Skip to content
Clark University

Preprofessional Programs
3-2 Engineering
Nickolay Ionkin graduate student with engineering display

3-2 Program in Engineering

For students who want to combine their interest in engineering with other liberal arts disciplines, Clark offers the 3-2 Engineering program.

Clark offers this five-year program in conjunction with Columbia University. Students take pre-engineering courses in the sciences along with classes in the arts, humanities, and social sciences for three years, followed by two years of advanced engineering studies at Columbia University’s Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science. Upon completion, students receive two degrees: a B.A. from Clark and a B.S. in engineering from Columbia.

The required curriculum of the 3-2 Engineering program, which is open to all Clark students, must be started during the first year of study to permit the timely completion of all requirements. Those students whose high school background (as determined by placement examinations) has not prepared them to enter calculus (MATH 120) and composition (ENG 020) during their first semester may not be able to enter the program unless they enroll in a summer semester to complete the requirements on time.

Note: Incoming first-year students who expect to enroll in the 3-2 Engineering Program should indicate their interest to their summer adviser when they pick classes in June or July. In addition, please plan to make an appointment with the Program Committee Chair, Charles Agosta, once you arrive on campus for the fall semester; email physics@clarku.edu or call 1-508-793-7169. The Physics Department is located in Room 231 of the Sackler Sciences Center.

Program Highlights

3-2 Engineering at Clark

At Clark, students in the 3-2 Engineering Program are advised to major in a field that strongly overlaps the entrance requirements for Columbia’s engineering school, such as chemistry, computer science, economics, environmental science and policy, mathematics, physics, or a self-designed liberal-arts/engineering major. Your major at Clark will sometimes complement your intended engineering major at Columbia. For example, if you are interested in chemical engineering, a chemistry major at Clark would be a good choice. Information showing Clark courses and their equivalents for the Columbia program can be found here.

Students are encouraged to seek the advice of 3-2 Engineering Program Committee members as well as a major adviser who is familiar with the program. Course selection will be slightly different for each student, depending on the chosen major and high school AP courses, but the sample curricula will be a good place to start when planning a schedule. Students intending to declare self-designed liberal-arts/engineering major may wish to use the 3-2 Engineering Committee as their major advisory committee.

Sample Program of Study

Below are sample programs for your first three years of study in several majors to help you design your yearly schedule at Clark:

Core First-Year Courses: 3-2 Engineering Program

To pick your courses you must first know your desired engineering major at Columbia, such as mechanical, electrical, computer, etc., and the major you intend to pursue at Clark. The first year of courses is important, as it will provide a foundation to help you get through the program efficiently. Your particular selections will vary depending on your Clark/Columbia major selections and AP credits. Below is a list of common first year courses.

Course Name

AP Credit Course Name
1, 2 Calculus, Mathematics 124 and 125 (satisfies FA)
3, 4 Physics, Physics 120 and 121 (satisfies SP)
(Phys 110 is not acceptable)
5, 6 Chemistry, Chemistry 101
7 Intro to Literary Analysis/English 20 or any other VE courses are acceptable
8 One more perspective course is normally taken in the first year, but you may choose a course from your major area instead

Note: The credit for the above courses equals the allowed eight units per academic year. Students must fulfill the major requirements for chemistry, computer science, economics, environmental science, mathematics, physics, or a self-designed liberal arts/engineering major; please consult the 3-2 Engineering Committee to discuss the latter. Some majors (chemistry, computer science, and physics) require you to take summer courses or to take five courses during the academic year to complete the requirements on time.

Sample Physics Track

1st year
 Course # Course Name Units Perspective
MATH 124/125 Honors Calculus I and II 2 FA
PHYS 120 Intro Physics (with calculus) 1
PHYS 121 Intro Physics II (with calculus) 1
CHEM 101 Intro Chemistry 1 SP
ENG 20 Intro to Literary Analysis 1 VE
Elective xxx Historical Perspective (a) 1 HP
2nd year Course # Course Name Units Perspective
MATH 130 Linear Algebra 1
MATH 131 Multivariate Calculus 1
PHYS 130/131 Oscillations, Waves and Optics / Quantum Physics and Relativity 2
PHYS 127 or 219 Computer Simulation Lab or Electronics Lab 1
PHYS 123 Methods of Physics 1
ART/MUSC xxx Art or Music History perspective 1 AP
Elective xxx Values perspective (a) 1 VP
3rd year  Course # Course Name Units Perspective
MATH 244 Differential Equations 1
PHYS 150 Statistical and Thermal Physics 1
PHYS 160/161 Classical Mechanics / Electricity and Magnetism 2
PHYS 171 Intro to Quantum Mechanics 1
ECON 10 Issues & Perspectives (a) 1 CP
Elective xxx Language Perspective (a) 1 LP
PHYS 299 Special Projects in Physics (b) 1
Total Clark Credits 24 8
  1. These perspectives can be taken in any order.
  2. The special project course is normally continued throughout the following summer under the direct supervision of the faculty. Students can anticipate financial support during the summer for well-developed projects.

