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Engineering Physics

Undergraduate
|
Bachelor of Science

Program Details

The engineering physics program, accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, explores how physics and engineering come together to find solutions to real-world problems. As a student in the engineering physics major, you’ll learn the mathematical tools important to all scientists and engineers and study how basic physics underlies common rules within engineering fields. By the time you get to the end of the program, you’ll be ideating and conceptualizing real applied projects, building devices and making them work.

Xavier's engineering physics major also provides students a clear path to pursue a 1-year Masters in Engineering or a 2-year, research-based Masters in Science at the University of Cincinnati in Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering or Civil Engineering.

Degree Awarded

Bachelor of Science in Engineering Physics

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Sample Courses

Sample courses within the engineering physics major curriculum:

  • Physics I (PHYS 170) - This calculus-based course explores fundamental concepts in mechanics, including: kinematics, force analysis, conservation of energy and conservation of momentum. Strong emphasis is placed on the application of these concepts toward problem solving. Students taking this course are expected to be proficient in basic trigonometry and algebra.
  • Electronics I (PHYS 242) - Explore the fundamental concepts and laws of electric AC and DC circuits and apply them to topics such as delta-star conversion, power and power transfer in circuits, impedance, steady state and transient analysis, ideal transformers, operational amplifiers, RLC resonant circuits and analog filters.
  • Introduction to Fabrication- (ENGR 101) This course introduces students to a variety of traditional and modern tools and techniques for making physical objects. Students will develop a basic understanding of health and safety in a workshop environment and will develop an understanding of how to use these tools and techniques.
  • Material Science (ENGR 342) - Investigate the interdisciplinary process of selecting and developing materials for use in physics and engineering applications. Apply your knowledge of glasses, crystals, polymers, composites and biomaterials to better our societal needs.
  • Microprocessors and Digital Systems (ENGR 354) - This hands-on course introduces digital systems and focuses on a wide range of microcontroller or microprocessor design aspects. Topics include digital logic, Boolean principles, digital circuit design, CPU architecture, interfacing techniques, addressing, memory organization, Input and Output devices, assembly language programming and interrupts.

Curriculum

The sample course sequence below illustrates class offerings for the Engineering Physics major. Consult the official Xavier University course catalog for detailed registration and advising information.

Note: Some classes are taught every other year. This changes the 4-year curriculum schedule based on what year (even or odd) a student starts.

Fall

  • ENGR 101: Intro to Fabrication............ 1cr.
  • PHYS 170: University Physics I............ 3cr.
  • PHYS 171: Explorations in Physics ............ 1cr.
  • MATH 180: Differential Calculus............ 3cr.
  • CORE 100: First Year Seminar............ 3cr.
  • CORE 101: GOA............ 0cr.
  • Second Language 101 level............ 3cr.

Spring

  • PHYS 172: University Physics II............ 3cr.
  • ENGR 173: Explorations in Engineering............ 1cr.
  • MATH 181: Integral Calculus............ 3cr.
  • THEO 111: Theological Foundations............ 3cr.
  • CORE 102: GOA II: Beyond Your First Year............ 0cr.
  • Second Language 102 level............ 3cr.
  • ENGL 101: English Composition............ 3cr.

Fall

  • PHYS 330: Modern Physics I............ 3cr.
  • PHYS 331: Modern Physics I Lab ............ 2cr.
  • PHYS 242: Circuit Analysis............ 3cr.
  • PHYS 243: Circuit Analysis Lab............ 1cr.
  • MATH 220: Multivariable Calculus............ 5cr.
  • Second Language 201 level............ 3cr.

Spring

  • ENGR 180: Intro to Comp with MATLAB............ 2cr.
  • ENGR 244: Electronics............ 3cr.
  • ENGR 245: Electronics Lab............ 1cr.
  • PHYS 355: Advanced Lab............ 2cr.
  • MATH 230: Intro to Ordinary Differential Equations............ 3cr.
  • PHIL 100: Ethics as Intro to Philosophy............ 3cr.
  • Theological Perspectives............ 3cr.

Fall

  • ENGR 346: Signals and Systems............ 4cr.
  • PHYS 350: Theoretical Mechanics............ 3cr.
  • PHYS 360: Electromagnetism I............ 3cr.
  • Philosophical Perspectives............ 3cr.
  • Literature and Moral Imagination............ 3cr.

