2011 - 2012 -- 3-2 Engineering Program

Objectives | Fields of Study | Timetable | Program Requirements

Objectives

Westminster offers a 3-2 Engineering Program in conjunction with the University of Southern California, in Los Angeles, California (USC), and Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri. Students who successfully complete the requirements for this program will earn two degrees:

• A Bachelor of Science or Arts with a major either in Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Physics, and Mathematics. (Students may pursue other majors, but it may take them longer than 5 years to complete the two degrees.)
• A Bachelor of Science in an engineering discipline from either Washington University or USC.

The 3-2 program is perfect for the student who wants to enhance and broaden their undergraduate education as a prelude to the focused work of engineering school. In all their pre-engineering classes, students receive the benefits of Westminster’s small class sizes and tradition of teaching excellence. Westminster’s math and science programs offer “learning communities” that couple courses like math and biology and utilize group-based, hands-on learning. Moreover, students often develop close nurturing relationships with faculty and their peers at Westminster that might not happen at a larger school.

Under the 3-2 program, a student attends Westminster College for approximately three years and then transfers to either the University of Southern California (USC) or Washington University for an additional two years of study in the selected engineering discipline. (1) As Westminster freshman, students must meet entrance requirements for USC or Washington University. (2) The 3-2 program advisor at Westminster College must recommend them. (To be considered for this recommendation a students must satisfy all the program requirements listed below, maintain a cumulative grade point average of 3.00, and maintain a 3.00 average in the major courses.) (3) Students must complete at least four semesters of full-time study at Westminster before transferring to the engineering school. (4) Students must have completed 12 upper division credits in their major prior to transfer. Students who complete the 3-2 program by transferring to either USC or Washington University automatically have the Westminster residency requirement waived. (Westminster requires that the last 36 hours of course work be completed at Westminster.)

Fields of engineering offered by the University of Southern California and Washington University:

After successful completion of both portions of the program the student is awarded degrees from both institutions.

Sample Student Timetable

In order for the student to complete the dual degree program in five years, it is important to follow closely the timetable set up by the advisor. The following is a sample timetable for a student majoring in Physics at Westminster and desiring a dual degree in Electrical Engineering. A particular student’s course schedule will depend upon their prior coursework, their major at Westminster, the desired engineering discipline, and the specific requirements of the engineering school.*

*Some engineering disciplines require specific pre-engineering classes. These can be taken at the engineering school.
**The current 3/2 advisor is Dr. Peter Conwell, Assistant Professor of Physics.
***Westminster College requires all freshmen to enroll in one learning community. These are classes linked with a common theme. Typically at least one of these courses will satisfy a liberal education requirement.
^Typically taught every other year
^^Taught every other year

Financial Aid

Merit-based and need-based financial aid is available from Westminster College and the engineering schools. However, these programs are not linked. Students receiving financial aid from Westminster must reapply for financial aid at the engineering school.

Program Requirements at Westminster College

Students in this program are encouraged to meet with the program director at Westminster College during their freshman year to ensure satisfaction of all the requirements for their chosen field of engineering during their time at Westminster College and to learn about the coursework that will be required during their two years at the university.

Students must complete all their Liberal Education requirements and the following set of engineering core courses:

Additional classes that may be required, depending on the field of engineering chosen, include: