B.S. Engineering Physics
“Engineering” literally means “making things happen”. In a very basic sense, engineering
is the practical application of science and mathematics to solve problems. Traditionally,
engineering is about infrastructure. Engineers were known to create bridges and vehicles
that got us from one location to another more efficiently.
In today’s world, engineering is acknowledged as a discipline that also creates technology
and products that help make our lives easier. Almost every aspect in our lives has
somehow been influenced by engineers – the products created in factories; the buildings
we live in; the water we drink; the computers we surf the net on; medical services
and technologies we rely on; the appliances and vehicles. There is no limit to what
engineers can do.
According to the American Physical Society, 60% of physics majors graduate and go on to gain employment in some sort of engineering position. Physics
students often make better engineers because they are more mathematically trained
and have a broader critical thinking and problem solving skill set to meet the challenges
of an ever changing technology landscape.
As far as having the ability to do engineering, I find that physics students have more rigor and do quite well in an engineering program.
Most students are under the WRONG impression that you can’t come to an institution like Ouachita, study traditional
physics or engineering physics and still become a Professionally Licensed Engineer.
Yet, according to Article 8 of the Arkansas State Requirements for Licensure as a
Professional Engineer*:
To be eligible for licensure as a professional engineer, the applicant shall supply
proof of graduation from an EAC of ABET approved, or equivalent†, engineering curriculum of four (4) years or more and with a specific record of
an additional four (4) or more years of progressive engineering experience of a grade
and character which indicates to the Board that the applicant may be competent to
practice and has experienced increased engineering responsibilities.
†The phrase “or equivalent” will be defined by the Arkansas Board as:
a. those who have both a degree from a non EAC of ABET undergraduate engineering or engineering technology program AND a graduate engineering degree from an institution that offers an EAC of ABET accredited undergraduate degree in the same discipline as the graduate degree; or
b. those who have a degree or degrees from a non-accredited program(s) BUT have had their official transcripts evaluated and found acceptable by a Board-approved organization such as NCEES or have made up any deficiencies identified by the evaluation with courses offered by an EAC of ABET accredited degree program or equivalent.
Definition b indicates that a student can get an undergraduate degree in physics and then enter
a graduate program in the area of interest at an accredited engineering school and
still be on a pathway to becoming a Professionally Licensed Engineer. Other states
have similar alternate pathways to becoming a Professionally Licensed Engineer. In
many ways, this may be a preferred path to students as most employers will often pay
to have employees take technical courses. Thus, there would be no additional expense
to the student for getting a Master’s degree in engineering on the way to becoming
a licensed engineer. In addition, a student could very well gain the needed experience
for licensure through employment while attending classes. Current estimates indicate
~20% of all engineers go on to become a Professional Engineer**.
Our engineering physics degree is specifically designed to rigorously prepare students
for a technical career in industry, perhaps as an engineer, analyst or consultant.
We prepare students by developing their critical thinking and problem solving skills
in the classroom and through on or off campus research opportunities. We strive for
excellence in and out of the classroom so that our majors can achieve any of their
long term career dreams.
If you would like more information about this exciting degree, please contact us at
[email protected].
Note I: Students accepted into graduate programs in engineering must complete the requirements
of a specific program of choice at the engineering graduate school. A Master's degree
in Engineering is awarded upon completion of the graduate course of study. Ouachita
students have used this track to earn Master’s degrees from graduate programs at Texas
A&M University, Southern Methodist University, the University of Texas and the University
of Arkansas.
Note II: Some University of Arkansas graduate programs require an undergraduate engineering
degree from an accredited engineering school for entry into its graduate program (such
as Mechanical Engineering). If a student wishes to attend graduate school at the University
of Arkansas and finds their desired Master’s program requires an undergraduate engineering
degree, our dual degree option would be the preferred path a student should take.
Note III: Most engineering graduate schools have competitive programs with limited admissions
and will require a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or better, with most admitted
students being around 3.75 or better.
Note IV: This degree, along with most other undergraduate and graduate engineering degrees,
WILL REQUIRE the regular study and use of upper level mathematics, such as Calculus or Differential
Equations.
*http://www.pels.arkansas.gov/rulesRegsStandards/Documents/Electronic%20Rulebook%20(eff.%20October%202013).pdf, pgs. 34-35
**https://www.usnews.com/education/best-graduate-schools/top-engineering-schools/articles/2014/03/17/mandated-masters-degrees-could-change-the-engineering-game
