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- Engineering Sciences Major
- Biomedical Engineering Sciences Major
- Modified Major
- Engineering Physics Major
- Materials Science Minor
- Engineering Sciences Minor
- Foreign Study
- Honors Program & Fellowships
- FAQs
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FAQs about Engineering at Dartmouth
What do engineers do?
They apply mathematics and science to design devices, processes, and systems that meet human needs and solve human problems. Our increasingly technological world requires engineers who are broadly educated in technical areas and also possess the ability to write clearly, speak persuasively, understand the broad social context of technology, and work in teams.
How are engineers educated at Dartmouth?
The first step is the Engineering Sciences major, which is part of the Bachelor of Arts (A.B.) degree. Graduates are uncommonly well rounded, having fulfilled all Dartmouth undergraduate requirements in the humanities, social sciences, and a foreign language. The major itself emphasizes the application of engineering fundamentals to real-world problems; most core courses and many electives include labs or projects. We also offer modified engineering majors with other departments (computer science, chemistry, biology, environmental science, economics, studio art, and public policy), an Engineering Physics major jointly with the physics department, a minor in Engineering Sciences, and a minor in Materials Science (jointly with the physics and chemistry departments).
How do I become an undergraduate engineering sciences major?
A.B. Degree with Engineering Sciences Major
| Dartmouth Liberal Arts Requirements:
English 5 and First Year Seminar, Foreign Language, Distributive and World Culture Requirements (For more details see the Dartmouth College Bulletin) |
10-14 credits |
| Math and Science prerequisites to the major:
MATH 3, 8, 13; PHYS 13, 14; CHEM 5; ENGS 20 or COSC 5 (For course descriptions, see the Dartmouth College Bulletin) |
6-7 credits |
| Engineering Sciences Major:
Core courses and two of:
Gateway courses
Technical electives
Culminating experience (may replace one technical elective)
|
9-10 credits |
| Free Electives
Additional liberal arts or engineering courses, second major or minor |
4-8 credits |
| Total to Graduate From Dartmouth | 35 credits |
Will I have time for anything else if I study engineering?
Though rigorous, the program is flexible. The major and its prerequisites require sixteen courses, less than half of your Dartmouth coursework (modified majors require a few more courses). Over 25% of engineering majors carry a dual major or a minor in another subject, and all are encouraged to participate in foreign study programs. Engineers participate in sports, musical groups, and other extracurricular activities.
What can I do after I graduate?
The Engineering Sciences major is an excellent preparation for careers requiring abilities in quantitative analysis and problem solving. Most students, however, continue their education in various ways:
Complete the Bachelor of Engineering degree
Thayer School's ABET-accredited Bachelor of Engineering (B.E.) program prepares you to enter the engineering profession, or graduate programs in engineering, through advanced coursework in engineering sciences and a significant experience in design. It requires up to a year beyond the A.B., but many students can plan their schedules to complete the A.B. and B.E. together in twelve or thirteen terms.
Get a Master's or Ph.D. at Thayer School
We offer both the research-oriented Master of Science (M.S.) and the management-focused Master of Engineering Management (M.E.M.) along with the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.).
Go to grad school somewhere else
Strong performance in the Engineering Sciences major at Dartmouth also assures an excellent chance for entry into other top graduate school of engineering, and many engineering sciences students attend graduate schools of business, law, or medicine.
Will you help me find a job?
Thayer School's Career Services office provides support and guidance in exploring technical job opportunities, both full-time employment and leave-term industrial internships. Please visit the Career Services website for statistics and more information.
Why do you only have one department?
Our philosophy in the Engineering Sciences major has always been to avoid premature specialization, maximize flexibility, and cultivate an interdisciplinary perspective. (See also Beyond Departments.) A wide variety of elective courses permits specialization at the Bachelor of Engineering (B.E.) level equivalent to that achieved by traditional four-year engineering programs. Some of these elective courses are shown below:
Suggested electives for particular interests:
Bioengineering
Computer Engineering
- ENGS 31 Digital Electronics
- ENGS 62 Microprocessors in Engineered Systems
- ENGS 63 Introduction to VLSI Systems
plus appropriate computer science courses
Chemical Engineering
- ENGS 34 Fluid Dynamics
- ENGS 35 Biotechnology and Biochemical Engineering
- ENGS 36 Chemical Engineering
- ENGS 37 Introduction to Environmental Engineering
plus appropriate chemistry courses
Electrical Engineering
- ENGS 31 Digital Electronics
- ENGS 32 Electronics: Introduction to Linear and Digital Circuits
- ENGS 61 Intermediate Electrical Circuits
- ENGS 68 Introduction to Communication Systems
Engineering Management
Environmental Engineering
- ENGS 37 Introduction to Environmental Engineering
- ENGS 41 Sustainability and Natural Resource Management
- ENGS 42 Contaminant Hydrogeology
- ENGS 43 Environmental Transport and Fate
- ENGS 44 Sustainable Design
Materials Science and Engineering
- ENGS 33 Solid Mechanics
- ENGS 73 Materials Processing and Selection
- ENGS 130 Mechanical Behavior of Materials
- ENGS 131 Science of Solid State Materials
Mechanical Engineering
- ENGS 33 Solid Mechanics
- ENGS 34 Fluid Dynamics
- ENGS 71 Structural Analysis
- ENGS 76 Machine Engineering
Can I get Advanced Placement?
Yes, if you achieve high enough scores on the College Board Advanced Placement (AP) exams. AP credits are particularly valuable to students wishing to accelerate the B.E. program. Departmental Placement examinations given during First-Year Orientation week may be needed to supplement or substitute for your AP scores. The most common AP subjects of interest to engineers are shown below. For more information, consult First Year, published by the Office of the Dean of First Year Students.
Advanced placement opportunities for first-year students interested in engineering
| A.P. Exam | Grade | Credit for... | Placement in... |
|---|---|---|---|
| Calculus BC | 4 or 5 3 or below |
Math 3 and 8 Credit is determined by the AB subscore, which is treated the same way as the AB exam scores |
Math 11 or 13 Math 8 or higher, if warranted |
| Calculus AB | 4 or 5 3 |
Math 3 Exemption from Math 3, but no credit. Students may take a placement exam from the Math department to obtain credit for Math 3 |
Math 8 or 15.1 Math 3 or 8 |
| Chemistry | 5 | Chem 5 | Chem 6 or 10 (for chemical engineering or pre-med) |
| Computer Science AB | 4 or 5 | CoSc 5 | CoSc 18 (for computer engineering) |
| English: Language/Composition or Literature/Composition | 5 | English 5 exemption (no course credit) | First-Year Seminar |
| French, German, Spanish: Language Literature |
4 5 |
Exemption from foreign language requirement (no course credit) Exemption from foreign language requirement and a course credit |
Intermediate or advanced courses (not required for engineering) |
| Latin | 5 | Credit possible | |
| Physics | Credit for the introductory Physics 13-14 sequence is typically not given. An honors sequence, Physics 15-16, is available to students with advanced preparation. | ||
How can I find out more?
Contact Academic and Student Affairs Office (MacLean 103): 603-646-2606
E-mail: Undergraduate.Engineering@Dartmouth.edu
Visit Thayer School any weekday for an information session with a faculty member and a guided tour of the facilities with a current student. Please call for times and availability.