Content, Flexibility, and Example Concentrations
Engineering Physics Curriculum Checksheet
The Bachelors in Engineering Physics program stresses a broad base. A full year of mathematical physics (AEP 3210/3220) is taken in the junior year. These courses are aimed at strengthening your mathematics foundation and relating the mathematics specifically to the types of problem solving tools required in your other EP courses. The fundamental behavior of electromagnetic fields is reviewed in a one year sequence (AEP 3550-3560) in the junior year providing the necessary foundation for subsequent studies of plasma physics, optics and lasers, solid state physics, electromagnetic probe instrumentation and many other areas. Classical mechanics (AEP 3330) is studied in the first semester of the junior year as a necessary foundation to quantum mechanics, continuum physics and statistical physics as well as being an introduction to planetary dynamics, robotics and other particle motion problems. Quantum mechanics (AEP 3610) provides an introduction to the behavior of particles on the atomic level which is strikingly different from normal experience. This course provides the foundation upon which the entire field of wave function engineering is based. Quantum optics, solid state physics, and chemical bonding are fields that build strongly on this foundation. Statistical thermodynamics (AEP 4230), the study of assemblies of particles in varying states of order and disorder, is valuable in a wide variety of fields such as plasma physics, gas and fluid dynamics, solid state physics, materials science and biophysics. Continuum physics (AEP 4340) is also valuable in these areas as well as giving the foundation for the study of aerodynamics, fluid and structural engineering. Computational Engineering Physics (AEP 4380) is a junior/senior course in which the students learn the numerical/computer methods necessary to solve a wide range of science and engineering problems.
Experimental work is available throughout the program. Intensive "hands-on" courses include (1) a freshman course in Lasers and Photonics (AEP 1100 / ENGRI 1100) ; (2) a freshman course Introduction to Nanoscience and Nanoengineering (AEP 1200/ ENGRI 1200); (3) a sophomore course on the computer and its application to control and analysis, Computer Instrumentation Design (AEP 2640/ ENGRD 2640), which satisfies three Engineering College requirements, teaches students how to interface PC type computers to experiments for control, measurement and analysis; (4) a junior year course in digital and analog electronics, Electronic Circuits (AEP 3630); (5) a junior year course in Experimental Optics (AEP 3300); (6) a senior Advanced Physics Laboratory (P 4410); and (7) a senior course in Quantum and Nonlinear Optics (AEP 4400).
In addition to the formal class work, independent study projects are available in the research groups and students are encouraged in the senior year to become involved and gain first hand experience in an experimental, computational or theoretical program.
The A&EP undergraduate program has six field approved elective courses which can be chosen to accomplish specific career objectives and provide a particular concentration. The student and his/her faculty adviser should discuss career options and elective classes early in the junior year. Examples of some possible concentrations and associated elective courses are outlined below.
Concentration in Nanoscience or Nanobiotechnology
recommend interested students take Introduction to Nanoscience and Nanoengineering (AEP 102/ ENGRI 102) freshman year *
Nanoscience/Nanotechnology
ECE 5360/ MS&E 5410: Nanofabrication
ECE 4320: MicroElectro Mechanical Systems (MEMS)
AEP 4500 / PHY 4454: Solid State Physics
ECE 4570: Silicon Device Fundamentals
AEP 6610: Microcharacterization
AEP 6620: Micro/Nanofabrication and Processing
BEE 6520: Instrumentation, Sensors and TransducersNanobiotechnology
AEP 2520/ ENGRD 2520: Physics of Life
ECE 5360/ MS&E 5410: Nanofabrication
ECE 4320: MicroElectro Mechanical Systems (MEMS)
ECE 4570: Silicon Device Fundamentals
AEP 4700: Biophysical Methods
BEE 6520: Instrumentation, Sensors and Transducers
AEP 6610: Microcharacterization
AEP 6620: Micro/Nanofabrication and Processing
AEP 6630: NanobiotechnologyConcentration in Electrical or Materials Engineering
(Mostly in preparation for B.S. level industrial positions)
Digital Circuit Design
AEP 4500 / PHY 4454: Solid State Physics
ECE 4570: Silicon Device Fundamentals
ECE 4750: Computer Architecture
ECE 4760: Digital System Design Using Microcontrollers
ECE 4740: Digital VLSI Design
