4+1 Engineering FAQs

Students can earn both a bachelor’s degree from Oberlin and a Master of Science in Engineering (MSE) degree from Penn Engineering (University of Pennsylvania) in five years. The fifth year typically includes three courses in the fall, three in the spring, and one over the summer.

The 4+1 Program is an accelerated Master of Science in Engineering (MSE) program through a partnership with Penn Engineering. Oberlin students begin work on a master’s degree in engineering while still enrolled as an undergraduate at Oberlin. In their fourth year, qualified Oberlin undergraduates apply to one of five select master’s degree programs offered by Penn Engineering and transfer up to three pre-designated Oberlin undergraduate courses toward the Master’s of Science in Engineering degree from Penn. A standard MSE at Penn Engineering requires 10 classes.

Although the application for the 4+1 program deadline is in February of your fourth year, you should start thinking about the classes you will take beginning in your first year at Oberlin. The director of engineering will help you ensure you complete the required course sequence to enter the program and transfer up to three Oberlin courses to Penn Engineering.

Practicing engineers devise solutions to real-world problems within a range of constraints, from laws and ethics to costs and environmental impacts. As indicated by the etymology of engineer, engineers need to be ingenious in their design of solutions. Pursuing a liberal arts degree at Oberlin offers students the requisite grounding in science and mathematics, as well as the creativity, effectiveness in communication, and sensitivity to real-world problems that are hallmarks of successful engineers. 

Yes! With attention to planning your courses, you should be able to complete your Oberlin coursework along with the prerequisites for your Penn Engineering degree.

Pursuing a liberal arts degree at Oberlin offers students the requisite grounding in science and mathematics, as well as the creativity, effectiveness in communication, and sensitivity to real-world problems that are hallmarks of successful engineers.

Yes. All of the courses you take will be Oberlin courses that count towards your Oberlin degree.

The 4+1 pathways available to you require or recommend similar foundational courses such as:

• PHYS 110 - Mechanics and Relativity
• PHYS 111 - Electricity, Magnetism, and Thermodynamics
• MATH 133 - Calculus I
• MATH 134 - Calculus II
• MATH 231 - Multivariable Calculus
• MATH 232 - Linear Algebra
• MATH 234 - Differential Equations
• CSCI 150 - Introduction to Computer Science
• CSCI 151 - Data Structures
• CHEM 101 - Structure and Reactivity in Chemistry
• CHEM 102 - Principles of Chemistry

Students should meet with their engineering advisor to intentionally consider their goals and path through the 4+1 program. First-year course selection depends on what a student plans on majoring in. Preparatory coursework in engineering is done in conjunction with an Oberlin science major.

Most pathways start with the same core: MATH 133, CSCI 150, and CHEM 101, followed closely by MATH 134 and CHEM 102 or PHYS 110. Students considering a 4+1 pathway should take a FYSP in their first semester and at least one non-STEM course in the spring. Other science courses that can be considered during Year 1 for each 4+1 pathway include the following:  

• Biotechnology: BIOL 100, CHEM 101, MATH 133 in the fall; BIOL 210 + 211, CHEM 102, MATH 134 in the spring.
• Energy and Sustainability: CHEM 101, MATH 133, EVSS 101 in the fall; CHEM 102, MATH 134, BIOL 100, PHYS 110 in the spring.
• Materials Science: MATH 133, CHEM 101, PHYS 110*, CSCI 150 in the fall; MATH 134, CHEM 102, PHYS 111 in the spring.
• Scientific Computing: CSCI 150, MATH 133 in the fall; CSCI 151, MATH 134, PHYS 110* in the spring.
• Systems Engineering: CSCI 150, MATH 133, CHEM 101, plus one major course in the fall; CSCI 151, MATH 134, PHYS 110*, MATH 232** in the spring.

Second-year classes may include CSCI 150, CHEM 101.

*MATH 133 is a prerequisite for PHYS 110. If students enter their first semester without AP calculus credit, they should take MATH 133 their first year and PHYS 110 in the fall of their second year.

**MATH 231 or MATH 220 is a prerequisite for MATH 232.

No. You can gain programming and lab experience through your courses at Oberlin.

In addition to taking the foundational courses required for all of the 4+1 pathways, explore the areas on Oberlin’s website as well as the Penn Engineering website to see what interests you. You can also try one of the potential transfer courses at Oberlin. Be sure to meet with the director of engineering to discuss your interests and goals. You must decide on a pathway by the 4+1 application deadline in February of your fourth year at Oberlin.

Yes! Once your foundational courses are out of the way, you can take one of the potential transfer courses at Oberlin to explore your interests. The Penn Engineering 4+1 application deadline is in February of your fourth year at Oberlin.

No. You must apply for financial aid through Penn Engineering. The University of Pennsylvania charges per course. A standard MSE requires 10 courses. You can transfer up to three of these courses from Oberlin.

Penn Engineering’s MSE program typically does not meet full need. That said, please discuss financial aid options with your Penn Engineering admissions counselor.