Dual Degree Advising Guidelines
September 13, 2010
Overview
Welcome to the dual degree program at UW-Eau Claire. In the dual degree program, you will
complete most of the requirements for a physics major at UW-Eau Claire, then transfer to an
engineering program at either UW-Madison or the University of Minnesota. Some of the courses
taken at the engineering school will transfer back to UW-Eau Claire, and, at the end of the
program, you will receive two degrees, a bachelors degree in physics from UW-Eau Claire and a
bachelors degree in a field of engineering from the engineering school.
The official name of the UW-Eau Claire major is Physics, Liberal Arts, Dual Degree Engineering
Emphasis. Note that under this major, you do not receive your UW-Eau Claire degree until the
engineering degree has been completed and the registrar’s office has an official record of your
engineering degree.
Related Programs
You might also want to consider as alternatives a plain physics degree (Physics, Liberal Arts),
the applied physics emphasis (Physics, Liberal Arts, Applied Physics Emphasis), or the preengineering program. In the pre-engineering program, you simply take classes that will transfer
to an engineering school, and then transfer, usually after 2 years. In pre-engineering, no UWEau Claire degree is earned. Consult with your adviser to be sure that you have chosen the best
program for your situation. Note that if you switch programs, you will likely also switch
advisers.
Planning
The dual degree program is complex and difficult. It is vital that you plan your college career at
UW-Eau Claire very carefully. Failure to do so can mean taking unnecessary courses or
spending additional semesters at UW-Eau Claire or the engineering school. The purpose of this
document is to help you plan so that your program is as smooth, efficient, and easy as possible.
This document is intended to help you plan. Of course, the catalog has the official
requirements for graduation, but we have summarized them here in a way that makes planning
much easier. You should look over your degree plan, the newest document, and the catalog
every semester to make sure that you are on track to meet all the requirements for your catalog
year. You should also periodically get degree audits to double check that you are indeed
meeting the necessary requirements.
During the first semester of your freshman year you will make your degree plan. The degree
plan is a detailed semester-by-semester listing of every course that you plan to take during your
career at UW-Eau Claire. The plan should include, in detail, how you will meet all of the UW-Eau
Claire requirements. After completing the degree plan, you will know how many semesters you
should expect to take at UW-Eau Claire. Your degree plan will change over time. Some courses
may be canceled, or may not fit into your schedule, or you may change your mind. Usually
such changes are small and can be made easily. Every time you change your degree plan, give
your adviser a copy. Completing the degree plan sounds very intimidating, and it is a lot of
work, but we will help walk you through it. Just follow the directions here.
1
The degree plan layout is listed on pages 5 and 6 of this document. The page 5 is a checklist of
most of the important requirements you will need to meet: the University requirements, the
College of Arts and Sciences requirements for the B.S. degree, and the dual degree emphasis
requirements. (It is possible to get a B.A. in the program, but it is almost never done. See your
adviser and the catalog if interested.) You will also need to complete a minor. Most students
complete a minor in math since they are only 8 credits short after completing their other
requirements.
Some courses are required by certain engineering schools and engineering majors but not
necessarily by UW-Eau Claire. In order to minimize your time in engineering school, consult the
Dual Degree Advising Notes section to see what additional courses you should take.
The page 6 is a semester-by-semester list of courses you have taken or plan to take at UW-Eau
Claire.
Filling Out the Degree Plan
If you have the Word version of this document, edit pages 5 and 6. On the page 6, list any
transfer or AP credits, and fill in any semesters you have completed or are currently taking.
Mark on the checklist (page 5) any requirements you have completed. Then, making sure you
meet all the requirements listed on the checklist and the advising notes, fill out the courses you
will take during your remaining semesters at UW-Eau Claire. We suggest you start with the
required math, physics, and other technical courses and fill in the GE requirements around
them. Often you can find courses that count in multiple categories. Be sure to list exact
courses—not just the GE type. For example, list “ARTH 324 (GE IVA, CD2, FC)” and not just “GE
IVA.” As you choose your courses, check the catalog to make sure that you are only listing fall
courses in the fall semesters, and spring courses in spring semesters. (Courses offered in the
fall generally remain fall courses in later years, and so on.) You may also want to consider
taking summer, winterim, or interim courses.
