Engineering Physics, BS

Overview
Degree Requirements
Suggested Sequence

for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Engineering Physics

department website: Department of Physics

department faculty: Physics Faculty

overview of college admissions & requirements: The Grainger College of Engineering

college website: https://grainger.illinois.edu/

email: undergrad-info@physics.illinois.edu

The Engineering Physics curriculum is a flexible program that combines a firm foundation in physics and mathematics with the freedom to choose from a diverse range of technical options. The curriculum is designed to prepare students for a wide variety of technical and professional careers, including graduate study in physics or a closely allied field.

for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Engineering Physics

The Grainger College of Engineering Undergraduate Programs Office maintains the following Degree Requirements website to clarify curricular requirements noted below:

Overview of Curricular Requirements

The curriculum requires 128 hours for graduation and is organized as shown below.

Orientation and Professional Development

These courses introduce the opportunities and resources your college, department, and curriculum can offer you as you work to achieve your career goals. They also provide the skills to work effectively and successfully in the engineering profession.

Course List
Code	Title	Hours
ENG 100	Engineering Orientation ¹	0
PHYS 110	Physics Careers ¹	0
Total Hours		0

Foundational Mathematics and Science

These courses stress the basic mathematical and scientific principles upon which the engineering discipline is based.

Course List
Code	Title	Hours
MATH 221	Calculus I ²	4
MATH 231	Calculus II	3
MATH 241	Calculus III	4
MATH 285	Intro Differential Equations ³	3
PHYS 211	University Physics: Mechanics	4
PHYS 212	University Physics: Elec & Mag	4
PHYS 213	Univ Physics: Thermal Physics	2
PHYS 214	Univ Physics: Quantum Physics	2
CHEM 102	General Chemistry I	3
CHEM 103	General Chemistry Lab I	1
CS 101	Intro Computing: Engrg & Sci	3
Total Hours		33

Engineering Physics Technical Core

These courses stress fundamental concepts and basic laboratory techniques that comprise the common intellectual understanding of engineering physics.

Course List
Code	Title	Hours
PHYS 225	Relativity & Math Applications	2
PHYS 325	Classical Mechanics I	3
PHYS 435	Electromagnetic Fields I	3
PHYS 486	Quantum Physics I ⁴	4
or PHYS 485	Atomic Phys & Quantum Theory
Total Hours		12

Flexible Physics Core Electives

These courses complement the Engineering Physics Technical Core, extending the intellectual understanding of engineering physics.

Course List
Code	Title	Hours
Flexible physics core electives. Choose three courses from a departmentally approved list below, with at least one being a lab course (PHYS 401, PHYS 402, PHYS 403, PHYS 404, or PHYS 406). The number of hours varies depending upon the courses chosen.		9-15
PHYS 326	Classical Mechanics II	3
PHYS 401	Classical Physics Lab	3
PHYS 402	Light	3 or 4
PHYS 403	Modern Experimental Physics	4 or 5
PHYS 404	Electronic Circuits	4 or 5
PHYS 406	Acoustical Physics of Music	4
PHYS 427	Thermal & Statistical Physics	4
PHYS 436	Electromagnetic Fields II	3
PHYS 460	Condensed Matter Physics	4
PHYS 470	Subatomic Physics	4
PHYS 475	Introduction to Biophysics	3 or 4
PHYS 487	Quantum Physics II	4

Mathematics Elective

Course List
Code	Title	Hours
Mathematics elective, chosen from a departmentally approved list below:		3
CS 357	Numerical Methods I	3
CS 450	Numerical Analysis	3 or 4
MATH 415	Applied Linear Algebra	3 or 4
MATH 417	Intro to Abstract Algebra	3 or 4
MATH 453	Elementary Theory of Numbers	3 or 4
MATH 412	Graph Theory	3 or 4
MATH 413	Intro to Combinatorics	3 or 4
MATH 414	Mathematical Logic	3 or 4
MATH 482	Linear Programming	3 or 4
MATH 347	Fundamental Mathematics	3
MATH 348	Fundamental Mathematics-ACP	4
MATH 424	Honors Real Analysis	3
MATH 441	Differential Equations	3 or 4
MATH 442	Intro Partial Diff Equations	3 or 4
MATH 444	Elementary Real Analysis	3 or 4
MATH 446	Applied Complex Variables	3 or 4
MATH 447	Real Variables	3 or 4
MATH 484	Nonlinear Programming	3 or 4
MATH 489	Dynamics & Differential Eqns	3 or 4
MATH 402	Non Euclidean Geometry	3 or 4
MATH 403	Euclidean Geometry	3 or 4
MATH 423	Differential Geometry	3 or 4
MATH 432	Set Theory and Topology	3 or 4
MATH 481	Vector and Tensor Analysis	3 or 4
MATH 461	Probability Theory	3 or 4
MATH 463	Statistics and Probability I	4
MATH 450	Numerical Analysis	3 or 4

