Engineering Physics, B.S.

The Engineering Physics major is part of the Department of Physics at John Carroll University. The Department of Physics plays a central role in the University’s mission of educating students to live in an increasingly technological, highly complex society. The department provides a range of physics and engineering physics programs for its majors, support courses for other science majors, and courses for non-science majors that fulfill requirements of the University Core Curriculum. The department has modern, well-equipped undergraduate laboratories, and many of the courses have a laboratory component that emphasizes the central role of experiments in science.

Research plays an essential role in the education of students majoring in physics. Students have the opportunity of working under the guidance of a faculty member on campus, and the department encourages all students to spend at least one summer participating in a research program at a major research university or national laboratory.

The Physics Department participates in the College of Arts and Sciences Professional Development Program.

Grade Policies

Major Declaration: Students must achieve a minimum GPA of 2.5 in PH 135, PH 136, and PH 246, and MT 135, MT 136, and MT 233 for unconditional acceptance into any of the majors of the physics department.

For Majors: A grade of C- or higher must be earned in courses required for each major.

A grade lower than C- requires that the course be repeated. In the case of an elective course for a major in which a grade below C- was earned, the student may petition to take an alternative course.

Program Information

The Engineering Physics major requires an in-depth study of the core areas of physics and a selection of engineering physics courses. Typically, this program leads to employment in the fields of engineering development or applied physics, or to graduate study in related fields.

The Engineering Physics program is currently pursuing ABET Accreditation. If it is granted, the accreditation will apply to this academic year retroactively. In order to align the EP major with ABET accreditation criteria, the following Student Outcomes and Program Educational Objectives have been adopted:

Program Learning Goals (Student Outcomes) for the Engineering Physics Major

Students will possess by the time of graduation:

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 to 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

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

Program Educational Objectives for the Engineering Physics Major

1. Our graduates will continue to enhance their knowledge and skills through educational activities that may include enrollment in graduate programs in engineering or physics and/or the pursuit of professional certifications and licensure.

2. Our graduates will use their background knowledge in physics and engineering fundamentals to advance their careers as professionals in their chosen field. They will work in research, development, and production facilities and will communicate effectively both in writing and orally, work collaboratively, and solve problems creatively.

3. Our graduates will leverage the Jesuit, liberal-arts education aspect of their education to serve society in ethical and socially conscious ways, to be adaptable, and lead with character in their profession.

Major Requirements

64 credit hours:

Plus 15 credit hours of upper-division EP technical electives approved by the physics department.

Required Support Courses