RENSSELAER PROGRAM

. . . . Upon the recommendation of the college's pre-engineering committee, the student . . . enters Rensselaer for two or three years of concentration in engineering and applied science. Where graduate degree programs at Rensselaer are involved, admission will be decided upon by the Graduate Admission Committee. To signify completion of this program, the student receives at least two degrees -- one from the college and one or more from Rensselaer.

Interested students should apply for the program during the fall of their junior year on the recommendation of the liberal arts college's pre-engineering committee. Applications are available from Rensselaer's Office of Undergraduate Admissions. An official college transcript is required in addition to a letter of recommendation from the liberal arts college's pre-engineering committee. Most students accepted for the Affiliated College Program have achieved at least a B average with grades of A or B in calculus, calculus-based physics, and chemistry courses.

Three options are available:

• The 3-2 program. In this option, the student completes three years (through the junior year) at the liberal arts college, then transfers to Rensselaer's School of engineering. Two years of carefully planned study complete the requirements for the bachelor's program of the liberal arts college and the B. S. degree with a major in engineering at Rensselaer.

• The 3-3 program. As in the 3-2 program, the student completes the junior year at the liberal arts college. He or she then transfers to Rensselaer for an additional three years. This program (which requires a slightly superior performance over the baccalaureate plan) leads to a bachelor's degree from the liberal arts college and the B. S. and Master of Engineering degrees from Rensselaer.

• The 4-2 program. Under this option, a graduate of one of the affiliated colleges enters the School of engineering at Rensselaer after receiving the bachelor's degree to begin graduate work leading to a Master of Science degree in one of the engineering specialties. This option is available to students with superior undergraduate records and majors in mathematics or the physical sciences.

In all these options careful planning is necessary and the student is encouraged to contact the chairman of the curricular field in engineering in which he or she has a major interest.

BASIC REQUIREMENTS

The pre-engineering adviser at the liberal arts college is familiar with the pre-engineering requirements and can advise students in the affiliated college plan concerning courses that will develop the necessary background. However, some general guidelines can be offered for planning the first three years.

To be equipped to make maximum progress in the engineering part of the program, the student should have:

• At least four semester courses in mathematics beyond basic algebra and trigonometry, including fundamentals of calculus, linear algebra and differential equations.

• At least three semester courses in physics and one semester course in chemistry. For students interested in the chemistry based engineering fields (Biomedical, Chemical, Environmental, Materials and Management), one additional course in chemistry. For Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Environmental Engineering and Materials Engineering, physical chemistry and organic chemistry are required. An introduction to biology, especially the field of physiology, is very useful for Biomedical Engineering and Environmental Engineering.

• At least four semester courses in the humanities and social sciences. In addition, efforts should be made, if possible, to include courses in applied or engineering science, such as applied mechanics, computing fundamentals, fluid mechanics (or basic mechanics of structures and foundations with particular emphasis on problem solving), lumped parameter systems (electrical theory), materials or physical metallurgy, and thermodynamics.

CONCENTRATIONS AT RENSSELAER

You may consult the RPI Engineering page directly if you like.

Link to Reed Dual Degree Programs

or to California Institute of Technology, Columbia University, or Washington University program description.