Academic Partnerships

There are some students who desire the benefit of an undergraduate education in the liberal arts and sciences prior to pursuing a more technical or specialized degree and career. Such students are able to take advantage of several dual degree or second degree programs arranged between Rhodes and other universities.

For those students who are interested in pursuing studies in engineering, Rhodes offers three Dual Degree Programs. Dual Bachelor’s degree programs are offered in cooperation with Washington University in St. Louis and Christian Brothers University (Memphis). Masters programs in Electrical Engineering and Biomedical Engineering are offered in cooperation with the University of Memphis. There is also a BS/BS/MS program available through Washington University. Students outside the science disciplines are also encouraged to combine those studies with engineering. The coordinator of these programs at Rhodes is Dr. Ann Viano (Department of Physics), and students interested in pursuing a dual degree engineering program should meet with the coordinator as early as possible in their college careers.

In addition to dual degree programs, Rhodes also provides opportunities for students to plan for post baccalaureate study within the medical sciences. These opportunities, through The University of Tennessee Health Science Center and Vanderbilt University, are coordinated by Ms. Jessica Kelso.
 

Dual Degree Engineering Programs

Bachelor or Master of Science in Engineering at Washington University in St. Louis

Students can spend three or four years at Rhodes, and then, after acceptance to the McKelvey School of Engineering at Washington University, complete two or three years of engineering study. In the dual bachelor's degree program, the student receives two degrees, a BS (or BA) from Rhodes and a BS from Washington University after completing a 3-2 or 4-2 plan (three or four years at Rhodes followed by two years at Washington University). The student who pursues a Rhodes major in the Humanities, Social Sciences, or Fine Arts will generally complete the Rhodes portion in four years, applying elective hours to the Dual Degree core requirements. Students can also opt for a 3-3 plan that results in a BS from Rhodes and both a BS and MS from Washington University. Financial aid does not transfer from Rhodes to Washington University for any of the programs described above, but the student can apply for aid from Washington University. More information about the dual degree options with Washington University can be found here: https://engineering.wustl.edu/academics/dual-degree-program/index.html

To satisfy the Rhodes graduation requirements and the entrance requirements to Washington University, all students must do the following:

  1. Satisfy all Rhodes Foundations requirements as described earlier in this section of the catalog. 
  2. Take the following core courses required for admission into the McKelvey School of Engineering at Washington University: Mathematics 112 (if necessary), 122, 223, 251; Chemistry 120, 125; Physics 111, 113, 112, 114; Computer Science 141. 
    • For biomedical engineering add the following core courses: Biology 130, 131, 140, 141; a 2nd semester of general chemistry with lab.
    • For chemical engineering add the following core courses: Biology 130, 131; a 2nd semester of general chemistry with lab.
  3. Complete the modified major requirements at Rhodes (if the chosen major is one listed below). If the Rhodes major is not one listed below, all major requirements listed in the Rhodes catalog for the chosen major must be fulfilled, including senior seminar.
    • Chemistry Major/Chemical Engineering: Chemistry 211, 212, 240, 311, 312.
    • Physics Major/Biomedical Engineering: Physics 211, 250, 305, 304 or 307; Biology 140, 141.
    • Physics Major/Electrical Engineering: Physics 211, 250, 301, 302, 304, 307 or 325.
    • Physics Major/Mechanical Engineering: Physics 211, 250, 304, 305, 307.
    • Computer Science Major/Computer Engineering: Computer Science 142, 241, plus one of CS 330, 335, 355 or 360; Mathematics 201, and either Mathematics 311 or 370.
    • Mathematics Major/System Science and Mathematics: Mathematics 201, 261, 311, 370, 465.
  4. Maintain a GPA (math/science and overall) of 3.25 at Rhodes for acceptance into the BS/BS program or 3.50 for the BS/MS program at the Washington University.
     

Bachelor of Science in Engineering at Christian Brothers University

This dual degree program is a 3-2 year plan of study that results in a Bachelor of Science from Rhodes and Bachelor of Science in engineering from Christian Brothers University at the completion of five years of study. The student spends three years at Rhodes and completes all foundation requirements and the modified major requirements listed below for a major in physics, chemistry, or biochemistry/molecular biology, depending on the course of engineering to be pursued. The student may also take select courses at Christian Brothers University during this time. The student applies to the engineering program at Christian Brothers University during the third year and becomes a full-time CBU student for two additional years. Financial aid does not transfer from Rhodes to Christian Brothers University.

