COLLEGE of ENGINEERING
ENGINEERING PHYSICS
DEGREE: Bachelor of Science in Engineering Physics
The Engineering Physics program is offered jointly by the Physics Department and the College of Engineering. The faculty is drawn from the Departments of Physics, Electrical and Computer Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering.
A strong grasp of underlying physical principles behind the development of new technologies is necessary to keep up with new developments in a high-tech world. The BS in Engineering Physics program is designed to provide quality education to students for immediate employment with technical jobs in private industries (especially high-tech industries), research laboratories, and public sectors. The program trains students with a combination of engineering knowledge, physics principles, mathematical background, problem-solving strategies, and effective communication skills. The BS in Engineering Physics also provides an excellent preparation for graduate studies in either physics or an engineering discipline.
The engineering physics program is offered jointly by the Department of Physics and College of Engineering. The BS in Engineering Physics confers an engineering credential. Students in the program complete an engineering core curriculum, either in Electrical and Computer Engineering or in Mechanical Engineering, as well as a rigorous course of study in physics and mathematics. A strong laboratory component prepares students in experimental techniques and technology using state-of-the-art equipment.
The goals of the program are
- to give students a strong education in the fundamentals of physics, engineering, applied mathematics, and computation;
- to develop skill in real-world problem solving starting from fundamental physical principles;
- to improve communication skills; and
- to develop ability to work in a team.
The student must choose either the Electrical Engineering Option or the Mechanical Engineering Option. The requirements are listed below. Students must earn a C or better in all required courses.
Requirements for Electrical Option (134 credits)
Physics (41 credits)
| PHYS 213, Mechanics | 3 |
| PHYS 213L, Experimental Mechanics | 1 |
| PHYS 214, Electricity and Magnetism | 3 |
| PHYS 214L, Electricity and Magnetism Laboratory | 1 |
| PHYS 217, Heat, Light, and Sound | 3 |
| PHYS 217L, Experimental Heat, Light, and Sound | 1 |
| PHYS 315, Modern Physics | 3 |
| PHYS 315L, Experimental Modern Physics | 3 |
| PHYS 451, Intermediate Mechanics I | 3 |
| PHYS 454, Intermediate Modern Physics I | 3 |
| PHYS 455, Intermediate Modern Physics II | 3 |
| PHYS 475, Advanced Experimental Modern Physics 3, or PHYS 471, Modern Experimental Optics | 2 |
| PHYS 480, Thermodynamics | 3 |
| PHYS 495, Mathematical Methods of Physics I | 3 |
| Physics electives | 6 |
Electrical Engineering (41 credits)
| E E 111, Introduction to Electrical and Computer Engineering | 4 |
| E E 161, Computer-Aided Problem Solving | 4 |
| E E 211, AC Circuits | 4 |
| E E 221, Electronics I | 4 |
| E E 261, Digital Design I | 4 |
| E E 311, Signals and Systems | 4 |
| E E 315, Electromagnetics I | 4 |
| E E 341, Control Systems, or E E 332, Introduction to Electrical Power Engineering | 4 |
| E E 498, Capstone Design I | 3 |
| E E 499, Capstone Design II | 3 |
| Electrical engineering elective | 3 |
Mathematics (17 credits)
| MATH 191/191L, Calculus and Analytic Geometry I and Lab | 4 |
| MATH 192/192L, Calculus and Analytic Geometry II and Lab | 4 |
| MATH 291, Calculus and Analytic Geometry III | 3 |
| E E 301, Vector Principles | 3 |
| MATH 392, Ordinary Differential Equations | 3 |
Natural Science (4 credits)
| CHEM 111, General Chemistry I | 4 |
Additional General Education Requirements (31 credits)
| ENGL 111G, Rhetoric and Composition | 4 |
| English Composition, Level 2 | 3 |
| Oral Communications | 3 |
| Social and Behavioral Sciences |
6-9* |
| Humanities and Fine Arts | 6-9* |
| Viewing a Wider World | 6** |
* 15 credits total: at least 6 credits in each category
**Viewing a Wider World courses cannot be taken in engineering.
Requirements for Mechanical Option (133 credits)
Physics (38 credits)
| PHYS 213, Mechanics | 3 |
| PHYS 213L, Experimental Mechanics | 1 |
| PHYS 214, Electricity and Magnetism | 3 |
| PHYS 214L, Electricity and Magnetism Laboratory | 1 |
| PHYS 217, Heat, Light, and Sound | 3 |
| PHYS 217L, Experimental Heat, Light, and Sound | 1 |
| PHYS 315, Modern Physics | 3 |
| PHYS 315L, Experimental Modern Physics | 3 |
| PHYS 454, Intermediate Modern Physics I | 3 |
| PHYS 455, Intermediate Modern Physics II | 3 |
| PHYS 461, Intermediate Electricity and Magnetism I | 3 |
| PHYS 462, Intermediate Electricity and Magnetism II | 3 |
| PHYS 475, Advanced Experimental Modern Physics | 3 |
| PHYS 495, Mathematical Methods of Physics I | 3 |
| Physics elective | 3 |
Mechanical Engineering (43 credits)
| C E 301, Mechanics of Materials | 3 |
| M E 102, Introduction to Mechanical Engineering | 1 |
| M E 159, Graphical Communication and Design | 2 |
| M E 236, Engineering Mechanics I | 3 |
| M E 237, Engineering Mechanics II | 3 |
| M E 240, Thermodynamics | 3 |
| M E 260, Mechanical Engineering Problem Solving | 3 |
| M E 328, Engineering Analysis I | 3 |
| M E 329, Engineering Analysis II | 3 |
| M E 333, Intermediate Dynamics | 3 |
| M E 338, Fluid Mechanics | 3 |
| M E 341, Heat Transfer | 3 |
| M E 426, Design Project Laboratory I | 3 |
| M E 427, Design Project Laboratory II | 3 |
| M E 449, Senior Seminar | 1 |
| Engineering elective | 3 |
Mathematics (17 credits)
| MATH 191/191 L, Calculus and Analytic Geometry I and Lab | 4 |
| MATH 192/192 L, Calculus and Analytic Geometry II and Lab | 4 |
| MATH 291, Calculus and Analytic Geometry III | 3 |
| MATH 392, Ordinary Differential Equations | 3 |
| Math elective from M E list | 3 |
Natural Science (4 credits)
| CHEM 111, General Chemistry I | 4 |
Additional General Education requirements (31 credits)
| ENGL 111G, Rhetoric and Composition | 4 |
| English Composition, Level 2 | 3 |
| Oral Communications | 3 |
| Social/Behavioral Sciences |
6-9* |
| Humanities and Fine Arts | 6-9* |
| Viewing a Wider World | 6** |
*Viewing a Wider World courses may not be taken in engineering.
