3 + 2 Dual Degree
The 3+2 Dual Degree program allows a student to receive a Bachelor of Arts in Physics from Truman and a Bachelor of Sciences in Engineering from an engineering school.
For 3+2 students: The forms you need for the 3+2 program are online, including the 3+2 Approval Form for the learning plan and course substitutions, Graduation Checklist, and Degree Worksheets. You may also want to look at sample engineering curricula from Rolla and Mizzou.
Questions & Answers about the 3+2 Dual Degree Program
What is a "3+2" or "dual degree" program?
It is a combination of degree programs from two institutions that allows a student to receive two related degrees in five years. Our 3+2 lets you earn a Bachelor of Arts in Physics from Truman and a Bachelor of Sciences from Engineering School (e.g., Rolla, MU, Iowa State, etc.) in five years.
What are the advantages of receiving an engineering degree and a physics degree?
Many! From Truman you will graduate with both a strong background in physics and a broad liberal arts degree from a nationally recognized liberal arts and sciences university. Such a background gives you flexibility and breadth in your education, the ability to communicate well, and the capability to work independently and in challenging environments. An engineering degree provides the depth and focus of an engineering discipline, and the expertise to be a professional in the technical world. These two degrees in combination are appealing to employers and provide tremendous flexibility in an ever-changing marketplace and worldwide economy.
How does it work?
The Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in Physics is a typical "four-year" degree from Truman. It provides the strong liberal arts core, the solid foundation of physics, and a personalized 15 hour learning plan through which a student tailors his or her degree to suit future plans. By combining the Physics BA and learning plan with an Engineering Degree, a student may achieve both the BA from Truman and a BS in Engineering typically in five years.
Engineering courses comprise the entirety of the BA learning plan. Eight credit hours are to be finished at Truman* and the remaining 7 hours are completed at the chosen engineering school. The Physics BA also requires 6 credit hours (2 courses) of physics-related electives, which are also engineering courses taken at the engineering school.**
*: The 8 engineering credits are introductory engineering courses taken by all engineering students. Although these may be taken at the engineering school they are generally taken before the final two years of specialized engineering courses (e.g., Mechanical Engineering). So, not taking them at Truman may require an additional semester at engineering school.
**: Of course the electives may be taken at Truman, but these would then be additional courses and may extend beyond the designed three-year program.
Will I complete the program (and all the requirements from two universities) in five years?
Truman's 3+2 dual degree program is based upon two separate programs that have functioned independently for many years. Approximately half of our physics majors choose the BA in physics, and most complete this in 4 years (those who do not often stay longer to complete second or third degrees). Similarly, for the last 15 years we have offered a 2+2 engineering transfer program, where students complete their math, physics, chemistry, some general education and a few engineering courses at Truman and then finish their engineering degree in 2 years at engineering school.
In the course of six semesters you complete all requirements for the Truman BA, except for the physics electives, learning plan and general electives, all of which are automatically taken in the engineering curriculum. In two regular semesters at engineering school you will have sufficient credits to transfer back to Truman and receive the BA degree (even before you complete the BS in engineering). By taking an average of 16 credits each semester (which is not at all unusual for an engineering student) you will finish the Truman BA curriculum with the exception of the courses you take at engineering school. You will not have to take any "extra" courses at engineering school.
With your six Truman semesters completed, you have already fulfilled (and far exceeded) the normal curriculum for our 2+2 transfer students. You have your calculus, physics, chemistry and basic "core" courses completed. Upon transferring you "look like" one of our 2+2 students, who have an excellent track record of successfully completing engineering degrees at UM - Rolla and MU, among others.
What if I change my mind about my degree plans after I start at Truman?
The beauty of this program is that you have many choices as you move along. In your first year it is easy to switch seamlessly to any other major (even non-science); in the second year you could easily choose to become a 4-year BS or BA physics major or change to the 2+2 transfer program without any loss of time. Even in your third year you could switch to the BA (and probably the BS in physics) and still graduate in four years. If you begin at Truman as an engineering 2+2 transfer student or a physics major you can likewise change into the 3+2 program at any point along the way.
