Program Details

Program Description

Cooperative engineering programs begin with a three or four year program at Franklin and Marshall. Engineering schools require a specific background in physics, mathematics, and chemistry, coupled with a varying number of courses in the humanities and social sciences. In addition, F&M stipulates that students attain an acceptable level of progress toward fulfilling graduation requirements before leaving the college.

After attending Franklin & Marshall and with the recommendation of the engineering committee, the student transfers to one of the five affiliated engineering schools for two years of concentrated study in engineering. After successfully completing this five or six year program, two degrees are conferred. A bachelor of arts with a major or a minor in the student's chosen field from F&M and a bachelor of science in engineering from the cooperating institution.

What are the requirements for the program?

To receive the engineering committee's recommendation, students must
1) complete 24 courses at F&M, including six courses in a field of concentration (of which no more than two can be introductory);
2) the Foundation and Distribution requirements;
3) the courses required by the engineering school. The requirements of the engineering school vary somewhat with the universities and engineering fields but they generally include the following:
a) mathematics through calculus and differential equations: MAT109, 110, 111, 129;
b) at least three semesters of physics: PHY 111, 112;
c) at least two semesters of chemistry: CHM 111, 112;
d) proficiency in English composition;
e) computer programming: CPS 150

Meeting the requirements with an academic average of 3.0 generally assures transfer to an engineering school. Students make the decision to participate early in the Junior Year at F&M.

What schools can you transfer to for the Engineering Degree?

Franklin and Marshall is affiliated with the following schools:
Case Western University
Columbia University
Pennsylvania State University
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Washington University in St. Louis - (Washington University provides a one-half tuition Affiliation Scholarship for students enrolling in their Dual Degree (3/2) Engineering program. This scholarship is awarded by the Franklin & Marshall Dual Degree Liaison Officer. International students are eligible for this scholarship. In addition, full-tuition and half-tuition Harold P. Brown Engineering Fellowships are available for U. S. citizens and permanent residents who excel both academically and in co-curricular achievements.)

What are the advantages of the 3/2 Program?

The advantages of the 3/2 program are:
•the broad liberal arts background acquired by the students
•the flexibility to change one's career direction without any loss of time resulting from such change
•the breadth of future choices
•the additional maturity and self-confidence the student will acquire before selecting an engineering field of specialization
•the ability of the College, because of its small size, to assist the student to develop personally and to prepare for a career.

Are there other options?

Frequently a student who enters Franklin & Marshall intending to pursue a 3/2 program decides to complete a four year B.A. program at F&M while retaining an interest in engineering. Such a student may still enroll at one of the cooperating schools with an option to either complete the bachelor's degree (this then becomes a 4/2 to the B.S.) or to enter a graduate degree program. Some students, after completing a four-year science major program at F&M, go directly into graduate programs in engineering at institutions with which F&M has no formal agreement. Lehigh, Princeton, University of Delaware, M.I.T., Johns Hopkins and Stanford are among the schools to which F&M graduates have been admitted.

To learn more about the 3/2 Engineering Program, contact:

Dr. Ken Krebs, Engineering Liaison
Physics and Astronomy Department
Franklin and Marshall College
P.O. Box 3003
Lancaster, PA  17604-3003

**Printed matter, cataloge's, etc. on the 3/2 Program can be found in the Physics Department Office, Hac200A.