Applied Physics, B.S. (NJCU) and Mechanical Engineering, B.S. (NJIT), Dual Degree (3 + 2) Program

This dual-degree program is designed for students interested in Physics and Mechanical Engineering. New Jersey City University and New Jersey Institute of Technology jointly offer a five-year program of study leading to a Bachelor of Science in Physics from NJCU and a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from NJIT. Earning these two degrees increases the chances of obtaining a better entry-level position and opens the door to greater career possibilities. This program combines a traditional liberal arts environment with an intensive technical curriculum.

This dual-degree program is an excellent choice for students who understand the value of a liberal arts education, are interested in careers in the physical sciences and engineering, wish to work as engineers while having a strong background in physics, and wish to maximize their career options.

Students enter as full-time, degree-seeking freshmen and continue their studies for three years at NJCU while taking occasional classes at NJIT, during which time the General Education coursework and the majority of Physics degree requirements from NJCU are satisfied. Students enroll full-time at NJIT during the fourth and fifth years of the program, during which time students focus on required engineering courses, some of which satisfy NJCU’s Physics degree requirements. A B.S. in Applied Physics is awarded by NJCU at the end of the fourth year and a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering is awarded by NJIT at the end of the fifth year.

Students interested in this dual-degree program are strongly encouraged to select the major as soon as possible upon enrolling at NJCU in consultation with a faculty advisor from the Physics Department. The advisor will assist students in planning the program of study in order to complete the program requirements within the five-year time span.

Requirements for admission into the program are a 2.5 or better cumulative GPA and a 3.0 or better GPA in Math and Sciences.

