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Engineering Physics

 

Website

tulane.edu/sse/pep/academics/undergraduate/engineering-physics-program/

Overview

This interdisciplinary program provides students with a broad science and mathematics background similar 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. Focus areas in our department include: materials engineering, computational engineering, and nano 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; biomolecular materials; macromolecules; "quantum mechanics to devices"; surfaces, interfaces, and nanostructures; and computation.

Tulane's Engineering Physics program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET (abet.org).

Mission Statement for Engineering Physics

The mission of our program is to provide the highest quality education for students in the principles and applications of Engineering Physics. The excellence of the program is ensured by our department's high regard for teaching, research activities and industrial ties. The program educates students to take leadership roles in industry, academia and government.

Undergraduate Program Objectives for Engineering Physics

Our engineering physics program aims to educate students to become professionals with in-depth knowledge and skills in mathematics, science and engineering to understand physical systems; to research, design and solve problems; and to provide the foundation for graduate study and lifelong learning. Our objective is to prepare graduates who will successfully pursue:

  • Advanced studies leading to research and/or professional careers in Engineering
  • Advanced studies leading to research and/or professional careers in Physical Science
  • Careers in Engineering Physics or related technical and professional fields.

Undergraduate Program Outcomes for Engineering Physics

Graduates of the Engineering Physics program at Tulane University will attain:

  • an ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science, and engineering;
  • an ability to design and conduct experiments, as well as to analyze and interpret data;
  • an ability to design a system, component, or process to meet desired needs within realistic constraints such as economic, environmental, social, political, ethical, health and safety, manufacturability, and sustainability;
  • an ability to function on multi-disciplinary teams;
  • an ability to identify, formulate, and solve engineering problems;
  • an understanding of professional and ethical responsibility;
  • an ability to communicate effectively;
  • the broad education necessary to understand the impact of engineering solutions in a global, economic, environmental, and societal context;
  • a recognition of the need for, and an ability to engage in life-long learning;
  • a knowledge of contemporary issues;
  • an ability to use the techniques, skills, and modern engineering tools necessary for engineering practice.

Engineering Physics is a field that provides broad training in physics and mathematics and basic training in engineering and design. The practitioner of engineering physics is involved in the development of new devices and products using sophisticated physical concepts. The engineering physics curriculum educates students to work in areas where technology is changing rapidly and where the boundaries of several traditional engineering disciplines overlap, such as nanomaterials/devices, lasers, plasmas, robotics, materials, medical imaging, superconductors, and semiconductors. The curriculum develops sufficient depth in both engineering and science to produce graduates who are able to relate basic knowledge to practical problems in engineering. The engineering physicist is a person with the training of both an applied physicist and an engineer, the inclination to attack novel as well as routine problems in engineering, and the flexibility to exploit basic knowledge in any branch of science and technology using analytical and experimental skills.

Our engineering physics curriculum places emphasis on:

  • basic principles of engineering
  • problem solving
  • mathematics
  • physics
  • engineering design
  • computer science and engineering
  • chemistry
  • science and scientific principles
  • research
  • communications
  • multi-disciplinary teamwork
  • continuous learning
  • leadership
  • ethics
  • preparation for advanced degrees in engineering and science

The required curriculum for engineering physics is relatively full. Class schedules should be carefully planned. Typical of engineering in the US, some engineering physics majors may take a course overload in some semesters.

General Course Requirements for Engineering Physics

The major curriculum consists of the following requirements (94 credits total plus Tulane Core Curriculum requirements):

Tulane University's Core Requirements for Graduation

Note that Engineering Physics majors must complete six cultural knowledge electives, but are exempt from the language requirement.

