Dual-Degree Program at Washington University

Dual Degree Engineering Program

Lake Forest cooperates with the  McKelvey School of Engineering at Washington University in St. Louis, in a program designed for students who plan to become professional engineers but who also desire a rigorous liberal arts education. With an enhanced background in the social sciences and humanities, the prospective engineer is better prepared to assume the responsibilities of leadership in contemporary society. 

The program requires each participating student to complete at least 24 course credits (at least 20 taken at Lake Forest College) before going on to the School of Engineering and Applied Science at Washington University for the final years of study. Admission to the program is at the discretion of Washington University. 

Students finishing this program will receive a Bachelor of Arts degree from Lake Forest and a Bachelor of Science degree in engineering from Washington University. The Lake Forest College degree will be a B.A. with no major specified, unless all requirements for the major (including the senior studies requirement) have been met. 

There are two possible engineering programs: a  3-2 program, which typically requires three years at Lake Forest followed by two years at Washington University and results in B.A. and B.S. degrees; or a  3-3 program, which entails an extra year at Washington University, but culminates in a B.A., B.S., plus a Master’s of Science degree in engineering. 

The exact selection, combination, and sequence of courses to be taken at Lake Forest College, both in the natural sciences and in the social sciences and humanities, depends on the type of engineering to be pursued at Washington University. While at the College the student must register as a major in mathematics, computer science, or one of the natural sciences. The chairperson of the major department must certify that the student has completed at least three-fourths of the major requirements at the College. 

A GPA of 3.25/4.0 or better, both overall and in science and mathematics courses is required for admission to the Dual Degree Program. Applicants with lower GPAs are considered on a case-by-case basis. For further details regarding requirements, options, and course work at Washington University, students should consult with the program advisor at Lake Forest College. 

Early consultation with the program advisor is vital in order to formulate and undertake the most appropriate course schedule. The required core of courses includes the following: Math 110, 111, 210, and 214 (Calculus I & II, Multivariable Calculus, and Differential Equations); Chemistry 115 (Chemistry I); Physics 120, 121 (General Physics I & II); and Computer Science 112 (Computer Science I). 

The Biomedical Engineering program requires Chemistry 116 (Chemistry II), Biology 120 (Organismal Biology), and Biology 221 (Cellular and Molecular Biology) in addition to the core courses listed above. 

The Chemical Engineering program requires Chemistry 116 (Chemistry II), Chemistry 220 (Organic Chemistry I), and Biology 120 (Organismal Biology), and Biology 221 (Cellular and Molecular Biology) in addition to the core courses. 

The Computer Science program requires Computer Science 212 (Computer Science II) in addition to the core courses. 

The remaining courses are to be selected from the sciences, humanities, and social sciences at the discretion of the student and the advisor. The FFC requirements must also be completed. 

Winter Classes 

Take a class at Wash U during winter break! For two weeks in late-December and early-January, campus-based, credit-bearing courses are  offered exclusively to prospective and current Dual Degree students (and at a fraction of regular tuition). Learn more about the J-term  here. 

Financial aid and scholarships 

Washington University offers financial aid and scholarship options for those students interested in the dual-degree program. Be sure to review their website for more information.