Dual Degree Advising Notes
Every student must have a minor. The minors that are usually completed by dual degree
students are math, chemistry, computational science, foreign language and topical (general
minor program designed by student and approved by the Dean of Arts and Sciences). The
paperwork for the topical minor must be filled out during the fall of your sophomore year. The
plan for your topical minor must be carefully considered to be approved by the Dean. MATH
114, 215, 216 and 312 provide 16 credits toward a math minor. MATH 354 (Introduction to
Mathematical Modeling, 4 cr.) and MATH 345 (Introduction to Probability and Mathematical
Statistics, 4 cr.) together enable you to finish the math minor. (They are also excellent courses
for engineering majors to take.) Note that MATH 345 is now a Fall only course, and MATH 354
is a Spring only course.
Students need to take 12 credits of 325 level or above physics courses at UW-Eau Claire. PHYS
332, PHYS 340, and PHYS 350 add up to eleven credits. Depending on the engineering school
and the engineering program PHYS 365 or PHYS 360 are excellent ways to finish up that
requirement. LabVIEW Basics (PHY 495) is another way to complete the requirement.
2
As a general rule, civil, mechanical, engineering mechanics, and aerospace engineers should
take MATH 255 (Statics) and MATH 256 (Dynamics) instead of PHYS 365.
UW-Madison specific notes
All engineering fields: take either CHEM 115 or both CHEM 103 and CHEM 104.
Madison’s EPD 397 is a technical writing course effectively required in most
engineering disciplines. EPD 397 transfers back to UW-Eau Claire as a 300 level
GE 1A (English 305). Be sure you choose your UW-Eau Claire GE courses to meet
UW-Madison’s Liberal Electives requirements. Also note that students
transferring to UW-Madison will need a letter of recommendation from a faculty
member in the sciences or mathematics who has taught you in a class. Have
your recommender e-mail the letter to your advisor by December (if transferring
in the fall of the following year) or by April (if transferring in the spring of the
following year).
Chemical: Chemical engineering is extremely difficult (but not impossible) to do with the
dual degree program since it has less overlap with physics and math courses.
See your adviser.
Civil: take Statics (MATH 255) and Dynamics (MATH 256). In general, do NOT take CS
163. Instead take CEE 291 at Madison. It will transfer back and fulfill the
computing requirement of the dual-degree program. You will need to fill out
course substitution paperwork before leaving UW-Eau Claire. Our MATH 345
counts for Madison’s STAT 324, which is a required course in their program.
Electrical: take CS 163, take PHYS 360 (talk to your advisor for more details)
Our PHYS 350 & 360 together count as ECE 230, ECE 340, ECE 170 and ECE 270
at Madison for Electrical Engineers. MATH 346 will count for the Madison’s Stat
311 requirement, MATH 345 will not. The UW-Madison transfer adviser
encourages students to take STAT 311 at Madison, however. (If you are a math
minor, you may not want to take MATH 345.)
Engineering Mechanics: take Statics (MATH 255) and Dynamics (MATH 256), take CS 163,
Our PHYS 350 counts as ECE 376.
Engineering Mechanics requires separate differential equations and linear
algebra courses. You may take our Math 311 (Differential Equations) and our
Math 324 (Linear Algebra and Matrix Theory) to meet this requirement. If you
take both, the physics department will waive the requirement for Math 312, our
combined differential equations and linear algebra course. However, be aware
that Math 311 is not offered very often. You may take differential equations
(Madison’s Math 319) at Madison, and it will transfer back as 3 math credits. Our
Math 312 will count as Madison’s linear algebra course. However, because of
overlap, you cannot count both Math 312 and a differential equations course
toward the UW-Eau Claire math minor. Engineering Mechanics requires only one
technical elective, and our Optics course satisfies it.
Materials: take CS 163
3
Our PHYS 350 counts as ECE 376. Organic Chemistry 1 with Laboratory I (CHEM
325) is also required.
Mechanical: take Statics (MATH 255) and Dynamics (MATH 256), take CS 163
Our PHYS 350 counts as ECE 376.
