Engineering Science Dual Degrees, BS

Introduction

Engineering schools recognize that students who come into engineering from a liberal arts background frequently have a broader perspective than the average engineering student. Therefore, engineering schools often look for opportunities to recruit students from liberal arts institutions. In order to provide pathways into engineering for students, Pacific offers an Engineering Science major through a Dual Degree option. 

Engineering Dual Degree Options

A dual degree program is a 3+2 transfer program in which the student spends three years at Pacific followed by two years at an engineering school. While at Pacific, the student completes the liberal arts core, makes significant progress toward a Natural Sciences major and a Bachelor of Science degree, and completes the prerequisite courses necessary for admission into an engineering school. The student then transfers to the engineering school for two years of further education in science and engineering. An important aspect of a dual degree program is that the completion of the liberal arts core provides breadth in humanities and social sciences, which is desirable for scientists in the industry. Upon completion of the dual degree program, the student receives a Bachelor of Science in an Arts & Sciences discipline from Pacific and a Bachelor of Science in engineering from the engineering school.

Pacific offers two dual degree options for students:

1. Formal dual degree programs with partner institutions (listed below)
2. Approved informal dual degree programs with an engineering school of choice (prior approval needed)

Requirements for Pacific BS Degrees Within a Dual Degree Program

Dual degree students may work toward many Natural Sciences majors for their Pacific BS degree, including the Engineering Science major. Students must complete all requirements for the Pacific BS degree within the major of their choice. Any courses from the engineering school that are substituted for courses required of the Pacific major must be approved by the department chair of that major. Students should work carefully with the engineering dual degree advisor at Pacific, their academic advisor, and the department chair of their major field of study to plan their path through the program, to ensure that they fulfill the necessary prerequisite courses for admission into the engineering school and are able to complete their desired major at Pacific.

Students pursuing an approved dual degree engineering program will have different residency requirements at Pacific University. In particular, these students will not be required to take 30 of their last 40 semester credits at Pacific.

Students choosing this path of study must complete an advising plan and submit it to the Registrar’s Office upon acceptance to the engineering school. Students planning to transfer credits back to Pacific University in order to complete a Pacific major and degree must submit an official transcript to the Registrar’s Office prior to graduation.

Dual Degree Program with Case Western Reserve University

Pacific University has established a formal dual degree program with the School of Engineering at Case Western Reserve University. A complete range of engineering specialties is available at Case including aerospace, biomedical, chemical, civil, computer, electrical, mechanical and systems engineering.

Additionally, students must earn an overall grade point average of 3.0 and a grade point average of 3.0 in Math and Science courses. Students who meet these prerequisite requirements must apply to Case for admission into the School of Engineering. It is likely that those students will be accepted into the program, but it is not guaranteed.

Dual Degree Program with Portland State University

Pacific also has established a “3 + 2” program with Portland State leading to a BS from Pacific and a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering or in Environmental Engineering from Portland State.

Informal Dual Degree Programs

It is common for Pacific students to enroll in engineering programs (such as Oregon State or Portland State) through transfer or after completion of their degree at Pacific. If a dual degree program is being pursued at a school without a formal agreement with Pacific, the department chairs in Pacific’s School of Natural Sciences must approve the program. Requirements for admission into these programs are unique to each school, but admission is likely for those students who maintain at least a 3.0 grade point average and who are recommended by the Pacific University School of Natural Sciences faculty.

Advising

It may be difficult to complete the necessary coursework during the 5-year duration of dual degree programs. Careful planning is necessary; students should consult with an engineering dual degree advisor at Pacific as soon as possible (James Butler; jjbutler@pacificu.edu, or Andrew Dawes; dawes@pacificu.edu).

Program Details

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of the engineering program will have:

• an ability to apply principles of mathematics, science, and engineering in a variety of contexts.
• an ability to use the techniques, skills, and tools necessary for science and engineering practice.
• an ability to design and conduct experiments, as well as to analyze and interpret data.
• an ability to design a system, component, or process to meet desired needs within realistic constraints such as economic, environmental, social, political, ethical, health and safety, manufacturability and sustainability.
• an ability to participate in projects that cross disciplines and to function on multi-disciplinary teams.
• an ability to identify, formulate, and solve engineering problems.
• an understanding of professional and ethical responsibility
• an ability to communicate effectively
• the broad education necessary to understand the impact of engineering solutions in a global, economic, environmental and societal context.
• a recognition of the need for, and an ability to engage in life-long learning.
• a knowledge of contemporary issues.