LVC Physics Professor Awarded Third NSF Grant to Build on Student-Faculty Research
Engineering Physics
Engineering physics merges fundamental physics with the design of engineering systems, processes, and devices. Students will gain the ability to apply basic scientific ideas to real-world problems, acquiring the problem-solving, critical-thinking, and technical communication skills employers seek.
This major is ideal for a student who is strong in mathematics/physics, might be a tinkerer, and has an entrepreneurial spirit鈥攕omeone curious about how electronics and engineered products work who also cares about the future of the world, improving society, and developing breakthrough solutions.
LVC engineering physics majors can participate in high-impact student-faculty research and internships as paid positions during the summer and/or during the academic year for credit as an independent study or senior capstone project. For example, Dr. Veenhuizen performs research in glass crystallization science in collaboration with colleagues at Corning and Lehigh University. Dr. Addis conducts research in origami engineering that has applications in soft robotics, deployable systems, and energy-efficient adaptive devices. Students have also been accepted into external summer research programs in nanotechnology, computer and electrical engineering, and systems and integration engineering.
You’ll learn from faculty who have built high-level research programs. The department’s student-faculty research has been published in prestigious science journals, presented at national conferences, and awarded external government funding.
Learn More About the Program
You鈥檒l learn how to apply the engineering design process to find the best solutions: define a problem, identify constraints and criteria for success, propose solutions, create prototypes, test them, and iterate to get there. You鈥檒l take courses that provide you with fundamental physics knowledge, build your analytical, programming, experimental, and engineering capabilities, and allow you to work through self-designed hands-on projects.
$127,520
Bureau of Labor Statistics median salary for Nuclear Engineers in 2024
11%
Growth in job outlook 2024鈥�34 for Industrial Engineers (Bureau of Labor Statistics)
$102,320
Bureau of Labor Statistics median salary for Mechanical Engineers in 2024
$101,140
Bureau of Labor Statistics median salary for Industrial Engineers in 2024
Career Opportunities
Our engineering physics degree will prepare graduates to work at an engineering firm or companies involved in researching, developing, and manufacturing technological devices. The American Institute of Physics notes that among physics bachelor鈥檚 hired in the private sector, 35% are employed in engineering fields and another 43% in physics, computer science, or other STEM fields. You鈥檒l also be well prepared for graduate-level study in physics or engineering.
Note that some jobs may require an Engineer-in-Training (EIT) license. Students who are Engineering Physics majors do not qualify to sit for the EIT exam, which requires an ABET-accredited degree. Students can pursue an ABET-accredited degree through the 3+2 Engineering program聽with Case Western Reserve University or by attending graduate school for engineering.
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Aerospace Engineer
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Electronics Engineer
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Materials Engineer
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Physicist
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Product Engineer
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Research Scientist
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Electrical Engineer
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Industrial Engineer
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Nuclear Engineer
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Process Engineer
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Quality Assurance Engineer
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Systems Design Engineer
In Their Words
I have attended a national conference for Women in Physics, was selected to participate in paid undergraduate research, and was inducted into a National Honors society for undergraduate Physics students. In the upcoming year, I plan on presenting my research at a national Nuclear Physics conference, an amazing experience that will make me stand out as I consider applying to graduate school. The support and opportunities are unlike any other private college in the area!
Sara Wray
鈥�28
What I enjoy most about the Engineering Physics is the connection you foster with the professors. The work given in the classes is quite difficult so you will be visiting the professors quite often and having that bond with them makes it easier to learn. I recommend it to prospective students who enjoy math and physics but also enjoy a more hands-on approach.
Jordan Klinger
鈥�29
Strong, hard-working students can thrive and make great achievements here. We see excellent outcomes for them because of the rigor of our curriculum and the high-level research we conduct. We are a small college where students can excel and pursue their chosen careers successfully.
Dr. Dan Pitonyak
鈥�08,
Co-Chair of Chemistry and Physics, Associate Professor of Physics
Faculty Spotlight
