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    Nov 15, 2024  
2024-2025 Binghamton University Academic Guide 
    
2024-2025 Binghamton University Academic Guide

Physics and Engineering Combined Program

Location(s): Main Campus


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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.

Program Requirements


University General Education Requirements


All Binghamton University undergraduate students are required to fulfill this set of university-wide requirements to ensure that every graduate acquires the essential core of a SUNY university undergraduate education. Please refer to the General Education page for more information.

Harpur College Requirements


All students in Harpur College must fulfill additional requirements designated by Harpur College to complement and extend the general education requirements. Please refer to the Harpur College of Arts and Sciences  page for more information.

Suggested Course Sequence (Not Watson College)


The following is a typical sequence of courses when the chosen engineering school is not Watson College (commonly selected electives are shown in parentheses):

Fall


Spring


Suggested Courses Sequence (Watson College)


When the chosen engineering school is the University’s Watson College, the suggested course sequence is somewhat different. In this case, the student takes some Harpur College humanities and social science courses during the fourth and fifth years. The following is a sample course program. The blanks below indicate Watson College courses to be chosen with the help of a Watson College academic advisor.

Additional Information About the Program


For more information on the Physics and Engineering Combined program, please refer to the Physics, Applied Physics, and Astronomy Department website. To apply to the Physics and Engineering Combined program, please visit the University Admissions website.

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