2021-2022

Engineering (Dual Degree)

Math, Computer Studies, and Physics Department

Brian Christy, Ph.D., Program Coordinator

Degrees offered

Dual-Degree

Campuses

Main Campus

The College of Arts, Sciences, and Business has established a dual-degree program enabling qualified Women's College students to earn both a Bachelor of Arts degree from Notre Dame and a Bachelor of Science degree from either the G.W.C. Whiting School of Engineering at The Johns Hopkins University, McKelvey School of Engineering at Washinton University of St. Louis, or the Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science at Columbia University.

Summary

This integrated dual-degree program will enable the student to broaden her knowledge of the liberal arts and sciences and to develop her professional experience in a selected field of engineering.

Graduates of the Program have positions with organizations such as NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center, NASA/Marshall Space Flight Center, Lockheed Martin, U.S. Naval Research Laboratories, CSX Corporation, Whiting-Turner Contracting Company, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Baltimore Gas and Electric Corp., U.S. Army Aberdeen Test Center, Thornton Tomasetti, and the Peace Corps.

Students in the Program will be admitted initially by Notre Dame where they will complete General Education Requirements and advanced work in a Major for the Bachelor of Arts degree, such as Chemistry, Computer Information Systems, Mathematics or Physics. Each student will then apply to Johns Hopkins, Washington University of St. Louis or Columbia University; admission is competitive and is not guaranteed. If admitted, the student will spend an additional two years completing the requirements for a Bachelor of Science degree in one of the following disciplines:

  • Biomedical Engineering encompasses the application of engineering principles to medical and biological problems (available at Columbia University and Washinton University of St. Louis).
  • Chemical Engineering relies upon the laws of chemistry, physics and mathematics to change the constitution of substances via chemical processes. Chemical engineers develop processes, design equipment, operate plants and guide applications, and work in the chemical, petroleum, metallurgy, plastics and pharmaceutical industries (The Johns Hopkins University, Washington University of St. Louis, or Columbia University).
  • Civil Engineering reflects the breadth of the engineering disciplines in the planning and designing of the nation's buildings, bridges, transportation systems and environmental programs (The Johns Hopkins University, Washington University of St. Louis, or Columbia University).
  • Electrical and Computer Engineering includes the fields of communications, control systems, electronics and digital systems (The Johns Hopkins University, Washington University of St. Louis, or Columbia University).
  • Materials Science and Engineering is concerned with the characterization and manipulation of structure, properties, performance, processing and production of all materials (The Johns Hopkins University or Columbia University).
  • Mechanical Engineering deals with the concerns of energy through useful mechanical devices (The Johns Hopkins University, Washington University of St. Louis, or Columbia University).

When the Bachelor of Science degree is awarded from the engineering school, the Bachelor of Arts degree from Notre Dame also will be granted.

Students with an interest in disciplines not represented in the above-itemized list or are interested in pursing the Field of Engineering at another institution should contact the Program Coordinator to determine the most appropriate instructional path to meet your educational interests. 

Students with advanced standing, AP, CLEP, or articulated transfer credits are encouraged to contact the Program Coordinator to determine the most appropriate instructional path to meet your educational interests. Advanced or highly motivated students often complete NDMU requirements in less than 4 years. See below for a sample Program of Study.

Students who wish to pursue a dual degree will make preliminary application during their first year of study at Notre Dame. Because of its proximity to Notre Dame's campus, a student may complete select courses at Hopkins during her sophomore and junior years.

Transfer students planning to pursue the dual degree in Engineering should clearly indicate their desired participation on the Application.

Questions regarding eligibility for the Program should be directed to the Program Coordinator.

Programs of Study

Dual-Degree Programs in Physics and Civil, Computer, Electrical, or Mechanical Engineering

Dual-degree programs available in Physics and one of the following fields of engineering: Civil, Computer, Electrical, or Mechanical.

A student enrolled in this Program generally follows the Major requirements for Physics at Notre Dame through the junior year.

Required Courses

       PHY-101 and 102 General Physics I, II (8)
       PHY-201 Modern Physics (3)
       PHY-316L Classical Mechanics (3)
       MAT-211, 212, 213 Calculus I, II, III (11)
       MAT-214 Calculus of Vector Fields (1)
       MAT-243 Linear Algebra (3)
       MAT-315 Differential Equations (3)
       CST-171 Programming Concepts (3) or CST-295 C++ Programming (3)
       CHM-110, 111 General Chemistry I, II (8)
       PHY-314 Quantum Physics I (3)
       PHY-315 Electricity and Magnetism I (3)
       ECO-212 Principles of Microeconomics (3)
       PHY 463 Investigations in Physics (1-4)

Credit is earned for PHY 463 by completing one of the following:

      • Internship
      • Teaching Apprenticeship
      • Research Experience

At least two other courses in either Physics, Mathematics, Computer Information Systems, or Engineering at the 300 level or higher (7)

Students interested in specific engineering fields should consult with the coordinator for additional course suggestions specific to their engineering field.

