Florida Polytechnic University
Bachelor of Science in Engineering Physics
Lakeland, USA
BSc
DURATION
4 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
TUITION FEES
USD 105 / per credit *
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* resident and non-resident tuition fee for 30 credit hours
Key Summary
About: Florida Polytechnic University’s Bachelor of Science in Engineering Physics teaches laws of nature from quantum to astrophysical scales. It pairs four physics cores (classical mechanics, quantum mechanics, statistical mechanics, electricity and magnetism) with four engineering cores (statics, materials, thermodynamics, electrical engineering), hands-on semester design sequence, required internships, senior capstone, and customizable electives.
Career Outcomes: Graduates enter engineering, finance, academia, information technology, and medicine. Common roles include research scientist, professor, aerospace, electrical, mechanical or software engineer, data scientist, teacher, financial analyst, and IT consultant. A 4+1 programme speeds a master’s in mechanical engineering. Reported salary: average $117,000, typical range $70,000–$110,000.
Physics is the study of the laws of nature, utilizing scientific principles, logic, and a bit of imagination to allow for a more complete understanding of the universe. At Florida Poly, we provide a fundamental understanding of the rules that govern nature, ranging from the quantum mechanical to astrophysical scales.
The Engineering Physics Degree
A bachelor's degree in engineering physics builds on the mathematical and scientific foundation of courses taken during the student’s first two years of study. This degree has four physics core courses (classical mechanics, quantum mechanics, statistical mechanics, and electricity and magnetism), and four engineering core courses (statics, materials, engineering thermodynamics, and electrical engineering). All provide insight into differing scientific and engineering perspectives.
Florida Poly’s innovative design sequence sets our degree requirements apart from other universities. Students take a series of courses each semester to prepare them for internships and research, culminating in the senior capstone design, which tasks teams of students to create solutions for real-world industry challenges.
A Degree Customized to Your Interests
This degree program is customizable through its required three engineering electives and two physics electives. Engineering electives provide opportunities to pursue topics primarily in mechanical and electrical engineering, while physics electives can include courses exploring nature on the subatomic and astrophysical scales.
Engineering Physics vs. Mechanical Engineering?
Both degrees rely heavily on a strong foundation in mathematics and physics, resulting in the first three semesters being nearly identical. In Mechanical Engineering, the focus is on preparations to become an engineer. In Engineering Physics, that goal is shared with the intent to prepare you as a scientist.
The Engineering Physics degree is for those generally interested in engineering who also have an interest in science and understanding the rules that govern the universe. Those who are fully focused on becoming a mechanical engineer would be better suited to that degree program.
We offer generous need- and merit-based scholarships and participate in statewide college funding programs like Florida Bright Futures and Florida Prepaid.
Institutional Scholarships
- Alexander Scholars
- Provost Scholars
- Florida Poly Merit Scholars
- Johnson Scholarship
- Latin American Caribbean Scholarship
- Florida Poly National Merit Finalist Scholarship
Out-of-State Scholarships
- First Generation Matching Grant
- Florida Student Assistance Grants (FSAG)
- Florida Bright Futures Scholarship
- José Martí Scholarship Grant Fund
- Rosewood Family Scholarship
Professional Foundations Core (8 credits)
- EGN 1006 - Career Design for STEM Disciplines (Credits: 1)
- IDS 1380 - Foundational Lessons in Applications of Mathematics (Credits: 3)
- EGN 1007 - Concepts and Methods for Engineering and Computer Science (Credits: 1)
- COP 2271 - Introduction to Computation and Programming (Credits: 3)
Communication (6 credits)
- ENC 1101 - English Composition 1: Expository and Argumentative Writing (Credits: 3)
- ENC 2210 - Technical Writing (Credits: 3)
Arts and Humanities (3-9 credits)
Required, one of the following:
- ARH 2000 - Art Appreciation (Credits: 3)
- HUM 2020 - Introduction to the Humanities (Credits: 3)
- LIT 2000 - Introduction to Literature (Credits: 3)
- PHI 2010 - Introduction to Philosophy (Credits: 3)
- MUL 2010 - Music Appreciation (Credits: 3)
Optional to fulfill arts & humanities requirement:
- IDS 2144 - Legal, Ethical, and Management Issues in Technology (Credits: 3)
- HUM 2022 - Explorations in the Humanities (Credits: 3)
Social Sciences (3-9 credits)
Required, one of the following:
- AMH 2020 - American History Since 1877 (Credits: 3)
- POS 2041 - American Government (Credits: 3)
- PSY 2012 - General Psychology (Credits: 3)
Optional to fulfill the social science requirement:
- AMH 2010 - American History to 1877 (Credits: 3)
- HIS 2930 - Special Topics (Credits: 3)
- ECO 2023 - Principles of Microeconomics (Credits: 3)
Mathematics (12 credits)
- MAC 2311 - Analytic Geometry and Calculus 1 (Credits: 4)
- MAC 2312 - Analytic Geometry and Calculus 2 (Credits: 4)
- MAC 2313 - Analytic Geometry and Calculus 3 (Credits: 4)
Natural Sciences (8 credits)
- PHY 2048 - Physics 1 (Credits: 3)
- PHY 2048L - Physics 1 Laboratory (Credits: 1)
- PHY 2049 - Physics 2 (Credits: 3)
- PHY 2049L - Physics 2 Laboratory (Credits: 1)
Program Foundations / Advanced Math & Science (10 credits)
1. This area may consist of additional general education courses or other foundational courses in a related field.
2. General education courses must be used first to fulfill General Education requirements before being applied here.
3. 15 credits here, plus 15 in Sections D and E (above) meet the 30-hour Basic Math/Science requirement for ABET.
