Physics Major in Applied Science: Bachelor of Science / Mechanical Engineering Major: Bachelor of Science (Dual Degree)
Total Credit Hours: 164
Objectives
This is a Joint Undergraduate Degree Program (“Dual Degree Program”) between Lewis University and Northern Illinois University (NIU) in which students receive two degrees: a B.S. degree in Physics (Applied Physics concentration) from Lewis and a B.S. degree in Mechanical Engineering from NIU. This program gives students a deeper understanding of the physics that underlies the engineering principles than they would get by completing only an engineering degree. It is anticipated that a student enrolled in the Dual Degree Program will complete both degrees within five years. Students must satisfy all published requirements of the institution granting the degree.
Admission and Academic Policies
Applicants to the Dual Degree Program must be admissible to both Lewis and NIU, as determined by the respective admission offices. Students in the physics program who have completed not less than two semesters at Lewis University and have a cumulative GPA of not less than 2.75 may apply for admission to the NIU College of Engineering and Engineering Technology for the B.S. in Mechanical Engineering degree. Students must meet Lewis and NIU’s criteria for satisfactory academic progress in order to remain in the Dual Degree Program.
If a student is dismissed from the Dual Degree Program, they may be offered further probationary enrollment at either Lewis or NIU at the discretion of their respective dean and department advisor.
Lewis will compute students’ cumulative and semester grade point averages based upon courses completed at both Lewis and NIU. Lewis will use combined cumulative averages to determine eligibility for special academic awards such as inclusion on the dean’s list and graduation with honors. NIU will treat Lewis courses as transfer courses and will not include them in calculating grade point averages.
NIU will accept all courses with a grade of “C” or better. Lewis will not accept “D” grades for NIU courses that substitute for required courses in the student’s major at Lewis.
Credits earned at other institutions with a grade of “C” or better and accepted by Lewis may be accepted by NIU, in accordance with NIU transfer policies and course articulations.
Students enrolled in the Dual Degree Program will be subject to the academic and general regulations and policies of both Lewis and NIU. Where there appears to be a conflict between the regulations of the two institutions, such matters will be resolved by the appropriate academic deans of each institution or their designees.
NIU courses required in the Dual Degree Program will be offered on the NIU Main Campus in DeKalb, Illinois. Some courses may also be offered at the Naperville, Illinois, or other satellite campuses or online.
All fulltime students in the Dual Degree Program will be accorded all customary privileges of regular full-time students at both institutions, including housing eligibility and the use of the libraries, student unions, and athletic facilities. For further information, contact the Chair of the Physics Department.
Curriculum
Program: BS-PHYS-1
Concentration: MENG
Students enrolled in the Dual Degree Program must take the courses described in the curriculum below. The curriculum may be changed upon mutual agreement by NIU and Lewis University. Students who are not ready to take Calculus 1 and General Physics 1 in their first semester may require additional preparatory coursework, extending their time to program completion by a semester or a year.
Semester 1
Semester 2
Semester 3
Semester 4
Semester 5
Semester 6
| MEE-320 | Mechanism Design and Analysis | 3 |
| MEE-330 | Materials Science | 3 |
| MEE-383 | Engineering Analysis | 3 |
| PHIL-11000 | Introduction to Philosophy | 3 |
| - | Literature Elective | 3 |
| - | Economics | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 18 |
Semester 7
| MEE-321 | Mechanical Vibrations 1 | 3 |
| MEE-340 | Fluid Mechanics | 3 |
| MEE-350 | Engineering Thermodynamics | 3 |
| - | Appreciating the Aesthetic | 3 |
| - | Social Science with Civic Engagement | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15 |
Semester 8
Semester 9
| MEE-390 | Experimental Methods in Mechanical Engineering | 3 |
| MEE-485 | Senior Mechanical Engineering Design 1 | 3 |
| ISYE-220 | Engineering Economy | 3 |
| - | Technical Elective (NIU) | 3 |
| PHIL-21500 | Ethics | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15 |
Semester 10
| MEE-380 | Computational Methods in Engineering Design | 3 |
| - | OR | |
| MEE-381 | Computational Methods and Programming in Engineering Design | 3 |
| MEE-430 | Computer-Aided Design | 3 |
| MEE-486 | Senior Mechanical Engineering Design 2 | 3 |
| - | Technical Elective (NIU) | 3 |
| - | Technical Elective (NIU) | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15 |
Notes
Note 1: Lewis General Education requirements satisfy the NIU's general education requirements, consisting of three - twelve credit hours in Foundational Studies, six credit hours in Creativity and Critical Analysis, six credit hours in Nature and Technology, and six credit hours in Society and Culture plus one three credit hour course (elective).
Note 2: MEE 210, 211, 212, 270, 330, and 350, required courses in the B.S. in Mechanical Engineering program at NIU, will satisfy the Physics electives requirement in the B.S. in Physics (Applied Physics concentration) at Lewis University.
Note 3: The advanced writing requirement is satisfied for LU/NIU Bachelor of Physics majors by successful completion of PHYS 49600 Physics Seminar.
Note 4: Students may reduce the semester hour load by completing approved courses in the summer.