The combined engineering program is an educational affiliation between Binghamton and several engineering schools. The program enables a student to devote three years to the study of liberal arts and sciences at Binghamton before transferring to an engineering school for two years of engineering education. This program leads to a BA in physics from Binghamton and a bachelor’s degree from the engineering school. The range of engineering specializations available is large, so that preparation for almost any engineering career is available in at least one of the engineering schools. In the past, arrangements have been made with SUNY at Buffalo College of Engineering, Columbia University School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Rochester Institute of Technology College of Engineering, Clarkson University School of Engineering, SUNY at Stony Brook College of Engineering, University of Rochester College of Engineering and Applied Science, and the Thomas J. Watson College of Engineering and Applied Science at Binghamton University. Arrangements with other engineering schools are possible and encouraged.
The completion of two sets of requirements in the short period of five years requires careful planning of courses even in the first year. Not taking certain crucial courses in the first year may make it difficult to undertake the program in that pattern. Though entrance to any given engineering school cannot be guaranteed, our experience has been that careful planning and good academic performance on the part of the student are essential. The student is strongly encouraged to make contact with the chosen engineering school as early as possible so that a careful selection of courses may be made.
Normally, students should take MATH 224 /MATH 225 and MATH 226 /MATH 227 , and PHYS 121 and PHYS 122 , or PHYS 131 and PHYS 132 , in the first year. The requirements for the BA in physics in the 3-2 combined engineering program are the same as for the normal BA in physics. These include PHYS 131 and PHYS 132 (or PHYS 121 and PHYS 122 ), PHYS 227 , PHYS 323 , PHYS 327 , PHYS 331 , PHYS 332 , PHYS 341 and PHYS 421 . In addition, the following mathematics courses are required: MATH 224 /MATH 225 , MATH 226 /MATH 227 , MATH 323 , MATH 371 and MATH 471 . It is expected that the student will also meet the General Education requirements and other Harpur College requirements. Other elective courses that may be appropriate include CHEM 111 Engineering Graphics and Statics. Depending on the chosen engineering field and school, still other courses may have to be considered.