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Engineering Modified with Earth Sciences

Students interested in geotechnical engineering may pursue the engineering sciences major modified with earth sciences. 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 TYPE NUMBER OF REQUIRED COURSES COURSES

Mathematics*

3 courses

MATH 3: Calculus
MATH 8: Calculus of Functions of One and Several Variables
MATH 13: Calculus of Vector-Valued Functions

Physics

2 courses

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

Chemistry**

1 course

Students will be placed in 1 of the following:

CHEM 5: General Chemistry
CHEM 11: General Chemistry

Computer Science

1 or 2 courses

Choose 1 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

Earth Sciences

2 courses

1 introductory Earth Sciences course from EARS 1 to EARS 9 (excluding EARS 7)
EARS 40: Materials of the Earth

* Students with prior experience with calculus (as demonstrated through AP or IB exams, A-level credit, or placement exam) 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 or IB exams, A-level credit, or placement exam) automatically receive credit for CHEM 5 and have the option of taking CHEM 11 as a chemistry elective towards the requirements for the AB and/or BE.

Required Courses

COURSE TYPE NUMBER OF REQUIRED COURSES COURSES

Engineering Sciences

6 courses

ENGS 22: Systems
ENGS 23: Distributed Systems and Fields
ENGS 24: Science of Materials
ENGS 25: Introduction to Thermodynamics
Two engineering sciences elective courses numbered above ENGS 20, excluding ENGS 80 and ENGS 87

Earth Sciences

4 courses

Choose 4 Earth Sciences courses (EARS 10 or above):

  • At least one of the courses must be a Core Methods and Concepts course (EARS 30 to 59.)
  • At least one must be a Quantitative Analysis or Advanced Topics course (EARS 60 to 79.)

Culminating Experience

In addition to coursework, all engineering sciences majors and modified majors are required to complete a culminating experience, which may include a thesis, a design project, or an advanced engineering sciences course with a significant design or research project, chosen from an approved list. Normally taken during the senior year, the course is chosen from the following options below, and for modified majors, must be justified as part of a larger unified coherent program of study.

CULMINATING EXPERIENCE (CHOOSE ONE OPTION) NUMBER OF REQUIRED COURSES COURSES

Thesis

1 course

Choose 1 course, from the following:

ENGS 86: Independent Project
ENGS 88: Honors Thesis

Design Project

2 courses

ENGS 89: Engineering Design Methodology and Project Initiation
ENGS 90: Engineering Design Methodology and Project Completion

  • Taken as a 2-course design sequence.
  • May count toward both AB and BE degrees.
  • Prior to enrollment in ENGS 89, at least 6 engineering sciences courses must be completed: ENGS 21 plus 5 additional courses numbered 22 to 76 (excluding 75), and 91 and above.

Advanced Course

1 course

One advanced engineering sciences course with a significant design or research project. Students should consult the approved list of 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? For course planning questions within the specific discipline, please contact Professor Colin R. Meyer.

For general requirement or advising questions, please contact undergraduate.engineering.advising@dartmouth.edu.