The Xavier/Tulane 3 + 2 Engineering Program consists of:
- a B.A. or B.S. degree with a major at Xavier University of Louisiana
- a B.S.E. degree with an engineering major at Tulane University
Overview of the Program
This program is designed to give a solid academic background in the sciences and mathematics that are essential to persons who are interested in becoming engineers. At Xavier, students are provided with the counseling, academic, and other support services that will maximize their opportunity for completion of the first three years of the program. Students take three years of basic science, mathematics, engineering, and liberal arts courses. During this time, students also can take classes at Tulane through the consortium program. When the three-year program at Xavier is completed successfully, students transfer to Tulane to complete training in biomedical engineering (BME), chemical and biomolecular engineering (CBE) or Engineering Physics (ENGP). At Tulane, students will work with an advisor in their chosen major, a Newcomb Tulane College advisor, and other support services to ensure their success in the program. It is expected that students will, with normal course loads, be able to complete their undergraduate training in two years at Tulane.
To learn more about each of these programs, go to their websites:
- BME
- CBE
- ENGP: As part of the ENGP program, students also have the option of specializing by earning a certificate in Mechanical, Electrical, Materials, or Computational Engineering.
Steps to Follow
Students interested in obtaining a BS in Chemistry from Xavier and a BSE in Chemical (and Biomolecular) Engineering from Tulane can do so via the 3+2 program. This program is designed to give a solid academic background to people who are interested in becoming engineers. At Xavier, students are provided with the counseling, academic, and other support services that will maximize their opportunity for completion of the first three years of the program.
Students take three years of basic science, mathematics, engineering, and liberal arts courses at Xavier. During this time, students also can take classes at Tulane through the consortium program. When the three-year program at Xavier is completed successfully, students transfer to Tulane to complete training in chemical and biomolecular engineering (CBE). At Tulane, students will work with an advisor in CBE, a Newcomb Tulane College advisor, and other support services to ensure their success in the program. It is expected that students will, with normal course loads, be able to complete their undergraduate training in both universities by the end of the 5th year.
Administratively, students should adhere to the following timeline:
- Years 1-2: Work with their Xavier major advisor for Chemistry and the Xavier 3+2 program director, Dr. Shafiqul Islam, to make sure they are completing all Xavier requirements. Also, contact the 3+2 program advisor at Tulane, Dr. W T. Godbey, to set up the initial advising session with Tulane Chemical Engineering. This is the best way to make sure both universities stay in synch with your two degree plans goals.
- Year 2: By the end of the second year, complete the Step 1 Application and send it to Dr. Beth Wee, Associate Dean for Undergraduate Programs in Tulane’s School of Science and Engineering.
- Year 3: In consultation with the student’s major advisor in Chemistry at Xavier and the 3+2 program advisor at Tulane, Dr. W T. Godbey, take 3-4 engineering courses through the consortium program:
Fall: CENG 2110, “Material and Energy Balances"
MATH 2240, “Intro to Applied Math”; the recommended differential equations course)
Spr: CENG 2120, “Thermodynamics I”
CENG 2320, “Transport I: Fluids”- Before the fall of Year 3, complete the Step 2 Application and send it to Dr. Beth Wee.
- Before the fall of Year 3, apply to Tulane as a transfer student. Questions about this process should be directed to Kristin Guidry, Senior Admissions Counselor.
- Years 4-5: Work with their Tulane Chemical Engineering major advisor to make sure they are completing all Tulane requirements.
A note regarding costs: In years 1-3 you are a Xavier student, and in years 4 and 5 you are a Tulane student. In the third year, when you take courses at both Xavier and Tulane, your Tulane tuition will be covered via the consortium agreement that exists between the two schools. Full-tuition academic scholarships are typically awarded by Tulane to students in good academic standing in the 3+2 program to cover years 4 and 5. The bottom line is that a 3+2 student commonly only pays for three years of Xavier tuition (instead of the usual four) and receive the Tulane degree at no extra tuition cost.