Core First-Year Courses: 3-2 Engineering Program

To pick your courses you must first know your desired engineering major at Columbia, such as mechanical, electrical, computer, etc., and the major you intend to follow at Clark. The first year of courses is important to get you through the program efficiently. Your particular selections will vary depending on your Clark/Columbia major selections and AP credits. Below is a list of common first-year courses.

Course Name

AP Credit Course Name
1, 2 Calculus, Mathematics 124 and 125 (satisfies FA)
3, 4 Physics, Physics 120 and 121 (satisfies SP)
(Phys 110 is not acceptable)
5, 6 Chemistry, Chemistry 101 and 102.
7 Intro to Literary Analysis/English 20 or any other VE courses are acceptable.
8 One more perspective course is normally taken in the first year, but you may choose a course from your major area instead.

Chemistry Track

Note: The credit for the above courses equals the allowed eight units per academic year. Students must fulfill the major requirements for chemistry, computer science, economics, environmental science, mathematics, physics, or a self-designed liberal arts/engineering major; please consult the 3-2 Engineering Committee to discuss the latter. Some majors (chemistry, computer science, and physics) require you to take summer courses or to take five courses during the academic year to complete the requirements on time.

Fall Semester Spring Semester
1st year courses
Course # Course Name Perspective Course # Course Name Perspective
MATH 124 Honors Calculus I FA MATH 125 Honors Calculus II FA
CHEM 101 Intro Chemistry SP CHEM 102 Intro Chemistry
ENGL 20 Intro to Literary Analysis VE Historical Perspective (a) HP
PHYS 120 Introductory Physics (with calculus) PHYS 121 Introductory Physics II (with calculus)
2nd year courses
MATH 130 Linear Algebra MATH 131 Multivariate Calculus
CHEM 131 Organic Chemistry CHEM 132 Organic Chemistry
PHYS 130 Oscillations, Waves, and Optics PHYS 131 Quantum Physics and Relativity
ART/MUSC Art or Music History perspective AP — Values perspective (a) VP
3rd year courses
MATH 244 Differential Equations CHEM142 Environmental Chemistry
PHYS 127 Computer Simulation Lab CHEM246 Instrumental Analysis
ECON 10 Macro Economics CP CHEM 250 Inorganic Chemistry
CHEM 260 Physical Chemistry I CHEM 262 Physical Chemistry II
  1. These perspectives can be taken in any order.

Core First-Year Courses: 3-2 Engineering Program

To pick your courses you must first know your desired engineering major at Columbia, such as mechanical, electrical, computer, etc., and the major you intend to pursue at Clark. The first year of courses is important, as it will provide a foundation to help you get through the program efficiently. Your particular selections will vary depending on your Clark/Columbia major selections and AP credits. Below is a list of common first-year courses.

Course Name

AP Credit Course Name
1, 2 Calculus, Mathematics 124 and 125 (satisfies FA)
3, 4 Physics, Physics 120 and 121 (satisfies SP)
(Phys 110 is not acceptable)
5, 6 Chemistry, Chemistry 101
7 Intro to Literary Analysis/English 20 or any other VE courses are acceptable.
8 One more perspective course is normally taken in the first year, but you may choose a course from your major area instead.

Computer Science Track

Note: The credit for the above courses equals the allowed eight units per academic year. Students must fulfill the major requirements for chemistry, computer science, economics, environmental science, mathematics, physics, or a self-designed liberal arts/engineering major; please consult the 3-2 Engineering Committee to discuss the latter. Some majors (chemistry, computer science, and physics) require you to take summer courses or to take five courses during the academic year to complete the requirements on time.