To satisfy the Rhodes graduation requirements and the entrance requirements to Christian Brothers University, all students must complete the following:

  1. All Rhodes Foundation requirements with the following stipulations:
    • One of the F1 courses should be a philosophy course.
    • A minimum of 80 credits of the Rhodes BS portion must be fulfilled with Rhodes courses.
  2. The following pre-engineering core courses:
    • Physics 111, 112, 113, 114
    • Math 112 (if necessary), 122, 223, 251
    • Chemistry 120, 125
  3. The following additional Rhodes courses depending on the Rhodes major and course of engineering study to be pursued at Christian Brothers University. Courses in parentheses are CBU courses that are suitable substitutes for the Rhodes courses and will satisfy the major requirements at Rhodes:
    • Physics Major/Mechanical Engineering: Physics 211, 250, 304 (or CBU ECE 221), 305 (or CBU ME 202), 306 (or CBU program option course); Computer Science 141 (or CBU ME 112)
    • Physics Major/Civil Engineering: Physics 211, 213, 250, 304 (or CBU ECE 221), 305 (or CBU ME 202), 406 (or CBU ME 305); Computer Science 141 (or CBU CE 112)
    • Physics Major/Electrical Engineering – electrical engineering curriculum: Physics 211, 213, 250, 406 (or CBU ME 305), one upper level physics elective at the 300 level or higher; Computer Science 141 (or CBU ECE 172)
    • Chemistry Major/Chemical Engineering- chemical engineering curriculum: Chemistry 211, 212, 240, 311, 312
    • Biochemistry Molecular Biology Major/Chemical Engineering- biochemical engineering curriculum: Biology 130, 131, 140. 141, 307, 325; Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 310; Chemistry 211, 212, 240, 414
  4. The following CBU courses should be taken during the first three years of the program through the Rhodes-CBU exchange program (the Crosstown Agreement), depending on the Rhodes major and course of engineering study to be pursued at Christian Brothers University:
    • Physics Major/Mechanical Engineering: ME 121, ME 305
    • Physics Major/Civil Engineering: CE 105, MATH 308
    • Physics Major/Electrical Engineering - electrical engineering curriculum: ECE 221, ECE 222
    • Chemistry Major or Biochemistry & Molecular Biology Major/Chemical Engineering – either curriculum: CHE 231, CHE 232
  5. A minimum GPA of 2.5 at the time of application to Christian Brothers University is required. Only grades of “C” or higher will transfer to Christian Brothers University (“C-” and lower do not transfer).
     

Master of Science in Biomedical Engineering at The University of Memphis / University of Tennessee

This accelerated program serves students who are interested in completing a Master of Science degree in biomedical engineering (BME) and ideally are advanced in math and science at the start of their Rhodes career. Students who participate in this program complete both BS and MS degrees in five years. The typical student in this program takes three years of coursework at Rhodes, and then completes two years of coursework and masters thesis research in the joint program in biomedical engineering at the University of Memphis / University of Tennessee. All students become eligible for graduate assistantships after the completion of their undergraduate coursework. The graduate assistantship includes a full tuition (for graduate courses only)-and-fees scholarship and may include a monthly salary. 

Students can apply for this program once they have reached sophomore standing and have completed one semester of coursework. Applications consist of an application form, one letter of reference and a copy of the student’s transcript. Each applicant will be required to complete an interview with a pre-graduate advisor. In order to remain in the program past the junior year, students must maintain a GPA of at least 3.25.

The following requirements must be met to earn the two degrees:

  1. Complete all Foundation requirements for the Rhodes degree.
  2. Complete the following core courses: Mathematics 112 (if necessary), 122, 223, 251; Computer Science 141; Chemistry 120, 125; Physics 111, 112, 113, 114
  3. Complete the following requirements for the specific major chosen at Rhodes
    • For the Chemistry major: Chemistry 211, 212, 240, 311, 312; Physics 304*, 305*.
    • For the Physics major: Physics 211, 213, two approved courses at the 300-level or higher*; a second semester of general chemistry from an institution offering a year-long introductory chemistry sequence 
  4. Complete the following additional undergraduate requirements at the University of Memphis:
    • Biomechanical Engineering 2810 (Introduction to Biomechanics/Mechanics of Materials)
    • Mechanics 3331 (Mechanics of Fluids)
    • *If Physics 304 has not been taken, add EECE 2201 (Circuit Analysis I). If Physics 305 has not been taken, add Mechanics 2332 (Dynamics). These courses will be transferred to Rhodes. Additional undergraduate credits in mathematics, science, or engineering may be transferred to meet requirement 5 below.
  5. Complete the number of credits required for the Rhodes bachelor’s degree (from the first three years at Rhodes plus undergraduate courses transferred from UM). Successful completion of requirements 1-5 is necessary to fulfill the requirements for the B.S. degree.
  6. Complete the following graduate courses at the University of Memphis and/or The University of Tennessee:
    • BIOM 7209 (Measurements and Instrumentation)
    • BIOM 7101 (Biomedical Engineering Analysis I)
    • BIOM 7004, 7005 (Life Science I, II)
    • BIOM 7996, minimum 6 credits (MS Thesis)
    • One additional graduate mathematics elective course and three additional graduate engineering elective courses. These elective courses are selected in consultation with the graduate advisor.
    • Enrollment in the BME seminar/professional development course(s) is also required.
    • Students are expected to complete an oral thesis defense.
       

