Engineering Physics P
College of Engineering
Engineering Physics
Physicists are concerned with an extremely broad range of
• Al ow students to develop problem-solving skil s and the
natural phenomena extending from the submicroscopic world
ability to analyze physical systems and to understand the
of elementary particles to the vast reaches of the cosmos and the
theoretical framework which applies to them
origins of the universe, from the simplest of everyday activities
• Provide students with a basic mastery of experimental
to the behavior of matter at the furthest extremes in energy,
science, including an understanding of data reduction and
temperature, distance, and time.
error analysis
• Teach students to communicate effectively both orally and in
The defining characteristic of physics is the quest for the
writing
underlying logic—the theoretical structure that unifies
• Provide students with the opportunity to develop a basic
and explains al the different phenomena that are studied
knowledge of and facility with computing
experimentally. Experiments and theoretical work alike are
motivated primarily by this quest. As a by-product, physicists
Physics Requirements
have pioneered many of the basic ideas on which our modern
There are two different options for obtaining a physics degree at
technology rests, such as transistors and lasers, and perhaps
Ohio State: a Bachelor of Science in Physics (through the Col ege
someday fusion energy.
of the Arts & Sciences) or a Bachelor of Science in Engineering
Physics (through the Col ege of Engineering). Within each option
Pursuing Engineering Physics at Ohio State
there is a set of standard col ege requirements plus math and
The most important preparation for a major in engineering physics
physics requirements that are roughly the same for both options.
is strong high school science and math. Students should have had
A student who is interested in studying physics should consider
some calculus or be prepared to begin calculus upon arrival.
careful y which program to choose. The courses of study are very
similar and prepare students for a variety of outcomes including
Students who come to Ohio State to study engineering that have
graduate school in physics, astronomy, math, or engineering;
a minimum ACT Math score of 24 or SAT Math score of 560 will
professional school; and employment as engineers, programmers,
be directly enrolled as pre-engineering students in the College
teachers, technicians, and scientists. Students interested in
of Engineering. Students directly enrol ed in the Col ege of
finding more information on the Physics major can visit www-afa.
Engineering may pre-select an engineering major, or if they wish to
adm.ohio-state.edu/u-majors/pdf/physics.pdf.
spend the first year examining the engineering options, they may
enroll in engineering undecided. In either case, these students will
Students in the engineering physics major choose which area
be enrolled in a pre-major sequence of courses, including math,
(or concentration) of engineering on which they want to focus.
chemistry, physics, engineering basics, and English, which provide
Students are required to take at least 30 credit hours of technical
the fundamental background for all engineering disciplines.
electives in the engineering concentration of their choice.
Those not eligible to directly enroll in engineering may enroll in
Engineering concentrations currently available for engineering
the Science and Technology Exploration Program that is part of our
physics majors:
Exploration Program described further at exploration.osu.edu.
• Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering
• Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
The Department of Physics wants to become involved with
• Computer and Information Science
students as soon as they know that they intend to become
• Electrical and Computer Engineering
engineering physics majors, which can be as early as their first
• Industrial and Systems Engineering
arrival at Ohio State. Those who intend to major in engineering
• Materials Science and Engineering
physics or are interested in exploring that option should visit the
• Mechanical Engineering
Undergraduate Studies Office, Department of Physics, room 1040K
• Nuclear Engineering
Physics Research Building, or cal the vice chair for Undergraduate
Studies, (614) 292-8523.
Co-Curricular Opportunities
Ohio State offers many opportunities for students to learn and
Program Educational Objectives
grow outside of the classroom. These range from cooperative
• Provide students with the opportunity to master the
education (co-op) and internships, study abroad programs, and
fundamental areas of physics: classical mechanics,
research experiences to involvement in student organizations.
electromagnetism, quantum mechanics, and thermodynamics
• Provide students with the opportunity to develop a strong
The Department of Physics encourages al of its students to
background in one of the fol owing fields of engineering:
become involved in research with a faculty member on one of
aeronautical and astronautical engineering, chemical and
many active research programs. This is an excel ent opportunity to
biomolecular engineering, computer and information science,
learn about and become involved in cutting edge physics research
electrical engineering, industrial and systems engineering,
and discoveries. Areas of research include astrophysics, nuclear
and nuclear engineering
and elementary particle physics, string theory, solid state physics,
For more information, check these web sites:
Engineering Physics: physics.ohio-state.edu/undergrad
Admissions: undergrad.osu.edu
College of Engineering: engineering.osu.edu
Multicultural Center: multiculturalcenter.osu.edu
Ohio State: osu.edu
First Year Experience Program: fye.osu.edu
Curriculum Sample
superconductivity, and low temperature physics. In addition, undergraduate
This is a sample list of classes that a student will
physics student organizations have many activities, including hosting guest
take to pursue a degree in Engineering Physics. Since
physicists who speak about their research.
