Engineering Physics: Bachelor of Science in Engineering (B.S.E.), Engineering Physics Major

The Case School of Engineering

(updated May 12, 2008)

The engineering physics major allows students with strong interests in both physics and engineering to concentrate their studies in the common areas of these disciplines. The engineering physics ma­jor prepares students to pursue careers in industry, either directly after undergradu­ate studies, or following graduate study in engineering or physics. Many employers value the unique problem solving ap­proach of physics, especially in industrial research and development.

Students majoring in engineering physics complete the Engineering Core as well as a rigorous course of study in physics. Students select a concentration area from an engineering discipline, and must com­plete a sequence of at least four courses in this discipline. In addition, a senior research project under the guidance of a faculty member is required. The project includes a written report and participation in the senior symposium.

Mission and Program Objectives

The mission of the Engineering Physics program is to prepare students for careers in engineering where physics principles can be applied to the advancement of technology.  This education at the intersection of engineering and physics will enable students to seek employment in engineering upon graduation while, at the same time, provide a firm foundation for the pursuit of graduate studies in either engineering or physics.  The Engineering Physics program will develop sufficient depth in both engineering and physics skills to produce engineers who can relate fundamental physics to practical engineering problems, and will possess the versatility to address new problems in our rapidly changing technological base.  The program will provide a curriculum and environment to develop interdisciplinary collaboration, ethical and professional outlooks, communication skills, and the tools and desire for life-long learning.  In order to realize this mission, the Engineering Physics Program will pursue the following objectives:

Program Objective 1:  Graduates of the Engineering Physics program will apply their strong problem solving skills as physicists along with an understanding of the approach, methods, and requirements of engineering and engineering design for a successful career in advancing technology.

Program Objective 2:  Graduates of the Engineering Physics program will use their strong skills in problem solving, research experience and knowledge in physics and engineering as successful graduate students and researchers in highly ranked graduate programs.

The Physics Department at Case Western Reserve University received notification in August 2007 that the Bachelor of Science degree program in Engineering Physics is accredited (retroactive to 2004) by the Engineering Commission of ABET, Inc., 111 Market Place, Suite 1050, Baltimore, MD 21202-4012, telephone: (410) 347-7700.

Course requirements for B.S.E., Engineering Physics Major

Engineering Core and Science Requirements
PHYS 121/123       Physics I
PHYS 122/124       Physics II
PHYS 221/223       Physics III
MATH 121            Calculus for Science and Engineering I
MATH 122            Calculus for Science and Engineering II
MATH 223            Calculus for Science and Engineering III
MATH 224            Elementary Differential Equations
CHEM 111             Principles of Chemistry for Engineers
ENGR 131              Elementary Computer Programming
ENGR 145              Chemistry of Materials
ENGR 200              Statics and Strength of Materials
ENGR 210              Introduction to Circuits and Instrumentation
ENGR 225              Thermodynamics, Fluid Dynamics, Heat and Mass Transfer
ENGL 150               Expository Writing
Humanities and Social Science 21 hours including 3 hours in Professional Communications

Physics Courses
PHYS 208               Instrumentation and Signal Analysis Laboratory
PHYS 250               Mathematics, Physics and Computing
PHYS 303               Advanced Physics Laboratory Seminar
PHYS 310               Classical Mechanics
PHYS 313               Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics
PHYS 315               Introduction to Solid State Physics
PHYS 317               Engineering Physics Laboratory I
PHYS 318               Engineering Physics Laboratory II
PHYS 324               Electricity and Magnetism I
PHYS 325               Electricity and Magnetism II
PHYS 331               Introduction to Quantum Mechanics I
PHYS 352               Senior Physics Project Seminar
PHYS 353               Engineering Physics Senior Project

Applications of Quantum Mechanics  (Choose one of the following courses)
PHYS 332               Introduction to Quantum Mechanics II
PHYS 327               Quantum Electronics
EEAP 321               Physical and Solid State Electronics
EEAP 420               Solid State Electronics I
EMSE 314              Electrical, Magnetic, and Optical Properties of Materials
EMSE 405              Dielectric, Optical, and Magnetic Properties of Materials

Engineering Physics Concentration (12 hours required)

The Engineering Physics concentration and senior project topic will be drawn from an engineering discipline.  The discipline need not coincide with a specific engineering degree program, but the Engineering Physics Committee must approve courses and project topics selected by individual students.  Concentration area courses have been approved in the following areas:

 

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Suggested Concentration Area Courses

Biomedical Engineering Software
EBME 201       Physiology-Biophysics I
EECS  212       Systems and Control
EBME 308       Biomedical Signals and Systems
EBME 320       Medical Imaging Fundamentals

