Program Overview
The engineering physics program is designed for the student whose interests lie in the application of the knowledge and methods of physics in industrial and practical situations. It offers excellent preparation both for immediate entry into the industrial work force and for engineering graduate school. The courses in this program build upon each other and must be taken in the order laid out in the Academic Map. The student’s advisor will work closely with the student to achieve an optimal integration of studies and practical experience.
For a suggested sequence of courses, please contact the department chair or consult the Academic Maps for the program . Note that two Academic Maps have been prepared, one for the student starting calculus the semester they enter and one for the student who starts calculus in their second semester.
A BS degree with a major in engineering physics requires the successful completion of 125 hours including (1) the UCA Core: complete 38 hours to meet lower-division UCA Core requirements (Engineering Physics majors are exempted from the requirement to complete a life science course under the Critical Inquiry component of the Lower Division Core.) and complete upper-division UCA Core requirements using major, minor, or elective courses (2) degree requirements; and (3) major requirements listed below. The BS in Engineering Physics does not require a minor.
Mathematics Pathway: First-time, first-year students majoring in Engineering Physics enter the College Algebra Mathematics Pathway and must enroll in MATH 1390 during their first year of study, unless they have been awarded credit for MATH 1390. Students with an ACT Math subscore between 22 and 26 should enroll in MATH 1486 Calculus Preparation. Students with an ACT Math subscore of 27 or greater should enroll in MATH 1496 Calculus I.
Abbreviation Key – UCA Core Program
LD = Lower Division
UD = Upper Division
C = Effective Communication
D = Diversity
I = Critical Inquiry
R = Responsible Living
Z = Capstone Experience
Program Outline
Required physics courses
- PHYS 1441 University Physics 1
- PHYS 1442 University Physics 2
- PHYS 2443 University Physics 3
- PHYS 3360 (or ENGR 3360) Electromagnetism 1
- PHYS 3361 (or ENGR 3361) Electromagnetism 2
Required writing course
- WIRD 3310 Technical Writing [UD UCA Core: C]
Required philosophy course
- PHIL 3320 Ethics [UD UCA Core: I, R]
Required computer science courses
- CSCI 1470 Computer Science I
- CSCI 1480 Computer Science II
Required engineering courses
- ENGR 1301 Introduction to Engineering
- ENGR 2311 Statics
- ENGR 2447 Electronics
- ENGR 3311 Dynamics
- ENGR 3410 Microcontrollers
- ENGR 3447 Microelectronics
- ENGR 3421 Robotics 1
- ENGR 4421 Robotics 2
- ENGR 4311 Senior Design 1
- ENGR 4312 Senior Design 2 [UD UCA Core: Z]
Major elective courses
Ten (10) hours of engineering electives approved by the Department of Physics and Astronomy (PHYS 4380 cannot be used to satisfy this requirement).
Three (3) hours of physics electives approved by the Department of Physics and Astronomy.
Related mathematics courses
- MATH 1496 Calculus I
- MATH 1497 Calculus II
- MATH 2471 Calculus III
- MATH 3331 Differential Equations [UD UCA Core: C]
Required major Hours:
Physics: 21
Computer science: 8
Engineering: 45
Philosophy: 3
Related Hours:
Mathematics: 15
TOTAL: 95
