ChooseWhy Choose This Program?

Why Choose This Program?

The 3+2 Dual Degree in Engineering Program is a unique way for students to benefit from a robust liberal arts education before developing professional knowledge and experience in specific fields of engineering. Students in the dual engineering program can pursue multiple interests and extracurriculars in the liberal arts college setting, while still ultimately preparing for an engineering career.

LearnWhat Will You Learn?

What Will You Learn?

Students in the dual engineering program will complete the requirements for a Goucher degree (typically in a science major such as engineering science) in three years. The immersive curriculum includes prerequisites in math, programming, and sciences. At Columbia, there are many options for possible studies—you can earn an engineering degree in fields like biomedical engineering, civil engineering, computer engineering, Earth and environmental engineering, electrical engineering, materials science and engineering, and mechanical engineering.

DoWhat Will You Do?

What Will You Do?

At the conclusion of your three years at Goucher College and two years at Columbia University, you will walk away with both a B.A. and B.S. in only five years. You’ll have excellent internship and networking opportunities to launch your postgraduate career.

How the 3+2 Works

Goucher College has established a dual-degree engineering program (typically called a “3+2” program) in partnership with Columbia University in New York City. The dual-degree 3+2 engineering program enables students to explore the liberal arts and sciences while developing professional knowledge and experience in a specific field of engineering. Students in the program are admitted initially by Goucher College, where they will typically spend three years fulfilling liberal education requirements and completing major requirements for the B.A. degree. 

Although in principle students can pursue any major at Goucher, the required prerequisite courses in math, programming, and sciences are mostly included in Goucher’s engineering science major, making it an effective choice.

Successful students who have met the necessary requirements will then apply to complete an additional two years at Columbia University to complete a B.S. degree in engineering.

At the Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science of Columbia University, students can earn degrees in:

Both the B.A. degree from Goucher College and the B.S. degree from Columbia are awarded at the conclusion of the fifth year, provided all requirements for each degree have been fulfilled. It is also possible to participate in the dual-degree program on a 4+2 basis, i.e., to transfer to Columbia after four years at Goucher. Interested students should contact the Engineering Science Program chair, Dr. Rodney Yoder. 

For purposes such as payment of tuition, student governance, financial aid, and housing, participants in the 3+2 engineering program are considered Goucher students during their first three years, and Columbia students during the last two.

Coursework & Curriculum

During the three years at Goucher, students must take all required science and mathematics foundational courses (see Foundational Courses listed below) as well as specific pre-engineering courses for the engineering major of interest (see Additional Required Courses listed below). Students then apply for transfer to Columbia during their junior year. 

Admission is likely, though not guaranteed, if a student successfully meets all of the following requirements:

  • Full-time enrollment at Goucher College for at least past two years.
  • Minimum overall GPA of 3.30, inclusive of all coursework taken for credit.
  • Minimum pre-engineering GPA of 3.30, inclusive of all science and mathematics prerequisite coursework.  Additionally, a minimum grade of B (3.0) must be obtained on the first attempt in all science and mathematics prerequisite coursework.
  • Successful completion of major-specific prerequisite coursework by the end of the spring semester of application.
  • Successful completion of the degree and major requirements (with the exception of the 120-credit total) at Goucher College by the end of the spring semester of application.
  • Favorable recommendation letters: one each from the 3+2 dual degree coordinator at Goucher College, a science instructor, and a math instructor.
  • Demonstrated proficiency in English.

NOTE: Required prerequisite courses must be taken in person, not online, except during the 2020-21 academic year.

Foundational courses for all 3+2 engineering majors transferring to Columbia University are:

  • CHE 111 – Principles of Chemistry I with Lab (4 Cr.) 
  • CS 119 – Foundations of Computer Science (4 Cr.) 
  • EC 111 – Essentials of Economics I (4 Cr.) 
  • EC 211 – Essentials of Economics II (4 Cr.) 
  • DMC 172 – Calculus through Data and Modeling (4 Cr.) 
  • PHY 125 – General Physics I (4 Cr.) 
  • PHY 126 – General Physics II (4 Cr.) 
  • 27 non-technical Humanities and Social Sciences credit hours (includes EC 111 and EC211 and college writing proficiency courses)
  • Two additional semesters of calculus must be taken at another institution, preferably a Baltimore Student Exchange Program (BSEP) member school

