2012-2013 Undergraduate Academic Catalog | Program Descriptions | Science/Math Overview

Three-Two Cooperative Engineering Programs

Program Description

Cooperative Engineering programs consist of three years at Roberts Wesleyan College (RWC) and two to three years at the chosen engineering school.  The student is eligible to graduate from Roberts Wesleyan College only after the RWC program and the selected engineering school's program are completed.  In the RWC portion of the program, the student completes at least 96 semester hours (which includes the majority of his/her major requirements) at RWC including the required courses for transfer credit at the engineering school.

In order to complete the necessary requirements of the first portion of the program in three years at RWC, each engineering specialty is best suited to a specific RWC B.S. major: typically Physics, Mathematics, or Chemistry.  It is also necessary to consult with the Engineering Advisor.  In the engineering school portion of the program, the student completes his/her RWC degree through approved transfer courses and obtains the desired engineering degree.  If the Program Coordinator is not in the same major discipline as the student, an advocate within the major will be assigned.  In this case, consultation with both advisor and advocate is essential to ensure program requirements for both the engineering program and RWC major are met.  For more information about the program, including how to become a part of the program, contact the RWC Program Coordinator through the Natural Science and Mathematics Division office 585.594.6310.

Cooperative Engineering Schools

Clarkson offers a B.S. degree in the following engineering departments:

  • Chemical Engineering
  • Civil and Environmental Engineering
  • Electrical and Computer Engineering
  • Mechanical and Industrial Engineering

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) offers a B.S. or M.S. degree in the following engineering specialties:

  • Aeronautical Engineering
  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Chemical Engineering
  • Civil Engineering
  • Computer and Systems Engineering
  • Electric Power Engineering
  • Electrical Engineering
  • Engineering Physics
  • Engineering Science
  • Environmental Engineering
  • Industrial and Management Engineering
  • Materials Engineering
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Nuclear Engineering

Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) offers a B.S., M.Eng., or M.S. in Mechanical Engineering only, depending upon the student's GPA and level of study.

Program Requirements

Clarkson

  • General Education 
    • Fulfilled by the RWC General Education Program requirements
    • An economics course should be chosen to fulfill the history, economics, or social sciences elective requirement.
  • Additional Transfer Requirements
    • Chemistry courses (8 hours): CHM 111*, 112;
    • Computer science courses (5 hours): CSC 140, 180;
    • Mathematics courses (18 hours): MTH 281*, 282, 283, 301, 302;
    • Physics courses (12 hours): PHY 201*, 202, 203.
  • Program Specific Additional Requirements
    • Chemical Engineering
      • Required chemistry courses (12 hours): CHM 121, 211, 212;
      • Recommended chemistry courses (8 hours): CHM 301, 304.
    • Civil Engineering
      • Required physics courses (6 hours): PHY 210, 211;
      • Recommended biology course (4 hours): BIO 101.
    • Computer Engineering
      • Required physics course (3 hours): PHY 211.
    • Electrical Engineering
      • Required physics course (3 hours): PHY 211.
    • Environmental Engineering
      • Required physics course (6 hours): PHY 210, 211;
      • Recommended biology courses (4 hours): BIO 101.
    • Industrial Engineering
      • Required physics courses (6 hours): PHY 210, 211.
    • Mechanical Engineering
      • Required physics courses (6 hours): PHY 210, 211.

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI)

  • General Education
    • Fulfilled by the RWC General Education Program requirements
  • Additional Transfer Requirements and Recommendations*
    • Chemistry course (4 hours): CHM 111*;
    • Computer science courses (5 hours): CSC 140, 180;
    • Mathematics courses (18 hours): MTH 281*, 282, 283, 301, 302;
    • Physics courses (18 hours): PHY 201*, 202, 203, 210*, 211*.
  • Program Specific Additional Requirements
    • Some specialties listed above have additional requirements and recommendations specific to the program.  For a current list of these requirements and recommendations, contact the Program Coordinator through the Natural Science and Mathematics Division office.

Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) - Mechanical Engineering

  • General Education
    • Fulfilled by the RWC General Education Program requirements
  • Additional Transfer Requirements
    • Chemistry course (4 hours): CHM 111*;
    • Computer science course (4 hours): CSC 140;
    • Mathematics courses (15 hours): MTH 281*, 282, 283, 301;
    • Physics courses (18 hours): PHY 201*, 202, 203, 210, 211.
  • Cross Registration - In this program, students are required to cross register for specific RIT courses in order to complete their degree on time.  The required courses are listed below and qualify via course substitution for comparable upper-level physics courses.
    • Requirements
      • Mechanics of Materials with lab (3.4 hours): 0304-347/348;
      • Dynamics (3.3 hours): 0304-359;
      • Thermodynamics (2.7 hours): 0304-413;
      • Fluid Mechanics (2.7 hours): 0304-415.
    • Recommendations
      • Engineering Design Graphics (1.3 hours): 0304-214;
      • Measurement Instrumentation & Control (1.3 hours): 0304-280;
      • Materials Processing Lab (2 hours): 0304-343.
  • Other Requirements
    • Science Elective Credits
      • Choose two of the following: BIO 101, CHM 112, MTH 302, select an approved 300- or higher level course in physics or mathematics to satisfy this requirement.
    • Recommended Courses
      • CSC 180
    • Co-ops
      • Industrial undergraduate research experiences are included in the RIT portion of the program, typically in the summer following the second, third, and fourth academic year of the program.

Alternative Options

It is also possible for a student to transfer to an engineering school not listed in our cooperative agreement section.  If this option is desired, the student and Program Coordinator will tailor his/her program at Roberts Wesleyan College to meet the requirements for a transfer student into the desired discipline at the chosen engineering school.  Before choosing this option, students should become familiar with the requirements of the schools to which they might transfer.  (See transfer program in engineering.)

* Passing the math placement could be required before enrolling in some introductory courses.