Engineering Physics

Why Major in Engineering Physics at Allegheny College

First of all, why Engineering Physics and not just Engineering? The focus of the engineering physics major is different and broader than a straight engineering major. Our program offers a combination of foundational physics knowledge and practical engineering skills, preparing students for careers that require both scientific insight and technical problem-solving. The major is ideal for students who want the flexibility to explore a range of fields, pursue graduate study, or work in industry. This background along with a liberal arts education instills in graduates the creative energy and intellectual rigor that innovative engineers need in today’s world.

The Engineering Physics major is a cutting-edge interdisciplinary program that merges the fundamental principles of physics with practical engineering applications. This major is ideal for students who want to explore the scientific foundations of modern technology while gaining hands-on experience in engineering design, analysis, and problem-solving.

Unusual Combinations
Students often combine Engineering Physics with:

History Business Art (Studio)

Division

Mathematics and Natural Sciences

Program Type

Major

Number of Credits

64 for major

Where Alumni Work Today

Engineer

NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory

Molly Shelton ‘16

Manufacturing Project Engineer

Optical Filters USA, LLC

Eliel Cortez ’25

Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory maritime navigation systems

Michelle Greiner ‘00

Executive Director

Claire & John Bertucci Nanotechnology Laboratory at Carnegie Mellon University

Matt Moneck ’00

Sensor Integration Engineer

Digital Product Manager

PPG

Caitlyn Mahaffey ’11

Quality Planning Lead

Acutec Precision Aerospace Inc.

Wyatt Wright ‘21

Engineering is about solving real-world problems, and those problems we need to solve today are more complex than ever. The world will benefit from continued breakthroughs and development in so many areas, including, energy, green technology, medical research, computing, robotics, and so much more, but solving such complicated problems now requires an interdisciplinary effort involving teams of engineers and scientists from a variety of backgrounds. It is essential for future engineers to understand this interdisciplinary nature of the work ahead.

Matthew T. Moneck, Ph.D Alumnus

Your Four-Year Journey

Consisting of 64 credits, the Engineering and Physics major leads to the Bachelor of Science degree.

Engineering Physics Overview

Unusual Combinations
Students often combine Engineering Physics with:

History Business Art (Studio)

Year 1: Foundations

Take foundational courses in physics and mathematics. These classes prepare you for all the learning to come.

Featured Courses:

Math 151- Calculus
Phys 110-Core Concepts in Physics I
Phys 120-Core Concepts in Physics II

Year 2: Expanding Skills

Take courses that develop core engineering competencies like experimental skills, written and oral communication, and ethics. These classes will prepare you for your first internship or research experience.

Featured courses:

EPHYS-205 Exploring Engineering Physics Phys 201
PHYS-201 Intermediate Physics Lab
PHYS-260 Intro to Thermal Physics

Year 3: Applications

Take courses that give you hands-on experience applying your knowledge to engineering applications. These courses give you the skills and experience necessary for after graduation

Featured Courses

EPHYS-529 Internship in Engineering Physics
EPHYS-580 Junior Seminar
Phys 350-Physical Optics

Year 4: The Comp

Take courses to solidify your education including your Senior Comp, a significant piece of original work demonstrating your ability to work independently, synthesize information, and write or speak persuasively. In Engineering Physics, the Senior Comp is completed with an industrial partner giving you real world experience that can be transferred to the job market or graduate school.

Featured Courses

EPHYS-600 Senior Project I
ENERG 480- Community Energy Design
MATH 341-Functions of Complex Variable

Research and Internships

MORE OPPORTUNITIES COMING SOON!
Recent internships: Optical Filters USA, LLC
Recent Senior Projects: And Stay Out! Shielding Equipment from Electromagnetic Interference; An Experiment in Engineering Physics

Faculty and Staff

Daniel Willey

Professor

Ph.D., M.A., Duke University; A.B., Dartmouth College

Email: dwilley@allegheny.edu

Phone: 814-332-5368

Adele Dresler

Associate Professor

Department Chair of Physics

Ph.D. M.S., University of Illinois-Champaign; B.S., University of Maryland at Baltimore

Email: apoynor@allegheny.edu

Phone: 814-332-2911

All Employees

Frequently Asked Questions

What type of degree will an Engineering Physics major earn?

Students who major in Engineering Physics at Allegheny College will earn a Bachelor of Science degree.

What skills will be learned?

Engineering Physics combines a rigorous physics curriculum with engineering and applied sciences. Students will:

Develop a deep understanding of mechanics, electromagnetism, thermodynamics, quantum physics, and materials science.
Learn to apply physics-based principles to real-world engineering challenges.
Gain skills in mathematics, programming, modeling, and experimentation.
Collaborate on innovative projects and research in emerging fields like renewable energy, nanotechnology, robotics, and photonics.

What are some program highlights?

State-of-the-Art Labs: Access our newly upgraded Engineering Physics Lab, featuring 3D printing, optics benches, and microcontroller development kits.
Capstone Design Project: Work in teams to solve a real-world problem for an industry partner or faculty-led research group.
Research Opportunities: Participate in hands-on research with an industry partner or faculty mentors starting as early as your second year.
Career-Focused: Graduates are prepared for careers in high-tech industries, national labs, or graduate study in physics, engineering, or applied sciences.

What are some learning outcomes?

The rigorous program will be taught by leading faculty with five key outcomes for students who will:

Demonstrate an understanding of the basic principles of the major subfields of physics (mechanics, electricity & magnetism, optics, quantum mechanics, and thermodynamics).
Apply physical and mathematical principles to analyze and solve real-world engineering problems.
Develop experimental and computational skills necessary for designing and carrying out experiments and the ability to analyze and interpret the results.
Demonstrate effective collaborative communication within engineering and applied physics contexts to diverse audiences both verbally and in writing.
Develop an understanding of how to be a professional and ethical scientist/engineer.

Engineering Physics

Why Major in Engineering Physics at Allegheny College