Whether you want to improve the present or build the future, there’s a place for you in engineering! If you want to start your path to solving problems in the world in a way that’s personally supportive and socially relevant, Pre-engineering at Earlham is the place for you. Our program gives you plenty of flexibility and advantages, including formal affiliations with four different engineering schools and the opportunity to complete up to three different degrees in six years or less. Feel free to reach out to program liaison, Seth Hopper with any questions.
Earlham’s official relationships with affiliate institutions mean they have approved our courses for transfer and that our program liaison is ready to help you craft a plan for success in earning both an Earlham B.A. and a B.S. in engineering from one of our partner schools; in one case, there are also options to earn an MS in one additional year. You will apply for transfer to affiliates after spending three at Earlham. Following transfer, you will spend two years earning the remainder of both the B.A. and B.S. degrees at the engineering school.
Our 3-2 program in engineering includes a sequence of courses that you take over three years at Earlham.
Below is our recommended three-year plan for most majors, but you should connect with your 3-2 adviser early and often to make sure you are on the right track for your goals.
Year 1
We recommend that you take:
- Calculus sequence (MATH 180 (Fall, 5 credits) and MATH 280 (Spring, 5 credits))
- Physics sequence (PHYS 125 and PHYS 235)
The physics sequence is recommended for the first year because of alternate year courses that are required for some programs/majors. This schedule makes it very difficult to take a language in your first year, because of required Earlham Seminar courses. If you are uncertain whether you want to major in pre-engineering, we encourage you to take at least the calculus sequence and something that satisfies one of the general education distribution requirements.
Year 2
We recommend that you take:
- MATH 320 (Differential equations, Fall, 3 credits) and MATH 350 (Multivariate calculus, Spring, 4 credits)
- Depending on what you took your first year, one of the following:
- PHYS 125 and PHYS 235
- CHEM 111
- CS 128
- If you have not placed out of it, you are encouraged to complete your language requirement
- ECON 103 Introduction to Microeconomics (offered every year)
- PHYS 350 Electronics and Instrumentation (alternate years).
Year 3
We recommend that you take:
- MATH 310 (Linear Algebra, Fall, 3 credits)
- Depending on what you took your first two years, one of the following:
- PHYS 125 and PHYS 235
- CHEM 111
- CS 128
- ECON 103 Introduction to Microeconomics (offered every year)
- PHYS 350 Electronics and Instrumentation (alternate years, requires Physics 125 and 235).
Top ranked
Earlham has transfer or combined agreements with top-ranked engineering schools.
Careers
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics expects significant growth in engineering jobs in the fields of rebuilding of infrastructure, renewable energy, oil and gas extraction, and robotics.
Outcomes
The 3-2 program can prepare graduates for careers as biomedical, chemical, civil, computer, electrical, mechanical, aerospace and other types of engineers.
93% of work seekers who majored in a cross-divisional major between 2018-2022 were employed, pursuing graduate school or volunteering within six months of graduation.