Engineering Physics I
Kerrie Gingrich
Engineering physics, or engineering science, refers to the study of the combined disciplines of physics, mathematics, chemistry, biology, and engineering, particularly computer, nuclear, electrical, electronic, aerospace, materials or mechanical engineering. By focusing on the scientific method as a rigorous basis, it seeks ways to apply, design, and develop new solutions in engineering.[1][2][3]
Unlike traditional engineering disciplines, engineering science/physics is not necessarily confined to a particular branch of science, engineering or physics. Instead, engineering science/physics is meant to provide a more thorough grounding in applied physics for a selected specialty such as optics, quantum physics, materials science, applied mechanics, electronics, nanotechnology, microfabrication, microelectronics, computing, photonics, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, nuclear engineering, biophysics, control theory, aerodynamics, energy, solid-state physics, etc. It is the discipline devoted to creating and optimizing engineering solutions through enhanced understanding and integrated application of mathematical, scientific, statistical, and engineering principles. The discipline is also meant for cross-functionality and bridges the gap between theoretical science and practical engineering with emphasis in research and development, design, and analysis.
It is notable that in many languages the term for "engineering physics" would be directly translated into English as "technical physics". In some countries, both what would be translated as "engineering physics" and what would be translated as "technical physics" are disciplines leading to academic degrees, with the former specializing in nuclear power research, and the latter closer to engineering physics.[4] In some institutions, an engineering (or applied) physics major is a discipline or specialization within the scope of engineering science, or applied science.[5][6][7][8]
In many universities, engineering science programs may be offered at the levels of B.Tech., B.Sc., M.Sc. and Ph.D. Usually, a core of basic and advanced courses in mathematics, physics, chemistry, and biology forms the foundation of the curriculum, while typical elective areas may include fluid dynamics, quantum physics, economics, plasma physics, relativity, solid mechanics, operations research, quantitative finance, information technology and engineering, dynamical systems, bioengineering, environmental engineering, computational engineering, engineering mathematics and statistics, solid-state devices, materials science, electromagnetism, nanoscience, nanotechnology, energy, and optics.
Whereas typical engineering programs (undergraduate) generally focus on the application of established methods to the design and analysis of engineering solutions in defined fields (e.g. the traditional domains of civil or mechanical engineering), the engineering science programs (undergraduate) focus on the creation and use of more advanced experimental or computational techniques where standard approaches are inadequate (i.e., development of engineering solutions to contemporary problems in the physical and life sciences by applying fundamental principles).
Qualified engineering physicists, with a degree in Engineering Physics, can work professionally as engineers and/or physicists in the high technology industries and beyond, becoming domain experts in multiple engineering and scientific fields.[9][10][11]
Although the Engineering Physics is a relatively new program at Stanford (it was introduced around 2006), it has a long history at a number of universities; see the list at the bottom of this page for examples. You can read about Stanford's Engineering Physics major in detail in the Stanford Engineering Handbook.
The fundamental difference between Engineering Physics and other Engineering majors is that in Engineering Physics students study the same advanced physics topics as physics majors -- in particular, at least two quarters of quantum mechanics and at least one quarter of statistical mechanics. Most engineering students (other than engineering physics students) would take these courses only as graduate students (or not at all). An Engineering Physics degree prepares students to work in the private sector or in national laboratories at the very forefront of technology, or to pursue an advanced degree in engineering. An Engineering Physics degree also prepares students to pursue an advanced degree in physics; other engineering majors do not. Industries that need people with very strong scientific backgrounds recognize the Engineering Physics major and what it stands for.
There are some really great engineering courses (e.g., ME 203 or ME 210; see the Course Bulletin) that have limited enrollment. Students can take these courses if they are declared Engineering Physics majors; it would be more difficult for a Physics major to enroll in these courses.
Students who know they want to pursue formal theoretical physics should pursue a major in Physics (and perhaps double-major in Math), rather than doing Engineering Physics. Students interested in experimental physics or 21st century technology should consider Physics or Engineering Physics. The courses a student would take in the Freshman year are basically the same whether they are considering a major in Physics, Engineering Physics, or any other engineering major.
A significant fraction (over half) of both Physics and Engineering Physics majors go on to pursue advanced degrees (Masters or PhD) in engineering or physics. Engineering Physics majors tend to work on forefront ideas in technology and science, in either industry or academia. Areas might include aerospace, biophysics, medical physics, renewable energy (photovoltaics, battery technology, fuel cells, ...), transportation, quantum information science, semiconductors, or materials development. Careers could also include systems engineering, teaching, medicine, law (especially intellectual property or patent law), science writing, history of science, philosophy of science, science policy, energy policy, government, or management in technical fields.
The Physics and Engineering Physics majors are great preparation for almost any career, because they teach students how to analyze complex problems and they give students a strong quantitative background that can be applied in any technical field.
Contact Prof. Pat Burchat in Physics or Prof. Mark Cappelli in Mechanical Engineering. Professors Burchat and Cappelli serve as co-directors for the Engineering Physics major. They can help you determine whether the major is a good match to your interests and work with you to sketch a four-year plan.
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Students who complete the Engineering Physics program will earn a B.S. in Engineering Physics from the College of Engineering. The physics and math requirements for this program are similar to those of the B.S. in Physics, but in addition to those requirements, students take 27 credit hours of engineering courses. The engineering courses a student takes will come from one area of engineering, known as the Engineering Physics concentration. Students who complete this program have the opportunity to enter full-time employment as a scientist or engineer or pursue an advanced degree in physics, engineering, or math.
OSU students who are currently in the College of Engineering can enroll in the Engineering Physics pre-major (from a different Engineering major or pre-major) by emailing the Engineering Physics advisor.
OSU students who are not yet enrolled in the College of Engineering and want to enroll in the Engineering Physics pre-major program should email the Engineering Physics advisor to request information about enrolling in the College of Engineering as a pre-major student.
APSU's BSE degree program in Engineering Physics is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET. ABET accreditation enhances your employment opportunities and graduation from an is the first step toward professional engineering licensure in the State of Tennessee.
Engineering Physics is the interdisciplinary study of engineering and physics with a particular emphasis on solving complex, real-world problems. The engineering physics curriculum includes an emphasis on engineering design, like all engineering programs, while also including more advanced physics than a typical engineering degree. Engineering physics graduates are well suited to applying state-of-the-art technologies to problems in engineering design and manufacturing where established approaches are insufficient. Graduates of engineering physics typically work in high-tech, industrial, and manufacturing settings on teams with other engineers, scientists, engineering technologists, and management to solve real-world design and implementation problems.
Department faculty have expertise in a variety of areas including Materials Science & Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Computational Science. Which assists students with participation in the final capstone experience course as well as completing the mandatory Fundamentals of Engineering exam.
From cancer and heart disease to clean energy and space travel, the Department of Nuclear Engineering and Engineering Physics integrates fundamental physics, mathematics and engineering principles to solve critical societal problems, all while educating new generations of leaders.
The nuclear engineering and engineering physics faculty come from a variety of backgrounds, all bringing their experience and research together to create a dynamic, inspirational department of world-class educators.
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