Engineering Dual Degree Programs
Introduction
Building on the strengths of majors in physics, mathematics, computer science, chemistry and biology, the School of Arts and Sciences at the University of Richmond offers students with special career goals the ability to pursue dual degrees in a five-year period. Some opportunities allow a student to earn a bachelor of science from Richmond and also a bachelor of science from a cooperating engineering school, while others enable a student to complete an undergraduate degree from Richmond and an accelerated master’s degree in engineering from a partner institution—all within a five-year period.
Programs Available
- Applied mathematics
- Applied physics
- Biomedical engineering
- Chemical engineering
- Civil engineering
- Computer engineering
- Earth and environmental engineering
- Electrical engineering
- Engineering and management systems
- Industrial engineering
- Materials science and engineering
- Mechanical engineering
- Operations research
- Systems engineering
- Environmental engineering (an option in civil engineering)
- Medical preparation (an option in civil, computer, mechanical or systems engineering)
- Aerospace and ocean engineering
- Biological systems engineering
- Civil and environmental engineering
- Electrical and computer engineering
- Industrial and systems engineering
- Materials science and engineering
- Mining and minerals engineering
3-2 Program
In the “3-2 program,” a student will receive two bachelor degrees from two institutions within a five-year period. Courses in the fourth and fifth years at a partner institution are used to complete the major at Richmond and provide sufficient hours of elective work to complete remaining degree work. The work at Richmond is accepted toward the degree at the partner institution, and successful work in the fourth and fifth years enables the student to gain the second degree. This is a common program between liberal arts institutions like Richmond and engineering schools, but it also is available in some specialized science programs that enhance the offerings at Richmond.
The engineering schools in the table below have agreements with the University of Richmond whereby students will spend their first three years at Richmond completing a number of pre-engineering courses, all general education requirements and most requirements for their major. They will then transfer to the engineering school for two additional years. At the end of the five-year period of successful coursework, the students will receive bachelor of science degrees from Richmond and the engineering school. This combines the best of the liberal arts and sciences with professional engineering coursework.
3-1-1 Program
A “3-1-1 program” provides a bachelor’s degree from Richmond and a master’s degree from a partner institution. The fourth year is taken at the partner institution and the work is transferred to Richmond to complete the Richmond degree. If the fourth year work is of good quality, the Richmond student is admitted to an accelerated one-year master’s degree program at the partner institution. Therefore, at the end of the fifth year a master’s degree may be earned.
Currently, the University of Virginia’s School of Engineering partners with Richmond to provide this opportunity. The fourth year of undergraduate work may be spent at the University of Virginia. The key is that there is no guarantee of admission to the master’s program; admission depends on performance in engineering coursework during the fourth year of undergraduate study. The programs at U.Va. are: biomedical engineering, computer science, mechanical and aerospace engineering, chemical engineering, electrical and computer engineering, systems and information engineering, civil engineering and materials science and engineering.
4-1 Program
A “4-1 program” allows University of Richmond students to move into an accelerated one-year master’s degree program at a partner institution. Students complete their coursework at Richmond, but based on performance in selected courses, are admitted into a one-year master’s degree program. Currently, this option is possible through Virginia Commonwealth University’s School of Engineering for chemistry students. The proximity of VCU to Richmond and a cross-registration agreement allow talented chemistry majors to take courses at VCU in chemical engineering during their junior and senior years. If they do well, they will be admitted to a one-year master’s of engineering program. Students should discuss this option with the chair of the chemistry department.
4-2 Programs
A “4-2 program” would be of interest to students who wish to complete four years at Richmond before moving on to complete an engineering degree. Columbia University provides two such programs. One leads to a bachelor of science degree in engineering after the two additional years, while the other leads to a master’s degree in engineering. The important distinction is that admission to the bachelor of science degree program is guaranteed upon successful completion of preparatory work at Richmond and the recommendation of the dual degree adviser, while admission to the graduate engineering program is competitive.
Planning for a Dual Degree
It is important to start your planning in the first year at Richmond. All the programs have a common set of basic requirements that must be met within the first three years.
- All general education requirements must be met
- English 103 must be completed for all engineering programs even if Richmond would waive the requirement
- Mathematics 211–212 or 231, 235, 240 and 245 must be completed
- Physics 131, 132 (or 133 or 134) and chemistry 141 plus chemistry 317 are required
- At least 90 hours of coursework at Richmond must be completed before transfer to a partner institution
As detailed above, a major at Richmond will need to be completed or nearly completed in the first three years. The natural majors for those interested in engineering are physics and either mathematics or computer science, although any science major can work provided all but one or two courses are completed in the first three years of study. The final coursework should be transferable from the partner institution. It is important that students interested in these dual degree programs consult with the dual degree adviser as early as possible.
Program Applications and Financial Aid
Students will automatically be accepted to the dual degree program if they complete the specified courses at Richmond and earn the required GPA. The special application goes directly to our liaison person at the engineering school. This is done in early January of the third year. The student is asked to complete a form showing how certain courses will transfer to complete graduation at Richmond.
Financial aid does not transfer, although student loans can likely continue. For the University of Virginia and Virginia Tech, costs are significantly lower, even for out-of-state students. George Washington University has special $10,000 merit transfer scholarships, although a minimum 3.5 GPA is required to be eligible. All schools allow transfer students to apply for financial aid.
Consider the Options
The dual degree programs are important options for students who are not sure about their career goals. The advantage of coming to Richmond is that students do not have to commit to engineering from day one. They have time to test their interests in science and mathematics courses. Students may discover other things that interest them; however, if they remain excited about an engineering career, the option is here at Richmond.
3-2 Program Institutions: Requirements for Transfer and Programs Available
Columbia University School of Engineering and Applied Science
Completion of 97 hours of designated coursework during three years at Richmond with a GPA of 3.0/4.0. In addition, the student must have a letter of recommendation from the Engineering Dual Degree advisor at Richmond.
- Applied mathematics
- Applied physics
- Biomedical engineering
- Chemical engineering
- Civil engineering
- Computer engineering
- Earth and environmental engineering
- Electrical engineering
- Engineering and management systems
- Industrial engineering
- Materials science and engineering
- Mechanical engineering
- Operations research
George Washington University School of Engineering and Applied Science
Completion of 90 hours of designated coursework during three years at Richmond with a GPA of 2.7/4.0. In addition, the student must have a letter of recommendation from the Engineering Dual Degree adviser at Richmond. (A GPA of 3.5 is required for special scholarship support at GW.)
- Civil engineering
- Computer engineering
- Electrical engineering
- Mechanical engineering
- Systems engineering
- Environmental engineering (an option in civil engineering)
- Medical preparation (an option in civil, computer, mechanical or systems engineering)
Virginia Polytechnic Institute College of Engineering
Completion of 90 hours of designated coursework during three years at Richmond with a GPA of 3.0/4.0. In addition, the student must have a letter of recommendation from the Engineering Dual Degree adviser at Richmond. Students will be expected to complete two special introductory engineering courses during the summer prior to transfer.
- Aerospace and ocean engineering
- Biological systems engineering
- Chemical engineering
- Civil and environmental engineering
- Electrical and computer engineering
- Industrial and systems engineering
- Materials science and engineering
- Mechanical engineering
- Mining and minerals engineering
Dr. Mirela S. Fetea
Engineering Dual Degree Advisor
(804) 289-8256
mfetea@richmond.edu
Office of Admission
(800) 700-1662
(804) 289-8640