What issues might cause my program to last more than five years?
First of all we assume you will start at Truman ready to take Calculus I. If this is not the case, you will need a pre-calculus course and you cannot start the physics sequence in the first semester. This generally means you will need an extra semester to "get up to speed."
Obviously if you do not follow the suggested curriculum or if you do not take full course loads (typically 16 credit hours) you may fall behind and require an additional semester to complete the requirements of either degree. On the other hand, we find that some of our students come in with some calculus, chemistry, and/or humanities credits that could accelerate their progress by a semester.
Finally, if you choose to study additional subjects to work on a second degree or a minor from Truman then additional time may be required.
Can I be a double major at Truman and still participate in the 3+2 dual degree program?
Yes, as long as you are willing to do the additional coursework. Receiving a second (or third!) degree from Truman usually requires an additional year or more of course work. It is unlikely that you would receive two degrees from Truman and an engineering degree from elsewhere in five years.
How will I take care of transferring courses and finishing up with my Truman degree while I am away at engineering school?
Each 3+2 dual degree student will have a three-person engineering advisory committee who will work with you before and after you transfer from Truman. This committee will remain in contact with you as your complete you engineering courses and apply for graduation from Truman. This committee will also alert you to various procedures and actions you should take while you are at Truman.
The Truman Catalog states that I must take my last 28 hours at Truman. But I will be at my engineering school then!
This requirement has been waived for students in this program.
Can I take any of the physics courses normally part of the Truman "3" at my engineering school?
Possibly. Such cases are handled on a case-by-case basis with the engineering advisory committee.
Why can't I just get the physics and the engineering degree from Truman?
Truman State University is not an engineering school; this is not part of our mission. Being an engineering school and offering a full range of engineering degrees (Mechanical, Chemical, Petroleum, Nuclear, ...) requires resources completely different than the resources at a liberal arts and sciences university.
| BA in Physics within the 3+2 Dual Degree Program | |
|---|---|
| Credits | |
| Liberal Studies Program | 41-62 |
| Missouri Statute Requirement | 1-3 |
| Required Support | 15-24 |
| MATH 198 Analytical Geometry & Calculus I* | 5 |
| MATH 263 Analytical Geometry & Calculus II | 5 |
| MATH 264 Analytical Geometry & Calculus III | 3 |
| MATH 365 Ordinary Differential Equations | 3 |
| CHEM 120 General Chemistry I* | 5 |
| CHEM 121 General Chemistry II | 5 |
| *: May be used to fulfill LSP requirements | |
| Bachelor of Arts Requirements | 0-6 |
| Intermediate proficiency in one foreign language | |
| MAJOR REQUIREMENTS | 28 |
| PHYS 145 Physics Seminar | 1 |
| PHYS 195 Physics with Calculus I | 5 |
| PHYS 196 Physics with Calculus II | 5 |
| PHYS 250 Modern Physics I | 3 |
| PHYS 251 Modern Physics II | 3 |
| PHYS 275 Vibrations and Waves | 3 |
| PHYS 345 Junior Seminar | 1 |
| PHYS 382 Mathematical Physics | 3 |
| PHYS 388 Advanced Laboratory | 3 |
| PHYS 445 Advanced Physics Seminar or Research II | 1 |
| Physics Electives | 6 |
| LEARNING PLAN** | 15 |
| **: The following Truman courses could be selected
as part of a student's Learning Plan for the 3+2 program. The
remainder of the Learning Plan courses will be taken at an
engineering school. The courses in this list will not double count
with the courses selected for substitution of the physics electives. PHYS 208 Design and Drafting (2 Credit Hours) PHYS 387 Statics (3 Credit Hours) PHYS 383 Electric Circuits (3 Credit Hours) | |
| OTHER ELECTIVES TO TOTAL | 124 |
A full description of courses is available in Truman's online catalog.