Combined Plan Programs
The Combined Plan programs allow students to gain broad exposure to the liberal arts while preparing for a degree in engineering. Such exposure is especially important in an age when engineering decisions have increasing impact on our cultural and physical environments. Under the programs, students spend three years at Bates pursuing liberal arts and certain pre-engineering courses, and then continue their studies at an engineering school for two years. Five schools, Case Western, Columbia, Dartmouth, RPI, and Washington University, are affiliated with Bates for combined plan study. At the end of the five year program, two bachelors degrees are awarded, one by the engineering school and another by the College. Since a firm decision to concentrate in engineering is not required until the junior year, the plans are especially beneficial to students who are interested in, but not yet completely sure about, a career in engineering.

College Requirements
During the three years at Bates, pre-engineering students must complete the General Education distribution requirements, the physical education requirement, and pre-engineering courses depending on the specific engineering field to be studied. The normal course load of 24 courses and 2 Short Term units is taken during this period. Although optional, it is not necessary to complete major requirements for any department or program while at Bates. However, it is prudent for entering students to begin a major while preparing for 3-2 transfer, so that a normal four-year Bates degree can be obtained if for any reason the student later decides not to continue the Combined Plan. Early in the third year, application is made to an affiliated engineering school through the Combined Plan advisor. Admission is contingent upon completion of the required pre-engineering courses, an overall grade average of "B" or higher, and evidence of particular strength in the sciences.

Pre-Engineering Courses
Since the choice of pre-engineering courses varies with the specific engineering field and the engineering school, it is important for students to meet as early as possible with the Combined Plan advisor to plan a schedule for the first three years. The following general remarks, however, can be taken as a guide. All schedules include five semesters of mathematics, from Calculus through Differential Equations. All include three semesters of physics, a year of college chemistry, and one course in computer programming. Engineering fields related to the chemical and biological sciences require additional courses in organic and physical chemistry, while fields related to physics require additional courses in Electromagnetism and Thermodynamics. To assure completion of these requirements in three years, it is important that students begin course work in at least two of the three basic departments (Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry) in the first year. Elective courses outside science and math should include an economics course and an English composition course or First-Year Seminar.

Typical Schedules
The following is a typical course schedule for engineering fields related to physics: Aerospace, Civil, Computer, Electrical, Geophysical, Mechanical, Mining, Nuclear, and so on.
Year 1: Math 105-106, Physics 107-108, 4 electives*
Year 2: Math 205-206, Physics 222-211, 4 electives *
Year 3: Math 219, Chem 107-108, Phys 361, 4 electives*

For fields more related to biology and chemistry (Biomedical, Chemical, Environmental, Metallurgical, Mineral, and so on.) a typical schedule would be:
Year 1: Math 105-106, Chem 107-108, 4 electives*
Year 2: Math 205-206, Chem 217-218, Phys 107, 3 electives*
Year 3: Math 219, Phys 108 & 211, Chem 302, 4 electives*

* A minimum of eight of these electives must be chosen to meet the General Education and computer programming requirements.

Other Options
While the 3-2 (five year) program leading to two bachelors degrees is the normal Combined Plan program, there is also a 4-2 plan for dual bachelors degrees, and 4-2 and 3-3 plans leading to an M.S. in engineering. In addition, it is sometimes possible to arrange for exchange programs with engineering schools other than the five official Bates affiliates. Further information is available from the Combined Plan advisor.

FinancialAid
Bates College provides financial aid only for the three years of study at Bates. Aid for the remaining two years is subject to the policies of the particular engineering school.

Combined Plan Advisor:
Gene Clough
Department of Physics and Astronomy
Bates College
44 Campus Ave.
Lewiston, ME  04240
Email: gclough@bates.edu