A new certificate program in Engineering Physics was approved by the College of Engineering on November 16, 2005.

A certificate in engineering physics can be obtained for BSEE students who in addition to their required course work also take the following sequence of courses as part of their Engineering Science, Supportive, and/or Technical Electives:

PHY 361 PRINCIPLES OF MODERN PHYSICS.   (3)
An introduction to the foundations of quantum mechanics and selected topics in atomic, nuclear, particle, solid sate, and statistical physics.
Prereq: MA 213; PHY 232  or, with consent of instructor, PHY 213.

PHY 520 INTRODUCTION TO QUANTUM MECHANICS.   (3)
A lecture and problem course providing an introduction to the concepts and formalism of quantum mechanics. Primary emphasis is on the Schrodinger
equation and its applications including the simple harmonic oscillator, the square well, the hydrogen atom, orbital and spin angular momenta, matrix representation
of two level systems. Prereq: PHY 361, MA 214; recommended: MA 322.

And any TWO of the following courses:

PHY 524 SOLID STATE PHYSICS.   (3)
Introductory solid state physics with emphasis on the properties of electrons in crystals; crystal structure, crystal diffraction, reciprocal lattice, lattice vibrations
and phonons, free electron theory, energy bands in solids, semiconductors. Prereq: PHY 520, or consent of instructor. Engineering standing required for EE 524.
(Same as EE 524.)

PHY 554 FUNDAMENTALS OF ATOMIC PHYSICS.   (3)
A continuation of introductory quantum mechanics with application to atomic systems. Topics include angular momentum, perturbation theory, variational principles, interaction of radiation with matter, atomic spectra and the Zeeman and Stark effects. Prereq: PHY 520.

PHY 522 THERMODYNAMICS AND STATISTICAL PHYSICS. (3)
Temperature, heat, and entropy, and the Laws of Thermodynamics, as applied to simple systems. Introduction to statistical mechanics and the description of thermodynamic quantities in terms of ensemble averages. Prereq: PHY 361 and MA 214.

Notes: Our current curriculum requires 3 Engineering Science electives, 2 Technical Electives, and 1 supportive Elective (6 total elective courses). All the courses above would satisfy these electives. Therefore, by just using 4 of these (only 3 if they take PHY/EE524 as their EE technical Elective), the students could earn a certificate in engineering/physics. The main advantages of this certificate program are giving guidance to elective selections for students wanting an emphasis in physics and EE allowing students to clearly state the emphasis on physics in their resumes.