Engineering Physics Major
From WPI PhysicsWiki
Contents |
Mission Statement
The Physics Department provides education in physics to both undergraduate and graduate students and contributes to the growth of human knowledge through scholarly work.
Program Educational Objectives
The physics department educates students with a program characterized by curricular flexibility, student project work, and active involvement of students in their learning. Through a balanced, integrated curriculum stressing the widely applicable skills and knowledge of physics, we provide an education that is strong both in fundamentals and in applied knowledge, appropriate for immediate use in a variety of fields as well as graduate study and lifelong learning.
Program Outcomes
We expect that physics graduates:
- Know, understand, and use a broad range of basic physical principles.
- Have an understanding of appropriate mathematical methods, and an ability to apply them to physics.
- Have demonstrated oral and written communications skills.
- Can find, read, and critically evaluate selected original scientific literature.
- Have an ability to learn independently.
- Understand options for careers and further education, and have the necessary educational preparation to pursue those options.
- Have acquired the broad education envisioned by the WPI Plan.
- Are prepared for entry level careers in a variety of fields, and are aware of the technical, professional, and ethical components.
- Are prepared for graduate study in physics and/or other fields.
Engineering Physics
Same requirements as Physics, with the addition that the 10 units must include 2 units of coordinated engineering and other technical/scientific activities. The 2-unit program must be formulated prior to final year of study by the student in consultation with the academic advisor, and must be certified prior to the final year by the departmental Program Review Committee.
Physics and Engineering Physics Program
For a student entering the study of physics, there is a natural progression of subjects which provide a foundation for advanced work within physics and engineering-physics programs. This constitutes a core sequence which embodies the following indispensable basic areas of study: classical mechanics, electromagnetism, a survey of modern physics, statistical and quantum physics, and laboratory experimental methods. Because the language of the exact sciences is mathematics, there is a parallel core sequence of mathematics courses normally taken either as preparation for or concurrently with the physics courses with which they are paired in the list presented below.
Program Distribution Requirements
The normal period of residency at WPI is 16 terms. In addition to the WPI requirements applicable to all students (see WPI Degree Requirements), completion of a minimum of 10 units of study is required in the areas of mathematics, physics, and related fields as follows:
| Physics Requirements | Minimum Units |
|---|---|
| Mathematics (Note 1). | 3 |
| Physics (including the MQP) (Notes 2,3). | 5 |
| Other subjects to be selected from mathematics, science, engineering, computer science, and management (Note 3). | 2 |
Notes
- Mathematics must include at least 2/3 unit of mathematics at the level of MA 3000 or higher.
- ES 3001 and CH 3510 count as physics courses.
- Either item 2 or 3 must include at least 1/3 unit from each of the five principal areas of physics: mechanics, experimental physics, electromagnetism, quantum mechanics, and thermal and statistical physics. This core distribution requirement is satisfied by successfully completing at least one course from each of the following five sets of courses: PH 2201 or 2202 (mechanics); PH 2651 or 2601 (experimental physics); PH 2301 or 3301 (electromagnetism); PH 3401 or 3402 (quantum mechanics); ES 3001, CH 3510 , or PH 4206 (thermal and statistical physics); or other courses approved by the department Program Review Committee following petition by the student.
