Physics…the shared language of what’s next.
The B.S. in Engineering Physics attracts students who want to pursue careers that lead the advances in applied science, advanced technology, and engineering. Engineering physics requires a strong aptitude in science and mathematics. This program serves students who like to apply analytic knowledge to technical problems. Florida Poly’s Engineering Physics program will encourage you to develop lab and technical skills (computers, lasers, optics, electronics) so that you advance beyond learning physics and actually do physics.
Program Highlights
The Bachelor of Science in Engineering Physics is offered within the Department of Natural Sciences in the Division of Science, Arts, and Mathematics (SAM). The program allows students with strong interests in both physics and engineering to concentrate their studies in the common areas of these disciplines. The program prepares students to be knowledgeable in conceptual understanding of physics and its application in engineering and other technical environments. All Engineering Physics majors participate in an interdisciplinary capstone project under the guidance of a faculty member. The Bachelor of Science in Engineering Physics offers three concentrations: Physics of Medicine, Physics of Space and Physics of Energy and Sustainability.
Concentrations
Physics of Energy and Sustainability
As power generation continues to be a primary focus of research spending and industry change, an engineering physics degree with a concentration on the Physics of Energy and Sustainability puts you in position to thrive. This concentration considers a variety of energy generation methods (solar, wind, hydro, tidal, and geothermal), energy storage methods and energy conservation. Jobs related to renewable energy lie in a wide range of areas including engineering, business, marketing, finance, installation, software, legal affairs, and research. Projections suggest that employment opportunities in the renewable energy field will increase dramatically in the near future.
Physics of Medicine
Physics has a role to play in all aspects of medicine, including technology development, research, and direct patient care. Many medical specialties rely upon the application of the concepts and methods of physics to the diagnosis and treatment of human disease — especially cancer research, diagnosis and treatment. By earning a B.S. in Engineering Physics with a Physics of Medicine concentration, you can find balance between the human element and the scientific element and be well positioned for a fast-growing and rewarding career.
Physics of Space
With a global space economy valued at about $350 billion and expected to triple in size, the need for people trained in engineering physics with a concentration on the Physics of Space will continue to grow. Florida remains a hub of space-related research (astrophysics, satellite exploration, space weather) and manufacturing. The B.S. in Engineering physics with a concentration on the Physics of Space includes an astrophysics lab component, with experiments covering magnetic fields, optical interference and diffraction, wave polarization, line spectroscopy, photoelectric effect and radioactive decay.
Capstone: Where it Comes Together
Each Florida Poly senior joins a Capstone Design team of (three to five students) of a single discipline (mechanical engineering) or mixed disciplines (engineering, computer science, data science, etc.) to complete a year-long, industry sponsored project. Capstone culminates with a year-end gathering of sponsors and project teams, and the presentation of final ‘beta’ level prototypes. Past Capstone Design projects have led to job offers from sponsoring companies.
Capstone: Where it Comes Together
Each Florida Poly senior joins a Capstone team of (3-5 students) of a single discipline (mechanical engineering) or mixed disciplines (engineering, computer science, data science, etc.) to complete a year-long, industry sponsored project. Capstone culminates with a year-end gathering of sponsors and project teams, and the presentation of final ‘beta’ level prototypes. Past Capstone projects have led to job offers from sponsoring companies.
Get Involved
Florida Polytechnic University invites you to develop both people and technology skills through a variety of undergraduate research opportunities and student organizations: professional clubs (Sigma Pi Sigma); academic clubs (Purple Fire Robotics. Math Club, Modeling and Simulation Club); and social groups (Latin American Student Association, NerfTech).
Florida’s All-STEM University
Choose from among six undergraduate degrees with 18 distinct concentrations. Business Analytics. Computer Engineering. Computer Science. Data Science. Electrical Engineering. Mechanical Engineering.
Award-Winning Robotics
Florida Poly’s Purple Fire Robotics Club (45 members strong) took home the Judges Award at the 2018 VEX Robotics World Championship, and will next compete in the 2019 SoutheastCon “First 50…Next 50” Hardware Competition in Huntsville, Alabama.
Job Outlook
The Engineering Physics major prepares students to pursue careers in industry, either directly after undergraduate studies, or following graduate study in engineering or physics. Many employers value the problem-solving aptitude required of all physics majors, especially as they apply to industrial research and development challenges
According to the American Institute of Physics, nearly half of all physics bachelor’s degree recipients go directly into the workforce. Of this group, about two-thirds go into the private sector. Some 35% pursue engineering related careers, and 27% pursue computing related careers.
Florida employers who recently hired new physics bachelor recipients
- 352 Inc.
- AEgis
- Alliance Bioenergy
- Applied Research Associates
- Astadia
- Booz Allen Hamilton
- COLSA Corporation
- DaVita
- Eintern, LLC
- Embraer
- Florida Department of Law Enforcement
- Harris Corporation
- Hunter’s Green Community Association
- Inmarsat
- Inspirata, Inc.
- Jacobs Engineering Group
- L-3 Communications – Crestview Aerospace
- Lensar
- Lockheed Martin
- Medtronic
- PlasmaChip
- United Launch Alliance
- United States Air Force
- United States Department of Defense (DoD)
- United States Navy
- University of Central Florida
- Walt Disney World Resorts
This is only a portion of the employers who hired recent physics bachelors into technical positions. Source: AIP Statistical Research Center, Initial Employment Surveys, classes 2012 thru 2016.
Faculty
Meet Nicoleta Sorloaica-Hickman
Associate Professor of Physics
She works at the intersection of physics, nanotechnology, materials science, chemistry and electrical engineering, with a special focus on photovoltaic and thermoelectric materials and devices. Dr. Hickman was formerly associated with the Florida Solar Energy Center, where she and colleagues developed a proprietary printing process to create large, thin, flexible and inexpensive thermoelectric devices that can generate electricity from heat or heat from electricity.
Meet Victoria Astley
Assistant Professor of Physics
She’s an expert in terahertz technology, an interdisciplinary field overlapping physics and electrical engineering with diverse real-world applications. Dr. Astley works in what is called the “terahertz gap” a frequency range from ∼0.3 THz to ∼10 THz in the electromagnetic spectrum (between microwave and infrared). Terahertz spectroscopy has number of applications run from detecting defects in pharmaceutical tablet coating, to wider product inspection (industry), spectroscopy (chemistry, astronomy), material characterization (physics), and other diagnostic applications.
Full Faculty Listing+
Program Requirements
General Education
Your future as a trusted engineering professional and confident problem solver begins with some essential skills. Your General Education courses give you:
- Critical Thinking Skills… so that you can both make and follow a reasoned argument and develop habits of organized thinking and rational analysis.
- Communication Skills… so that you can translate thoughts into words (spoken and written) and make the complex simple.
- Exposure to Arts/Humanities and Social/Behavioral Sciences … so that you see all problems in their larger human context.
- Mathematical Reasoning … so that you find and follow the quantitative thread connecting all scientific inquiry.
- Scientific Reasoning … so that you can apply the scientific method to phenomenon big and small.
Major
Your BS in Engineering Physics requires 120 credits — typically 15 credits across eight semesters. You will complete 12 general education credits (Arts/Humanities and Social Science).
Plan of Study
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Program Description
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Degree Planner
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Professional Education Objectives
Our rigorous engineering physics curriculum allows Florida Poly graduates to:
- identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics
- apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors
- communicate effectively with a range of audiences
- recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgments, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts
- function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives
- develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions
- acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.