Technical/Professional Option Electives

Students may select from a list of pre-approved options or design a custom option, subject to departmental approval. The current pre-approved options, requiring 12-22 credit hours of course work, are:

Acoustical Physics
Astrophysics
Atmospheric Science
Biophysics
Business
Computational Physics
Computer Engineering
Energy/Sustainability
Materials Science
Nuclear Physics
Optical Physics
Law
Professional Physics
Solid State Electronics
Pre-Med
Pre-Law

The course work is selected in consultation with the student's advisor to address an intellectually coherent body of knowledge.

Course List
Code	Title	Hours
Technical/professional option electives for the option selected, chosen from a departmentally approved list of Technical/Professional Option Electives (or a list designed for a departmentally approved custom option) below. The number of hours varies depending upon the option chosen.
Acoustical Physics
ECE 210	Analog Signal Processing	4
ECE 473	Fund of Engrg Acoustics	3 or 4
Choose 2 classes from the following:
ECE 310	Digital Signal Processing	3
ECE 417	Multimedia Signal Processing	4
ECE 473	Fund of Engrg Acoustics	3
ECE 402	Electronic Music Synthesis	3
PHYS 402	Light	3 or 4
Astrophysics
ASTR 210	Introduction to Astrophysics	3
ASTR 404	Stellar Astrophysics	3
ASTR 350	The Big Bang, Black Holes, and the End of the Universe (OR ASTR 406: Galaxies and the Universe)	3
ASTR 405	Planetary Systems	3
ASTR 414	Astronomical Techniques	4
Atmospheric Science
ATMS 201	General Physical Meteorology	3
Choose 4 classes from the following:
ATMS 301	Atmospheric Thermodynamics	3
ATMS 302	Atmospheric Dynamics I	3
ATMS 304	Radiative Transfer-Remote Sens	3
ATMS 305	Computing and Data Analysis	3
ATMS 306	Cloud Physics	3
ATMS 314	Mesoscale Dynamics	3
ATMS 405	Boundary Layer Processes	4
BioPhysics
CHEM 104	General Chemistry II (OR CHEM 204)	3
CHEM 105	General Chemistry Lab II (OR CHEM 205)	1
CHEM 232	Elementary Organic Chemistry I (OR CHEM 236)	3 or 4
CHEM 233	Elementary Organic Chem Lab I	2
Choose 2 classes from the following:
MCB 450	Introductory Biochemistry (OR MCB 354: Biochemistry and Physical Basis of Life)	3
BIOP 401	Introduction to Biophysics	3
PHYS 498	Special Topics in Physics (Quantiative Biology)	4
Business
TE 100	Introduction to Innovation, Leadership and Engineering Entrepreneurship	1
TE 360	Lectures in Engineering Entrepreneurship	1
SE 400	Engineering Law	3 or 4
TE 333	Creativity, Innovation, Vision	4
TE 461	Technology Entrepreneurship	3
TE 450	Startups: Inc, Fund, Contracts, IP	3
TE 466	High-Tech Venture Marketing	2
ENG 471	Seminar Energy & Sustain Engrg	1
IE 420	Financial Engineering	3 or 4
Computational Physics
CS 173	Discrete Structures (OR MATH 213: Basic Discrete Structures)	3
CS 225	Data Structures	4
Choose 3 classes from the following:
CS 357	Numerical Methods I	3
CS 420	Parallel Progrmg: Sci & Engrg	3 or 4
CS 418	Interactive Computer Graphics	3 or 4
CS 450	Numerical Analysis	3 or 4
PHYS 298	Freshmen/Sophomore Special Topics in Physics (Computational Physics)	2
PHYS 498	Special Topics in Physics (Computation in Physics)	3
Electrical and Computer Engineering
ECE 110	Introduction to Electronics (OR ECE 205: Electrical and Electronic Circuits)	1 to 3
ECE 120	Introduction to Computing	4
ECE 210	Analog Signal Processing	4
Take 1 class from the following:
ECE 310	Digital Signal Processing	3
PHYS 404	Electronic Circuits (or ECE 342: Electronic Circuits)	4 or 5
ECE 330	Power Ckts & Electromechanics	3
ECE 385	Digital Systems Laboratory	3
Energy/Sustainability
ENG 471	Seminar Energy & Sustain Engrg	1
ECE 205	Electrical and Electronic Circuits	3
ATMS 201	General Physical Meteorology	3
NRES 210	Environmental Economics	3
ATMS 302	Atmospheric Dynamics I	3
Choose 1 class from the following:
NPRE 402	Nuclear Power Engineering	3 or 4
NPRE 412	Nuclear Power Econ & Fuel Mgmt	3 or 4
NPRE 470	Fuel Cells & Hydrogen Sources	3
NPRE 475	Wind Power Systems	3 or 4
ECE 333	Green Electric Energy	3
Materials Science
MSE 280	Engineering Materials	3
MSE 206	Mechanics for MatSE	4
MSE 401	Thermodynamics of Materials (OR PHYS 427: Thermal & Statistical Physics)	3
Choose 1 class from the following:
MSE 304	Electronic Properties of Matls	3
MSE 402	Kinetic Processes in Materials	3
MSE 403	Synthesis of Materials	3
MSE 405	Microstructure Determination	3
MSE 406	Thermal-Mech Behavior of Matls	3
Nuclear Physics
PHYS 470	Subatomic Physics	4
NPRE 402	Nuclear Power Engineering	3 or 4
Choose 2 classes from the following:
NPRE 446	Radiation Interact w/Matter I	3
NPRE 435	Radiological Imaging	3
NPRE 441	Radiation Protection	4
Optical Physics
ECE 455	Optical Electronics	3 or 4
ECE 460	Optical Imaging	4
ECE 465	Optical Communications Systems	3
Choose 1 class from the following:
PHYS 404	Electronic Circuits	4 or 5
PHYS 402	Light	3 or 4
PHYS 436	Electromagnetic Fields II	3
Law
LAW 301	Introduction to Law	2 or 3
JOUR 200	Introduction to Journalism	3
CMN 211	Business Communication	3
Choose 2 classes from the following:
SE 400	Engineering Law	3 or 4
PS 225	Environmental Politics & Policy	3
PS 273	Environment and Society	3
NPRE 480	Energy and Security	3
ESE 320	Water Planet, Water Crisis	3
Professional Option
MATH 415	Applied Linear Algebra	3 or 4
PHYS 326	Classical Mechanics II	3
PHYS 436	Electromagnetic Fields II	3
PHYS 427	Thermal & Statistical Physics	4
PHYS 487	Quantum Physics II	4
Choose 1 lab from the following (cannot count toward Flexible Physics Core):
PHYS 401	Classical Physics Lab	3
PHYS 402	Light	3 or 4
PHYS 403	Modern Experimental Physics	4 or 5
PHYS 404	Electronic Circuits	4 or 5
Solid State Electronics
PHYS 404	Electronic Circuits	4 or 5
PHYS 460	Condensed Matter Physics	4
ECE 110	Introduction to Electronics	1 to 3
ECE 444	IC Device Theory & Fabrication	4

