OVERVIEW OF DEGREE REQUIREMENTS
Minimum number of credits required to graduate: 125
Minimum Cumulative GPA required to graduate: 2.0
Minimum Grade requirements for courses to count toward major: A grade of “C-” or better is required for all prerequisite courses in the major in order to proceed to subsequent courses in the major.
Other GPA requirements to graduate: A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 (“C”) in the major (physics plus engineering sequence).
Required Course(s) for fulfilling Capstone Experience: PHY 400 and the sequence of PHY 481 and PHY 482 or HON 498 and HON 499
Contact Information: John Thompson, Chair and Professor, Department of Physics and Astronomy, 120 Bennett Hall, 207.581.1016, physics@maine.edu
The Engineering Physics Program, offered by the Department of Physics and Astronomy, is designed for students who are interested in not only a particular engineering field, but also in physics and mathematics that provide a foundation for that field. Thus, the mission of the Engineering Physics Program is to offer an accredited Bachelor of Science degree that combines a meaningful sequence of engineering courses within a particular engineering field with a traditional high-quality undergraduate physics education. The goals of the program are to prepare graduates to directly enter the modern workplace or go on to graduate study, either in their chosen engineering field or in physics.
The Engineering Physics program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, http://www.abet.org, under the commission’s General Criteria and Program Criteria for Engineering, General Engineering, Engineering Physics, and Engineering Science.
Our Engineering Physics program is the first ever such program, established in 1938, and is tied for the first accredited engineering physics program (with the University of Kansas) in 1949, and the only accredited engineering physics program in New England.
The Educational Objectives of the University of Maine Engineering Physics Program are to have our graduates:
- Use the versatility afforded by the engineering physics degree to collaborate with a dynamic, diverse, and technically sophisticated workforce by successfully employing engineering/scientific skills, developed at UMaine, in a wide range of fields.
- Continuously improve and expand their technical and professional skills through informal self-study, coursework, pursuit of licensure, or the attainment of advanced degrees in science, engineering, business, or other professional fields.
- Advance the profession and themselves through ethical behavior, communication, teamwork and leadership.
- Recognize the importance of civic engagement and support the significant roles that engineering and science play in the betterment of society.
The Student Outcomes of the University of Maine Engineering Physics Program are that, by the end of their undergraduate program in engineering physics, students will have:
- an ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics.
- 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.
- an ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences.
- 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.
- 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.
- an ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions.
- an ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.
Therefore, preparation also includes an introduction to the humanities, social sciences, communications, and a sensitivity to issues of ethics and professional practice.
Furthermore, the program encourages majors to participate in student professional organizations, including the Society of Physics Students, the Society of Women Engineers, and the various student societies within the student’s chosen engineering field. In addition, majors frequently qualify for membership in the honor societies Sigma Pi Sigma and Tau Beta Pi, among others.
For further information visit our website, physics.umaine.edu.
Program Description
The basic curriculum of required courses, combined with electives in science, engineering, the humanities, and social sciences, culminates in a two-semester engineering design capstone experience. Of the 125 credits, 45 are electives, permitting each major, in consultation with both her/his physics advisor and engineering advisor, to put together a significant core of engineering courses in their engineering field of choice, and to satisfy the University General Education Requirements through electives supportive of their professional goals.
The program consists of a minimum of 24 credits of engineering courses, most of which lie in the student’s area of engineering concentration, along with a technical elective for a total of 24-30 credits. (A technical elective can be an Astronomy, Physics, Engineering, Chemistry, Mathematics, Computer Science or other approved science course, generally at the 300-level or higher.) The engineering concentrations include Biomedical, Chemical, Civil and Environmental, Computer, Electrical, and Mechanical. Engineers teach all engineering courses.
The program requires a laboratory course in physics in each of eight semesters. These laboratory experiences emphasize the ability to conduct experiments, analysis and interpretation of data, working with modern instrumentation and meeting deadlines. When possible, students work in teams alongside majors outside the Maine College of Engineering and Computing. The junior-year laboratory sequence is also a writing intensive experience. An English instructor meets regularly with majors to develop their technical writing skills, through assignments, guided revision and assessment.
Five courses in mathematics, in addition to a computer programming course, are required, with the upper-level selections involving topics pertinent to engineering. A minor in mathematics can be earned with one additional mathematics course beyond these five (as long as one is at the 400-level) and our required PHY 472 . Approximately 50% of graduating Engineering Physics majors earn a minor in mathematics.
The Engineering Physics program requires satisfactory completion of at least 125 credits at an accumulative grade point average of not less than 2.0.
The Department of Physics and Astronomy also offers graduate programs leading to the following degrees: Master of Engineering in Engineering Physics, Master of Science in Physics, and Doctor of Philosophy in Physics. Further information about these programs is contained in the Graduate School online Catalog.
Cooperative “Work Experience” Program Option
Engineering Physics majors who have completed both their sophomore year and 16 credits in physics courses can participate in the cooperative education program. This program integrates a practical work opportunity at an industrial facility (obtained through a specific period of employment) with on-campus classroom and laboratory experiences. Academic credit is received through enrollment in PHY 495 Engineering Physics Practice.
Employment Opportunities
Engineering Physics graduates work in industry, universities, government agencies, and private practice. Roughly half go directly to an engineering/physics employment opportunity immediately after graduation. Others continue their education in graduate programs in engineering, physics, law (e.g. patent law), business and medicine. Employment in industries producing electronics products, optical products, and the nuclear/radiation medicine field is popular. Because the Engineering Physics major is familiar with both the practice of engineering and the scientific approach to problem solving, our students are often sought out for multidisciplinary employment opportunities. Recent multidisciplinary employment examples include navigation instrumentation (Lincoln Laboratories), nuclear radiation monitoring (The State of Maine), and optical and acoustical effects (The Walt Disney Corporation).
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