The Committee
The College offers joint engineering programs with Columbia University and Washington University at St. Louis. The student who completes the five year combined plan then receives the Bachelor of Arts degree from Wabash and the Bachelor of Science degree from the university he attends. The Pre-Engineering Committee works with the student interested in engineering preparation to create an appropriate course of study.

	Students in physics lab

The Alternatives
At times, the student chooses to complete a full four-year program at Wabash and then to attend the engineering school or university. In some fields of engineering, particularly nuclear engineering, a physics major prepares the student to begin work toward his Masters of Science or Ph.D. In other areas, like electrical engineering, the student will have to take some undergraduate engineering courses before he can begin work on an advanced degree. Some engineering schools strongly encourage the student to earn a B.S. in engineering on the way to an M.S., even if he has completed a B.A. at a liberal arts college like Wabash.

The Curriculum
Through the years, most of the Wabash students who have gone into engineering have majored in physics. However, a major in mathematics or chemistry (particularly for chemical engineering) is quite appropriate as long as the necessary physics courses are taken.

The Graduates
Wabash students have pursued engineering degrees at such universities as Columbia, Illinois, Kansas State, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, University of Michigan, Purdue, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Stanford, Washington (Seattle), Washington (St. Louis), and Wisconsin.

PRE-ENGINEERING REQUIREMENTS

Wabash College
Wabash College offers joint programs (known as "3-2" programs) with Columbia University and Washington University-St. Louis. These programs allow you to earn both a Bachelor of Arts degree from Wabash and a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering or Applied Science in five years. The Wabash and pre-engineering requirements are satisfied in three years at Wabash, and the remaining engineering or applied science requirements are satisfied at Columbia or Washington. You must satisfy the requirements for both programs, and the degrees are awarded after both programs are completed.

These programs are ambitious, and you are advised to start early, plan course schedules well in advance, and consult regularly with the Pre-Engineering Committee and faculty members in your major and minor departments. Depending on your major, you may need to take 4.5 or 5 Credits several semesters. You are also advised to learn as much as possible about the two programs, including their financial aid packages, which are not as generous as Wabash's. Information on admissions and financial aid for these programs is kept on file by the Pre-Engineering Committee.

Wabash Requirements
All requirements listed in the Curriculum section of the Academic Bulletin must be satisfied except the minimum of 34 semester courses. Thus, you must complete a regular Wabash major and minor, and must satisfy all other distribution requirements. Senior comprehensive and oral exams may be taken during the junior year, or may be arranged to be taken during your enrollment in engineering school. The oral exam must be taken on the Wabash campus. With approval of your major department and by special arrangements, the comprehensive exam may be taken off campus, but must be taken during your first year in engineering school.

While most students who participate in these programs major in physics, chemistry, or mathematics, it should be emphasized that a you can major in any subject, and that students who do well in a non-technical major and in the pre-engineering requirements are particularly sought after by these programs.

Pre-Engineering Requirements to be Satisfied at Wabash
Certain science and mathematics courses must be taken at Wabash to be eligible for admission into the programs at Columbia or Washington. In addition, both programs require a minimum GPA of 3.0 (this can be waived under extenuating circumstances). Note that the requirements for Columbia and Washington are different.

Requirements for Columbia University

• Four credits in mathematics: Math 111, 112, 223, 224 (Math 225 is recommended).
• Three to four credits in physics: Physics 111, 113, 114, and 210. Physics 210 is not required for all engineering disciplines.
• Two courses in chemistry: Chem 111, 221.
• One course in computer science: CS 111.
• One course in economics.

Requirements for Washington University

• Four courses in mathematics: Math 111, 112, 223, 224 (Math 225 is recommended).
• Two courses in physics: Physics 111, 113.
• Two courses in chemistry: Chem 111, 221.
• One course in computer science: CS 111.

If you plan to participate in the 3-2 program, during your freshman year you should take Math 111 and 112, at least two physics or chemistry courses, and possibly CS 111.

OTHER PROGRAMS
Columbia and Washington also offer "4-2" programs, in which the student completes his undergraduate Bachelor of Arts degree in four years (satisfying the pre-engineering requirements outlined above), and then enrolls at Columbia or Washington in their Bachelor of Science or Masters of Science degrees, completing them in two years. However, financial aid is less available for these 4-2 programs. On a less formal basis, a number of engineering schools will admit students with strong science and mathematics backgrounds into a Bachelor's or Master's degree program in engineering. A number of Wabash students have pursued degrees and careers in engineering without participating in one of the 3-2 programs.

You should be aware that a Master's degree in engineering is not necessarily preferable to a Bachelor's degree. The Bachelor's degree is much more applied and "hands on" than the Master's degree and many employers prefer applicants with Bachelor's degrees. In addition, an engineering license is more readily obtained by those with a Bachelor's degree than by those with a Master's degree, but not a Bachelor's.

If you are interested in pursuing an advanced degree (Master's or Ph.D.) in engineering, you should major (and probably minor) in physics, chemistry, or mathematics. In some fields of engineering, particularly nuclear engineering, the physics major prepares one to begin work toward a Masters of Science or Ph.D. In other areas, like electrical engineering, you will have to take some undergraduate engineering courses before beginning work on an advanced degree. Some engineering schools strongly encourage the student to earn a B.S. in engineering on the way to a M.S., even if he has completed a B.A. at a liberal arts college like Wabash.

For further information, you should consult a member of the Pre-Engineering Committee, or request information about the 3-2 programs from Columbia or Washington.

Washington Mailing and Web Addresses:

Washington University Home Page: http://www.wustl.edu/
School of Engineering and Applied Science: http://www.seas.wustl.edu/
Dual Degree (3-2,4-2) Homepage: http://dualdegree.seas.wustl.edu/
Dual Degree (3-2,4-2) Admission Requirements: http://dualdegree.seas.wustl.edu/DDAdmissionRequirements.htm

Columbia Mailing and Web Addresses:

Columbia University Home Page: http://www.cc.columbia.edu/
School of Engineering and Applied Science Home Page: http://www.seas.columbia.edu/
Engineering 3-2 and 4-2 Programs: http://www.engineering.columbia.edu/students/academics/combinedplan.php
3-2 and 4-2 Program Requirements and Application Forms: http://www.engineering.columbia.edu/admissions/cp/bachelors/applying.php

Pre-Engineering Committee (2005-2006): James Brown (Chair) and Esteban Poffald

SAMPLE SCHEDULES

Here are some sample schedules for students majoring in physics, chemistry, or mathematics. These are only samples, and your schedule should reflect your personal interests and the school you plan to attend after Wabash. You should refer to the Academic Bulletin for all details on these majors.

Physics major, going to either Columbia or Washington:

With permission of the department, some of the upper-level courses may be taken at the student's engineering school.

Chemistry major, going to Washington:

Chem 13 is usually taken in the senior year. With permission of the department, an equivalent course may be taken at the student's engineering school.

Mathematics major with emphasis in applied mathematics, going to Columbia or Washington:

The choice of physics or chemistry in the sophomore year depends on whether the student plans to attend Columbia or Washington. With advance permission of the mathematics department, some of the mathematics electives may be taken at the student's engineering school.

For information contact:

James Brown, Chair
Pre-Engineering Committee
brownj@wabash.edu
(765) 361-6282