Pre-Engineering, B.A./B.S./M.S. (Columbia)

Students spend three years at Adelphi and two years at Columbia University College of Engineering and Applied Science. The Adelphi bachelor’s degree (in a selected major such as physics, math/computer sciences, biology, chemistry) will be granted upon petition by the student after successful completion of the first year at the professional school earning the required credits. The B.S. degree in Engineering will be granted by Columbia University, School of Engineering and Applied Science, upon successful completion of its requirements.

For guaranteed admission to Columbia University, students must have a GPA of 3.3 or higher at Adelphi and submit three letters of recommendation from their Combined Plan Program liaison and two faculty members, one each from science and math instructors.

Minimum of 3.30 cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA), as calculated by SEAS, is required. The minimum grade of each pre-engineering science and mathematics prerequisites must be B the first time the course was taken.

Each pre-requisite course must be taken at Adelphi University or SEAS reserves the right to determine whether or not pre-requisites and course-specific requirements have been met. Any pre-requisite courses waived by the member institution by advanced placement, equivalency, or individual testing must be clearly noted as such in the materials accompanying the application. Students using AP, IB or other like credits to fulfill pre-engineering prerequisites must submit those exam results. The test results will then be evaluated on the same basis as for Columbia students.

All applicants are required to demonstrate English proficiency if the native language is something other than English. Please refer to the English proficiency policy on the website of Columbia University’s Office of Undergraduate Admissions.

Students must have three positive letters of recommendation from Adelphi University: one from the Dual-Degree Engineering Director (liaison), one from a science professor, and one from a mathematics professor. Both professors need to have taught the student in his/her sophomore year or later.

Applicants who do not meet the above criteria may apply, but admission is not guaranteed.

The following is required of all majors at Adelphi University who wish to transfer to Columbia: students should consult with their advisor to tailor student-specific career goals. While at Adelphi, your bachelor’s degree must include the courses listed below (all are required as part of the Physics major program; other majors must be sure to take the following courses in addition to their major course requirements):

* Computer science majors are exempt from MTH 244
** MTH 253 is highly recommended and preferred by some concentrations
*** PHY 211 satisfies Columbia’s prerequisite for Calculus IV.

 Note: PHY (0156) 216 - Modern Physics (4 credits) is highly recommended.

Note: Some Columbia Engineering Programs require an additional second semester of Chemistry, CHE 112. For applied Physics and Applied Mathematics programs, CHE (0106) 111 - General Chemistry I can be substituted by one semester of BIO (0105) 111 - Biological Concepts and Methods I. Furthermore, either one semester PHY (0156) 322 - Advanced Physics (4 credits) or one semester CHE (0106) 111 - General Chemistry I is generally required.

Students must work with an academic adviser to make sure they meet all requirements.
Students must complete all major course requirements and general education requirements before transferring to Columbia.

For additional information, please contact the Office of Pre-Professional Advising and Fellowships at (516) 877-3140, or your major department:

• Department of Physics, (516) 877-4880
• Department of Mathematics and Computer Sciences, (516) 877-4494
• Department of Biology, (516) 877-4200
• Department of Chemistry, (516) 877-4130

A student transfers to Columbia University College of Engineering and Applied Science for a B.S. in engineering degree after obtaining a B.A./B.S. degree majoring in a science discipline.

In this program, students earn a bachelor’s degree from Adelphi (in a selected major such as physics, math/computer sciences, biology, chemistry) in four years and then pursue two years of study in a graduate school of engineering, leading to an M.S. in an engineering discipline.

For this program, the requirements for admission to Columbia:

• Must attend Adelphi University as a full-time student for at least two years and have a 3.3 or better overall GPA and 3.3 overall GPA average in the sciences/math/computer science courses
• Completion of a total of 97 credits with the appropriate courses (including all on the list above) by the end of junior year
• Three letters of recommendation: one from the dual degree engineering director (Dr. G. Rao), one from a science professor, and one from a mathematics/computer science professor. The latter two professors need to have taught the student in his/her sophomore year or later.

For additional information and admission details, please contact Dr. Gottipaty Rao in the Department of Physics (rao@adelphi.edu) and/or the other advisers listed below.