Physics

Program Description – Engineering Physics

Physics provides the foundation for most applied science and engineering disciplines. It attracts those who wish to understand nature at its most fundamental level. The engineering physics program at Mines (https://physics.mines.edu) is interdisciplinary in nature, taking basic undergraduate physics subjects further with direct applications to engineering. 

The Bachelor of Science in Engineering Physics is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, https://www.abet.org/, under the commission’s General Criteria with no applicable program criteria.

At Mines, the required engineering physics curriculum includes the requisite undergraduate physics courses that form rigorous study at any four-year university. In addition to these core courses, Mines requirements include pre-engineering and engineering classes that physics majors at other universities would not ordinarily take. These courses include immersions in engineering science, engineering design, systems, a summer field session practicum, and a capstone senior design sequence culminating in a senior thesis.

The unique blend of physics and engineering makes it possible for a Mines engineering physics graduate to work at the interface between science and technology where new discoveries are made and continually being put into practice. While engineering physicists are proficient applying existing technologies, they are also willing to explore novel approaches and capable of developing new technologies. The excitement and fulfillment of working on innovative challenges make a Mines engineering physics degree attractive to many students.

With the flexibility of our degree, our undergraduates find themselves following a variety of career paths. Many find employment in fields as diverse as aerospace engineering, biomedical science, computational modeling of physical systems, device manufacturing and semiconductor processing, geophysics, materials development, nanotechnology, nuclear science and engineering, renewable and conventional energy industries, semiconductor manufacturing and processing, energy, and even entertainment enterprises that place high demands on animation, audio, special effects, and visualization talents. More than half of our seniors pursue graduate studies in physics or a closely related field of engineering. Some take their undergraduate training into post-graduate professional studies in business, law, management, medicine, or quantum engineering. 

Mines physics faculty and staff maintain modern, state-of-the-art laboratories for general physics, modern physics, electronics, and advanced investigations. There are research laboratories for the study of condensed matter, materials science, nuclear physics, optics, and quantum physics and computing. The department maintains well-equipped, professionally staffed, electronic labs and machine shops to help students and faculty accomplish their curriculum, project, and research goals. The department also nurtures strong ties with national laboratories and local engineering design firms that provide students with authentic collaboration opportunities.

Program Educational Objectives (Bachelor of Science in Engineering Physics)

In addition to contributing toward achieving the educational objectives described in the CSM Graduate Profile, the Physics department is dedicated to additional educational objectives.

The program prepares graduates who, based on factual knowledge and other skills necessary to construct an appropriate understanding of physical phenomena in applied contexts, will:

1. Obtain a range of positions in industry or positions in government facilities or pursue graduate education in engineering, science or related fields.
2. Communicate and perform effectively within the criteria of their chosen careers.
3. Engage in appropriate professional societies and continuing education activities.
4. Participate ethically as members of the global society.

Student Learning Outcomes (Bachelor of Science in Engineering Physics)

Each BS Engineering Physics graduate will have:

1. an ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics.
2. an ability to apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors.
3. an ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences.
4. an ability to recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgments, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts.
5. an ability to function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives.
6. an ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions.
7. an ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.

Professors Emeriti

F. Edward Cecil

Reuben T. Collins

Thomas E. Furtak

Frank V. Kowalski

John Scales

P. Craig Taylor

John Trefny, President Emeritus

Don L. Williamson

Associate Professors Emeriti

David M. Wood

Professors

Lincoln D. Carr

Patrice Genevet

Charles G. Durfee III

Uwe Greife

Mark T. Lusk

Frederic Sarazin, Department Head

Jeff A. Squier

Eric. S. Toberer, Director of the Materials Science Program

Lawrence R. Wiencke

Associate Professors

Eliot Kapit

Kyle Leach

Timothy R. Ohno

Meenakshi Singh

Jeramy D. Zimmerman

Assistant Professors

Daniel Adams

Zhexuan Gong

Eric Mayotte

Teaching Professors

Kristine E. Callan

Patrick B. Kohl

H. Vincent Kuo, Associate Department Head, Director of UG Studies

Todd G. Ruskell

Charles A. Stone

Teaching Associate Professor

Emily Smith

Teaching Assistant Professors

Laith Haddad

Alysa (Ly) Malespina

Research Professor

Wendy Adams Spencer

Research Associate Professor

K. Xerxes Steirer

Research Assistant Professors

Serena M. Eley

P. David Flammer

Susanta K. Sarkar

Program Educational Objectives (Bachelor of Science in Engineering Physics)