Master of Science in Electrical Engineering at The University of Memphis

This program serves students who are interested in completing a Bachelor’s degree with a major in physics from Rhodes and a Master of Science degree in electrical engineering from the University of Memphis. Students who participate in this program receive both degrees after five years. The typical student in this program takes three years of coursework at Rhodes, followed by two years of coursework and research at the University of Memphis. All students become eligible for graduate assistantships after the completion of their undergraduate coursework. The typical graduate assistantship includes a full tuition-and-fees scholarship and a monthly salary.

Students can apply for this program once they have reached sophomore standing and have completed one semester of course work beyond the first year. In order to remain in the program past the junior year, students must maintain a GPA of at least 3.25.

The following requirements must be met to earn the two degrees:

  1. Complete all Rhodes Foundation requirements for the bachelor’s degree.
  2. Complete the following Rhodes courses: Mathematics 112 (if necessary), 122, 223, 251; Computer Science 141; Physics 111, 112, 113, 114, Physics 250, Physics 304 (or equivalent)
  3. Complete the following additional Rhodes courses (or equivalents) to complete the physics major at Rhodes: Physics 211, 213, 301, 302
  4. Complete 128 credits of undergraduate coursework from Rhodes, the University of Memphis, and any other institutions.
  5. Complete the following graduate courses for the planned electrical engineering option:
    • Memphis Signals and Systems Option
      • An additional 18 graduate credits
      • 6 credits of EECE 7996 (Thesis)
      • EECE 7251 (Random Signals and Noise)
      • EECE 6235 (Probabilistic Systems Analysis)
      • EECE 3211 (Electronics I)
      • EECE 3204 (Signals and Systems II)
      • EECE 3203 (Signals and Systems I)
    • Memphis Power Option
      • EECE 3201 (Circuit Analysis II)
      • EECE 3203 (Signals and Systems I)
      • EECE 4201 (Energy Conversion)
      • EECE 6235 (Probabilistic Systems Analysis)
      • EECE 7251 (Random Signals and Noise)
      • 6 credits of EECE 7996 (Thesis)
      • An additional 15 graduate credits
  6. The following courses or their equivalents are suggested as prerequisites to the University of Memphis portion of the program: EECE 2222 (Digital Circuits), EECE 2201 (Circuit Analysis I)
     

Second Degree Programs

University of Tennessee Health Science Center BSN and Doctor of Nursing Practice Admission Agreement

Rhodes Students are eligible for guaranteed admission to the University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Nursing to pursue training as a Registered Nurse and a Nurse Practitioner. Students also have the option of completing a PhD in nursing. This guaranteed admission pathway includes an accelerated 12 month BSN followed by training for certification and licensure as a Family Nurse Practitioner or one of several other advanced nursing specialties. The contact person for this program is Ms. Jessica Kelso.  

Vanderbilt University Master of Science in Nursing Prerequisite Agreement

The Vanderbilt School of Nursing, in agreement with Rhodes College, allows for all but one of their program’s prerequisite courses to be completed with Rhodes course work. An additional online nutrition course is needed. The Vanderbilt School of Nursing offers an accelerated path to master’s level advanced practice nursing, i.e. to become a nurse practitioner or midwife. The contact person for this path is Ms. Jessica Kelso.

Georgetown University Master of Arts in Latin American Studies

Rhodes students are eligible to apply for a Five-Year Cooperative Degree Program offered by Georgetown University’s Center for Latin American Studies (CLAS). The program allows undergraduates with a demonstrated commitment to Latin American Studies the opportunity to earn a Bachelor’s degree and a Master of Arts in Latin American Studies in five years. Dr. Elizabeth Pettinaroli is the contact person for information on this opportunity.