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Engineering Modified with Biology

Students interested in biotechnology, engineering, and biology may elect an engineering sciences major modified with biology. Students who plan to pursue additional coursework beyond the AB to earn the Bachelor of Engineering (BE) should consult early with their faculty advisors to plan their program of study.

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Prerequisites

Modified majors are expected to have a basic understanding of calculus, physics, chemistry, and computer science. First-year students interested in the major should take the placement test in mathematics.

Unless otherwise prohibited, prerequisites may be taken under the non-recording option. Any course being used to satisfy major or minor requirements beyond the prerequisites, may not be taken under the non-recording option.

COURSE TYPENUMBER OF REQUIRED COURSESCOURSES
Mathematics*3 coursesMATH 3: Calculus
MATH 8: Calculus of Functions of One and Several Variables
MATH 11: Accelerated Multivariable Calculus or MATH 13: Calculus of Vector-Valued Functions
Biology1 courseBIOL 12: Cell Structure and Function
Chemistry**1 courseCHEM 5: General Chemistry
Computer Science1 or 2 courses

Choose one option:

Option 1 (1 course):
ENGS 20: Introduction to Scientific Computing (May not be taken under the non-recording option.)
 

Option 2 (2 courses):
COSC 1: Introduction to Programming and Computation
COSC 10: Problem Solving via Object-Oriented Programming

Physics2 coursesPHYS 13: Introductory Physics I
PHYS 14: Introductory Physics II

* Students with prior experience in calculus (as demonstrated through AP, IB, A-level, or placement exams) may place out of MATH 3 and/ or Math 8, and may be required instead to take the MATH 8 and 13 sequence, or MATH 11.

** Students with no prior experience in chemistry will be placed in CHEM 5. Students with prior experience with chemistry (as demonstrated through AP, IB, A-level exams) automatically receive credit for CHEM 5. Students who place into CHEM 11 via placement exam must complete CHEM 11 towards the prerequisite requirements, as they only receive credit for CHEM 5 after successfully completing CHEM 11.

Required Courses

COURSE TYPENUMBER OF REQUIRED COURSESCOURSES
Engineering Core3 coursesENGS 22: Systems
ENGS 25: Introduction to Thermodynamics
ENGS 35: Biotechnology and Biochemical Engineering
Engineering Electives3 courses

Choose three courses, from the following:

ENGS 21: Introduction to Engineering
ENGS 23: Distributed Systems and Fields
ENGS 24: Science of Materials
ENGS 26: Control Theory
ENGS 33: Solid Mechanics
ENGS 34: Fluid Mechanics
ENGS 36: Chemical Engineering
ENGS 37: Introduction to Environmental Engineering
ENGS 52: Introduction to Operations Research
ENGS 56: Introduction to Biomedical Engineering
ENGS 58: Introduction to Protein Engineering
ENGS 91: Numerical Methods in Computation
ENGS 161: Metabolic Engineering
ENGS 162: Analog and Probabilistic Computers: From Quantum Atom to Living Body
ENGS 165: Biomaterials

Biology Core1 courseBIOL 13: Gene Expression and Inheritance
Biology or Chemistry Electives3 courses

Choose three courses, from the following:

BIOL 37: Endocrinology
BIOL 42: Biology of the Immune Response
BIOL 43: Developmental Biology
BIOL 45: Molecular Biology
BIOL 46: Microbiology
BIOL 71: Current Topics in Cell Biology
CHEM 51: Organic Chemistry or CHEM 57: Honors Organic Chemistry

Culminating Experience

In addition to coursework, all engineering sciences majors and modified majors are required to complete a culminating experience. Normally completed during the senior year, the culminating experience may include an honors thesis, an independent project, the two-course engineering design capstone series (ENGS 89/ ENGS 90), or an advanced engineering sciences course with a significant design or research project, chosen from an approved list. The advanced engineering course for the culminating experience may be taken as one of the required electives or as an additional course.

CULMINATING EXPERIENCE (CHOOSE ONE OPTION)NUMBER OF REQUIRED COURSESCOURSES
Thesis1 course

Choose one course, from the following:

ENGS 86: Independent Project
ENGS 88: Honors Thesis

Design Project2 courses

ENGS 89: Engineering Design Methodology and Project Initiation (Must be taken as part of the two-course design sequence: ENGS 89/ ENGS 90.)

  • Prior to enrollment in ENGS 89, at least six engineering sciences courses must be completed: ENGS 21 plus five additional courses numbered 22 to 76, and 91 and above.
  • Students seeking to complete the AB and BE degrees concurrently should note that ENGS 89 may also be counted toward requirements for the BE program.
Advanced Course1 courseChoose one advanced course with a significant design or research project, normally taken in the senior year. Students should consult the approved list of Advanced Courses under the Engineering Sciences major or with the Chair of the Department of Engineering Sciences.

Course Planning

For additional information about majors, courses, and degree requirements, see:

Guide to Programs and Courses

Questions? Contact undergraduate.engineering.advising@dartmouth.edu.