Dec 21, 2024  
2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog

Engineering Physics, B.S.


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Engineering physics is an interdisciplinary field at the intersection of engineering and physics. Oakland University’s undergraduate program in engineering physics is designed to provide students with (i) an in-depth scientific understanding of the construction of physical reality, and (ii) practical engineering knowledge of how to apply this understanding to state-of-the-art technologies. The program offers strong fundamentals in quantum mechanics, electromagnetism, vibrations and waves, as well as a solid foundation in core engineering skills. Students can choose from a technology depth area in solid-state physics or applied mechanics. 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:

Schedule of Classes


Specific offerings for each semester may be found in the Schedule of Classes.

Requirements for the major in Engineering Physics, B.S.


General Education requirements


In order to graduate on-schedule without taking additional courses, it is highly recommended that students meet with an Undergraduate Academic Adviser concerning the selection of all of their general education courses.

Each candidate for an Oakland University baccalaureate will need to satisfactorily complete approved courses in each of the following areas: Foundation, Exploration, Integration, Writing, U.S. Diversity, and Capstone. For details, refer to the General Education section of the catalog. In order to satisfy both general education and other program requirements, in some of the general education areas students should select from the courses listed below.:

Foundations:

  • Writing Foundations - WRT 1060
  • Formal Reasoning (satisfied by MTH 1554; see Mathematics and Sciences)

Explorations: One course from each of the seven Explorations areas:

  • Arts
  • Language and Culture
  • Global Perspective
  • Literature
  • Natural Science and Technology (satisfied by EGR 2400 or EGR 2500; see Engineering Core)
  • Social Science
  • Western Civilization (satisfied by PHL 1310; see Additional Major Requirements)

Integration:

  • Knowledge Applications (satisfied by MTH 1555; see Mathematics and Sciences)
  • Capstone (satisfied by PHY 4995; see Required Professional Subjects)

U.S. Diversity:

  • May be met by an approved course in the Explorations area

Writing Intensive:

  • Writing Intensive in the Major (satisfied by PHY 4995; see Required Professional Subjects)
  • Writing Intensive in General Education (may be met by an approved course in the Explorations area)

Additional Major Requirements:

All engineering physics students must meet the following requirement. This course can meet general education exploration areas above.

  • Professional Ethics: PHL 1310 - Introduction to Ethics in Science and Engineering

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.

Approved math/science Elective options:


Required professional subjects


Professional Electives


Engineering Physics students must complete one of the two depth areas below for a minimum of 12 credits. For the depth areas, students must complete the two required courses and must select one course from the design electives. Students with different interests can construct different depth areas in consultation with the program coordinators, and via the SECS Petition of Exception process. Students must also complete 8 additional professional elective credits selected from the Technical Electives area. Courses taken as technical electives may not be used for credit in the technology depth area, design electives, or required professional subjects.

1. Solid state physics and technology depth area


Required courses:

2. Applied mechanics depth area


Required courses:

4. Bioengineering/Biophysics depth area


Required courses:

Choose one design elective course from the list below:

Major Standing


To enroll in 3000- or higher level courses and to become candidates for the degree of Bachelor of Science with a major in Engineering Physics, students must gain major standing in Engineering Physics. An application for major standing should be submitted prior to intended enrollment in 3000- or higher level courses.  Forms may be obtained from the SECS Undergraduate advising office or from the SECS website. At the time that major standing is approved, students with majors of Pre-Engineering  Physics will have their major changed to Engineering  Physics. Approval of both a major standing application and change of major to Engineering  Physics is required prior to enrolling in any 3000- or higher-level courses.

To gain major standing in Engineering Physics, students must meet the following requirements:

A) have an average GPA of 2.0 in the following mathematics and science courses: APM 2555 , CHM 1440 , MTH 1554 , MTH 1555 , PHY 1510 , PHY 1100 , PHY 1520  and PHY 1110 .

B) have an average GPA of 2.0 in the following engineering core courses: EGR 1200 EGR 1400 , EGR 2400 , EGR 2500 , EGR 2600  and EGR 2800 .

C) have no more than two grades below C in the required courses in A and B above.

D) have not attempted any course listed in A and B above more than three times.

E) have not repeated more than three different courses listed in A and B. Courses in which a W (withdrawal) grade is recorded will not be counted.

Conditional major standing may be granted in the semester in which the student will complete the courses listed in A and B above.

Performance Requirements and Additional General Education Notes


Satisfactory completion of the program requires an average grade of C within each course group: mathematics and sciences, engineering core, and professional courses (including required professional subjects and professional depth areas). Within professional courses, at most two grades below C are permitted, at most two different courses may be repeated and a total of three attempts are permitted. Students in this program are not required to complete the college distribution requirement of the College of Arts and Sciences.

Sample Engineering Physics schedule


Freshman Year


Sophomore year


Junior year


Winter Semester - 16 credits

Senior year


Fall Semester – 16 credits

Winter Semester - 16 credits

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