The Sc.B. degree program in Engineering-Physics, sponsored jointly by the Division of Engineering and the Department of Physics, provides students with an in-depth understanding of the fundamental principles underlying modern technology. Specifically, it gives those who are interested in applied technical problems a strong background in physics and mathematics beyond that given in the standard engineering program. Students take a significant part of the usual engineering and physics programs, obtain substantial laboratory experience, and take several upper-level courses focusing on applied physics. The program allows students to take either the standard physics or engineering programs during their freshman and sophomore years and then switch to this combined program.
The total number of physical science courses required for the program is 19. (We assume that a student begins his or her mathematics courses at Brown with MA 17 or its equivalent.) The courses are as follows:
1. PH 5, 6; or PH 7, 8; or EN 3, 4.
2. MA 17,18 (or equivalently, MA 19,20) and three additional math or applied math courses (two of which are usually AM 33,34 or AM 35,36).
3. CS 4 or higher-level programming course such as CS 15.
9. One course from the following: EN 31, EN 81, CH 33, or a physics course on continuum mechanics.
10. One course from the following: EN 169, EN 41, PH 56.
11. One course from the following: PH 156, EN 159, EN 292.
12. A thesis under the supervision of a physics faculty member (PH 198) or engineering faculty member (EN 195 or EN 196).
In addition, students must take four courses in the humanities and social sciences. They are encouraged to consider taking courses dealing with the philosophical, ethical, or political aspects of science and technology.
To accommodate the diverse preparation of individual students, variations of the above sequences and their prerequisites are possible by permission of the appropriate concentration advisor and the instructors involved.
It is required that each student's degree program be submitted for prior approval (typically in semester four) and scrutinized for compliance (in semester seven) by one faculty member from the Department of Physics and one faculty member from the Division of Engineering.
Page last updated in April, 2007.