Dual Degree (3-2 Engineering)

Dual Degree (3-2 Engineering)

This is a five-year program of which the first three years are spent at Hawai‘i Pacific University. The final two years are spent at either The University of Southern California School of Engineering in Los Angeles, California, or Washington University School of Engineering and Applied Science in St. Louis, Missouri, where the student earns an ABET accredited Engineering Bachelor of Science degree. Students may pursue degrees in Civil, Electrical, Mechanical and Chemical engineering as well as their sub-disciplines. Upon completion of the last two years, the student also earns a Bachelor of Science with a major in Mathematics degree from Hawai‘i Pacific University.

3-2 Engineers MainOur Engineering School Partnership

Why would you want to begin your engineering studies at Hawaii Pacific University? The Dual Degree Program can be an attractive alternative to traditional engineering curricula. Program graduates are "liberally educated engineers," with strong communication and problem-solving skills. Other advantages include:

  • opportunity to complete degrees in two diverse areas under predictable conditions
  • time to postpone career decisions to explore and confirm long-term goals
  • extra time to pursue other academic, athletic, or extracurricular interests
  • opportunity to use the supportive, personalized environment of a small liberal arts institution to develop the skills and confidence needed for success in engineering
Students in the Dual Degree Program will develop strong oral and written communications skills, a broad background in the humanities / social sciences as well problem-solving competence. This will enable them prepare for career opportunities which require multidisciplinary teams to address the challenges of our age.

The University of Southern California offers engineering degrees in aerospace engineering, biomedical engineering, chemical engineering, civil engineering, computer science, electrical engineering, environmental engineering, industrial and systems engineering, material science and engineering, mechanical engineering, and petroleum engineering.

Washington University offers engineering degrees in chemical engineering, civil engineering, computer science, electrical engineering, engineering and public policy, mechanical engineering, and systems science and mathematics.

3-2 Engineering is a concentration within HPU's Mathematics program. To review specific degree requirements, new students should use the top link in the left-hand navigation bar.  Use the "3-2 Engineering--Sample 3-Year Plan" link to see how the current major requirement can be completed in three years at HPU.

Program Objectives

Students who major in the Mathematics 3-2 Engineering program will:

  1. Recognize and understand a core of fundamental mathematical and science-based operational skills.
  2. Apply mathematical and science-based problem-solving skills to a variety of real-world problems.
  3. Experience the application of mathematics and science in a varied multi-cultural context at HPU.
  4. Employ appropriate research methodology in exploring mathematical and science-based skills and their use in problem solving.
  5. Develop comprehensive oral and written communication skills in the pursuit of a broad-based mathematics and science foundation.
  6. Use mathematics and science-based skills in both individualized and team-oriented applications.

Important HPU Resources

  • Admission Requirements into the Dual Degree Program
  • Academic Catalog (scroll down to  the Math 3-2 Engineering concentration)
  • Contact your Dual Degree Faculty Advisor for assistance. Which program are you interested in: Electrical, Chemical, Mechanical, Civil Engineering or another? Which courses should you chose for Major Electives? Please submit your application essay for the coordinator’s reference letter as you move on.
  • Contact your Academic Advisor for assistance.  Math, Science and General Education courses must be sequenced carefully to ensure the best chance for acceptance to the engineering school of your choice.
  • Dual Degree Course Planning Worksheet. Bring the current plan with you for advising.

What is Engineering All About?

  • This is a surprisingly frequent question! Know any Structural Engineers? Electrical Engineers involved in solid state physics? Mechanical engineers specifying HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) equipment in a 20-story high rise? Maybe, maybe not. Check out what they really do for a living here.
  • How does Engineering relate to other disciplines? Follow this link to a really clever radial map at “Mapping Engineering+ at USC”. Choose your favorite subject and click around.
  • Interested in Electrical Engineering? Consider Washington University’s J-Term Electrical Engineering course over the Winter term. This core EE course can be transferred into other degree programs. The intensive term also serves as an introduction to Washington University at St Louis.
  • What does a systems engineer in the aerospace industry do for a living? Click on this link for a short well written interview with a Lockheed Martin Systems Engineer.

Student Voices

  • Click on this link for a profile of what our students think.
  • Check out USC Student Voices at this link.

Interesting Posts from Faculty

This is an area where faculty post articles used for classes that might be of interest to others. It's what's on our mind.

  • Numbers warn of looming collapses. Math tools predict when systems are on the brink, ScienceNews, by Rachel Ehrenberg
  • Bioengineering: The Brittle Star's Apprentice. Chemist Joanna Aizenberg mines the deep sea and the forest wetlands for nature's design secrets and uses them to fashion new materials that may change the world. Interview by Garath Cook. Scientific American, February 2012.
  • A Formula for Economic Calamity. Despite the lessons of the 2008 collapse, Wall Street is betting our future on flimsy science. By David H. Freedman. Scientific American, November 2011.
  • RNA Start. Supercomputer simulations are helping scientists unravel how nucleic acids could have contributed to the origins of life. Mechanical Engineering, December 2010.
  • Why Birds Don't Collide... and other marvels of applied mathematics and engineering. By Don Boroughs. ASCE PRISM, December 2011.

Links to the World of Applied Math

Here are links to the “Big Four” governing societies for engineers;

Here are links to some interesting websites to browse.