FARMINGTON — The University of Maine at Farmington has partnered with the University of Maine College of Engineering to offer a dual degree program, in which students will graduate in five years with both a B.A. from UMF, and a B.S. in engineering from UMaine.

“We are excited to collaborate with UMaine in this innovative program,” said Theodora J. Kalikow, UMF president. “As Maine’s public liberal arts college, UMF offers the kind of educational experience that fosters critical thinking, leadership development and prepares students for successful professional lives in a complex and changing world.”

Beginning in the fall of 2009, students enrolled in the joint program will spend their first three years at Farmington pursuing their major course of study towards their UMF degree, and completing general education requirements and engineering prerequisites in math and science. Their final two years will be spent on the UMaine campus completing engineering coursework. According to Rob Lively, UMF associate provost and dean of academic services, students will receive a degree from UMF after the successful completion of their fourth year in the program, and a UMaine degree in engineering after completing their fifth year of study.

“This program is tailored for the student interested in obtaining a degree in engineering, but who wants a liberal arts college experience at a smaller campus as part of their education,” Lively said. “Increasingly, today’s engineer needs to be a good communicator, understand how engineering impacts society, and have a broader educational background as they aspire to higher level promotion.”

Chet Rock, UMaine’s associate dean of the College of Engineering, agrees that combining engineering and liberal arts programs is becoming more popular as engineers recognize the need for greater exposure to humanities along with their technical skills, and also as engineers are called upon to work in community, corporate, legal, international and other diversified settings.

Students will start by applying to UMF, and will be assigned advisers from both campuses as soon as they enroll in the program. After three years, those in good academic standing will transfer to UMaine.

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