Academic Catalog
2023-2024

Engineering Physics

Students perform experimental modal analysis to determine vibration modes of a baseball bat.

Home Department: Natural Sciences

Department Head:

Daniel O. Ludwigsen, Ph.D.
Room 2-323A, 810-762-7488
naturalsciences@kettering.edu

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Science in Engineering Physics degree at Kettering University unifies physics knowledge and applications in optics, acoustics, and advanced materials with a comprehensive engineering component to prepare graduates for engineering applications in emerging technology.  The well balanced curriculum in Engineering Physics provides a solid education combined with desirable skills that could lead to a career in industry and government sector as well as graduate studies in applied sciences and engineering.  

Physics is the most fundamental science and underlies the understanding of nearly all areas of science, technology, and engineering.  Physics is concerned with the study of energy, space, time, matter, the interaction between material objects and the laws that govern these interactions at various scales from sub nano-scale to light-years scale.  Physicists study mechanics, sound, heat, light, electric and magnetic fields, gravitation, relativity, atomic and nuclear physics, solid state physics, wave-like properties of particles and particle-like properties of radiation.  Engineering physics is not a specific branch of physics but the application of all branches of physics to the broad realm of practical problems in scientific and industrial settings, engineering design and applications, applied science, and advanced industry.  Engineering Physics (EP) is the interface of physics with specific areas of advanced or emerging technology, which are not covered in depth under the traditional engineering education, such as applications of optics, acoustics, and materials in fields like nanotechnology, telecommunications, medical physics and devices, or advanced and electronic materials. The Engineering Physics degree is a flexible degree designed to interface physics with applied sciences and engineering disciplines.

  • Engineering Physics (EP) students at Kettering take the same core physics courses as physics students at other universities. Furthermore, Kettering's Physics students are required to take a sequence of courses in optics, acoustics and materials.
  • Engineering Physics (EP) students at Kettering University will graduate from a distinctive physics program, unique in the nation.  The cooperative education and experiential learning model at Kettering University provides Engineering Physics students with a rich co-op experience, complete with a senior thesis while they are undergraduates.
  • The Engineering Physics (EP) program includes a thorough background in mathematics, science, engineering fundamentals, social sciences, humanities, and communication coupled with an individually designed engineering component.
  • Engineering Physics (EP) students complete an individually designed sequence of courses in engineering that culminates in an engineering capstone design experience. Popular options include sequences such as energy systems engineering or mechanical design.
  • The Engineering Physics program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission (EAC) of ABET.
     

For more information about the Engineering Physics program, including pictures and descriptions of our laboratory facilities and minors, please visit the degree program website.

Program Educational Objectives    

Engineering Physics graduates will:

  • Thrive in graduate studies, technical careers, or engineering practices using broad based scientific knowledge.   
  • Work effectively in diverse professional environments and multi-disciplinary projects.
  • Improve their workplaces and communities, and the society through professional and personal activities.

Dual Majors

One of the advantages of being an Engineering Physics major is that because physics meshes well with nearly every science and engineering discipline, it is very easy to pursue a dual option.  Pursuing a dual major will create greater flexibility in terms of future career or graduate studies. 

When an undergraduate student simultaneously completes two sets of major requirements, they earn a dual major. Students must complete a minimum of 161 credit hours to earn the Bachelor of Science degree AND complete all course requirements for both majors. Dual majors will require additional credits beyond the 161 minimum. The capstone course required in other engineering majors will be part of the Engineering Elective sequence for the Engineering Physics major. Only one thesis is required. Approval and academic advising from both academic departments is required. 

Specialization within the Physics Program

Applied and Engineering Physics students may obtain a minor in acoustics, but they are not eligible for a minor in physics. 

International Programs

Engineering Physics students often utilize the flexible Engineering Elective sequence built in their curriculum to study more deeply in a chosen area of engineering.  This can be used to facilitate student participation in an existing study abroad program.  This flexibility in the Engineering Physics curriculum may also be useful in better planning and preparing for future graduate studies and career.  

Engineering Physics Program Curriculum Requirements

First Year Experience
CILE-101First Year Foundations1
General Education
COMM-101Rhetoric & Writing4
ECON-201Economic Principles4
LA-201Sophomore Seminar: Exploring the Human Condition4
LA-489Sr. Seminar:Leadership, Ethics4
Advanced Humanities Electives 18
Advanced Social Science Electives 18
Total Credit Hours33
1

Humanities and Social Science advanced electives must be selected from approved 300 and 400 level courses.