Our MATH 351 (Numerical Analysis I) counts as a technical elective.
Nuclear: take Statics (MATH 255) and Dynamics (MATH 256), take CS 163,
Our PHYS 350 counts as ECE 376. See you adviser regarding math classes.
Any other fields: see Tips for Transfers and your adviser.
University of Minnesota specific notes
All engineering fields: PHYS 350 and PHYS 360 together count as Minnesota’s EE 3005
and EE 3006, most fields require only CHEM 103.
Aerospace: take Statics (MATH 255) and Dynamics (MATH 256), take CS 163, take PHYS
360
Chemical: Chemical engineering is extremely difficult (but not impossible) to do with the
dual-degree program since it has less overlap with physics and math courses.
See your adviser.
Civil: take Statics (MATH 255) and Dynamics (MATH 256), take CHEM 103 and CHEM
104 (or just take CHEM 115), take CS 170 instead of CS 163
Electrical: take CS 163, take PHYS 360 if possible (talk to your advisor for more details)
Materials: take CS 163, take CHEM 103 and CHEM 104 (or just take CHEM 115). Organic
Chemistry 1 with Laboratory I (CHEM 325) is also required.
It is suggested that students try to pick up Minnesota’s AEM 3031 in the summer
prior to entry into the Institute of Technology.
Mechanical: take Statics (MATH 255) and Dynamics (MATH 256), take CS 163, take
PHYS360. IE 4521 (4 cr) will transfer back to UW-Eau Claire as MATH 345 for the
purposes of the math minor.
Any other fields: talk with your adviser and see the University of Minnesota Transfer
Plan.
After Transferring
After transferring to engineering school, you should do the following.
1. Regularly check your UW-Eau Claire e-mail. It’s the only way your adviser has to let you
know of changes to the program.
2. E-mail your UW-Eau Claire adviser at least once a semester. Inform your adviser of any
problems. Also inform your adviser a semester and a half before you graduate.
4
3. During your next-to-final semester, send an official transcript from your engineering school
to the UW-Eau Claire registrar’s office. Don’t wait for your grades.
4. Before registering for your last semester of engineering school, run a UW-Eau Claire degree
audit. Make sure that the courses you are taking in your final semester will finish up any
unfulfilled UW-Eau Claire requirements.
5. Apply for graduation at UW-Eau Claire near the end your next-to-final semester. So if you
plan to graduate in spring, apply for graduation near the end of the previous fall semester.
6. After graduating from engineering school, send a final official transcript to the UW-Eau
Claire registrar’s office. You cannot receive your UW-Eau Claire degree until your
engineering degree is officially on record at the UW-Eau Claire registrar’s office.
7. Inform your adviser after you have graduated!
Transferring Back Courses
The following are engineering courses that will transfer back to UW-Eau Claire to count as
upper division (300 level or above) electives to satisfy the UW-Eau Claire Dual Degree
Engineering Emphasis requirements.
