Newswise — The Tulane University School of Science and Engineering has begun a new undergraduate program that will allow Tulane students to earn dual degrees in physics and engineering. This program is in partnership with Vanderbilt and Johns Hopkins Universities.
Effective Fall 2008, undergraduate students enrolled at Tulane can earn dual degrees in physics and engineering after three years of study at Tulane followed by two years of study at one of the partner universities. Upon completion, a successful student would receive a bachelor's degree in physics from Tulane and a bachelor's degree in civil engineering, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering or environmental engineering from the partner institution. These four engineering degree programs were eliminated from Tulane's curriculum when the university restructured after Hurricane Katrina in 2005.
"This attractive combination of study on two different campuses will provide our undergraduates something that is otherwise unavailable at Tulane," says Nick Altiero, dean of the School of Science and Engineering. "They will be Tulane graduates but will also be able to receive an engineering degree that we no longer offer." Currently Tulane offers undergraduate engineering degree programs in biomedical engineering, chemical engineering, and engineering physics. In addition, a minor in engineering science is offered for non-engineering majors.
"We are delighted to partner with Tulane University's School of Science and Engineering in a dual degree undergraduate program," said Kenneth F. Galloway, dean of the Vanderbilt University School of Engineering. "We will welcome physics students from Tulane, after three years of study, to our ABET accredited programs in civil, mechanical and electrical engineering at Vanderbilt."
Johns Hopkins University will offer those programs as well as the fourth option of an undergraduate degree in environmental engineering to Tulane students. "After Katrina, the Whiting School took in some engineering students from Tulane. We think very highly of Tulane students and are excited about this partnership as we know the Tulane students will be an asset to our academic community," said Edward R. Scheinerman, vice dean for education at The Johns Hopkins University Whiting School of Engineering.
Once a student declares his or her intention to participate in the dual degree program, faculty members from each of the universities will serve as joint advisors to assist students in preparing their academic programs. Students will graduate from their two respective universities in the same year.
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