Program Overview

Bachelor of Science in Engineering Physics

The engineering physics program is designed for undergraduates with an interest in both science and engineering. The program is focused on those students who wish to work in areas of rapid technological change, where a good background in the underlying science is an important ingredient to a successful career. The curriculum includes classical and modern physics, mathematics, and their applications to one or more areas of engineering, thus allowing students to learn the physical science and engineering principles underlying modern technology. Four design concentrations are offered:

• Aerospace Systems: Aircraft track OR Spacecraft track
• Chemical Systems
• Digital Electronic Systems
• Electromechanical Control Systems

Each option incorporates a significant design component and provides a strong base in one or more engineering disciplines.

Educational Objectives

The program educational objectives are broad statements that describe what graduates are expected to attain within a few years after graduation. Engineering physics graduates will be capable of:

• Completing or successfully progressing toward completion of an advanced degree in graduate or professional school,
• Using their analytical, problem-solving, and communications skills to conduct research or contribute to technology development projects, individually or as a team member,
• Using their background knowledge in physics and engineering fundamentals as a foundation for developing new knowledge and experience in their chosen disciplines.

Careers

The broad training and technical breadth of the engineering physics degree program provide students a unique flexibility in their future careers. They have the science background to pursue pure research opportunities, the engineering and design experience to solve practical problems in industry or a variety of other settings, and the understanding to act as a communication link between highly diversified divisions of an organization. Engineering physics graduates typically work in aerospace and avionic industries, electronics industries, research and development laboratories, telecommunications, design and consulting firms, and government agencies, such as defense contractors. The degree program also prepares students to attend graduate or professional school in physics, engineering or related disciplines.

Admission Requirements

Admission to the KU School of Engineering and its degree programs is selective. Students may be admitted to an engineering or computer science degree program as freshmen (first-year) students, but all admissions, for both in-state and out-of-state students, are selective. Applications are judged on several factors, such as high school record, scores on national tests, academic record at college or university level, and trend of grades and more. High school transcripts are required.

Freshman Admission Standards

To be considered for admission to the School of Engineering, beginning freshmen (first-year) students must meet or exceed the following minimum standards:

• Must be admissible to the University of Kansas by assured admissions or individual review, AND
• Have a 3.0+ high school GPA, AND
• Demonstrate mathematics preparedness by:
  • Obtaining a mathematics ACT score of 22+ (or math SAT score of 540+), OR
  • Achieving a B or better in college algebra or a more advanced mathematics course, OR
  • Achieving a C or better in a high school calculus course; OR
  • Earning credit via IB or AP credit for the above-mentioned courses in accordance with KU placement credit requirements; OR
  • Achieving at minimum a qualifying score for MATH 104 on the ALEKS mathematics placement exam.

Transfer Student Admission Standards

Applications from all transfer students, whether from other institutions or from other academic schools at the University of Kansas, are evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Transfer students must:

• Be admissible to KU, AND
• Earn a cumulative college transferable grade-point average of 2.5+, AND
• Earn a grade of C or better in MATH 125 (Calculus I, or its direct equivalent), AND
• Earn grades of C or better in math, science, and engineering courses applicable to the engineering degree.

Current Student Admission Standards

Students who are currently enrolled at KU, need to meet the following:

• Earn a 2.5+ KU GPA, AND
• Earn a grade of C or better in MATH 125 (Calculus I, or its direct equivalent), AND
• Earn a grade of C or better in all math, science, and engineering courses.

Degree Requirements

Each student takes a common core of courses and selects 1 of 4 design concentrations.

Common Core

• Core 34 General Education: Select courses to meet Core 34 General Education requirements. (27 hours)
• Mathematics:
  • MATH 125: Calculus I (Core 34: Math and Statistics (SGE)) 030 (4 hours)
  • MATH 126: Calculus II (4 hours)
  • MATH 127: Calculus III (4 hours)
  • MATH 220: Applied Differential Equations (3 hours)
  • MATH 290: Elementary Linear Algebra (2 hours)
• Physics:
  • PHSX 150: Seminar in Physics, Astronomy and Engineering Physics (0.5 hours)
  • EPHX 210: General Physics I for Engineers (Core 34: Natural and Physical Science (SGE)) 040 (3 hours)
  • PHSX 216: General Physics I Laboratory (Core 34: Natural and Physical Science (SGE)) 040 (1 hour)
  • PHSX 212: General Physics II (3 hours)
  • PHSX 236: General Physics II Laboratory (1 hour)
  • PHSX 313: General Physics III (3 hours)
  • PHSX 316: Intermediate Physics Laboratory I (1 hour)
  • EPHX 521: Mechanics I (3 hours)
  • EPHX 531: Electricity and Magnetism (3 hours)
  • EPHX 611: Introductory Quantum Mechanics (3 hours)
• Capstone Course (Fulfills KU Capstone): EPHX 601: Design of Physical and Electronic Systems (4 hours)
• Engineering Physics Concentration Coursework: Students complete coursework in one of four concentrations including: Aerospace Systems, Chemical Systems, Digital Electronic Systems, or Electromechanical Control Systems. (55-57 hours)
• Total Hours: 124.5-126.5