In addition to contributing toward achieving the educational objectives described in the CSM Graduate Profile, the Physics department is dedicated to additional educational objectives.

The program prepares graduates who, based on factual knowledge and other skills necessary to construct an appropriate understanding of physical phenomena in applied contexts, will:

1. Obtain a range of positions in industry or positions in government facilities or pursue graduate education in engineering, science or related fields.
2. Communicate and perform effectively within the criteria of their chosen careers.
3. Engage in appropriate professional societies and continuing education activities.
4. Participate ethically as members of the global society.

Student Learning Outcomes (Bachelor of Science in Engineering Physics)

Each BS Engineering Physics graduate will have:

1. an ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics.
2. an ability to apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors.
3. an ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences.
4. an ability to recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgments, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts.
5. an ability to function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives.
6. an ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions.
7. an ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.

Degree Requirements (Engineering Physics)

Major GPA

During the 2016-2017 academic year, the Undergraduate Council considered the policy concerning required major GPAs and which courses are included in each degree’s GPA.  While the GPA policy has not been officially updated, in order to provide transparency, council members agreed that publishing the courses included in each degree’s GPA is beneficial to students. 

The following list details the courses that are included in the GPA for this degree:

PHGN100 through PHGN599 inclusive

Combined Baccalaureate/Master's and Baccalaureate/Doctoral Degree Programs

The Physics Department offers combined BS/MS degree programs in which students obtain an undergraduate degree in Engineering Physics, in as few as four years, as well as a master's degree in Applied Physics, in an Engineering discipline, in Technology Management, in Materials Science, or in Mathematics after an additional year of study. There are engineering tracks, physics tracks, a management track, a materials science track, and a mathematics track.  These programs emphasize a strong background in fundamentals of science in addition to practical experience within an applied science, engineering, or mathematics discipline. Many of the undergraduate electives of students involved in each track are specified. For this reason, students are expected to apply to the program during the first semester of their sophomore year (in special cases late entry can be approved by the program mentors). A 3.0 grade-point average must be maintained to guarantee admission into the physics, engineering, and materials science graduate programs. A 3.3 grade-point average must be maintained to guarantee admission into the mathematics graduate program.

Students in the engineering tracks must complete a report or case study during the last year. Students in the physics, materials science, and mathematics tracks must complete a master's thesis. Students in the nuclear engineering program can choose between thesis and non-thesis options. The case study or thesis should begin during the senior year as part of the Senior Design experience. Participants must identify an engineering or physics advisor as appropriate prior to their senior year who will assist in choosing an appropriate project and help coordinate the senior design project with the case study or thesis completed in the last year.

It is also possible for undergraduate students to begin work on a doctoral degree in Applied Physics while completing the requirements for their bachelor’s degree. Students in this combined baccalaureate/doctoral program may fulfill part of the requirements of their doctoral degree by including up to 6 hours of specified course credits that are also used to fulfill the requirements of their undergraduate degree. These courses may only be applied toward fulfilling doctoral degree requirements. Courses must meet all requirements for graduate credit, but their grades are not included in calculating the graduate GPA.

Interested students can obtain additional information and detailed curricula from the Physics Department or from the participating engineering departments.

The Mines guidelines for Minor/ASI can be found in the Undergraduate Information section of the Mines Catalog.

Minor in Engineering Physics

Minor in Physics

Courses