Presbyterian College > Academic Web Server > Physics > Dual-Degree FAQ
The student spends three years here and two years at a participating engineering school. He/she ends up with a B.S. degree in physics from Presbyterian College and a Bachelor's degree in engineering from the other school.
The student must take at least 92 semester hours here at PC.
This must include at least 12 hours of physics (the three-semester General Physics with Calculus sequence); 8 hours of chemistry; 15 hours of mathematics (four semesters of calculus, plus differential equations), and 3 hours of computer science. See the sample schedule for details. Some partner schools require additional non-engineering courses which may be taken either here or there.
The student must also take all the general education courses that are required of all PC students, ranging from 30 to 44 semester hours depending on placement in English and foreign language. These figures do not include the math and science general education requirements, which are included in the dual degree program requirements.
In order to transfer to Clemson under the dual-degree program, a student must have a 2.6 GPA at PC. The other schools do not have a specific GPA requirement. A student must meet PC's overall requirements (including a 2.0 GPA in all courses, both here and at the other school), and the other school's graduation requirements.
Dual-degree students and regular physics majors take the same courses; we do not have separate courses for the two programs. The biggest differences in requirements between the two programs are that
a dual-degree student does not need to take any upper-level physics electives (numbered above 300);
a dual-degree student does not need to take electronics here, although it is strongly recommended;
a dual-degree student does not need to take Organic Chemistry;
we strongly recommend that dual-degree students take two semesters of English literature beyond our general education requirements, because our partner schools require the extra English, and it's better to get this out of the way here if possible.
However, by taking some physics courses which are not required (e.g. electronics and/or one of the upper-level electives), a prospective dual-degree student can keep open the option to stay here for a four-year degree without having to scramble to finish all the degree requirements during the fourth year.
So far, 100%. Every student who has left here under the dual-degree program (over twenty years' worth of them) has finished the program successfully at the other school.
We have had students finish with degrees in electrical, civil, mechanical, aeronautical, biomechanical and computer engineering.
This page was last updated on 28 March 2006. You can find the latest version at http://web.presby.edu/physics/dualdegree/faq.html.