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Basic Facts about the Major
Seven to eight prerequisites
- Three courses in mathematics (MATH 3, MATH 8, and MATH 11 or MATH 13)
- Two in physics (PHYS 13, PHYS 14)
- One in chemistry (CHEM 5)
- One or two in computer science (ENGS 20 or COSC 1 and COSC 10)
Majors
We offer majors in:
Engineering majors also go on to graduate programs in medicine, business, and law, in addition to engineering.
Modified majors
We also offer modified majors with:
The Bachelor of Engineering (BE) degree program
The BE program requires nine or ten courses beyond the basic major, and usually requires one to three terms beyond graduation, though a third of our majors can complete both degrees in four years.
The BE is strongly recommended for students who intend to enter the engineering profession or gain disciplinary depth.
Financial aid is available from Dartmouth Engineering for the BE.
Completing the Prerequisites and Entering the Major
Traditionally, in most schools, including Dartmouth, students majoring in engineering focus on completing prerequisites—mathematics, physics, chemistry, and computer science—in the first year, and even into the sophomore year. However, other paths may be better suited to students who are unsure of their interests or who may have difficulty adjusting to Dartmouth’s rigorous academic pace.
It is not mandatory, although it is recommended, that prospective engineering majors take five mathematics, science, and engineering courses in the first year. Before the start of sophomore summer, a prospective student would normally have also taken ENGS 21 and at least one other engineering course.
A student who has been placed into MATH 1 should take MATH 1 or ENGS 1.01 in the fall, MATH 3 in the winter, and continue with MATH 8 in the spring. PHYS 13–14 may be taken in the sophomore year.
As long as the prerequisites are completed by the end of the sophomore year, the major can be completed on schedule.
A student who is committed to majoring in engineering sciences will likely complete the traditional sequence of MATH 3-8-13, PHYS 13–14, and possibly ENGS 20 or ENGS 21 in the first year.
A student who is curious about engineering but unsure about the major at this time should take MATH 3 and MATH 8 and CHEM 5 (or CHEM 11) or PHYS 13 and PHYS 14 in the first year, and an introductory engineering course to explore the field.
- ENGS 1–19 are technology courses, which do not count toward the major.
- ENGS 20, ENGS 21, and ENGS 31 are accessible to first-year students in the spring term and carry major credit but require a greater time investment.
Sometimes a student wishes to combine the engineering sciences major with preparation for medical school. In this case, the student should take the two general chemistry courses (CHEM 5-6) in the first year and postpone physics to the sophomore year. This is also advisable for students who wish to double major in chemistry and engineering science, and may be advisable for students interested in modifying engineering with chemistry as preparation for further study in chemical engineering.
Advanced placement
- A student with one advanced placement credit in mathematics ("Calculus AB") may enroll in MATH 8 in the fall term.
- A student with two advanced placement credits in mathematics ("Calculus BC") may take MATH 11 in the fall term.
- Students with advanced placement may also be invited to take advanced sections of physics (PHYS 15–16) and/ or chemistry (CHEM 11).
- They should be careful, however, not to overcommit themselves in the fall term. The engineering sciences department has no preference for honors mathematics and physics over the standard courses.
Distributive credits
The prerequisites for engineering science help fulfill distributive requirements as follows:
- Mathematics: Quantitative and Deductive Science
- Physics and chemistry: Natural Science and Laboratory
- Computer science and engineering science: Technology or Applied Science
Therefore, even if a student ultimately decides not to major in engineering, the time spent taking prerequisites is well spent. Many engineering prerequisites are also prerequisites for other majors in the sciences.
Planning for Language Study Abroad (LSA)
Engineering students are encouraged to participate in LSA programs. However, because many LSAs occur in the sophomore year, students should be careful that the LSA program does not interfere with completing the prerequisites for the major.
A Foreign Study Program in engineering is also feasible.
Sample First-Year Programs
Various first-year programs are possible, depending on high school preparation in physics and mathematics. Several of these are listed below.
In some cases, suggested schedules beyond the first year are included to show how prerequisites are completed (for example, students placed in MATH 1 will complete physics in the sophomore year). Remember, it is possible for course offerings to change.
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Traditional program for students with no advanced placement
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Students curious about engineering but unsure about majoring in it
Suitable exploratory electives include ENGS courses numbered below 20 (no major credit). ENGS 20, ENGS 21, and ENGS 31, which count toward the engineering sciences major, are also available to first-year students but require more time.
First year example
Fall Winter Spring MATH 3 MATH 8 Elective Elective PHSY 13 or CHEM 5 PHYS 14 or ENGS 20 WRIT 5 First Year Seminar Elective A student interested in pursuing engineering beyond the first year would then take the remaining prerequisites to the major in the sophomore year.
Sophomore year example
Fall Winter Spring Summer MATH 13 Elective ENGS 20 ENGS 22* ENGS 21* PHYS 13 or CHEM 5 PHYS 14 or Elective ENGS 25, ENGS 31, or ENGS 33 Elective Elective Elective Elective *core courses in the major
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Students with one term of advanced placement in mathematics
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Students with two terms of advanced placement in mathematics
First year example
Fall Winter Spring MATH 11 Elective ENGS 20 PHYS 13 PHSY 14 Elective WRIT 5 First Year Seminar Elective -
Students beginning with MATH 1
First year example
Fall Winter Spring MATH 1 or ENGS 1.01 MATH 3 MATH 8 Elective Elective ENGS 21 WRIT 5 First Year Seminar Elective An exploratory course, such as ENGS 1–19, can be taken in this schedule, so the student can preview engineering before committing to the heavier load in the sophomore year.
Sophomore year example
Fall Winter Spring Summer MATH 13 Elective ENGS 20 ENGS 22* Elective or ENGS 21* PHYS 13 PHYS 14 ENGS 25, ENGS 31, or ENGS 33 Elective Elective Elective Elective *core courses in the major
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Students interested in engineering and pre-med
If the student plans to enter medical school immediately following graduation from Dartmouth, then the required pre-med courses must be completed by winter of the junior year to take the MCAT exams in the spring. This can lead to a rather hectic schedule for the first two years, as shown below.
On the other hand, if the student intends to complete the Bachelor of Engineering before medical school or postpone applying to medical school until senior year or later, then the pre-med requirements need not be completed until the winter term of the senior year. This allows more flexibility in scheduling, but it can be a difficult decision to make in the first year.
The essential difference in first-year planning is that CHEM 5–6 are taken in the first year, and PHYS 13–14 in the sophomore year. Mathematics, Biology, and Organic Chemistry fill out the complement of science courses in the first two years.
First year example
Sophomore year example
Fall Winter Spring Summer ENGS 21* PHYS 13 PHYS 14 ENGS 22* MATH 13 BIOL 12 or 13 CHEM 51 CHEM 52 Language 1 Language 2 Language 3 Elective *core courses in the major
Contact
Undergraduate Program Director
Jenna Wheeler
jenna.d.wheeler@dartmouth.edu
+1 (603) 646-3677