Undergraduate Engineering Physics Major Program
Physics Department Undergraduate Catalog (.pdf)
School of Science and Engineering Undergraduate Catalog (.pdf)
Engineering Physics Major Program
This interdisciplinary program provides students with a broad science and mathematics background equal to that of Tulane’s traditional physics major, combined with a strong grounding in engineering design and the application of physics principles to practical engineering problems. The curriculum is characterized by a strong emphasis on modern physics and its application to 21st century technology, including new materials, quantum electronics, nanofabrication, and devices.
Our students will be well equipped to pursue research and development careers in new and emerging technologies that cut across traditional engineering and science disciplines, to pursue graduate studies in science or engineering, or to enter professional fields including law, management, and medicine. Graduates will have substantial experience with laboratory methods, data analysis, and computation.
A centerpiece of the curriculum is the design sequence, consisting of a two-semester “Introduction to Design” sequence, a summer industry internship, and a two-semester capstone “Team Design Project”. As an intrinsic part of the curriculum, students develop strong oral and written communication skills, multidisciplinary teamwork skills, experience in public service, and knowledge about the high ethical standards of the engineering profession.
The program builds on cross-cutting areas of research strength in the School of Science and Engineering, including: novel 21st century materials; materials for energy; bio-molecular materials; macromolecules; “quantum mechanics to devices”; surfaces, interfaces, and nanostructures; and computation.
The Engineering Physics Major curriculum consists of the following requirements:
- Mathematics: Four courses including MATH 221 (Calculus III) and MATH 224/424 (Introduction to Applied Mathematics or Ordinary Differential Equations), to be completed during the first two years of study (13 credits minimum)
- Basic Science: PHYS 131, 132 (General Physics I and II with lab) and CHEM 107, 117, 108, 118 (General Chemistry I and II with lab) taken in the first year of study, followed by PHYS 235, 236 (Modern Physics I and II) in the second year (22 credits)
- Introduction to Design I and II: ENGP 231-232, typically taken in the second year of study (6 credits)
- General Engineering Courses: ENGP 201 (Electric Circuits), CENG 212 (Thermodynamics I), ENGP 241 (Statics), and ENGP 243 (Mechanics of Materials) (6 credits)
- Materials Science and Engineering: ENGP 312 (3 credits)
- Advanced Laboratory: PHYS 353 (3 credits)
- Nanoscience and Technology: ENGP 360 (3 credits)
- Computation: PHYS 317 or PHYS 617 (Computational Physics and Engineering) or CENG 323 (Numerical Methods for Chemical Engineers) (3 credits)
- Seminar: PHYS 380 (1 credit)
- Contemporary topics: One course chosen from among PHYS 321 or PHYS 621, PHYS 327 or PHYS 627, PHYS 447, or PHYS 608 (3 credits)
- Classical topics: One course chosen from among PHYS 363, PHYS 374, PHYS 423, or PHYS 465 (3 credits)
- Engineering electives: Two courses chosen from among ENGP 344, CENG 211, CENG 232, CENG 250, BMEN 273, BMEN 323, and BMEN 330 (6 credits)
- Summer Design Internship: ENGP 331 (6 credits), taken in the summer following the third year of study
- Team Design Project and Professional Practice I and II: ENGP 431-432 (6 credits), taken in the fourth year of study
Many intermediate and advanced courses in the program have prerequisites listed under the Basic Science and Mathematics categories; several of the allowed electives may have additional prerequisites. Many of the required and elective courses may not be offered every year. Students must work closely with the departmental undergraduate advisor to develop an individualized schedule of courses that fits their needs and interests, while satisfying all of the above requirements along with the university's core requirements for graduation.