Design Concentrations

Aerospace Systems Concentration

• Course List:
  • CHEM 150: Chemistry for Engineers (5 hours)
  • AE 211: Computing for Engineers (3 hours)
  • AE 245: Introduction to Aerospace Engineering (3 hours)
  • AE 345: Fluid Mechanics (3 hours)
  • AE 421: Aerospace Computer Graphics (3 hours)
  • AE 445: Aircraft Aerodynamics and Performance (3 hours)
  • AE 507: Aerospace Structures I (3 hours)
  • AE 545: Fundamentals of Aerodynamics (3 hours)
  • AE 550: Dynamics of Flight I (3 hours)
  • AE 551: Dynamics of Flight II (3 hours)
  • AE 572: Fundamentals of Jet Propulsion (3 hours)
  • C&PE 221: Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics I (3 hours)
  • CE 260: Statics and Dynamics (5 hours)
  • CE 310: Strength of Materials (3 hours)
  • EPHX 536: Electronic Circuit Measurement and Design (4 hours)
  • Select one of the following: (7 hours)
    • Design Option I: AE 508: Aerospace Structures II, AE 521: Aerospace Systems Design I
    • Design Option II: AE 520: Space Systems Design I, AE 523: Space Systems Design II
• Total Hours: 57

Chemical Systems Concentration

• Course List:
  • CHEM 170: Chemistry for the Chemical Sciences I (5 hours)
  • CHEM 175: Chemistry for the Chemical Sciences II (5 hours)
  • CHEM 330: Organic Chemistry I (3 hours)
  • CHEM 525: Physical Chemistry for Engineers (4 hours)
  • C&PE 211: Material and Energy Balances (3 hours)
  • C&PE 221: Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics I (3 hours)
  • C&PE 325: Numerical Methods and Statistics for Engineers (3 hours)
  • C&PE 511: Momentum Transfer (3 hours)
  • C&PE 512: Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics II (3 hours)
  • C&PE 524: Chemical Engineering Kinetics and Reactor Design (3 hours)
  • C&PE 525: Heat and Mass Transfer (4 hours)
  • C&PE 611: Design of Unit Operations (3 hours)
  • C&PE 613: Chemical Engineering Design I (4 hours)
  • C&PE 615: Introduction to Process Dynamics and Control (3 hours)
  • C&PE 616: Chemical Engineering Laboratory I (3 hours)
  • C&PE 626: Chemical Engineering Laboratory II (3 hours)
• Total Hours: 55

Digital Electronic Systems Concentration

• Course List:
  • EECS 140: Introduction to Digital Logic Design (4 hours)
  • EECS 168: Programming I (4 hours)
  • EECS 268: Programming II (4 hours)
  • EECS 202: Circuits I (4 hours)
  • EECS 212: Circuits II (4 hours)
  • EECS 312: Electronic Circuits I (3 hours)
  • EECS 348: Software Engineering I (4 hours)
  • EECS 361: Signal and System Analysis (3 hours)
  • EECS 388: Embedded Systems (4 hours)
  • EECS 443: Digital Systems Design (4 hours)
  • EECS 470: Electronic Devices and Properties of Materials (3 hours)
  • MATH 526: Applied Mathematical Statistics I (3 hours)
  • EECS 541: Computer Systems Design Laboratory I (3 hours)
  • EECS 542: Computer Systems Design Laboratory II (3 hours)
  • EECS 645: Computer Systems Architecture (3 hours)
  • EECS Elective: Select an EECS course as an elective. Electives must be 400-level or above. (3 hours)
• Total Hours: 56

Electromechanical Control Systems Concentration

• Course List:
  • EECS 140: Introduction to Digital Logic Design (4 hours)
  • EECS 168: Programming I (4 hours)
  • EECS 268: Programming II (4 hours)
  • EECS 202: Circuits I (4 hours)
  • EECS 212: Circuits II (4 hours)
  • EECS 312: Electronic Circuits I (3 hours)
  • EECS 361: Signal and System Analysis (3 hours)
  • EECS 444: Control Systems (3 hours)
  • EPHX 616: Physical Measurements (4 hours)
  • ME 210: Introduction to Mechanics (1 hour)
  • ME 228: Computer Graphics (3 hours)
  • ME 311: Mechanics of Materials (3 hours)
  • ME 212: Basic Engineering Thermodynamics (3 hours)
  • ME 501: Mechanical Engineering Design Process (2 hours)
  • ME 628: Mechanical Design (3 hours)
  • ME 640: Design Project (2-3 hours)
  • Select one of the following: (2-3 hours)
    • ME 641: Design Project Option A
    • ME 642: Design Project Option B
    • ME 643: Design Project Option C
  • Engineering Physics Elective: ASTR, ENGR, MATH, or PHSX elective (Must be 500 level or above) (3 hours)
• Total Hours: 55-57

Departmental Honors

Engineering physics undergraduates may graduate with departmental honors by achieving a minimum grade-point average of 3.5 in major courses taken in residence and at other institutions, by completing at least 1 credit hour of undergraduate research with a grade of B or better in EPHX 501 or EPHX 503, and the results presented in a manner specified by the Department. Please see your advisor for details.