Engineering
EE-240Electromagnetic Fields and Applications4
EP-335Computational Physics4
EP-485Acoustic Testing and Modeling4
IME-100Interdisciplinary Design and Manufacturing4
Select an intermediate engineering option:8
Statics
and Mechanics of Materials
Intro to Digital Systems Design
and Intro to Microcomputers
Select one of the following:4
Circuits I
and Circuits I Lab
Applied Electrical Circuits
and Signals for Mechanical Systems Lab
Select one of the following:4
Introduction to Materials Science and Engineering
Materials Engineering
Engineering Elective Sequence 220
Credit Hours Subtotal: 52
Chemistry
Select one of the following:4
General Chemistry I
and Principles of Chemistry Lab
Principles of Chemistry
and Principles of Chemistry Lab
Credit Hours Subtotal: 4
Mathematics
MATH-101Calculus I4
or MATH-101X Calculus I
Select one of the following:4
Calculus II
Calculus II
Calculus II - Honors
MATH-203Multivariate Calculus4
or MATH-203H Multivariate Calculus - Honors
MATH-204Differential Equations & Laplace Transforms4
or MATH-204H Differential Equations and Laplace Transforms - Honors
MATH-258Probability and Statistics4
or MATH-327 Probability & Stochastic Modeling
MATH-305Numerical Methods and Matrices4
or MATH-307 Matrix Algebra
Physics
PHYS-114
PHYS-115
Newtonian Mechanics
and Newtonian Mechanics Laboratory
4
PHYS-224
PHYS-225
Electricity and Magnetism
and Electricity and Magnetism Laboratory
4
PHYS-302Vibration, Sound and Light4
PHYS-362Modern Physics and Lab4
PHYS-412Theoretical Mechanics4
PHYS-452Thermodynamics and Statistical Physics4
PHYS-462Quantum Mechanics4
PHYS-477Optics and Lab4
Advanced Physics ElectiveAny PHYS or EP course that is not a core physics requirement listed above4
Credit Hours Subtotal: 60
Electives
Free Electives8
Credit Hours Subtotal: 8
Culminating Undergraduate Experience
CILE-400Culminating Undergraduate Experience: Thesis 34
Total Credit Hours128

(Minimum) Total Credits Required for Program: 161

2

The Engineering Elective Sequence provides a depth of study in a specific engineering field, and must culminate in a senior level capstone design experience. Engineering sequence courses will be designed based on individual student interests and their future career or graduate studies plans and will be approved by the academic advisor. 

3

Students are automatically registered for CILE-400 in a co-op term when they reach Junior II status. 

Representative Program

Plan of Study Grid
Freshman ICredit Hours
CILE-101 First Year Foundations 1
CHEM-137
General Chemistry I
or Principles of Chemistry
3
CHEM-136 Principles of Chemistry Lab 1
COMM-101 Rhetoric & Writing 4
IME-100 Interdisciplinary Design and Manufacturing 4
MATH-101 Calculus I 4
 Credit Hours17
Freshman II
ECON-201 Economic Principles 4
MATH-102 Calculus II 4
MECH-210 Statics 4
PHYS-114 Newtonian Mechanics 3
PHYS-115 Newtonian Mechanics Laboratory 1
 Credit Hours16
Sophomore I
LS-201 Sophomore Seminar: Exploring the Human Condition 4
MATH-203 Multivariate Calculus 4
MECH-212 Mechanics of Materials 4
PHYS-224 Electricity and Magnetism 3
PHYS-225 Electricity and Magnetism Laboratory 1
 Credit Hours16
Sophomore II
EP-335 Computational Physics 4
MATH-204 Differential Equations & Laplace Transforms 4
PHYS-362 Modern Physics and Lab 4
Advanced Humanities or Social Science Elective 4
 Credit Hours16
Junior I
Select one of the following: 4
Circuits I
and Circuits I Lab
Applied Electrical Circuits
and Signals for Mechanical Systems Lab
PHYS-302 Vibration, Sound and Light 4
Engineering Elective Sequence 1 4
Advanced Humanities or Social Science Elective 4
 Credit Hours16
Junior II
EE-240 Electromagnetic Fields and Applications 4
EP-342
Introduction to Materials Science and Engineering
or Materials Engineering
4
MATH-258
Probability and Statistics
or Probability & Stochastic Modeling
4
Advanced Physics Elective 2 4
Engineering Elective Sequence 1 4
 Credit Hours20
Senior I
MATH-305
Numerical Methods and Matrices
or Matrix Algebra
4
PHYS-412 Theoretical Mechanics 4
PHYS-477 Optics and Lab 4
Advanced Humanities or Social Science Elective 4
Engineering Elective Sequence 1 4
 Credit Hours20
Senior II
EP-485 Acoustic Testing and Modeling 4
PHYS-452 Thermodynamics and Statistical Physics 4
LS-489 Senior Seminar: Leadership, Ethics, and Contemporary Issues 4
Engineering Elective Sequence 1 4
Free Elective 4
 Credit Hours20
Senior III
PHYS-462 Quantum Mechanics 4
Engineering Elective Capstone Design 1 4
Advanced Humanities or Social Science Elective 4
Free Elective 4
 Credit Hours16
Any Term
CILE-400 Culminating Undergraduate Experience: Thesis 4
 Credit Hours4
 Total Credit Hours161

(Minimum) Total Credits Required for Program: 161

1

The Engineering Elective Sequence provides a depth of study in a specific engineering field, and must culminate in a senior level capstone design experience. Engineering sequence courses will be designed based on individual student interests and their future career or graduate studies plans and will be approved by the academic advisor. 

2

Advanced Physics Electives includes any PHYS or EP course, which is not a core physics requirement as listed above.