Engineering Physics, B.S.

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Requirements for the major in engineering physics, B.S. program

Coordinators: Hoda Abdel-Aty-Zohdy (SECS) with, Andrei Slavin (Physics)

The program in engineering physics is offered jointly by the School of Engineering and Computer Science and the College of Arts and Sciences. This program blends the pure and applied, the theoretical and practical aspects of scientific knowledge into a meaningful educational experience. Through the university’s cooperative education program, engineering physics students may opt to combine a relevant work experience with their formal education.

Course requirements (minimum of 128 total credits)

To earn the degree of Bachelor of Science with a major in engineering physics, students must complete a minimum of 128 credits, demonstrate writing proficiency (see Undergraduate degree requirements) and meet the following requirements:

General education (excluding mathematics and science) – 28 credits

Students are required to take PHL 104 - Introduction to Ethics in Science and Engineering to satisfy the general education requirement in Western Civilization.
In order to graduate on-schedule without taking additional courses, it is highly recommended that students meet with an SECS Undergraduate Academic Adviser concerning the selection of all of their general education courses.

Professional Depth areas – 12 credits

The following two depth areas are offered as typical. Select 12 credits from one of these. Students with different interests can construct different depth areas in consultation with the program coordinators.

Solid state physics and technology depth area

ECE 484 - Electronic Materials and Devices (4)
PHY 472 - Quantum Mechanics I (4)

Choose one design elective course from the list below

ECE 378 - Computer Hardware Design (4)
ECE 437 - Communication Systems (4)
ECE 470 - Microprocessors-based Systems Design (4)
ECE 487 - Integrated Electronics (4)

Applied mechanics depth area

PHY 366 - Vibrations and Waves (4)
ME 322 - Engineering Mechanics (4) (or ME 361 )

Design elective, chosen from

ME 456 - Energy Systems Analysis and Design (4)
ME 461 - Analysis and Design of Mechanical Structures (4)
ME 482 - Fluid and Thermal Systems Design (4)
ME 486 - Mechanical Systems Design (4)
ME 487 - Mechanical Computer-Aided Engineering (4)

Technical electives, choose 8 credits from

MTH 275 - Linear Algebra (4)
APM 263 - Discrete Mathematics (4)
PHY 318 - Nuclear Physics Laboratory (2)
PHY 331 - Optics (4)
PHY 366 - Vibrations and Waves (4)
PHY 372 - Nuclear Physics (4)
PHY 381 - Electricity and Magnetism (4)
PHY 418 - Modern Optics Laboratory (2)
PHY 472 - Quantum Mechanics I (4)
PHY 482 - Electricity and Magnetism II (4)
ECE 378 - Computer Hardware Design (4)
ME 331 - Introduction to Fluid and Thermal Energy Transport (4)
ME 361 - Mechanics of Materials (4)
Any 400-level ECE, ME or ISE courses (4-8)

Performance Requirements and Additional General Education Notes

In addition to the previously stated requirements, satisfactory completion of the program requires an average grade of at least 2.0 in the engineering and computer science courses and also in the mathematics and science courses taken to meet program requirements. Students in this program are not required to complete the college distribution requirement of the College of Arts and Sciences. For further information about this program, see the section of this catalog for the School of Engineering and Computer Science, Engineering Physics program.