Dual-Degree Program in Chemistry and in Chemical or Materials Science and Engineering

A student enrolled in this Program follows the Major requirements for the Chemistry degree at Notre Dame through the junior year. Consult the department coordinator for Chemistry Program of Study requirements. Students should indicate their interest to the Department Coordinator and declare a Major in Chemistry. Depending on a student's interest and background, a dual degree in physics can also be considered. Students should discuss with the Program Advisor for more information.

Please take note of cycling of advanced courses and consult the engineering institution for additional requirements.

Required Courses

       BIO-111 Fundamentals of Biology(4)
       BIO-201 Human Anatomy and Physiology I or BIO-230 unity and Diversity(4)
       CHM-110, 111 General Chemistry I and II (8)
       CHM-210, 211 Organic Chemistry I and II (8)
       CHM-301, 302 Physical Chemistry I and II (8)
       CHM-303 Analytical Chemistry (4)
       PHY-101, 102 General Physics I and II (8)
       PHY-201 Modern Physics (3)
       MAT-211, 212 Calculus I and II (8)
       MAT-315 Differential Equations (3)
       ECO-212 Principles of Microeconomics (3)

Dual-Degree Program in Chemistry and in Biomedical Engineering

A student enrolled in this Program follows a modified version of the Major requirements for Chemistry at Notre Dame. Students should indicate their interest to the Department Coordinator and declare a Major in Chemistry. Depending on a student's interest and background a dual degree in Physics can also be considered. Students should discuss this option with the program advisor for more information.

Please take note of cycling of advanced courses and consult the engineering institution for additional requirements.

Required Courses

BIO-111 Fundamentals of Biology
       BIO-201 Human Anatomy and Physiology I or BIO-230 Unity and Diversity
       CHM-110, 111 General Chemistry I and II (8)
       CHM-210, 211 Organic Chemistry I and II (8)
       CHM-301, 302 Physical Chemistry I and II (8)
       PHY-101, 102 General Physics I and II (8)
       PHY-201 Modern Physics (3)
       MAT-211, 212 and 213 Calculus I, II and III (11)
       MAT-243 Linear Algebra (3)
       MAT-315 Differential Equations (3)
       CST-171 Programming Concepts (3) or CST-295 C++ Programming (3)
       ECO-212 Principles of Microeconomics (3)

Five-Year Plan

Below is a sample Program of Study for the dual-degree Physics/Engineering Major. Students should select courses with the assistance of a faculty advisor.

See course descriptions for a list of required courses and description of course and program options.

Fall Spring 
First year      
PHY-101 General Physics I + Lab 4 PHY-102 General Physics II + Lab 4
MAT-211 Calculus I + Lab 4 MAT-212 Calculus II + Lab 4
General Education/Program Elective 3 MAT-243 Linear Algebra 3
ENG-101 College Writing 3 CST 171 Programming Concepts 3
NDMU-100 Perspectives in Education 4 General Education/Program Elective 3
[18 credits]   [17 credits]  
Second year      
PHY-201 Modern Physics 3 PH 316L Classical Mechanics* 3
General Education/Program Elective 3 MAT-315 Differential Equations or
elective
3
MAT-213 Calculus III 3 MAT-214 Calculus of Vector Fields 3
CHM-110 General Chemistry I 4 General Education 8
ECO-212 Principles of Microeconomics 3 [18 credits]
[17 credits]
   
Third year      
PH 314 Quantum Mechanics I* 3 Program Elective* 3
PH 315 Electricity and Magnetism 3 General Chemistry II 3
General Education/Program Electives 12 General Education/Program Elective 9
[18 credits] Inv in Physics 1 - 3 
  [17 - 19 credits]  
Fourth and Fifth Year: Engineering School
Courses to be determined by program and school chosen

NOTES:
Students interested in specific engineering fields should consult with their Program Coordinator for course suggestions when choosing Physics, Mathematics, Computer Science or Engineering courses at the 300/400-level.

*Courses with a designation of "L" are taught at Loyola. Notre Dame students take the courses through the Cooperative Program. For more information, contact the Program Coordinator.

Compressed semester courses (Winterim, Fall 1, Fall 2, Spring 1, Spring 2, and Maymester) should be reserved for General Education Requirements. Upper Division Courses should be taken during a standard 16-week term.

See individual Program sections for course descriptions.