Academics > Majors and Areas of Study > Binary Engineering > U. of Pittsburgh

                               3-2  PROGRAM  THIEL / PITT

Engineering students get a thorough background in mathematics, science and liberal arts.  Here, a binary engineering student discusses an old Russian painting of Archangel Michael with her Western Humanities professor.

3-2 Program with University of Pittsburgh

Thiel offers a 3-2 binary engineering program in cooperation with the University of Pittsburgh (PITT), which combines the sciences and engineering with a broad liberal arts education. Two degrees are awarded upon successful completion of the five year program: a B.S. from Thiel in binary engineering and a B.S. from PITT in the respective engineering specialty. PITT offers the B.S. degree in these engineering areas (as of fall 2007): Bioengineering, Chemical and Petroleum, Civil and Environmental, Computer, Electrical, Engineering Physics, Industrial, Materials Science, and Mechanical Engineering.

The program is designed to meet the needs of students who desire a high quality liberal arts education in addition to engineering and who wish to explore various science and engineering possibilities before committing themselves to a particular major.

The student must have an adequate math background to begin the calculus sequence during the first term of the freshman year and at least one year of high school chemistry. A high school course in physics is also recommended.

The three-year portion of the program is spent at Thiel completing course work in the humanities and social sciences to meet college integrative requirements for the B.S. degree, and courses in math, chemistry, physics, and computer science to fulfill major requirements and prepare for the engineering phase at PITT.

Math, Physics, Chemistry and Computer Science Requirements:

MATH 181    Calculus I
MATH 182    Calculus II
MATH 281    Calculus III
MATH 302    Differential Equations
PHYS 174    Introductory Physics I (Calc)
PHYS 184    Introductory Physics II (Calc)
PHYS 263    Introduction to Modern Physics

PHYS 353    Intermediate Lab (except chemical engineers)
PHYS 363    Mathematical Physics
CHEM 140   General Chemistry I
CHEM 160   General Chemistry II
CSCI 159     Introduction to Programming

In addition, students must complete the following courses depending on the area of interest:

Chemical Engineering:
  

   At least two courses from:

CHEM 200  Organic Chemistry I
CHEM 240  Quantitative Analysis
CHEM 310  Physical Chemistry-Dynamics
CHEM 320  Physical Chemistry-Structure
 

Computer Engineering:

CSCI 169  Data Structures
PHYS 243 Digital Electronics
CIS 129     Fundamentals of Information Systems
 or
CSCI 179  Programming in Visual Basic

For all other specialties the student may choose either:
  

   at least two courses from:

PHYS 213  Analog Electronics
PHYS 243  Digital Electronics
PHYS 223  Thermophysics
PHYS 253  Statics&Dynamics
PHYS 343  Electromagnetic Theory

   or two Math courses:

MATH 211  Elementary Statistics - and -
MATH 291  Linear Algebra

In order to be considered for admission into PITT, the student must attain a 3.0 cumulative grade point average at the end of the junior year and obtain the recommendation of Thiel's liaison officer for the program. The liaison officer for the binary engineering program is Dr. Patrick Hecking.