News
Events
VideoEngineering Physics Major
Students who love both engineering and physics can pursue an engineering physics major offered jointly by the Department of Engineering Sciences and the Department of Physics and Astronomy.
For information, contact Professor William Lotko.
Prerequisites
Engineering physics majors are expected to have a basic understanding of calculus, physics, chemistry, and computer science. First-year students interested in the major should take the placement test in mathematics.
Unless otherwise prohibited, prerequisites may be taken under the Non-Recording Option.
Mathematics (4 courses)
- MATH 3: Introduction to Calculus
- MATH 8: Calculus of Functions of One and Several Variables
- MATH 13: Calculus of Vector-Valued Functions
- MATH 23: Differential Equations
Physics (2 courses)
- PHYS 13: Introductory Physics I
- PHYS 14: Introductory Physics II
Chemistry (1 course)
- CHEM 5: General Chemistry
Computer Science (choose 1 option, 1-2 courses)
- ENGS 20: Introduction to Scientific Computing (may not be taken under the Non-Recording Option)
- COSC 1: Introduction to Programming and Computation AND COSC 10: Problem Solving via Object-Oriented Programming; OR COSC 5: Introduction to Computer Science
Required Courses
The Engineering Physics Major must be a 5/5 split of 10 courses between Engineering Sciences and Physics. These courses include the required core courses listed below and 2 electives or free electives in engineering and 2 electives or free electives in physics. Students wishing to pursue the B.E. degree are advised to elect an Engineering Sciences course.
Engineering Core Courses (3 courses)
Physics Core Courses (3 courses, students taking the honors sequence, PHYS 15 and 16, should substitute a third physics elective for PHYS 19)
- PHYS 19: Introductory Physics III
- PHYS 24: Introductory Physics IV
- PHYS 43: Statistical Physics
Electives (choose 2 courses, each from a different group)
- Group 1
-
Group 2
- PHYS 42: Introductory Quantum Mechanics
- PHYS 68: Introductory Plasma Physics
- PHYS 91: Intermediate Quantum Mechanics
-
Group 3
- PHYS 73: Introductory Condensed Matter Physics
- ENGS 131: Science of Solid State Materials
-
Group 4
- PHYS 66: Relativistic Electrodynamics
- ENGS 120: Electromagnetic Fields and Waves
-
Group 5
- PHYS 44: Mechanics
- ENGS 140: Applied Mechanics: Dynamics
Free Electives (choose 2 courses)
- Any Engineering Sciences courses numbered above 20 (excluding ENGS 80 and ENGS 87)
- Any physics course that fulfills the straight physics major
Culminating Experience
Engineering Physics majors complete a culminating experience, which is part of a course (either as one of the two electives or as an additional course). Normally taken during the senior year, the course is chosen from the following options:
- Thesis
-
Design Project
- ENGS 89: Engineering Design Methodology and Project Initiation (taken as part of the two-course design sequence ENGS 89/90). May count toward both A.B. and B.E. degrees. (Prior to enrollment in ENGS 89, at least 6 engineering sciences courses must be completed: ENGS 21 plus 5 additional courses numbered 22 to 76.)
-
Advanced Course
- ENGS 61: Intermediate Electrical Circuits
- ENGS 62: Microprocessors in Engineered Systems
- ENGS 63: Introduction to VLSI Systems
- ENGS 71: Structural Analysis
- ENGS 73: Materials Processing and Selection
- ENGS 75: Product Design
- ENGS 76: Machine Engineering
- ENGS 112: Modern Information Technologies
- ENGS 122: Semiconductor Theory and Devices
- ENGS 124: Optical Devices and Systems
- ENGS 125: Power Electronics and Electromechanical Energy Conversion
- ENGS 126: Analog Integrated Circuit Design
- ENGG 129: Instrumentation and Measurements
- ENGS 130: Mechanical Behavior of Materials
- ENGS 132: Thermodynamics and Kinetics in Condensed Phases
- ENGS 134: Nanotechnology
- ENGS 135: Thin Films and Microfabrication Technology
- ENGS 145: Modern Control Theory
- ENGS 146: Computer-Aided Mechanical Engineering Design
- ENGS 157: Chemical Process Design
- ENGS 158: Chemical Kinetics and Reactors
- ENGS 160: Biotechnology and Biochemical Engineering
- ENGS 163: Protein Engineering
- ENGS 165: Biomaterials
- ENGS 169: Intermediate Biomedical Engineering
- ENGS 171: Industrial Ecology
- ENGS 172: Climate Change and Engineering
-
Advanced Course (Physics)
- PHYS 68: Introductory Plasma Physics
- PHYS 72: Introductory Particle Physics
- PHYS 73: Introductory Condensed Matter Physics
- PHYS 74: Space Plasma Physics
- PHYS 76: Methods of Experimental Physics
- PHYS 82: Special Topics Seminar
- PHYS 87: Undergraduate Research
Transfer Credit
No more than two transfer courses may be used for credit in the major.
Academic Standing
Satisfactory completion of the major requires a grade point average of 2.0 in the courses suitable for satisfying the major.