General Education Requirements

Course List
Code	Title	Hours
A minimum of six courses is required, as follows:		18
Social and Behavioral Sciences		6
Humanities & the Arts		6
The Grainger College of Engineering Liberal Education course list, or from the campus General Education lists for Social and Behavioral Sciences or Humanities and the Arts		6
Cultural Studies: Non-Western Cultures (1 course)
Cultural Studies: U.S. Minorities Cultures (1 course)
Cultural Studies: Western/Comparative Cultures (1 course)

Non-Primary Language Requirement

Course List
Code	Title	Hours
Completion of the third semester or equivalent of a non-primary language is required. Completion of three years of a single language in high school satisfies this requirement.		0-9

University Composition

These courses teach fundamentals of expository writing.

Course List
Code	Title	Hours
Choose one:
RHET 105	Writing and Research
CMN 111 & CMN 112	Oral & Written Comm I and Oral & Written Comm II
ESL 111 & ESL 112	Intro to Academic Writing I and Intro to Academic Writing II
ESL 115	Principles of Academic Writing
Advanced Composition (satisfied by completing a course with the Advanced Composition designation in either the social sciences and humanities or the free elective categories).

Free Electives

Course List
Code	Title	Hours
Free Electives
Free electives. Additional unrestricted course work, subject to certain exceptions as noted by the College, so that there are at least 128 credit hours earned toward the degree. The number of hours varies depending upon the total hours earned in both the Flexible Physics Core and the Technical/Professional Option and whether or not MATH 415 and PHYS 486 are taken in place of PHYS 485.		13-37
Total Hours of Curriculum to Graduate		128

External transfer students take ENG 300 instead.

MATH 220 may be substituted, with four of the five credit hours applying toward the degree. MATH 220 is appropriate for students with no background in calculus.