AEP 6620: Micro/Nanofabrication and ProcessingDevice Fabrication
ECE 4570: Silicon Device Fabrication
A&EP 4500/PHY 4454: Solid State Physics
AEP 6610: Microcharacterization
AEP 6620: Micro/Nanofabrication and ProcessingMaterials Characterization and Quality Control
AEP 4400: Quantum and Nonlinear Optics
AEP 4380: Computational Engineering Physics
AEP 6610: Microcharacterization
AEP 6620: Micro/Nanofabrication and ProcessingMicrowave Communication
ECE 3010: Electrical Signals and Systems I
ECE 3020: Electrical Signals and Systems II
ECE 3100: Probability
ECE 4680: Telecommunication Systems I
ECE 4330: Microwave Circuit Design
ECE 5660: Wireless NetworksSolid State Devices
AEP 4500/PHY 4454: Solid State Physics
ECE 5310: Quantum Electronics
AEP 6620: Micro/Nanofabrication and Processing
AEP 6610: Microcharacterization
AEP 4900: Senior Project
Concentration in Mechanical Engineering
(mostly in preparation for BS industrial positions)
Automotive Engineering
MAE 3250: Mechanical Design and Analysis
MAE 3860: Automotive Engineering
MAE 3250: Mechanical Design and Analysis
MAE 4120: Smash and Crash: Mechanics of Large DeformationsManufacturing
MAE 2120: Mechanical Properties and Processing of Engineering Materials
MAE 3250: Mechanical Design and Analysis
MAE 5140: Design for Manufacture and Assembly
Preparation for Medical School*
CHEM 2080: General Chemistry * Note: More than five courses are included here because preparation for medical school requires using electives in the freshman and sophomore years. CHEM 2070 should be chosen instead of CHEM 2110 for your engineering chemistry requirement. You must take organic chemistry before taking the MCATs, but biochemistry can be taken later.
Preparation for Graduate Work in Specific Areas of Science and Technology Astrophysics
CHEM 2510-2520: Experimental Organic Chemistry
CHEM 2570: Introduction to Organic and Biological Chemistry
BIOG 1150: Biology I
BIOG 1160: Biology II
BIOBM 3300: Biochemistry
AST 4431: Introduction to Astrophysics and Space Sciences I
AST 4432: Introduction to Astrophysics and Space Sciences II
AST 6509: General Relativity
AST 6520: Radio Astronomy
TAM 6120-6130: Methods of Applied Math III and IV
Biophysics*
CHEM 2080: General Chemistry
AEP 2520: Physics of Life
CHEM 2520: Organic Chemistry Lab
(or) CHEM 2870: Physical Chemistry I
CHEM 2520: Organic Chemistry
CHEM 2880: Physical Chemistry II
BIOBM 3300: Biochemistry
AEP 4700: Biophysical Methods
(BIOG 1150 and 1160 are recommended as freshman/sophomore electives.)*Note: CHEM 2070 should be chosen instead of CHEM 2110 for your engineering chemistry requirement.
Computer Science*
COMS 2110: Computers and Programming
COMS 2120: Java Practicum
COMS 2800: Discrete Structures
COMS 3420: Computer Organization
COMS 4090: Data Structures and Algrithms for Computational Science
COMS 3810: Introduction to Theory of Computing*Note: COMS 2110 or 2120 and COMS 2800 are required for most upper level COMS courses. The sequence COMS 3140, 4090 is for students more interested in systems. There are many other possibilities and the student should look in the Courses of Study catalog to review other possible options.
Materials Science
AEP 4400: Quantum and Nonlinear Optics
AEP 6610: Microcharacterization
AEP 6620: Micro/Nanofabrication and Processing
AEP 4900: Independent Study
MSE 3050: Electronic Structure of Matter
MSE 3060: Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Properties of MaterialsLaser Physics/Optics
AEP 3300: Modern Experimental Optics
AEP 4400: Quantum and Nonlinear Optics
ECE 5350: Fiber and Integrated Optics
ECE 4300: Introduction to Lasers & Optical Electronics
ECE 6300: Photonics
ECE 5310: Quantum Electronics
ECE 5330: Semiconductor LasersPlasma Physics
AEP 4840/NSE 4840: Introduction to Controlled Fusion
AEP 6060/ECE 5810: Introduction to Plasma Physics
ECE 4820: Plasma Processing of Electronic Materials
X-ray Diffraction
AEP 4400: Quantum and Nonlinear Optics
AEP 4380: Computational Engineering Physics
AEP 4500/PHY 4454: Introductory Solid State Physics
AEP 6610: Microcharacterization
AEP 7110: Principles of Diffraction
Dual Majors
For those who wish to pursue a dual major in EP and some other engineering discipline, please see the Director of Undergraduate Studies of the School.
Example of a double major program*, EP/CS
ENGRD 2110 or 2120 is taken as 2nd distribution.
AEP 4380 is substituted for CS 2220 or 4210 in CS core program.
4 technical electives + field approved electives become 5 CS core courses.
4 additional CS courses are taken* This program requires 4 courses more than the minimum for an EP degree alone.
