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2025 Investiture Information

Home  |  Undergraduate  |  AB  |  Majors  |  Engineering Sciences Modified  |  Public Policy

Engineering with Public Policy

Students interested in technology and public policy may pursue the engineering sciences major modified with public policy. 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 one of the following:

CHEM 5: General Chemistry
CHEM 11: General Chemistry

Computer Science

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

Statistical Data Analysis

1 course

One course in statistical data analysis, such as ECON 10, SOCY 10, or MATH 10.

* 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 with chemistry will be placed in CHEM 5. Students with prior experience with chemistry (as demonstrated through AP, IB, or 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 TYPE NUMBER OF REQUIRED COURSES COURSES

Engineering Core

2 courses

ENGS 21: Introduction to Engineering (Should be taken sophomore year.)
ENGS 22: Systems

Engineering Electives

4 courses

Choose four courses, one from each group:

Group 1
ENGS 23: Distributed Systems and Fields
ENGS 24: Science of Materials
ENGS 25: Introduction to Thermodynamics
ENGS 26: Control Theory
ENGS 27: Discrete and Probabilistic Systems


Group 2
ENGS 30: Biological Physics
ENGS 31: Digital Electronics
ENGS 32: Electronics: Introduction to Linear and Digital Circuits
ENGS 33: Solid Mechanics
ENGS 34: Fluid Mechanics
ENGS 35: Biotechnology and Biochemical Engineering
ENGS 36: Chemical Engineering
ENGS 37: Introduction to Environmental Engineering


Group 3
ENGS 41: Sustainability and Natural Resources Management
ENGS 43: Environmental Transport and Fate
ENGS 44: Sustainable Design
ENGS 52: Introduction to Operations Research
ENGS 56: Introduction to Biomedical Engineering


Group 4
Any ENGS course numbered above 20, excluding ENGS 80 and ENGS 87

Public Policy

4 courses

Choose four courses, with at least one from each group:

Group 1
PBPL 5: Introduction to Public Policy


Group 2
PBPL 40: Economics of Public Policymaking
PBPL 41: Writing and Speaking Public Policy
PBPL 42: Ethics and Public Policy
PBPL 43: Social Entrepreneurship
PBPL 45: Introduction to Public Policy Research
ECON 20: Econometrics


Group 3
Any course (excluding Engineering Sciences) from a policy track, such as Environment and Public Policy, Health and Public Policy, Natural Resources and Public Policy, Science/Technology, and Public Policy

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 one course, from the following:

ENGS 86: Independent Project
ENGS 88: Honors Thesis

Design Project

2 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 6 engineering sciences courses must be completed: ENGS 21 plus 5 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 Course

1 course

Choose 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.