Engineering Physics (BS)

College of Engineering

Program Website

Program Description

The Engineering Physics (EP) major is designed for students who want to pursue careers of research or development in applied science or advanced technology and engineering. Its distinguishing feature is a focus on physics and math fundamentals, both experimental and theoretical, that are at the base of modern engineering and research and have a broad applicability in these areas. By choosing areas of concentration within this major, students may combine this physics base with a good background in a conventional area of engineering or applied science.

The industrial demand for EP B.S. graduates is high, and many students go directly to industrial positions where they work in a variety of engineering or developmental areas that either combine, or are in the realm of, various more conventional areas of engineering. Recent examples include aerospace technology, bioengineering, information technology, electronic-circuit and instrumentation design, energy conversion, environmental engineering, geological analysis, laser and optical technology, microwave technology, nuclear technology, software engineering, solid-state-device development, technical management, and financial consulting. A number of EP graduates go on for advanced study in all areas of basic and applied physics as well as in a diverse range of areas in advanced science and engineering. Examples include applied physics, astrophysics, atmospheric sciences, biophysics, cell biology, computer science and engineering, electrical engineering, environmental science, fluid mechanics, geotechnology, laser optics, materials science and engineering, mathematics, mechanical engineering, medical physics, medicine, nuclear engineering, plasma physics, oceanography, and physics. The major can also serve as an excellent preparation for medical school, business school, or specialization in patent law.

The EP major fosters this breadth of opportunity because it stresses both the fundamentals of science and engineering and gives the student direct exposure to the application of these fundamentals. Laboratory experimentation is emphasized, and ample opportunity for innovative design is provided. Examples are ENGRI 1100 Lasers and Photonics/AEP 1100 Lasers and Photonics; ENGRI 1200 Introduction to Nanoscience and Nanoengineering/AEP 1200 Introduction to Nanoscience and Nanoengineering; AEP 3640 Modern Applied Physics Experimental Design; AEP 3630 Electronic Circuits; PHYS 4410 Advanced Experimental Physics; and AEP 4380 Computational Engineering Physics.

Students who plan to affiliate with the EP major are advised to arrange their common curriculum with their developing career goals in mind. They are encouraged to take PHYS 1112 Physics I: Mechanics and Heat or PHYS 1116 Physics I: Mechanics and Special Relativity and PHYS 1110 Introduction to Experimental Physics during their first semester (if AP credits permit); we do not recommend accepting AP credit for PHYS 2213 Physics II: Electromagnetism and instead encourage qualified students to enroll in PHYS 2217 Physics II: Electricity and Magnetism. We encourage students to satisfy the Engineering Communications requirement with the engineering distribution course AEP 3640 Modern Applied Physics Experimental Design. EP students need to take only one engineering distribution course, since AEP 3330 Mechanics of Particles and Solid Bodies, taken in the junior year, counts as the second one. EP students are advised to take AEP 3630 Electronic Circuits (taking ECE 2100 Introduction to Circuits for Electrical and Computer Engineers and ECE 2300 Digital Logic and Computer Organization, 4 credits each, can also satisfy AEP 3630 Electronic Circuits, for which ECE 2100 Introduction to Circuits for Electrical and Computer Engineers can count as an advisor approved elective and ECE 2300 Digital Logic and Computer Organization as AEP 3630 Electronic Circuits) in the spring semester of the sophomore year.

Academic Standards

  • All registered courses must be completed with a passing grade
  • Students must receive a C- or higher in all major required courses
  • Minimum of 58 credits required for major courses (including approved electives)
  • Minimum of 18 credit required for major-approved electives

Academic Standing

Majors in Engineering Physics are expected to meet the following standards:

  • All registered courses must be completed with a passing grade
  • Students must receive a C- or higher in all major required courses
  • Minimum GPA of 2.3 or higher is required each semester
  • Minimum of 12 credit hours per semester

Honors Program

Eligibility

The Bachelor of Science degree with honors will be conferred upon those students who, in addition to having completed the requirements for a bachelor degree, have satisfactorily completed the honors program in the School of Applied and Engineering Physics and have been recommended for the degree by the honors committee of the department. An honors program student must enter with a cumulative GPA ≥ 3.500 and must be eligible for one of the cum laude distinctions at the time of graduation.

Content

The student must complete the following two requirements, resulting in at least 9 credits of work beyond the minimum required for graduation in EP.

  • Enroll in AEP 4910 Honors Research in Engineering Physics over two semesters for the purpose of completing an independent research project or senior thesis under the supervision of a Cornell engineering or science faculty member. For a 4910 project to satisfy the research component of an honors project, it must have substantial physical science content. The minimum enrollment is 6 credits total with a minimum of 2 credits in the first semester.  The level of work required for a successful completion of this project or thesis is to be consistent with the amount of academic credit granted.
  • Complete an additional technical course at the 4000 level or above, for at least 3 credits.

Timing

All interested students must complete a written application no later than the end of the third week of the first semester of their senior year, but are encouraged to make arrangements with a faculty member during the second semester of their junior year. A student must be in the program for at least two semesters before graduation. Most often, these 4910 courses are taken during the student's senior year, after completion of the EP junior-year curriculum.

Procedures

Before enrolling in AEP 4910, submit to the director for undergraduate studies a brief proposal outlining the topic and scope of the proposed project or thesis and a faculty supervisor's written concurrence. This proposal will be reviewed and either approved or returned to the candidate to correct deficiencies. The proposed research project or senior thesis is to consist of a research, development, or design project and must go beyond a literature search. A written report is required in the form of a technical paper with, for example, an abstract, introduction, methods section, results section, conclusions section, references, and figures. This report will be evaluated by the faculty supervisor and the chair of the EP Honors Committee. Following completion of the written report, an oral report is presented to an audience consisting of the faculty supervisor, the chair of the Honors Committee, and at least one other departmental faculty member, along with the other honors candidates. A minimum grade of A– is required for successful completion of the honors requirements.