Spring

  • ENGR 366: Optics: Phys & Engineering............ 3cr.
  • ENGR 367: Optics: Phys & Engineering Lab............ 1cr.
  • ENGR 358: Analog & Digital Communication............ 3cr.
  • ENGR 380: Control Systems............ 3cr.
  • ENGR 396: Colloquium............ 1cr.
  • Historical Perspectives............ 3cr.
  • Ethics/Religion and Society (E/RS)............ 3cr.
  • CAD Badge............ 0cr.

Fall

  • ENGR 354: Microprocessors & Digital Systems............ 4cr.
  • ENGR 370: Fluid Mechanics............ 3cr.
  • ENGR 395: Senior Design Project I............ 2cr.
  • Creative Perspectives............ 3cr.
  • Diversity (DCR)............ 3cr.

Spring

  • ENGR 342: Material Science............ 3cr.
  • ENGR 384: Heat Transfer............ 3cr.
  • ENGR 398: Senior Design Project II............ 2cr.
  • Social Sciences Elective............ 3cr.
  • Humanities Elective............ 3cr.
  • CORE 499............ 0cr.

Fall

  • ENGR 101: Intro to Fabrication............ 1cr.
  • PHYS 170: University Physics I............ 3cr.
  • PHYS 171: Explorations in Physics............ 1cr.
  • MATH 180: Differential Calculus............ 3cr.
  • CORE 100: First Year Seminar............ 3cr.
  • CORE 101: Goa I: Transition to Xavier............ 0cr.
  • Second Language 101 level............ 3cr.

Spring

  • PHYS 172: University Physics II............ 3cr.
  • ENGR 173: Explorations in Engineering............ 1cr.
  • MATH 181: Integral Calculus............ 3cr.
  • THEO 111: Theological Foundations............ 3cr.
  • CORE 102: GOA II: Beyond Your First Year............ 0cr.
  • Second Language 102 level............ 3cr.
  • ENGL 101: English Composition............ 3cr.

Fall

  • PHYS 330: Modern Physics I............ 3cr.
  • PHYS 331: Modern Physics I Lab............ 2cr.
  • PHYS 242: Circuit Analysis............ 3cr.
  • PHYS 243: Circuit Analysis Lab............ 1cr.
  • MATH 220: Multivariable Calculus............ 5cr.
  • Second Language 201 level............ 3cr.

Spring

  • ENGR 180: Intro to Comp with MATLAB............ 2cr.
  • ENGR 244: Electronics............ 3cr.
  • ENGR 245: Electronics Lab............ 1cr.
  • PHYS 355: Advanced Lab............ 2cr.
  • MATH 230: Intro to Ordinary Differential Equations............ 3cr.
  • PHIL 100: Ethics as Intro to Philosophy............ 3cr.
  • Theological Perspectives............ 3cr.

Fall

  • ENGR 354: Microprocessors & Digital Systems............ 4cr.
  • ENGR 370: Fluid Mechanics............ 3cr.
  • Creative Perspectives............ 3cr.
  • Ethics/Religion and Society (E/RS)............ 3cr.
  • Literature and Moral Imagination............ 3cr.

Spring

  • ENGR 342: Material Science............ 3cr.
  • ENGR 384: Heat Transfer............ 3cr.
  • Historical Perspectives............ 3cr.
  • Social Sciences Elective............ 3cr.
  • Creative Perspectives............ 3cr.
  • CAD Badge............ 0cr.

Fall

  • ENGR 346: Signals and Systems............ 4cr.
  • ENGR 395: Senior Design Project I............ 2cr.
  • PHYS 350: Theoretical Mechanics............ 3cr.
  • PHYS 360: Electromagnetism I............ 3cr.
  • Diversity (DCR)............ 3cr.

Spring

  • ENGR 358: Analog & Digital Communication............ 3cr.
  • ENGR 366: Optics: Phys & Engineering............ 3cr.
  • ENGR 367: Optics: Phys & Engineering Lab............ 1cr.
  • ENGR 380: Control Systems............ 3cr.
  • ENGR 396: Colloquium............ 1cr.
  • ENGR 398: Senior Design Project II............ 2cr.
  • Humanities Elective............ 3cr.
  • CORE 499............ 0cr.

Career Outcomes

99% of Xavier students, including those in the engineering physics major, are working, volunteering or in graduate school within six months of graduation (Class of 2022). Explore Xavier's Career Outcomes Dashboard to view career outcomes by major.