MATH 285MATH 285 may be replaced by MATH 441 followed by MATH 442

⁴

If PHYS 486 is chosen, take prerequisite MATH 415, which may be used to meet free elective requirements.If PHYS 485 is taken, an additional free elective hour or a surplus flexible physics core course hour offsets the one-hour credit differential.

for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Engineering Physics

Suggested Sequence

The schedule that follows is illustrative, showing the typical sequence in which courses would be taken by a student with no college course credit already earned and who intends to graduate in four years. Each individual's case may vary, but the position of required named courses is generally indicative of the order in which they should be taken.

First Year
First Semester		Hours
CHEM 102	General Chemistry I	3
CHEM 103	General Chemistry Lab I	1
ENG 100	Engineering Orientation	0
MATH 221^1,2	Calculus I	4
PHYS 110	Physics Careers	0
RHET 105 (or Liberal education elective)^3,4	Writing and Research	4-3
Liberal education elective⁴		3
	Semester Hours	15-14
Second Semester
CS 101	Intro Computing: Engrg Sci	3
MATH 231	Calculus II	3
PHYS 211²	University Physics: Mechanics	4
RHET 105 (or Liberal education elective)^3,4	Writing and Research	3-4
Liberal education elective⁴		3
	Semester Hours	16-17
Second Year
First Semester
MATH 241	Calculus III	4
PHYS 212	University Physics: Elec Mag	4
PHYS 225	Relativity Math Applications	2
Liberal education electives⁴		6
	Semester Hours	16
Second Semester
MATH 285⁵	Intro Differential Equations	3
PHYS 213	Univ Physics: Thermal Physics	2
PHYS 214	Univ Physics: Quantum Physics	2
PHYS 325	Classical Mechanics I	3
Technical/professional option elective⁶		3
Liberal education elective⁴		3
	Semester Hours	16
Third Year
First Semester
MATH 415 (if PHYS 486 will be taken) or Free elective	Applied Linear Algebra	3
PHYS 435	Electromagnetic Fields I	3
Flexible physics core elective^7,8		3
Mathematics elective⁹		3
Technical/professional option elective⁶		3
Free elective		3
	Semester Hours	18
Second Semester
PHYS 485 or 486¹⁰	Atomic Phys Quantum Theory	3-4
Flexible physics core electives^7,8		6
Technical/professional option electives⁶		6
	Semester Hours	15-16
Fourth Year
First Semester
Technical/professional option electives or Free electives^6,11		10
Flexible physics core electives or Free electives^7,8		6
	Semester Hours	16
Second Semester
Free electives		11-10
Technical/professional option electives or Free electives^6,11		5
	Semester Hours	16-15
	Total Hours:	128

MATH 220 may be substituted, with four of the five credit hours applying toward the degree. MATH 220 is appropriate for students with no background in calculus.

Students with proficiency or advanced placement (AP or IB) credit in MATH 221 are strongly encouraged to enroll in MATH 231 and PHYS 211 for the first semester.

RHET 105 may be taken in the first or second semester of the first year as authorized. The alternative is a social sciences or humanities elective.

⁴

Liberal education electives must include 6 hours of social & behavioral sciences and 6 hours of humanities & the arts course work from the campus General Education lists. The remaining 6 hours may be selected from a list maintained by the college, or additional course work from the campus General Education lists for social & behavioral sciences or humanities & the arts. Students must also complete the campus cultural studies requirement by completing (i) one western/comparative culture(s) course, (ii) one non-western culture(s) course, and (iii) one U.S. Minority Culture(s) course from the General Education cultural studies lists. Most students select liberal education courses that simultaneously satisfy these cultural studies requirements. Courses from the western, non-western, and U.S. Minority lists that fall into free electives or other categories may also be used satisfy the cultural studies requirements.

⁵

MATH 285 may be replaced by MATH 441 followed by MATH 442.

⁶

To be chosen from a departmentally approved list of Technical/Professional Option Electives, in consultation with the student’s advisor, for the option elected (or a list fashioned for a departmentally approved custom option). The number of credit hours varies 12-22 depending upon the option chosen.

⁷

The flexible physics core requirement consists of three courses chosen from a departmentally approved list of Flexible Physics Core Electives with at least one of them being a lab course, PHYS 401, PHYS 403, PHYS 404, or PHYS 406. The number of credit hours varies 9-15 depending upon the courses chosen.

⁸

For courses chosen with more than 3 hours credit, the surplus hours may be used to meet free elective requirements.

⁹

To be chosen from a departmentally approved list of Mathematics Electives. Any course satisfying the Mathematics Elective cannot be used to satisfy any other requirement.

¹⁰

If PHYS 485 is taken, an additional free elective hour or a surplus flexible physics core course hour offsets the one-hour credit differential.

¹¹

Taken if needed to complete a technical/professional option requiring more than 12 hours of credit.