4. Should count the following in this category: COP 2271 - Introduction to Computation and Programming (required for all programs).
- MAP 2302 - Differential Equations Credits: 3
- CHM 2045 - Chemistry 1 Credits: 3
- CHM 2045L - Chemistry 1 Laboratory Credits: 1
- MAS 3105 - Linear Algebra Credits: 3
Engineering Core (23 credits)
- EGN 2001C - Engineering Skills and Design (Credits: 2)
- EGN 3311 - Statics (Credits: 3)
- COP 3337 - Object Oriented Programming (Credits: 3)
- EGN 3365 - Structure and Properties of Materials (Credits: 3)
- EGN 3343 - Engineering Thermodynamics (Credits: 3)
- EEL 3110 - Principles of Electrical Engineering (Credits: 3)
- EGN 3150C - Engineering Physics Design 1 (Credits: 3)
- EGN 3151C - Engineering Physics Design 2 (Credits: 3)
Physics Core (20 credits)
- PHY 3101 - Modern Physics (Credits: 3)
- PHZ 3151C - Computational Physics with Lab (Credits: 3)
- PHY 3840L - Experimental Techniques in Engineering Physics (Credits: 2)
- PHY 4221 - Classical Mechanics (Credits: 3)
- PHY 4320 - Electricity and Magnetism (Credits: 3)
- PHY 4513 - Thermal and Statistical Mechanics (Credits: 3)
- PHY 4602 - Quantum Mechanics (Credits: 3)
Capstone (6 credits)
- EML 4950C - Engineering Design Senior Capstone 1 (Credits: 3)
- EML 4951C - Engineering Design Senior Capstone 2 (Credits: 3)
Engineering Electives (9 credits)
- EEL 4660 - Autonomous Robotic Systems (Credits: 3)
- EEL 4283 - Renewable Energy Systems (Credits: 3)
- EEL 3287 - Renewable Energy and Sustainability (Credits: 3)
- EEL 3702 - Digital Logic Design (Credits: 3)
- EGN 4334 - Mechanics of Composite Materials (Credits: 3)
- EGN 3321 - Dynamics (Credits: 3)
- EGN 3331 - Strength of Materials (Credits: 3)
- EIN 3390 - Manufacturing Processes (Credits: 3)
- EML 4833 - Human Robotics (Credits: 3)
- EML 4541 - Fatigue and Fracture Mechanics (Credits: 3)
- EML 3015 - Fluid Mechanics (Credits: 3)
- EML 4140 - Heat Transfer (Credits: 3)
- EAS 4200 - Introduction to Aero Structures (Credits: 3)
- EAS 4505 - Orbital Mechanics (Credits: 3)
Physics Electives (6 credits)
- PHZ 3442 - Semiconductor Physics (Credits: 3)
- PHZ 3308 - Nuclear and Subatomic Physics (Credits: 3)
- PHZ 4444 - Solid State Physics (Credits: 3)
- AST 4217 - Stellar Astrophysics (Credits: 3)
- AST 4414 - Cosmology and Relativity (Credits: 3)
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 conclude.
- Acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.
Your future as a trusted 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 phenomena big and small.
The Bachelor of Science in Engineering Physics can lead to careers in fields such as engineering, finance, academia, information technology, and medicine. In whatever technical field you choose to make your career in, you will be prepared to present yourself professionally and demonstrate your ability to problem solve.
Engineering physics majors can take part in a 4+1 program to speed their journey toward a master’s degree in mechanical engineering. The 4+1 program can allow students to begin taking graduate-level classes during their senior year, allowing them to receive their master’s degree with only one additional year of study. You'll expand on your undergraduate coursework to develop a strong quantitative base that will allow you to take on complex data challenges now and in the future.
Common physicist roles include research scientists in industry and university professors, engineering-related roles, including aerospace engineers, electrical engineers, mechanical engineers, software engineers, product managers, medical doctors or accelerator operators, data scientists, high school physics teachers, financial analysts, software engineers, IT consultants, data analysts, and many other technical careers.
Job Growth
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.
Salary Ranges
The average engineering physics salary in the United States is currently $117,000 annually, but the salary range typically falls between $70,000 and $110,000.
Make Your Passion a Career
We're here to give you the resources to land your dream internship, work alongside faculty in groundbreaking research, and develop leadership skills to stand out in the workplace.
Internship Opportunities
Internships are an important part of setting you up for success after college and are a requirement for you to graduate.
Research Opportunities
Conduct research alongside faculty that is improving lives and changing businesses, with impact ranging from the local Lakeland community to the outer reaches of space.
Career Development
We understand the importance of feeling prepared, and we are committed to your success here and beyond. That's why we have resources to support you in your continued career development.