university students need more than specific education
in a narrow field, they also will take classes to
Honors & Scholars Programs
complete the General Education Curriculum (GEC). The
The department supports an active honors program, starting with the honors
GEC will allow students to develop the fundamental
sequence Physics H131, H132, H133, which must be started in the autumn
skills essential to collegiate success across major
quarter and is recommended for well-qualified entering freshmen. The honors
programs. Course work options satisfying the GEC
program culminates in research experience in a faculty member’s area of
often come from a variety of academic areas of study
specialization.
allowing students to tailor their GEC toward their
interests. Note: This sample represents one of several
Career Prospects in Physics
possible paths to a degree in Engineering Physics.
In today’s fast-changing society a physicist may play a number of important
Consult the Department of Physics Undergraduate
roles—sometimes simultaneously. As workers in basic research, physicists may
web site, physics.ohio-state.edu/undergrad for details
help expand the frontiers of knowledge of the physical universe; as teachers in
on each specific track.
high schools, colleges, or universities, physicists may help transmit to others
knowledge and appreciation of that universe and of the scientist’s ways of
investigating and understanding it.
Freshmen Year:
Engineering survey
1
In an industrial laboratory or government agency, graduates may deal with the
Introductory Engineering
6
application of fundamental knowledge to the development of solutions for a
Calculus & Analytic Geometry I, II, III
15
variety of practical problems or manage large scientific or technical programs. In
Introductory Physics* I, II, III
15
collaboration with colleagues in other disciplines, physicists may help address
Computer Programming
4
problems spanning a number of important areas of current public concern such
GEC courses
10
as energy usage, radiation hazards, and environmental issues.
Total hours
51
Recent graduates in engineering physics have been employed at salaries in the
Sophomore Year:
range of $40,000 to $55,000.
Calculus & Analytic Geometry IV
5
More About Engineering Physics
Differential Equations
4
The Department of Physics distinctions
Vector Analysis
3
Dynamics of Particles & Waves I, II, II
12
Distinguished faculty and staff:
Physics Seminar
1
• OSU Alumni Award for Distinguished Teaching (1997, 1999, 2000, 2001,
Data Analysis Physics Lab
4
2003, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009)
General Chemistry
10
• OSU Distinguished Undergraduate Research Mentor Award (2007, 2008)
GEC courses
9
• many National Science Foundation Young investigator awards, Sloan
Total hours
48
Research Fellows, American Association for the Advancement of Science
(AAAS) Fel ows, and American Physical Society (APS) Fel ows.
Junior Year:
• Distinguished Scholar Award (2007)
Linear Algebra
3
• Faculty Award for Distinguished Service (2008)
• OSU Distinguished Staff Award (2009)
Introductory Electronics Lab
4
Fields & Waves I, II
8
Distinguished students:
Quantum Mechanics I, II, III
12
• 12 Goldwater Scholarship recipients in the past 10 years
Physics Elective
4
• 11 National Science Foundation (NSF) Fellowship recipients in the
Technical Electives
15
past 10 years
GEC course
5
• 2007 Rhodes Scholar
Total hours
51
• Two 2009 Gates-Cambridge Scholarship Finalists
• 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th place winners of the Denman Research Forum
Senior Year:
Senior Writing Course (Physics)
3
Recent graduates of the physics program have gone on to study physics,
Statistical Physics I
4
engineering, and astronomy at top universities such as Harvard University,
Stanford University, University of Pennsylvania, University of Oxford, University
Advanced Physics Lab
4
of Hawaii, and University of Chicago.
Technical Electives
15
GEC courses
15
Total hours
41
Revised July 2009. For the most up-to-date information on the engineering
physic major visit physics.ohio-state.edu/undergrad.
* Well-qualified students are encouraged to start the honors
version of the introductory physics sequence autumn quarter
of their first year.
Contact information:
Undergraduate Program Coordinator | Department of Physics
Office of Undergraduate Studies | 1040K Physics Research Building
191 West Woodruff Avenue | Columbus, Ohio 43210-1168 | (614) 292-8523
