Engineering Physics
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, contact the Department of Natural Sciences.
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 many engineering disciplines, 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
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| First Year Experience | ||
| CILE-101 | First Year Foundations | 1 |
| General Education | ||
| COMM-101 | Rhetoric & Writing | 4 |
| ECON-201 | Economic Principles | 4 |
| LA-201 | Sophomore Seminar: Exploring the Human Condition | 4 |
| LA-489 | Sr. Seminar:Leadership, Ethics | 4 |
| Advanced Humanities Electives 1 | 8 | |
| Advanced Social Science Electives 1 | 8 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 33 | |
- 1
Humanities and Social Science advanced electives must be selected from approved 300 and 400 level courses.
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Engineering | ||
| EE-240 | Electromagnetic Fields and Applications | 4 |
| EP-335 | Computational Physics | 4 |
| EP-485 | Acoustic Testing and Modeling | 4 |
| IME-100 | Interdisciplinary Design and Manufacturing | 4 |
| 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 2 | 20 | |
| 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-101 | Calculus I | 4 |
| or MATH-101X | Calculus I | |
| Select one of the following: | 4 | |
| Calculus II | ||
| Calculus II | ||
| Calculus II - Honors | ||
| MATH-203 | Multivariate Calculus | 4 |
| or MATH-203H | Multivariate Calculus - Honors | |
| MATH-204 | Differential Equations & Laplace Transforms | 4 |
| or MATH-204H | Differential Equations and Laplace Transforms - Honors | |
| MATH-258 | Probability and Statistics | 4 |
| or MATH-327 | Probability & Stochastic Modeling | |
| MATH-305 | Numerical Methods and Matrices | 4 |
| 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-302 | Vibration, Sound and Light | 4 |
| PHYS-362 | Modern Physics and Lab | 4 |
| PHYS-412 | Theoretical Mechanics | 4 |
| PHYS-452 | Thermodynamics and Statistical Physics | 4 |
| PHYS-462 | Quantum Mechanics | 4 |
| PHYS-477 | Optics and Lab | 4 |
| Advanced Physics Elective | Any PHYS or EP course that is not a core physics requirement listed above | 4 |
| Credit Hours Subtotal: | 60 | |
| Electives | ||
| Free Electives | 8 | |
| Credit Hours Subtotal: | 8 | |
| Culminating Undergraduate Experience | ||
| CILE-400 & CILE-401 | Undergraduate Thesis Initiation and Undergraduate Thesis Completion 3 | 4 |
| Total Credit Hours | 128 | |
(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
| Freshman I | Credit Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| CILE-101 | First Year Foundations | 1 |
| CHEM-137 or CHEM-135 |
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 Hours | 17 | |
| 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 Hours | 16 | |
| Sophomore I | ||
| LA-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 Hours | 16 | |
| 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 Hours | 16 | |
| 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 Hours | 16 | |
| Junior II | ||
| EE-240 | Electromagnetic Fields and Applications | 4 |
| EP-342 or MECH-307 |
Introduction to Materials Science and Engineering or Materials Engineering |
4 |
| MATH-258 or MATH-327 |
Probability and Statistics or Probability & Stochastic Modeling |
4 |
| Advanced Physics Elective 2 | 4 | |
| Engineering Elective Sequence 1 | 4 | |
| Credit Hours | 20 | |
| Senior I | ||
| MATH-305 or MATH-307 |
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 Hours | 20 | |
| Senior II | ||
| EP-485 | Acoustic Testing and Modeling | 4 |
| LA-489 | Sr. Seminar:Leadership, Ethics | 4 |
| PHYS-452 | Thermodynamics and Statistical Physics | 4 |
| Engineering Elective Sequence 1 | 4 | |
| Free Elective | 4 | |
| Credit Hours | 20 | |
| Senior III | ||
| PHYS-462 | Quantum Mechanics | 4 |
| Engineering Elective Capstone Design 1 | 4 | |
| Advanced Humanities or Social Science Elective | 4 | |
| Free Elective | 4 | |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Any Term | ||
| CILE-400 & CILE-401 |
Undergraduate Thesis Initiation and Undergraduate Thesis Completion |
4 |
| Credit Hours | 4 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 161 | |
(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.