Career Opportunities: Aeronautical Engineer, Engineering Technician, Engineering Supervisor, Engineering Consultant, Laboratory Technician, Mechanical Designer, Mechanical Engineer, Nuclear Engineer, Project Engineer, Test Engineer, Science Teacher/Professor, Software Engineer, Systems Engineer

More: Xavier's Career Development Office assists students in their search for employment by offering individual career counseling sessions, conducting workshop series on interviewing and resume writing techniques and maintaining an educational, vocational and employer information resource center. More than 100 nationally known companies visit the campus annually to interview graduating seniors for positions in business and industry.

Student Clubs

  • Mathematics Club- The Xavier University Mathematics Club promotes the interest of mathematics at Xavier University and facilitates interaction among math undergraduates, graduates and faculty. Also, Mathematics Club links students to the worldwide mathematical community.
  • Minorities in STEM Succeeding Together- Become part of a supportive community dedicated to empowering minority STEM majors. Discover a space where you can thrive, connect with peers and build confidence in your identity while pursuing excellence in STEM.
  • Physics Club- The Physics Club organizes events and service opportunities that explore and promote interests in physics to majors, minors and the entire campus community. Beyond the task of promoting physics, these events and gatherings are meant to develop a sense of friendship and growth in all avenues. The Physics Club also supports the Xavier Chapter of Sigma Pi Sigma, the national Physics Honor Society.

Related Programs

Related Majors

Related Minors

  • Applied Mathematics
  • Computer Science
  • Cybersecurity Systems
  • Electronics Engineering
  • Entrepreneurship and Innovation
  • Human Centered Making
  • Information Systems
  • Innovation
  • Mathematics

View a full listing of all of Xavier's majors and minors.

Additional Resources

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All for One

Xavier University, located in Cincinnati, Ohio, is nationally recognized as a top university by U.S. News & World Report and The Princeton Review. 99 percent of our students, including those in the engineering physics major, are working, volunteering or in graduate school within six months of graduation (Class of 2022).

Gain Expertise in a Engineering Program Focused on Research

Three engineering students looking at a professor who is explaining something

As a student in the engineering physics major, you'll use state-of-the-art tools to model, fabricate and test designs in our fully-equipped research center. Areas of research include wearable and flexible technology, wireless and mobile communication systems, fabrication of modern printed electronics and sensors, embedded systems, robotics and microcontroller based applications.

Student Research in Engineering Physics

Master Real-World Product Development Through Senior Design Courses

Laser instrument used by students earning their engineering physics degree

Over two semesters, you'll immerse yourself in a dynamic sequence focusing on product development, mirroring real-world engineering practices. From brainstorming ideas to product creation, you'll gain invaluable insights into the entire process while mastering essential management skills for success.

Kickstart Your Engineering Career in Cincinnati, Ohio

A photo of downtown Cincinnati, Ohio at night. Lights from the buildings reflect on the Ohio river.

Cincinnati, Ohio features a robust engineering ecosystem, comprising renowned firms such as GE Aviation, Procter & Gamble and Kroger. Here, you'll benefit from numerous networking opportunities, mentorship programs and collaborations with industry experts.

Cincinnati, Ohio

Graduate With Honors

Are you looking for an academic challenge? The University Scholars Honors Program offers incoming students a more challenging curriculum and close support from professors while completing their undergraduate degree. Acceptance into the program is highly selective and includes a $2000 travel grant.

University Scholars Honors Program Details

Engineering Physics Major at Xavier University

The Engineering Physics major, accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, www.abet.org, at Xavier University focuses on a set of courses that provides a fundamental understanding of traditional topics in physics including the motion of solid bodies, sound, fluids, electricity, magnetism, and the interaction between light and matter. These “foundational” courses describe how theories about natural phenomena are deduced from experiments and observations, develop the mathematical formalism through which these theories are expressed and present techniques for using this formalism to describe and analyze systems.

Xavier University’s College of Arts and Sciences challenges students to develop an integrated understanding of humanity, the world, and God by pursuing the questions raised in Xavier's core and departmental curricula. The College of Arts and Sciences is the oldest and largest college at Xavier University. The college provides an excellent liberal arts education in the Jesuit tradition that prepares students for careers, professional or graduate school, and life in a global society.

Xavier University is a private university located in Cincinnati, Ohio, providing a liberal arts education in the Jesuit Catholic tradition. Founded in 1831, the University is the sixth-oldest Catholic university in the nation. It has been ranked among the top 10 master's-level universities in the Midwest by U.S. News & World Report for the past two decades. The Princeton Review names it one of the "Best 385 Colleges in America."