1st Year Courses Course # Course Name Units Perspective
CSCI 120/121 Computer Science I and II 2 FA
MATH 114 Discrete Mathematics 1
MATH 124/125 Honors Calculus I and II 2
PHYS 120 Introductory Physics (with calculus) 1
PHYS 121 Intro Physics II (with calculus) 1
ENGL 20 Intro to Literary Analysis 1 VE
Elective — Historical perspective (a) 1 HP
2nd Year Courses Course # Course Name Units Perspective
CSCI 140 Assembly Language and
Computer Organization 1
CSCI 160 Data Structures and Algorithms 1
CSCI 210 Artificial Intelligence 1
CSCI 211 Topics in Artificial Intelligence 1
MATH 130 Linear Algebra 1
MATH 131 Multivariate Calculus 1
PHYS 130 Oscillations, Waves, and Optics 1 SP
Elective — Art or Music History (a) 1 AP
3rd Year Courses Course # Course Name Units Perspective
CSCI 170 Analysis of Programming Languages 1
CSCI 180 Automata Theory 1
CSCI 230 Compiler Design 1
CSCI 240 Computer Architecture 1
CSCI 201 Proseminar (b) 1
MATH 244 Differential Equations 1
ECON 10 Issues and Perspectives (a) 1 CP
Elective — Language Perspective (a) 1 LP
Elective — Values Perspective (a) 1 VP
Total Clark credits 26 8
  1. These perspectives can be taken in any order.
  2. Capstone course in computer science, required for the major. (It is usually reserved for seniors but can be taken by juniors with the strong background given by this program).

NOTE: To satisfy all requirements before enrolling in the engineering school, it may be necessary for the student to register for five courses during two semesters while at Clark.

Core First-Year Courses: 3-2 Engineering Program

To pick your courses you must first know your desired engineering major at Columbia, such as mechanical, electrical, computer, etc. and the major you intend to follow at Clark. The first year of courses is important to get you through the program efficiently. Your particular selections will vary depending on your Clark/Columbia major selections and AP credits. Below is a list of common first year courses.

Course Name

AP Credit Course Name
1, 2 Calculus, Mathematics 124 and 125 (satisfies FA)
3, 4 Physics, Physics 120 and 121 (satisfies SP)
(Phys 110 is not acceptable)
5, 6 Chemistry, Chemistry 101
7 Intro to Literary Analysis/English 20 or any other VE courses are acceptable.
8 One more perspective course is normally taken in the first year, but you may choose a course from your major area instead.

Math Track

Note: The credit for the above courses equals the allowed 8 course units per academic year. Students must fulfill the major requirements for Chemistry, Computer Science, Economics, ES, Mathematics, or Physics, or choose a self-designed liberal arts/engineering major. See the 3-2 Engineering Committee to discuss the latter. Some majors, (Chemistry, Computer Science, and Physics) require you to take summer courses or to take five courses during the academic year to complete the requirements on time.

1st year Course # Course Name Units Perspective
MATH 124/125 Honors Calculus I and II 2
PHYS 120 Introductory Physics (with calculus) 1
PHYS 121 Introductory Physics II (with calculus) 1
CHEM 101/102 Intro Chemistry 2 SP
ENGL 20 Intro to Literary Analysis 1 VE
MATH 105 History of Math (a) 1 HP
or Elective xxx values perspective (c) VP
2nd year  Course # Course Name Units Perspective
MATH 130 Linear Algebra 1
MATH 131 Multivariate Calculus 1
MATH 114 Discrete Mathematics 1
MATH 244 Differential Equations 1
PHYS 130 Oscillations, Waves, and Optics 1
PHYS 127 Computer Simulation Lab 1 FA
Elective xxx values perspective (c) 1 P
or MATH 105 or History of Math (a) HP
ECON 10 Issues and Perspectives (c) 1 CP
3rd year  Course # Course Name Units Perspective
MATH 172 Intro to Modern Analysis 1
MATH 225 Modern Algebra I 1
MATH 212 Numerical Analysis 1
MATH 216 Intro to Complex Analysis 1
MATH 201 Proseminar (b) 1
Elective xxx Art or Music History (c) 1 AP
Elective xxx Language Perspective (c) 1 LP
Elective xxx (choose to fit engineering specialty) 1
Total Clark credits 24 8
  1. History of Mathematics is offered in alternate years, so should be taken in the first or second year as possible.
  2. Capstone course in mathematics, required for the major (usually reserved for seniors, but can be taken by juniors with the strong background given by this program).
  3. These perspectives can be taken in any order.

If the results of the mathematics placement examination place you below calculus, you will be required to take calculus in a summer semester to prepare for your second-year courses (MATH 130/131 and PHYS 130). If you do not place into ENGL 20, you also may be required to take summer courses.