Biomedical Engineering "Hardware"
EBME 201       Physiology-Biophysics I
EECS  322       Integrated Circuits/Electronic Devices
PHYS 326       Physical Optics
EBME 310       Principles of Biomedical Instrumentation

Chemical Engineering
ECHE 260       Introduction to Chemical Systems
ECHE 360       Transport Phenomena for Chemical Systems
ECHE 361       Separation Processes
ECHE 364       Chemical Reaction Processes

Electrical Engineering

Solid State :
EECS 245        Electronic Circuits
EECS 321        Semiconductor Electronic Devices
EECS 322        Integrated Circ/Elect Devices
EECS 344        Electronic Analysis and Design
Applied Quantum: EMSE 314 (if taken before EECS 321) or EECS 420

<>Circuits Concentrations:

Analog
EECS 281        Logic Design and Computer Organization
EECS 245        Electronic Circuits
EECS 344        Electronic Analysis and Design
EECS 426/424 Advanced Computer Architecture
Digital
EECS 281        Logic Design and Computer Organization
EECS 382        Microprocessor-Based Design
EECS 316        Digital Systems Design
EECS 318        VLSI/CAD

Computer Science I
EECS 233        Introduction to Data Structures
EECS 340        Algorithms and Data Structures
EECS 341        Databases
EECS 337        Systems Programming
EECS 338        Operating Systems
EECS 454        Computer Algorithms
EECS 405        Data Structures and Files
EECS 458        Computational Bioinformatics
EECS 345        Programming Language Concepts
EECS 398        Software Engineering

Suggested sequences:

Basic:
233 , 340 , 341
233 , 454 , 405  (deeper mathematical level)

Programming:
233 , 337 , 338

Plus choice of the last three

Computer Science II
EECS 233        Introduction to Data Structures
MATH 304*    Discrete Mathematics
EECS 341        Introduction to Database Systems
EECS 391        Introduction to Artificial Intelligence
EECS 340        Algorithms and Data Structures
or
EECS 405        Data Structures and File Management

*required prerequisite

Computer Systems Software
EECS 233        Introduction to Data Structures
EECS 337        Systems Programming       
EECS 338        Introduction to Operating Systems
EECS 315        Digital Systems Design
or
EECS 301        Digital Logic Laboratory

Computer Systems Hardware
EECS 233        Introduction to Data Structures
EECS 281        Logic Design and Computer Organization
EECS 316        Computer Design
EECS 315        Digital Systems Design
or
EECS 301        Digital Logic Laboratory

Systems Analysis and Decision Making
EECS 212         Systems and Control
EECS 214         Systems and Control Laboratory (1hr)
EECS 322         Integrated Cirucuits and Electronic Devices
EECS 346         Engineering Optimization
EECS 352         Engineering Economics and Decision Analysis

Control Systems and Automation
EECS 212         Systems and Control
EECS 214         Systems and Control Laboratory (1hr)
EECS 313         Signal Processing
EECS 304         Control Engineering I
EECS 305         Control Engineering Laboratory (1hr)

Signal Processing
EECS 212         Systems and Control
EECS 214         Systems and Control Laboratory (1hr)
EECS 313         Signal Processing
EECS 324         Digital Signal Processing Laboratory (1hr)

Aerospace Engineering
EMAE 325      Fluid and Thermal Engineering
EMAE 359      Aero/Gas Dynamics
EMAE 381      Flight Dynamics I
EMAE 382      Flight Dynamics II

Mechanical Engineering
EMAE 152      Thermodynamics II
EMAE 350      Mechanical Engineering Analysis
EMAE 325      Fluid and Thermal Engineering
EMAE 355      Design of Fluid and Thermal Analysis
or
EMAE 370      Design of Mechanical Elements

Macromolecular Science
EMAC 270      Introduction to Polymer Science
EMAC 376      Polymer Engineering
EMAC 377      Polymer Processing
EMAC 378      Polymer Production and Technology
or
EMAC 474      Macromolecular Physics

Materials Science and Engineering
EMSE 201       Introduction to Materials Science
EMSE 202       Phase Diagrams and Phase Transitions
EMSE 314       Electrical, Magnetic, and Optical Properties of Materials
EMSE 312       Diffraction Principles and Applications

Civil Engineering
ECIV 310        Strength of Materials
ECIV 211        Civil Engineering Materials
Two or three courses from Civil Engineering Minors lists in Solid Mechanics, Structural and Geotechnical Engineering or Environmental Engineering

For more information, contact Prof. Ken Singer, kds4@po.cwru.edu .

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