There are about 50 undergraduate Engineering Physics (or EP) programs in the U.S. dating back to ~1930. Unlike most other engineering disciplines, EP programs around the country can vary a great deal. So, the answer to the question, "What is Engineering Physics?", depends on the school. The EP program at UWP is a hybrid of applied physics, electrical engineering (EE), and mechanical engineering (ME). The Engineering Physics curriculum provides students with a fundamental knowledge of physics, the application of physics to engineering problem solving, including design, introductory courses in mechanical and electrical engineering, and lastly, a significant professional engineering concentration tailored to suit the individual's particular interest. The program is designed to address the needs of students seeking innovative careers in high-tech, areas where multiple engineering disciplines merge (e.g. electro-mechanical industries), or nontraditional engineering disciplines. The EP program is also structured for those students who have an interest in the physical sciences as well as engineering. The majority of graduates of the EP program have entered industry in such diverse areas as mechanical controls, digital and analog electronics, nuclear instrumentation, software development, manufacturing process control, and building acoustics. Others have chosen to attend graduate school in either engineering or physics programs.
The Engineering Physics curriculum is 129 credits including 55 credits of engineering. The EP program provides a balanced curriculum emphasizing 1) physics and engineering principles with design, 2) diverse hands-on experiences to prepare the EP graduate for the demands of laboratory or manufacturing environments, and 3) strong communication and team working skills. The engineering credits are divided nearly equally amongst electrical and mechanical engineering science, engineering physics, and a professional engineering concentration. The EE and ME science includes introductory courses which provide the necessary prerequisites for further study in these two areas. The EP core covers nearly all the basic areas of physics with a special emphasis placed on practical problem solving, including design. The professional engineering concentration consists of electives. Here a student may tailor the program to suit individual interests by selecting from a long list courses in electrical and mechanical engineering as well as some courses in software and industrial engineering. While students are free to choose the electives, we encourage them to select one of the following preconfigured 'concentrations': controls, electronics/communications, mechanical design, electric power, energy conversion (or thermo-fluid systems), software/digital, or biomedical engineering.
The majority of graduates of the EP program have entered industry. While the type of work is fairly broad, nearly all EP graduates carry some form of engineering title (e.g. applications engineer, process engineer, electronics engineer, manufacturing engineer, etc.). Many graduates are involved in electronics design, mechanical design, or even software design while others work in manufacturing concerned with Quality Control and still others are in Research & Development. A brief list of companies who have hired graduates of the EP program includes: John Deere, Caterpillar, Cutler Hammer, Sundstrand, Cummins, IBM, Oshkosh Truck, ASI, Honeywell, Rockwell Collins, Pella, LASX, McCain Foods, Lockheed Martin, MPC, and NASA. Typical salaries upon graduation have been commensurate with graduates of electrical and mechanical engineering. Check out Alumni for an expose by some of our grads.
The Engineering Physics program consists of five EP (Ph.D.) faculty, two staff members, and a laboratory manager. The EP faculty have academic credentials in engineering, engineering physics, and/or physics as well as industrial experiences in engineering, physics, or both. The EP program, like the College of Engineering, Mathematics, and Science (EMS), does not employ graduate teaching assistants. The facilities are extremely well equipped and regularly updated and include a state-of-the-art optics lab, sensors lab (with high-end electronics instrumentation), a Modern Physics lab, and two computer/student workspace labs. Lastly, we have our very own electronics and wood/metal machine shop to support the multitude of projects throughout the year.
The University of Wisconsin-Platteville advocates an education in which students combine classroom learning with planned and supervised field experiences. Students in the cooperative education program spend one or more semesters with companies in jobs closely related to their major and career objectives. During the cooperative program, students gain valuable experience and income.
Any Engineering Physics major may participate in the International Exchange program. There are agreements with UWP and universities in many countries including Germany, Ireland, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Turkey, and Mexico as well as Australia. A student may spend a semester or longer taking classes while consuming a lasting cultural experience. Since English is the language of instruction in most of these universities, students can continue their studies without 'losing a semester' and also satisfy the 3 credit requirement of international education. For more information about international exchange opportunities please visit www.uwplatt.edu/ems.
A minor in Physics is an excellent complement to Engineering, Math, or Chemistry majors. The minor requires 24 credits including two semesters of calculus-based physics (PHYS 253 and 264), one semester of lab (PHYS 251), and one semester of modern physics (PHYS 314). The remaining 12 credits may be selected from the following: PHYS 261, EP 324, EP 364 (EE 314), EP 414 (EE 462), EP 422, EP 498, or EP 499. See the catalog for descriptions of these courses.
A minor in Physics education prepares a student for certification to teach physics in high school. This is an excellent complement for students planning to teach any high school science or math. The minor requires 24 credits including two semesters of calculus-based physics and labs (PHYS 251, 253, 261, 264), astronomy and lab (PHSC 131, 134), modern physics (PHYS 314), and conceptual physics (PHYS 104). The remaining credits may be selected from the following: other PHYS or EP courses, COSC 143 Programming in C++, IS 124 Basic Electronics, GE 293 Electric Circuits, and GE263 Thermoscience. See the catalog for descriptions of these courses.
A minor in Microsystems and Nanotechnology provides an introduction to this exciting, rapidly-growing field for Engineering, Chemistry, or Biology majors. The minor requires 24 credits including an introduction to MEMS (micro electromechanical systems) and nanotechnology, one credit of research, three credits of MEMS Design and Simulation, a two credit laboratory in nanofabrication and nanocharacterization, and 15 credits of engineering and science electives. See the EMS/Nano page for more information and check sheets.
In addition to the special physics scholarships, Engineering Physics majors are eligible for many of the University scholarships, EMS College scholarships, and Women in Engineering, Mathematics, and Science scholarships.
Fred Domann Society of Physics Students (SPS) Scholarship: Amount and number variable. Must be current member of SPS and completed 6 credits of physics.
Engineering Physics Scholarship: Amount variable; Awarded to an EP major for outstanding performance in both the classroom and lab.
For further information on physics or engineering physics contact the Dr. Hal Evensen--Program Coordinator, Department of Chemistry and Engineering Physics, University of Wisconsin - Platteville, 1 University Plaza, Platteville, WI 53818 or call (608) 342-1651, FAX (608) 342-1566, email chemep@uwplatt.edu.