Engineering Physics

The Engineering Physics B.S.E.P. degree offers two sub-plans:  

  • The Materials sub-plan focuses on the discovery and design of new materials. It prepares students for careers in industry or graduate study in Materials Science or Materials Engineering. 
  • The Systems sub-plan focuses on applying engineering and physical principles to design complex systems, in areas such as material fabrication, energy, photonics, robotics, spacecraft, high-energy physics and others, to ensure that all components of a system work together efficiently. The sub-plan prepares students for careers in aerospace, defense, automotive, telecommunications, infrastructure and other industries, or graduate school.

 

Here are some sample degree plans.

The B.S.E.P. degree is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET.

Engineering Physics

Engineering physics combines the disciplines of physics, engineering and mathematics. It applies understanding provided by fundamental physics to solve practical engineering problems. Students develop both foundational knowledge and engineering skills, with broad practical applications in interdisciplinary research and technology. Career paths for Engineering Physics span across engineering and applied science, and may involve research, teaching, or entrepreneurial engineering. 

Unlike traditional engineering disciplines, engineering physics is not confined to a particular branch of physics or engineering. Instead, engineering physics:

  • Provides a more thorough grounding in applied physics for a selected specialty such as electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, or a combination of engineering disciplines.
  • Is a discipline devoted to creating and optimizing engineering solutions through enhanced understanding and integrated application of mathematical, scientific, statistical, and engineering principles.
  • Is uniquely a focus on the fundamentals of physics and mathematics, both experimental and theoretical, that are at the heart of modern engineering and research and have broad applicability.

In this program, students combine this physics base with a firm background in engineering or applied science.

Program Educational Objectives

The mission of the Bachelors of Science in Engineering Physics program is to educate students in both the fundamental laws of physics and in the applied and design aspects of an engineering discipline. Students will be prepared to combine fundamental problem solving skills with applied knowledge to attack challenging real-world problems.

PEOs describe what an Engineering Physics BS graduate should be able to do in the years following graduation from the program. The BSEP program educational objectives are to train and develop graduates who go on in their careers to:

  1. 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.  The engineering science and design components of the program prepare students to work as professional engineers.
  2. Effectively communicate opportunities and solutions to technical and nontechnical communities.
  3. Use lifelong learning skills to take advantage of professional development opportunities in their disciplines and develop new knowledge and skills and pursue areas of expertise or interests.

Student Learning Outcomes

The Engineering Physics program seeks to produce graduates who can:

  1. Identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics.
  2. Apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors.
  3. Communicate effectively with a range of audiences.
  4. Recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgments, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts.
  5. Function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives.
  6. Develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions.
  7. Acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.

 

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