Major in Engineering Physics

Are you a tinkerer? Do you always want to know what, why and especially how? Elmhurst University is proud to offer the new Engineering Physics major, catering to students who want to build their dreams through a deep knowledge of the physical world.

This unique program compliments the discovery of a physics degree with practical engineering and fabrication skills to prepare students for careers building the next-generation of algorithms, devices and infrastructure to support our rapidly advancing world.

Good physicists make great engineers. Engineering Physics lives at the edge of science and engineering, weaving the latest discoveries with cutting-edge technology, to feed both the continued advancement of science and the advancement of society and humankind. As an Engineering Physicist, you will have access to traditional engineering career paths while retaining the ‘research edge’ of a physicist, allowing you to guide future developments in engineering, and preparing you to jump into new fields when it is time to pivot your strategy.

The Major

With a degree in Engineering Physics from Elmhurst University, you will be prepared to pursue your passions in both industry and academia. The valuable engineering practices that we teach, along with the unique approach of a physics degree will put you at home in the most lively and thriving of corporate environments, while the fabrication and computing experience you gain will make you highly-valued as an applicant in graduate school programs. Join us in making Elmhurst University Physics your home and let the doors of curiosity open before you!

Major Requirements

For a bachelor of science with a major in Engineering Physics, seven courses beyond the basic sequence are required plus one course of independent study or research (PHY 492, 494, or HON 404). The preferred sequence is as follows:

Complete ALL of the following Courses:

• PHY 121 General Physics I
• PHY 122 General Physics II
• PHY 304 Oscillations and Waves
• PHY 305 Modern Physics
• PHY 306 Mechatronics I
• PHY 307 Mechatronics II
• PHY 311 Analytical Mechanics
• PHY 312 Electricity and Magnetism
• PHY 313 Statistical Physics
• PHY 315 Bend, Squish, and Flow: Material Physics
• PHY 414 Modern Optics
• PHY 421 Quantum Mechanics
• MTH 151, 152 and 251 (Calculus I, II and III) and MTH 341 Differential Equations

Independent Research

Complete ANY of the following Courses:

• PHY 492 Independent Study
• PHY 494 Independent Research
• PHY 495 Honors Independent Research

Suggested Course Sequence

Why Should a Student Get an Engineering Physics Degree Versus an Engineering Degree?

Many young people realize early on that they have a desire to design, build and see their ideas come to life. Oftentimes, this thread of creative ingenuity is one side of the same coin that makes us wonder about the nature of our universe. Engineering Physics is a major which caters to all sides of the technically creative individual. We will teach you the fundamentals of the physical universe, and prepare you for any scientific journey you may want to embark on, and we do this with the great aid of project-based learning, where you will apply the principles of physics to create new devices and experiments that we fabricate here in our department. Students have built all sorts of robots, precision timing equipment, scanning and photography equipment and so much more! Don’t just nurture one of your creative sides, come unleash your total creativity with Engineering Physics!

In modern society, so much of our world is shaped by discoveries about the physical universe and their applications to everyday life. We have seen our lives completely transformed by the addition of microelectronics, mobile computing, the internet and artificial intelligence. These are all techniques pioneered and discovered by physicists. In fact, physicists often build the first translational devices that spawn the fields of innovation we see changing our world. As these fields become more productive, they are transformed into disciplines of engineering, where professionals work towards improving the fundamental breakthroughs made by physicists. The Elmhurst University Department of Physics is now offering a major that puts you directly in the action of designing next-generation technologies and devices. With an Engineering Physics major, you will be able to participate on both sides of the technical creative process, building cool gadgets, and knowing the physics to design new ones!