Course Equivalences and Example Scheduling

Students’ schedules to complete the engineering requirements can vary significantly, and students are encouraged to communicate with the combined plan liaison to form a plan to complete the requirements. The information below outlines general course equivalences and  possible course plans, and is intended to serve as an example only.

Engineering Requirement Bates Equivalent
Physics
One year, calculus-based sequence covering mechanics and electromagnetism

PHYS 109,  PHYS 211, and PHYS 222
Mathematics
Calculus I/II
Multivariable Calculus
Linear Algebra
Differential Equations

MATH 105/106*
MATH 206
MATH 205
MATH 219
Chemistry
One semester of general chemistry

CHEM 107 (offered in Fall only)
Biology
Two semester introductory biology sequence

BIO 195, BIO 202, and BIO 206
Computer Science
One semester introduction to programming

DCS 109
Economics
Principles of Economics

ECON 15X-16X
University Writing/CompositionAny Bates FYS or W1-tagged course

*Successful completion of MATH 206 satisfies this requirement, even if MATH 105/106 are not taken at Bates.

Engineering Fields Related to Physics

The following is an example course schedule for engineering fields related to physics (e.g. Mechanical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering etc.).

  • Year 1: MATH 105-106*, PHYS 109, DCS 109, electives**
  • Year 2: MATH 205-206, PHYS 211-222, electives**
  • Year 3: MATH 219, CHEM 107, PHYS 361, electives**

*May be satisfied with courses taken prior to Bates

** Elective courses should be chosen to complete Bates General Education Requirements, complete additional engineering and non-technical requirements, and make progress towards a Bates major.

Engineering Fields related to Biology or Chemistry

For fields more related to biology and chemistry (e.g. Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Environmental Engineering, etc.), introductory biology and chemistry courses should be taken early at Bates so that core biology and chemistry courses can be taken during sophomore and junior year. For example, students interested in Chemical Engineering should plan to take CHEM 107 during their first year so that organic chemistry (CHEM 217/218) can be taken during sophomore or junior year. Students interested in Biomedical engineering should similarly plan to take BIO 195 during their first year so that core biology courses (e.g. BIO 202/206) can be taken as sophomores.