Coastal Carolina University and Clemson University have established a new dual degree program in engineering which will allow students to earn bachelor's degrees from both universities. The five- year program, which will be offered beginning with the fall 2000 semester, will allow students to earn bachelor's degrees in a science program at Coastal and in engineering from Clemson.

The program offers students the opportunity to begin their academic career by working toward a bachelor's degree in one of four science majors at Coastal. After three years at Coastal, students in the program will spend two years and one summer at Clemson majoring in one of eight engineering degrees. While at Clemson, students will complete the remaining courses needed for their Coastal degree.

"Students who complete the dual degree program will have a far greater range of analytical and problem-solving skills than the average engineering graduate," said Douglas Nelson, associate dean of Coastal's School of Natural and Applied Sciences. "They will have an edge in the job market and they will be in a better position to make significant contributions to their respective fields."

All students who enroll in the program will begin with Engineering 101, a new introductory course designed to test student aptitude for engineering. The course will provide information on the ethics and practice of engineering and give an overview of career possibilities, according to Nelson.

Students who complete the program can earn one of the following degrees from Coastal: biology, chemistry, computer science or mathematics/statistics; and one of the following engineering degrees from Clemson: biosystems, chemical or ceramic and materials, civil, computer, electrical, industrial or mechanical.

For more information, contact Coastal's School of Natural and Applied Sciences at (843) 349-2202 or Clemson University's News Services at (864) 656-4193.