Phone: 216.368.4017; Fax: 216.368.4671
Kenneth Singer, Ambrose Swasey Professor of Physics and Program Director
The Engineering Physics major allows students with strong interests in both physics and engineering to concentrate their studies in the common areas of these disciplines. The Engineering Physics major prepares students to pursue careers in industry, either directly after undergraduate studies, or following graduate study in engineering or physics. Many employers value the unique problem solving approach of physics, especially in industrial research and development. Its engineering science and design components prepare students to work as professional engineers.
Students majoring in engineering physics complete the Engineering Core as well as a rigorous course of study in physics. Students select a concentration area from an engineering discipline, and must complete a sequence of at least four courses in this discipline. In addition, a senior research project under the guidance of a faculty member is required. The project includes a written report and participation in the senior seminar and symposium.
Mission and Program Objectives
The mission of the Engineering Physics program is to prepare students for careers in engineering where physics principles can be applied to the advancement of technology. This education at the intersection of engineering and physics will enable students to seek employment in engineering upon graduation while providing a firm foundation for the pursuit of graduate studies in either engineering or physics. The Engineering Physics program will develop sufficient depth in both engineering and physics skills to produce engineers who can relate fundamental physics to practical engineering problems, and will possess the versatility to address new problems in our rapidly changing technological base. The program will provide a curriculum and environment to develop interdisciplinary collaboration, ethical and professional outlooks, communication skills, and the tools and desire for life-long learning.
Educational Objectives
- Graduates of the Engineering Physics program will apply their strong problem solving skills as physicists along with an understanding of the approach, methods, and requirements of engineering and engineering design for a successful career in advancing technology.
- Graduates of the Engineering Physics program will use their strong skills in problem solving, research experience and knowledge in physics and engineering as successful graduate students and researchers in highly ranked graduate programs.
Program Outcomes
As preparation for achieving the above program educational objectives, the BS degree program in Engineering Physics is designed so that students attain:
- an ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science, and engineering
- an ability to design and conduct experiments, as well as to analyze and interpret data
- an ability to design a system, component, or process to meet desired needs within realistic constraints such as economic, environmental, social, political, ethical, health and safety, manufacturability, and sustainability
- an ability to function on multi-disciplinary teams
- an ability to identify, formulate, and solve engineering problems
- an understanding of professional and ethical responsibility
- an ability to communicate effectively
- the broad education necessary to understand the impact of engineering solutions in a global, economic, environmental, and societal context
- a recognition of the need for, and an ability to engage in life-long learning
- a knowledge of contemporary issues
- an ability to use the techniques, skills, and modern engineering tools necessary for engineering practice.
The Bachelor of Science degree program in Engineering Physics is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, www.abet.org.
Bachelor of Science in Engineering
Sample Program of Study: Major in Engineering Physics
| First Year | Units | |
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Spring | |
| Principles of Chemistry for Engineers (CHEM 111) | 4 | |
| Calculus for Science and Engineering I (MATH 121)a | 4 | |
| General Physics I - Mechanics (PHYS 121)b | 4 | |
| SAGES First Seminar | 4 | |
| PHED Physical Education Activities | ||
| Calculus for Science and Engineering II (MATH 122)a | 4 | |
| General Physics II - Electricity and Magnetism (PHYS 122)b | 4 | |
| Elementary Computer Programming (ENGR 131) | 3 | |
| Chemistry of Materials (ENGR 145) | 4 | |
| SAGES University Seminar | 3 | |
| PHED Physical Education Activities | ||
| Year Total: | 16 | 18 |
| Second Year | Units | |
| Fall | Spring | |
| Calculus for Science and Engineering III (MATH 223) | 3 | |
| Introduction to Modern Physics (PHYS 221) | 3 | |
| Statics and Strength of Materials (ENGR 200) | 3 | |
| Introduction to Circuits and Instrumentation (ENGR 210) | 4 | |
| SAGES University Seminar | 3 | |
| Elementary Differential Equations (MATH 224) | 3 | |
| Instrumentation and Signal Analysis Laboratory (PHYS 208) | 4 | |
| Computational Methods in Physics (PHYS 250) | 3 | |
| Classical Mechanics (PHYS 310) | 3 | |
| Thermodynamics, Fluid Dynamics, Heat and Mass Transfer (ENGR 225) | 4 | |
| Year Total: | 16 | 17 |
| Third Year | Units | |
| Fall | Spring | |
| Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics (PHYS 313) | 3 | |
| Engineering Physics Laboratory I (PHYS 317) | 3 | |
| Advanced Laboratory Physics Seminar (PHYS 303) | 1 | |
| Introduction to Quantum Mechanics I (PHYS 331) | 3 | |
| Engineering Concentrationc | 3 | |
| Humanities/Social Science elective | 3 | |
| Engineering Physics Laboratory II (PHYS 318) | 4 | |
| Electricity and Magnetism I (PHYS 324) | 3 | |
| Professional Communication for Engineers (ENGL 398N) | 3 | |
| Humanities/Social Science elective | 3 | |
| Engineering Concentrationc | 3 | |
| Year Total: | 16 | 16 |
| Fourth Year | Units | |
| Fall | Spring | |
| Introduction to Solid State Physics (PHYS 315) | 3 | |
| Electricity and Magnetism II (PHYS 325) | 3 | |
| Senior Physics Project Seminar (PHYS 352) | 1 | |
| Senior Engineering Physics Project (PHYS 353) | 2 | |
| Engineering Concentrationc | 3 | |
| Humanities/Social Science elective | 3 | |
| Senior Physics Project Seminar (PHYS 352) | 1 | |
| Senior Engineering Physics Project (PHYS 353) | 2 | |
| Applied Quantum Mechanicsd | 3 | |
| Engineering Concentrationc | 3 | |
| Humanities/Social Science elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Year Total: | 15 | 15 |
| Total Units in Sequence: | 129 | |
Hours required for graduation: 129
| a | Selected students may be invited to take MATH 124 Calculus II, MATH 227 Calculus III or MATH 228 Differential Equations in place of MATH 121 Calculus for Science and Engineering I, MATH 122 Calculus for Science and Engineering II, MATH 223 Calculus for Science and Engineering III or MATH 224 Elementary Differential Equations. |
| b | Selected students may be invited to take PHYS 123 Physics and Frontiers I - Mechanics or PHYS 124 Physics and Frontiers II - Electricity and Magnetism in place of PHYS 121 General Physics I - Mechanics or PHYS 122 General Physics II - Electricity and Magnetism. |
| c | Engineering Physics Concentration courses are flexible, but must be in a specific engineering discipline or study area and be approved by an advisor. Possible concentration areas include: Biomedical Engineering (Biomedical Systems and Analysis, Devices and Instrumentation, Biomaterials); Chemical Engineering; Civil Engineering (Solid Mechanics, Structural Engineering, Geotechnical Engineering, Environmental Engineering); Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (Solid State, Computer Science, Computer Engineering-Software, Computer Engineering-Hardware, Systems and Control); Macromolecular Science and Engineering; Materials Science and Engineering; Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (Aerospace, Mechanics). |
| d | Students may choose to fulfill this requirement in their third year: |