Mathematics: (13 credits minimum)

Four mathematics classes to be completed during the first two years of study that include:

Basic Science: (22 credits)

First year of study:

Second year of study:

Introduction to Design I and II: (7 credits)

Typically taken in the second year of study

  • ENGP 2020 - Computational Concepts and Applications
  • ENGP 2310 - Product and Experimental Design

General Engineering Courses: (12 credits)

Materials Science and Engineering: (3 credits)

  • ENGP 3120 - Materials Science and Engineering

Advanced Laboratory: (3 credits)

Nanoscience and Technology: (3 credits)

Computation: (3 credits)

  • ENGP 3170 - Computational Physics and Engineering
  • or
  • CENG 3230 - Numerical Methods for Chemical Engineers
  • or
  • MATH 3310 - Scientific Computing I and one additional engineering elective

Seminar: (1 credit)

Contemporary Topics: (3 credits)

One course chosen from among:

  • PHYS 3150 - Introduction to Neutron Science
  • or
  • PHYS 6150 - Introduction to Neutron Science

  • PHYS 3210 - Molecular Biophysics and Polymer Physics
  • or
  • PHYS 6210 - Molecular Biophysics and Polymer Physics

  • PHYS 3230 - Quantum Information Science and Engineering
  • or
  • PHYS 6230 - Quantum Information Science and Engineering

  • PHYS 3700 - Electronic Properties of Materials
  • or
  • PHYS 6700 - Electronic Properties of Materials

  • PHYS 4470 - Introductory Quantum Mechanics
  • PHYS 6080 - Surface Science

Classical Topics: (3 credits)

One course chosen from among:

Engineering Electives: (9 credits)

Three courses chosen from among:

Note: Students matriculating before Fall 2010 were required to complete a minimum of two engineering electives.

Summer Internship: (6 credits)

Team Design Project and Professional Practice I and II: (6 credits)

Taken in the fourth year of study

  • ENGP 4310 - Team Design Project and Professional Practice I
  • ENGP 4320 - Team Design Project and Professional Practice II

Note:

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.

ROTC Courses

ROTC courses, if elected, are taken in addition to the normal courses. Please see the Engineering Physics advisor for details.

Sample Schedule of Classes for Engineering Physics

1st Year Fall:

1st Year Spring:

2nd Year Fall:

  • PHYS 2350 - Modern Physics I
  • MATH 2210 - Calculus III
  • ENGP 2010 - Electric Circuits
  • ENGP 2310 - Product and Experimental Design
  • Public Service Course: e.g., Introduction to Physics Pedagogy
  • Cultural Knowledge Elective 1 (3)

2nd Year Spring:

  • PHYS 2360 - Modern Physics II
  • MATH 2240 - Introduction to Applied Mathematics
  • ENGP 2020 - Computational Concepts and Applications
  • Engineering Elective: e.g., BMEN 2730: Electronics
  • Cultural Knowledge Elective 2 (3)

3rd Year Fall:

  • ENGP 2430 - Mechanics of Materials
  • Classical Elective: e.g., PHYS 4230: Thermal Physics (3)
  • Cultural Knowledge Elective 3 (3)
  • Engineering Elective: e.g., BMEN 3440: Biofluids (3)
  • Engineering Elective: e.g., ENGP 2420: Engineering Dynamics (3)

3rd Year Spring:

4th Year Fall:

  • ENGP 3420 - Summer Internship II
  • ENGP 4310 - Team Design Project and Professional Practice I
  • PHYS 4880 - Writing Intensive: ENGP 4310
  • PHYS 3800 - PHYS/ENGP 3800 Colloquia (1)
  • Cultural Knowledge Elective 4 (3)
  • Cultural Knowledge Elective 5 (3)

4th Year Spring:

  • ENGP 3600 - Nanoscience and Technology
  • ENGP 4320 - Team Design Project and Professional Practice II
  • Contemporary Elective: e.g., PHYS 4470: Quantum Mechanics (3)
  • Cultural Knowledge Elective 6 (3)

Notes

information on the major

information about courses

Tulane UniversityNew Orleans, LA 70118504-865-5000website@tulane.edu