3-2 Program
Physics Advisor: William Case - case@grinnell.edu
At Grinnell, students who plan careers in engineering have two options. A student may spend three years at Grinnell and two years in one of the engineering programs with which Grinnell cooperates: Columbia University, California Institute of Technology, Renssaleaer Polytechnic Institute, and Washington University. (Special arrangements can sometimes be made with other institutions.) Under normal progress the student receives a B.A. degree from Grinnell at the end of the fourth year and a B.E. degree from the cooperating institution at the end of the fifth year. Alternatively, a student may follow a complete B.A. course at Grinnell, and after graduation, undertake further study at an engineering school.
In either case, the prospective engineer studies the natural sciences as an integral part of a liberal education. Students are required to establish at Grinnell a strong foundation in mathematics, physics, and chemistry. A broad base of knowledge in the humanities and social sciences also is strongly recommended. The required science courses are those taken by any student with a serious interest in science, so a definite commitment to engineering is not necessary until enrollment at the engineering school.
Requirements for transfer to Columbia University, Washington University, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, or California Institute of Technology
Common Requirements of all four schools:
Mathematics through differential equations: Math 220
Two semesters of physics: Physics 131-132
Two semesters of chemistry: Chemistry 129, 210 (formerly 130)
3.5 GPA - Higher GPA is required for some programs and some schools
Special Requirements:
Columbia University ("Combined Plan")
http://www.studentaffairs.columbia.edu/admissions/engineering/combined
One additional semester of modern physics.
One course in computing, a knowledge of Java or C is required for some areas.
Two courses of literature, philosophy, history or culture studies; one course of economics, one course of art or music history.
Washington University ("Dual Degree") http://engineering.wustl.edu/DualDegreeProgram.aspx
One course in computing.
Eighteen hours of humanities and social studies, with eight hours in one department and including course work with significant prerequisites.
California Institute of Technology ("3-2")
http://admissions.caltech.edu/applying/32/
Four additional courses in physics (Modern Physics, Electromagnetic Theory, Mechanics, and Wave Phenomena).
(Cal Tech gives a two-year introductory physics course, and the stipulated Grinnell courses cover more than Cal Tech's courses, but they are necessary to ensure that students transferring will have had at least the background of Cal Tech students.)
Twenty-four semester hours of humanities and social studies. At least six hours must be in humanities (art, history, languages, literature, music, philosophy) and at least six hours must be in social studies (anthropology, economics, political science, psychology).
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute ("Transfer Admission") http://admissions.rpi.edu/undergraduate/admission/transfer/index.html
One additional semester of physics
Four courses in humanities and social studies.
Persons interested in chemical engineering should have a year of organic chemistry. Those interested in environmental or biomedical engineering should have some biology. A major at Grinnell must be completed, but credit to complete it can be transferred back from the engineering school. Usually a Grinnell major in chemistry, computer science, mathematics, or physics is required.
A note about finanical aid at the engineering school:
Please note that Grinnell College financial aid does not extend to the student's time at the engineering school. Check with the engineering school for their current finanical aid policy.
