 382 (.5).
- Supporting courses (4 units): Mathematics 110 or 113, and Mathematics 115, 190, and 201.
- Engineering Physics majors planning to attend graduate school in physics are strongly urged to take all of the core 300-level physics courses (330, 335, 340, 345, and 350); and Mathematics 175.
- Students are strongly encouraged to do a semester of off-campus study or study abroad. Possible programs include the Oak Ridge Science Semester; many international opportunities include the possibility of taking upper-level physics courses.
- All Engineering Physics majors are encouraged to do an internship or independent research, often in the form of a paid summer REU.
- Students cannot major in both physics and engineering physics.
- Students interested in a 3-2 or 4-2 program should declare a major in physics as opposed to engineering physics.
Programs
- Required courses (10 units), completed with at least a “C” average:
- Two units of chemistry, including Chemistry 220.
- Two units of computer science.
- Mathematics 110 or 113, 115, 190, and 201.
- Physics 101 and 102.
- Recommended courses:
- Chemistry 220, 230, and 235 (for chemical engineering).
- Economics 199 (required by some engineering schools).
- Engineering 105.
- Geology 100 or 110 (for civil engineering).
- Mathematics 175 and/or 205 (required by some engineering schools).
- Physics 210 (required by some engineering programs).
- Engineering 220 (required by some electrical engineering programs).
- Physics 330 (for civil and mechanical engineering).
- Twenty-three units of Beloit credit (for 3-2 program), at least 16 of which are in residence.
- Completion of all remaining Beloit College degree requirements.
- Any additional courses required for admission to the engineering institution.
- Attainment of an engineering degree from an ABET-accredited institution, with at least a “C” average in the engineering college. Courses and grades from the engineering institution are transferred to Beloit and are counted into the student’s Beloit College grade point average, for purposes of requirements and honors.
Students opting for the 4-2 program must complete a non-engineering Beloit major (such as chemistry, math, or physics, but the degree can be in any major), including the minimum 31 units of Beloit credit; students will receive their Beloit degree before matriculating at the engineering school. Students must complete the engineering core in order to be certified by the Beloit liaison to an affiliate school. Students then follow a two-year program of study at an ABET-accredited engineering institution, leading to either a B.S. or an M.S. degree in engineering.
Students will receive a bachelor’s degree from Beloit with the Beloit major listed on their transcripts. The “engineering program” major will not be listed on the transcripts.
Ordinarily a student will need to choose between 3-2 and 4-2 by the end of their sophomore year, since the requirements of a Beloit major must be met for the 4-2 program.
Note: Financial aid criteria and award packages do not “transfer” from Beloit to an engineering college. A student must apply and qualify separately at the engineering college. Applying for financial assistance is generally a separate process concurrent with application for admission. A student who has graduated from Beloit before or while attending an engineering college (e.g., a student on the 4-2 program) is no longer an undergraduate, and undergraduate need-based financial aid will usually not be available subsequently at the engineering college. Graduate study is normally funded with assistantships or fellowships.
The engineering program major (3-2) requires only 23 units of Beloit credit, but it also requires completion of an engineering degree from an ABET-accredited institution. All other Beloit College degree requirements except for the 31-unit requirement must be met, and students do not receive their Beloit degree until the engineering school certifies the engineering degree.
Students must complete the engineering core, even if they opt for a second major at Beloit. It is sometimes possible to count some of the courses completed during the two years of engineering school toward the requirements of a second Beloit major; for example, an engineering course in fluid dynamics might count towards a Beloit physics major, and an engineering course in petroleum chemistry might count towards a Beloit chemistry major. Students must consult with the department of the second major in determining what will transfer back and count toward the requirements of the second major.
Most students are expected to complete the Liberal Arts in Practice requirement while at Beloit. With prior consultation with the Beloit engineering advisor, it is occasionally possible to complete the LAP requirement at the engineering school; planning for this must be done in advance.
Students will receive a bachelor’s degree with an “engineering program” major from Beloit College upon successful completion of the dual-degree program. Students who also complete an additional Beloit major will have both the “engineering program” major and the second major listed in their transcripts.