Courses at the University of Wisconsin – Madison:
CEE 310 (3 cr), CEE 340 (4 cr), CEE 316 (3 cr), CEE 395 (3 cr), CEE 440 (3 cr)
ECE 301 (1 cr), ECE 305 (1 cr), ECE 304 (1 cr), ECE 310 (1 cr), ECE 306 (1 cr), ECE 308 (1 cr), ECE 317 (1
cr), ECE 320 (3 cr), ECE 345 (3 cr), ECE 376 (3 cr), ECE 431 (3 cr)
EMA 303 (3 cr), EMA 307 (1 cr), EMA 521 (3 cr)
ISyE 320 (3 cr), ISyE 321 (1 cr), ISyE 323 (3 cr), ISyE 415 (3 cr)
ME 306 (3 cr), ME 307 (1 cr), ME 340 (3 cr), ME 346 (3 cr), ME 361 (3 cr), ME 363 (3 cr), ME 364 (3 cr), ME
368 (3 cr), ME 409 (4 cr), ME 463 (3 cr), ME 470 (3 cr)
MS&E 350 (3 cr), MS&E 351 (3 cr)
Courses at the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities:
AEM 3031 (3 cr), AEM 4201 (4 cr), AEM 4202 (4 cr), AEM 4203 (4 cr), AEM 4301 (3 cr), AEM 4303 (3 cr),
AEM 4311 (4 cr), AEM 4511 (3 cr), AEM 4581 (3 cr), AEM 4601 (3 cr), AEM 4602 (4 cr)
CE 3401 (3 cr), CE 3402 (3 cr), CE 3502 (4 cr), CE 4401 (3 cr)
EE 3015 (3 cr), EE 3101 (2 cr), EE 3102 (2 cr), EE 3105 (0.75 cr), EE 3115 (4 cr), EE 3161 (3 cr), EE 3165
(3 cr), EE 3601 (3 cr), EE 4111 (4 cr), EE 4231 (3 cr)
ME 3221 (4 cr), ME 3222 (4 cr), ME 3281 (4 cr), ME 3321 (4 cr), ME 3322 (4 cr), ME 5223 (4 cr), ME 5241
(4 cr)
5
Degree Plan
Name:
UW-Eau Claire E-mail:
Engineering School: Engineering Field:
Date (Last Update of Degree Plan):
Requirement
PHYS 231 University Physics I (F, Sp)
PHYS 232 University Physics II (F, Sp)
PHYS 332 University Physics III (F, Sp)
PHYS 340 Optics (Sp)
PHYS 350 Electric and Electronic Circuits (F)
PHYS 365 Theoretical Mechanics (F) or
MATH 255 Statics (F) and MATH 256 Dynamics (Sp) MATH 255 and 256 are each
3 cr courses. Together they count as 4 cr in the dual degree program.
12 Credits of 325 level or above physics courses at taken at UW-EC
11 Additional credits of upper division physics (see catalog—usually completed at
engineering school)
MATH 114 Calculus I (F, Sp)
MATH 215 Calculus II (F, Sp)
MATH 216 Calculus III (F, Sp)
MATH 312 Differential Equations and Linear Algebra
ENG 110 College Writing (F, Sp)
Physical Activity
Wellness Theory
CS 163 C++ (F, Sp) (CS 170 for some programs) or Madison CS 310 for Civil Eng
CHEM 103 (F, Sp) (and CHEM 104 for certain programs), or CHEM 115
Cultural Diversity
Foreign Language/Culture
-foreign lang. placement test score that qualifies student to enter a 201 level course
or
-completing a 102 level foreign lang. course with a grade of C or above or mark of S
or
-earning credit in a 101 or 102 level foreign lang. course AND earning at least 6 cr of
FC courses
or
-one full semester study abroad
or
-9 cr of FC courses
General Education Requirements (need 45 cr total)
GE I Communications
GEIA Language Skills (CJ 201, 202, Foreign Lang)
GEIB Analytical Skills (CS 163, MATH 114)
GEII Natural Science (PHYS 231, PHYS 232, CHEM 103)
GE III Social Science (2 of 7 subcategories)
GE IV Humanities (2 of 5 sub categories)
GE V University Wide General Education
300 level or above cr in any courses (Note: often completed at engineering school)
300 level or above GE cr in 2 of 5 GE categories
Minor requirements. (For students earning the math minor, 8 credits of MATH
courses labeled 310 or higher in addition to MATH 312 are required.)
Service Learning
6
Cr
5
5
3
4
4
4
12
11
4
4
4
4
5
1
1
3
5
3
6
3
9
?
9
45
6-9
3-6
3-6
15
9-12
9-12
0-6
39
9
8
30 hr
Semester
listed in
degree
plan
Semester
successfully
completed
Degree Plan (continued)
Name:
Date (Last Update of Degree Plan):
Transfer, AP courses
Course Description + GE Category if applicable
Cr
Semester:
Course Description + GE Category if applicable
Cr
Semester:
Course Description + GE Category if applicable
Cr
Semester:
Course Description + GE Category if applicable
Cr
Semester:
Course Description + GE Category if applicable
Cr
Semester:
Course Description + GE Category if applicable
Cr
Semester:
Course Description + GE Category if applicable
Cr
Courses still needed after transferring to eng. school
Course Description + GE Category if applicable
Cr
Notes:
7