Required Courses
PHYS 140Principles of Physics I - Lecture3
PHYS 1140Principles of Physics I - Laboratory and recitation1
PHYS 141Principles of Physics II - Lecture3
PHYS 1141Principles of Physics II - Laboratory and Recitation1
PHYS 230Physics III (Lecture)3
PHYS 1230Physics III Recitation & Laboratory1
PHYS 301Thermodynamics and Kinetic Theory3
PHYS 321Theory and Applications of Electricity and Magnetism3
PHYS 405Introduction to Quantum Mechanics3
PHYS 410Classical Mechanics4
PHYS 321Theory and Applications of Electricity and Magnetism3
CHEM 105General Chemistry I Lecture3
CHEM 1105General Chemistry I Recitation/Laboratory2
CHEM 106General Chemistry II Lecture3
CHEM 1106General Chemistry II Recitation/Laboratory2
MATH 192Calculus and Analytic Geometry I4
MATH 193Calculus and Analytic Geometry II4
MATH 292Calculus & Analytical Geometry III4
MATH 311Differential Equations for Engineers4
ECON 208Principles of Economics:Micro3
Required Courses Taken at NJIT
FED 101: Fundamentals of Engineering Design - Taken at NJIT1
MECH 234 Engineering Mechanics1
CIS 101 Computer Programming and Problem Solving - Taken at NJIT3
ME 215 Engineering Materials and Processes - Taken at NJIT3
MATH 279 Statistics and Probability for Engineers - Taken at NJIT3
ME Kinematics of Machinery - Taken at NJIT3
MECH 236 Dynamics - Taken at NJIT3
MECH 237 Strength of Materials - Taken at NJIT
PHYS 450 Advanced Physics Laboratory (1-4-3) - Taken at NJIT4
ECE 405 Electrical Engineering Principles (3-0-3) - Taken at NJIT
ME 305 Introduction to System Dynamics (3-0-3) - Taken at NJIT
ME 311 Thermodynamics (3-0-3) - Taken at NJIT
ME 315 Stress Analysis (3-0-3) - Taken at NJIT
PHIL 334 Engineering Ethics (3-0-3) - Taken at NJIT
ME 304 Fluid Mechanics (3-0-3) - Taken at NJIT
ME 312 Thermodynamics II (3-0-3) - Taken at NJIT
ME 316 Machine Design (3-0-3) - Taken at NJIT
ME 343 Mechanical Laboratory I (2-2-3) - Taken at NJIT
ME 430 Introduction to Computer-Aided Design (2-2-3) - Taken at NJIT
ME 403 Mechanical System Design I (2-1-3) - Taken at NJIT
ME 405 Mechanical Laboratory II (1-2-2) - Taken at NJIT
ME 407 Heat Transfer (3-0-3) - Taken at NJIT
ELEC Open GUR (3-0-3) - Taken at NJIT
ELEC ME/TE (3-0-3) 4 courses total - Taken at NJIT
ME 406 Mechanical Laboratory III (1-2-2) - Taken at NJIT
ME 408 Mechanical Design II (1-2-2) - Taken at NJIT
ELEC Management: GUR (3-0-3) - Taken at NJIT
ELEC Capstone Seminar (3-0-3) - Taken at NJIT
Plan of Study Grid
First Year
Semester 1Credits
ENGL 101
English Composition I
or English Composition I for English as a Second Language Students
4 - 6
MATH 192 Calculus and Analytic Geometry I 4
PHYS 140 Principles of Physics I - Lecture 3
PHYS 1141 Principles of Physics II - Laboratory and Recitation 1
CHEM 105 General Chemistry I Lecture 3
CHEM 1105 General Chemistry I Recitation/Laboratory 2
 Credits17-19
Semester 2
ENGL 102
English Composition II
or English Composition 2 ESL
4 - 6
MATH 193 Calculus and Analytic Geometry II 4
PHYS 141 Principles of Physics II - Lecture 3
PHYS 1141 Principles of Physics II - Laboratory and Recitation 1
CHEM 106 General Chemistry II Lecture 3
CHEM 1106 General Chemistry II Recitation/Laboratory 2
 Credits17-19
Second Year
Semester 1
PHYS 230 Physics III (Lecture) 3
PHYS 1230 Physics III Recitation & Laboratory 1
MATH 292 Calculus & Analytical Geometry III 4
ECON 208 Principles of Economics:Micro 3
General Education Tier I or II Course 3
 Credits14
Semester 2
PHYS 321 Theory and Applications of Electricity and Magnetism 3
PHYS 405 Introduction to Quantum Mechanics 3
MATH 311 Differential Equations for Engineers 4
FED 101 Fundamentals of Engineering Design - Taken at NJIT 1
MECH 234 Engineering Mechanics - Taken at NJIT 1
CIS 101 Computer Programming and Problem Solving - Taken at NJIT 3
 Credits15
Third Year
Semester 1
PHYS 301 Thermodynamics and Kinetic Theory 3
PHYS 410 Classical Mechanics 4
MECH 215 Engineering Materials and Processes - Taken at NJIT 3
MATH 279 Statistics and Probability for Engineers - Taken at NJIT 3
 Credits13
Semester 2
MECH 231 Kinematics of Machinery - Taken at NJIT 3
MECH 236 Dynamics - Taken at NJIT 3
MECH 237 Strength of Materials - Taken at NJIT 3
PHYS 450 Advanced Physics Laboratory (1-4-3) - Taken at NJIT 4
 Credits13
Fourth Year
Semester 1
ALL COURSES TAKEN AT NJIT
ECE 405 Electrical Engineering Principles (3-0-3)
ME 305 Introduction to System Dynamics (3-0-3)
ME 311 Thermodynamics I (3-0-3)
ME 315 Stress Analysis (3-0-3)
PHIL 334 Engineering Ethics (3-0-3)
 Credits0
Semester 2
ALL COURSES TAKEN AT NJIT
ME 304 Fluid Mechanics (3-0-3)
ME 312 Thermodynamics II (3-0-3)
ME 316 Machine Design (3-0-3)
ME 343 Mechanical Laboratory (2-2-3)
ME 430 Introduction to Computer-Aided Design (2-2-3)
 Credits0
Fifth Year
Semester 1
ALL COURSES TAKEN AT NJIT
ME 403 Mechanical System Design I (2-1-3)
ME 405 Mechanical Laboratory II (1-2-2)
ME 407 Heat Transfer (3-0-3)
ELEC Open GUR (3-0-3)
ELEC ME/TE (3-0-3)
ELEC ME/TE (3-0-3)
 Credits0
Semester 2
ALL COURSES TAKEN AT NJIT
ME 406 Mechanical Laboratory III (1-2-2)
ME 408 Mechanical Systems Design II (1-2-2)
ELEC ME/TE (3-0-3)
ELEC ME/TE (3-0-3)
ELEC:: Management GUR (3-0-3)
ELEC Capstone Seminar: GUR (3-0-3)
 Credits0
 Total Credits89-93

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the Applied Physics BS (NJCU) and Mechanical Engineering BS (NJIT), Dual Degree (3+2) program, students will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate knowledge of the factual and theoretical basis of physics including Newton's Laws of motion, conservation laws, E&M and Quantum Mechanics.
  2. Demonstrate understanding of scientific inquiry and explain how scientific knowledge is discovered and validated.
  3. Apply quantitative reasoning to describe or explain phenomena in the natural world.
  4. Demonstrate knowledge of mathematical tools and their applications to understanding physics systems.
  5. Communicate scientific information based on original research or literature review.
  6. Demonstrate preparedness to enter the work force or Graduate School.