2015-16 University Bulletin

Nov 22, 2024

2015-16 University Bulletin [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

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

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Pre-Engineering Preparation + Engineering Combined Plan Programs with Columbia University
3/2 Program: Adelphi B.A. or B.S./Columbia B.S., or

4/2 Program: Adelphi B.A. or B.S./Columbia B.S., or

4/2 Program: Adelphi B.A. or B.S./Columbia M.S.

These programs admit highly promising students who have demonstrated a high level of scholastic accomplishment and interest in pursuing engineering careers.

At Adelphi, students get individual and personal attention from faculty. Small classes mean students work closely with faculty (not teaching assistants) that include internationally renowned authors of university textbooks and highly accomplished scientists. A faculty adviser will guide each student in accomplishing his/her academic and professional goals.

Most pre-engineering students at Adelphi major in the Department of Physics at Adelphi, which has one of the finest undergraduate programs in the country. The department boasts computerized modern instructional laboratories and research facilities that include fully equipped state-of-the-art lasers and modern optics, quantum optics, nonlinear optics, atom trap physics, energy technologies, quantum dots (nanotechnologies), and laser sensor laboratories. A large number of our undergraduate students participate in research and present their results at national conferences. However, students can major in one of the other natural sciences or in mathematics or computer science, depending on their specific interest. Students interested in engineering have the option of three joint degree programs offered by Adelphi University in conjunction with Columbia University. The first program offers a bachelor’s degree from Adelphi (in a selected major such as physics, mathematics, computer science, biology, or chemistry, with three years of study at Adelphi) and a B.S. in an engineering discipline from Columbia University. The second program offers a bachelor’s degree from Adelphi (with four years of study at Adelphi) and an B.S. in a field of engineering from Columbia University’s graduate school. The third program offers a B.S. degree from Adelphi University (with four years of study at Adelphi) and an M.S. in engineering/applied sciences from Columbia University. Combining liberal arts study and specialized engineering training, these programs provide students with the opportunity to achieve both highly developed technical and communication skills.

Engineering disciplines include:

Applied Mathematics
Applied Physics
Biomedical Engineering
Chemical Engineering
Civil Engineering
Computer Engineering
Computer Science
Earth and Environmental Engineering
Electrical Engineering
Engineering and Management Systems
Engineering Mechanics
Industrial Engineering
Materials Science and Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Operations Research

Pre-Engineering Advisers

Gottipaty Rao, Ph.D., Chair, Department of Physics
Blodgett Hall, Room 8A
p – (516) 877-4877
e – rao@adelphi.edu

Alan Schoenfeld, Ph.D., Chair, Department of Biology
Science Building, Room 102
p – (516) 877-4211
e – schoenfeld@adelphi.edu

Maria Nagan, Ph.D., Chair, Department of Chemistry
Science Building, Room 201
p – (516) 877-4148
e – nagan@adelphi.edu

Christopher Storm, Ph.D., Chair, Department of Mathematics and Computer Science
Post Hall, Room 211
p – (516) 877-4494
e – storm@adelphi.edu

Robert I. Schwartz, Ed.D., Director, Office of Pre-Professional Advising and Fellowships
Levermore Hall, Room 303
p – (516) 877-3140
e – rschwartz@adelphi.edu

3/2 B.A. or B.S./B.S. Combined Plan Program in Engineering

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.

Admissions Requirements

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):

Mathematics

MTH (0144) 141 - Calculus I Credits: 4
MTH (0144) 142 - Calculus II Credits: 4
MTH (0144) 243 - Calculus III Credits: 4
MTH (0144) 244 - Introduction to Ordinary Differential Equations Credits: 3 *
or
MTH (0144) 253 - Linear Algebra Credits: 4 **
PHY (0156) 211 - Mathematical Methods in Physics I Credits: 4 ***

Note:

* 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.

Physics

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

PHY (0156) 113 - Physics For Science Majors I Credits: 4
PHY (0156) 114 - Physics for Science Majors II Credits: 4

Chemistry

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.

CHE (0106) 111 - General Chemistry I Credits: 4

Computer Science

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.

CSC (0145) 171 - Intro to Comp Programming (Lecture) Credits: 4
CSC (0145) 172 - Introduction To Algorithms and Data Structure (Lecture) Credits: 4

Additional Information:

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

4/2 Combined Plan Program leading to a B.A. from Adelphi University and B.S. in Engineering from Columbia University

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.

4/2 Combined Plan Program leading to a B.A. or B.S. from Adelphi University and M.S. in Engineering from Columbia University

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.