Faculty of Engineering and Applied ScienceFaculty of Engineering and Applied Science
Queen's UniversityEngineeringFaculty of Engineering and Applied Science

Dual Degrees

Dual degree

Students in the Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science can choose to earn a second degree in the Faculty of Arts and Science concurrently with their engineering degree. The Dual Degree Program usually requires only one additional year to complete.

In 2009-10, 86 engineering students are actively pursuing a dual degree in a variety of programs! Take a look at the statistics that indicate the various Arts and Science programs that Engineering students are currently registered in: ASC Program & Concentration.

This unique program provides Applied Science students the opportunity to pursue "interest-based" studies in areas outside of those provided by their engineering program, and to earn recognition of these studies through the awarding of a degree. Students may decide to complete a dual degree program in areas which they feel will enhance their future career opportunities. Read about the dual degree experience from fellow students.

General Information:

Logistics:

The Dual Degree Program means that the student is working on two degrees at the same time. The Engineering degree is the primary degree program (Bachelor of Science, Engineering - BSCE), and the Arts and Science degree program (BA, BSC, BCMP, etc.) is the secondary degree.

Important things to know:

  1. It will likely take 5 years to complete both degrees.
    • Please note that students whose first registration in Applied Science was prior to September 1, 2007 may qualify for an 'Honours Average', based on the prescribed courses for the 3rd and 4th years of the engineering degree program, students must complete all of these courses (including approved substitutions) within the last two sessions of their program.
    • This is important to know for Dual Degree students because those who want to spread out their Applied Science courses during 3rd and 4th year should be aware that doing so will affect their Honours Average.
    • Please refer to regulation 9 http://www.queensu.ca/calendars/archive/2008-09/APSC/pg152.html
  2. Entry to the Dual Degree Program requires a minimum of one successful year of full-time study in an initial program at Queen's.
  3. Students must be in good academic standing to apply for admission. Good academic standing means a cumulative average of at least 60%.
  4. Students must apply for admission into the Dual Degree Program on an internal application form through the Admission Services Office located in Gordon Halll.
    • Application: http://www.queensu.ca/admission/ - Online application
    • The application deadline is June 1 for fall term entry and December 1 for winter term entry. Queen's students applying to transfer programs or to do a dual degree will pay $50.
    • Admission to a particular degree program may be refused if it is determined that there is significant overlap in the two programs.
    • Students wishing to withdraw from the Dual Degree Program must do so in writing to Admission Services.
  5. Up to a maximum of 10.0 credits from the Engineering degree can be applied to the Arts and Science degree, which means that the student will only have to complete 5.0 (or more) additional credits to obtain their Arts and Science degree.
    • The number of required credits for the Arts and Science degree will vary according to the degree program. Refer to the Arts and Science Academic Calendar for degree program information and specific degree requirements: http://www.queensu.ca/calendars/artsci/
  6. Students must register for the additional Arts and Science secondary degree courses under their Arts and Science degree program. For example, when dual degree students pre-register on QCARD they will have to select the specific degree program first, and then select their courses that will be applied to that degree.
  7. Additional courses required for the Arts and Science degree must all be completed at Queen's and the student will be charged Arts and Science course fees for the courses registered under the Arts and Science degree.
  8. Any 'extra' Arts and Science courses that were completed under the Engineering degree, but are not required for the Engineering degree, will NOT be transferred over to the Arts and Science degree.
  9. It is advisable for students to apply for admission into the Dual Degree Program in the 2nd or 3rd year of their BSCE because it will allow for more time to effectively plan the two degrees.
    • For example, a year 2 Engineering Chemistry student who wants to get a B.A. in History could take HIST121 as her/his Complementary Studies course in the second year of the BSCE (assuming it fits into one's timetable), then she/he would have the pre-requisite HIST 100 level course that would allow her/him to register in upper-year History courses under the Arts and Science degree later on.
    • The Complementary Studies courses required for the BSCE degree can be used as building blocks to obtain the concentration requirements for the Arts and Science degree.
  10. Graduation Information: Students will receive a separate diploma for each degree program they complete, and they must apply to graduate on QCARD for each degree program. Prospective Dual Degree Grads should check out this website: http://www.queensu.ca/registrar/grad/DualDegree.html

Key points to remember:

  1. Ten full credits from the BSCE will be shared with the Arts and Science degree.
  2. Students must complete all required courses for their BSCE under their BSCE degree registration.
  3. Students can complete the required degree concentration courses for their Arts and Science degree under either their BSCE or their Arts and Science degree. (see the Sample listed below)
  4. Students must complete 5.0 (or more) credits under their Arts and Science degree, and these credits must be from Queen's courses.

Sample of BSCE & Economics Minor, and Blank Template:

Here is a PDF version of a sample outline for a second degree in Economics (about 50% of Dual Degree students are in Economics). Economics Minor Concentration - Sample

Here is a blank template in Rich Text Format to use for planning your own second degree. Blank Template

More Information:

Please review our FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) for possible answers to your questions.

Dual Degree Competitive Advantage: Information from Career Services

Statistics: Active Dual Degree Students by ASC Program & Concentration

There is also more information available on the following web sites:

Help:

If you have any general questions about whether or not you should apply please visit the dual degree website at index.

Please contact reception@appsci.queensu.ca to setup an appointment with a Dual Degree Advisor. Dual Degree apointments usually take a half hour and are scheduled on Tuesdays (8:30 - 3:00 p.m.)or Thursdays (8:30 a.m.- 3 p.m.). If neither of these days are convenient for you please contact me at Beth McDonald or Lauren Sharpe and we can set another time on another day.

If, after reading this information and all the related material, you want specific advice on how to plan the courses for both degrees, then contact the Undergraduate Chair or Academic Advisor in both the Engineering and Arts and Science department for your specific degree requirements. You can find the name and contact information for Undergraduate Chairs and Academic Advisors for each department in the on-line Academic Calendars: http://www.queensu.ca/calendars/

Last Updated: March 11, 2009 by B. McDonald

http://www.queensu.ca/admission/apply/current/dual.html
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