Additional required courses for each of the engineering fields:

Applied Physics or Applied Mathematics

  • PHY 325 – Classical and Quantum Waves (4 Cr.)
  • A course in ordinary differential equations, taken independently or at another institution

Biomedical Engineering

  • PHY 325 – Classical and Quantum Waves (4 Cr.)
  • DMC 416 – Scientific Computation (4 Cr.)
  • CHE 151 – Principles of Chemistry II with Lab (4 Cr.) 
  • BIO 111 – Explorations in Biology I: Life in Context (4 Cr.)
  • BIO 112 – Explorations in Biology II: The Research Process (4 Cr.)
  • Python programming experience required

Chemical Engineering

  • DMC 416 – Scientific Computation (4 Cr.)
  • CHE 151 – Principles of Chemistry II with Lab (4 Cr.) 
  • CHE 230 – Organic Chemistry I with Lab (4 Cr.) 
  • Python programming experience recommended

Civil Engineering

  • DMC 416 – Scientific Computation (4 Cr.)
  • ES 200 – Environmental Geology (4 Cr.) 
  • Python programming experience recommended

Computer Engineering

  • CS 330 – Analysis of Computer Algorithms (4 Cr.) 
  • CS 350 – Theory of Computation (4 Cr.) 
  • DMC 416 – Scientific Computation (4 Cr.)
  • Java programming experience required
  • An introduction to electrical engineering course must be taken at another institution

Earth & Environmental Engineering

  • CHE 151 – Principles of Chemistry II with Lab (4 Cr.) 
  • DMC 416 – Scientific Computation (4 Cr.)

One of the following three:

  • BIO 112 – Explorations in Biology – The Research Process (4 Cr.)
  • PHY 325 – Classical and Quantum Waves (4 Cr.)
  • CHE 230 – Organic Chemistry I with Lab (4 Cr.) 

Electrical Engineering

  • DMC 416 – Scientific Computation (4 Cr.)
  • PHY 325 – Classical and Quantum Waves (4 Cr.)
  • Sufficient knowledge of computer programming in C++ or Java is needed in order to take Data Structures (COMS W3134 or W3137) at Columbia University
  • An introduction to electrical engineering course must be taken at another institution

Industrial Engineering, Engineering Management Systems or Operations Research

  • DMC 321 – Applied Linear Algebra (4 Cr.)
  • DMC 240 – Probability and Statistics (4 Cr.) 
  • DMC 301 – Foundations of Data Science (4 Cr.)
  • CS 330 – Analysis of Computer Algorithms (4 Cr.) 
  • CS 350 – Theory of Computation (4 Cr.)

Engineering Mechanics

  • DMC 416 – Scientific Computation (4 Cr.)
  • Python programming experience recommended

Materials Science & Engineering

  • CHE 151 – Principles of Chemistry II with Lab (4 Cr.) is recommended
  • DMC 416 – Scientific Computation (4 Cr.)
  • PHY 325 – Classical and Quantum Waves (4 Cr.)
  • Python programming experience recommended

Mechanical Engineering

  • DMC 301 – Foundations of Data Science (4 Cr.)
  • DMC 416 – Scientific Computation (4 Cr.)
  • BIO 210 – Cell Biology and Biochemistry (4 Cr.) or PHY 325 – Classical and Quantum Waves 

Engineering Fields

  • Applied Physics and Applied Mathematics focuses on applications derived from fundamental physical and mathematical principles. Examples include nanoscale engineering, optical devices, and space science.
  • Biomedical Engineering is dedicated to solving problems and generating products through molecular scale biochemical and biological transformations, leading to the design of novel biological products and processes for medicine.
  • Chemical Engineering relies upon the laws of chemistry, physics, and mathematics to change the structure of chemical substances and purify new substances that are created in the process.
  • Civil Engineering reflects the breadth of the engineering disciplines in the planning and designing of buildings, bridges, transportation systems, and environmental programs.
  • Earth and Environmental Engineering deals with the amelioration of environmental problems.
  • Electrical and Computer Engineering includes the fields of communications, control systems, electronics, and digital systems.
  • Materials Science and Engineering is concerned with the structure, properties, performance, processing, and production of all materials, including biomaterials.
  • Mechanical Engineering deals with the manipulation of energy through useful mechanical devices, including biomechanical devices.