Faculty gathered on September 9 for their first monthly meeting to discuss proposed changes to the Bachelor of Science (BS) requirements and policies regarding Engineering Double Majors.
The Academic Affairs Council suggested revisions to the existing BS requirements, which currently allow any Bates student to pursue a BS by completing a form and four designated courses: Chemistry 107, Chemistry 108, Mathematics 106 or 206, and Physics 107 or 210. Including pre-requisites, students must complete a total of six courses.
The proposal seeks to make these requirements more consistent and flexible. Under the new guidelines, BS students would still fulfill their major requirements but would also need to complete six courses from at least three departments, including Biology, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Digital and Computational Studies, Earth and Climate Sciences, Mathematics, Neuroscience, and Physics and Astronomy. Transferable credits from AP, IB, and similar programs would be accepted, but Pass/Fail courses would not count.
Additionally, the proposal aims to simplify the declaration process for students interested in pursuing a BS, allowing for greater flexibility in elective course selection and reducing enrollment pressures in high-demand classes.
The council also proposed modifications regarding the W3 requirement (thesis or capstone experience) for Engineering Double Majors. Currently, students in the dual-plan program, which combines three years at Bates with two years in engineering, often face challenges in fulfilling their W3 requirement if they opt out of the program before completion. The existing policy requires W3s to be completed in the student’s last year at Bates.
The new proposal would allow students who complete their W3s in their third year—under the assumption they would finish their studies at Bates—to avoid additional bureaucratic processes if they later decide to stay. This change aims to accommodate the complexities faced by students in the dual-plan engineering program.
