3-2 Program With Columbia University
Loyola offers a five year combined degree in conjunction with Columbia University known as the “3-2 Program.” For physics majors, this leads to a B.S. in physics with the applied science track from Loyola and a B.S. in engineering from the Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science (SEAS) at Columbia University. Students take courses from Loyola for the first three years and courses from SEAS for the following two years. This program allows students to access the best of both worlds – a strong liberal arts education from Loyola and training in an engineering field from a major research institution. Due to the intensive nature of this program, interested students should consult with the chair of the physics department as soon as possible.
The following majors are available at Columbia University:
- Applied mathematics
- Applied physics
- Biomedical engineering
- Chemical engineering
- Civil engineering
- Computer engineering
- Computer science
- Earth and environmental engineering
- Electrical engineering
- Engineering mechanics
- Engineering and management systems
- Financial Engineering
- Industrial engineering
- Materials science and engineering
- Mechanical engineering
- Operations research
Students must fulfill Loyola’s core requirements, Diversity requirement, and physics foundation courses within the first three years. In addition, microeconomics and at least one semester of general chemistry are required. See additional requirements for each engineering major and a sample schedule for the first three years at Loyola.
Between Jan. 1 and March 1 of the junior year, the student must submit application materials to Columbia University for admission in the subsequent fall semester (fourth year). Read more about Columbia's program.
Alternatives
If a student is interested in physics and engineering, there are four alternatives to the above:
- The student can complete a B.S. in physics with the applied science track. This includes the physics foundation courses plus six courses in an area of focus such as one of the subfields of engineering. These courses enable the student to design and tailor a portion of the major to the interests and career goals of the student.
- The student can complete a B.S. in engineering science. Loyola offers an accredited B.S. in engineering science with available areas of concentration in computer engineering, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering and materials science. An engineering science major can use non-departmental electives to take physics courses. A student can major in engineering science and minor in physics.
- In five years, the student can complete both a B.S. in physics and an accredited B.S. in engineering from Loyola.
- A student can complete a B.S. in physics or engineering science at Loyola in four years, and then continue to graduate school to earn a Master of Science in engineering or physics from another institution in approximately two years.
