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 MATH 0170 or its equivalent.) The courses are as follows:
1. PHYS 0050, 0060; or PHYS 0070, 0080; or ENGN 0030, 0040.
2. MATH 0170, 0180 (or equivalently, MATH 0190, 0200) and three additional math or applied math courses (two of which are usually APMA 0330, 0340 or APMA 0350, 0360).
3. CSCI 0040 or higher-level programming course such as CSCI 0150.
4. PHYS 0470, 1510, or ENGN 0510, 1560.
9. One course from the following: ENGN 0310, ENGN 0810, CHEM 0330, or a physics course on continuum mechanics.
10. One course from the following: ENGN 1690, ENGN 0410, PHYS 0560.
11. One course from the following: PHYS 1560, ENGN 1590, ENGN 2920.
12. A thesis under the supervision of a physics faculty member (PHYS 1990) or engineering faculty member (ENGN 1970 or ENGN 1971).
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 February, 2008.