Undergraduate Engineering Physics

This bachelor of science degree program is designed for students who have a strong interest in physics combined with a desire to acquire the skills and perspective of engineering. The program combines study in electrical engineering, materials science and engineering, and physics.

Curriculum

Honors College

Students are encouraged to pursue the joint degree between the School of Engineering and the University Honors College by completing the engineering physics program and satisfying the special degree requirements of the Honors College. This includes completing and defending a senior thesis administered by the Honors College. Students who decide not to seek Honors College degree candidacy or do not satisfy the special degree requirements will, upon successful completion of the curriculum, be awarded the bachelor of science from the School of Engineering. Graduates of this program will be well prepared for graduate study in any of its three areas: electrical engineering, materials science, or physics. Students entering the program should have a QPA of 3.0 or above. Exceptions are made on a case-by-case basis.

Required Engineering Physics Courses

A student is required to take the following three engineering physics courses.

• ENGRPH 1801: Engineering Design 1 (3 units)
• ENGRPH 1802: Engineering Design 2 (3 units)
• ENGRPH 1803: Departmental Seminar (0 units)

Required Electrical Engineering Courses

A student is required to take the following electrical engineering courses.

• ECE 0031: Linear Circuits and Systems 1 (3 units)
• ECE 0041: Linear Circuits and Systems 2 (3 units)
• ECE 1201: Electronic Measurements and Circuits Laboratory (3 units)
• ECE 1212: Electronic Circuit Design Laboratory (3 units)
• ECE 1247: Semiconductor Device Theory (3 units)
• ECE 0257: Analysis And Design of Electronic Circuits (3 units)
• ECE 1266: Applications of Fields and Waves (3 units)
• ECE 1552: Signals and Systems Analysis (3 units)

Required Materials Science and Engineering Courses

A student is required to take the following materials science and engineering courses.

• ENGR 0022: Materials Structure & Properties (3 units)
• MSE 0031: Introduction to Materials Laboratory (1 unit)
• MSE 0048: Energetics 1 (3 units)
• MSE 1054: Materials Science 1 (3 units)
• MSE 1055: Materials Science 1 Laboratory (1 unit)
• MSE 1056: Energetics 2 (3 units)
• MSE 1064: Materials Science 2 (4 units)
• MSE 1168: Electromagnetic Properties of Materials (3 units)

Required Physics Courses

A student is required to take the following physics courses.

• PHYS 1351: Electricity and Magnetism (3 units)
• PHYS 1361: Wave Motion and Optics (3 units)
• PHYS 0219: Basic Lab Physics Science & Engineering (2 units)
• PHYS 0480: Principles of Modern Physics 1 (3 units)
• PHYS 0481: Principles of Modern Physics 2 (3 units)
• PHYS 1331: Mechanics (3 units)

Humanities and Social Science Electives

Students must satisfactorily complete a minimum of six humanities and social science electives for a total of 18 units to satisfy the degree requirements for materials science and engineering. All courses selected must be on the list of approved humanity/social science courses that has been prepared by the Office of the Associate Dean. External studies courses are not acceptable, nor are ENGCMP 0150 and ENGCMP 0200.

Students must additionally satisfy the following requirements.

• Students must satisfactorily complete two humanities/social sciences courses from the same department or program, only one of which may be an introductory course (indicated by an asterisk [*] on the list of approved humanity/social science courses). This meets ABET's requirement for depth in the humanities and social sciences.
• Students must satisfactorily complete at least two humanities courses and at least two social science courses. For example, it is not acceptable for five of the six humanities/social science courses to be in the humanities. This meets ABET's requirement for breadth in the humanities and social sciences.
• The University of Pittsburgh requires that all students complete at least one writing intensive "W" designated course; the "W" indicates that a course has a substantial writing component, with students revising their written work after receiving feedback from instructors.

If a student would like to take a humanity or social science elective that is not on the approved list, then the student must complete an Approval Request for Humanities/Social Science Elective form. The form must be submitted to the Office of the Associate Dean (323 Benedum Hall) for approval. Students can contact the Undergraduate Office approximately one week after submission to see whether the course was approved. It is helpful to include a copy of the course description.

Admissions

Undergraduate students are admitted to the Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science through the School of Engineering Admissions Office.

Course Descriptions