Engineering Physics - Bachelor of Science (BSEP)

During the freshman and sophomore years, students receive a broad introduction to physics, chemistry, applied mathematics and mathematical methods in physics. Starting in the sophomore year, students take electrodynamics, quantum mechanics, classical mechanics, mathematical methods, thermodynamics and statistical mechanics, and advanced mathematics. In addition, there is a core of four laboratory courses that students take. Laboratory courses emphasize student-developed and student-designed independent projects in which students use the knowledge acquired to build apparatus of their own choosing. One of the capstone lab courses, PHYS 4430 , provides students with hands-on experience with optical spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance, scanning tunneling microscopy, and laser cooling and trapping of atoms, among other experiments. The other capstone course, PHYS 4700, provides students an opportunity to gain professional and technical quantum science skills and experience through participation in real-world projects in collaboration with industry leaders and academic investigators.

The program encourages the formation of student research collaborations with faculty in the pursuit of senior thesis projects. Recent projects include research in pulsed laser deposition of high-temperature superconductors, electron diffraction studies of protein structure, and lattice distortion theory of colossal magnetoresistance materials.

Students who plan to become registered professional engineers should check the requirements for registration in their state before choosing their engineering major.

Note: Students may not earn a bachelor’s degree in physics from the College of Arts & Sciences as well as a bachelor’s degree in engineering physics from the College of Engineering & Applied Science. Furthermore, the physics minor may not be earned with either of these two baccalaureate programs.

Requirements

Program Requirements

In order to earn a bachelor's degree in engineering physics, students must complete the curriculum in the undergraduate major program, as outlined below. For up-to-date program requirements, visit the Bachelor of Science in Engineering Physics webpage.

Students may not earn a BS in Engineering Physics + BA in Physics.

Note: Some variations may be possible; students are advised to see their engineering physics academic advisor.

In addition, students must meet the general undergraduate degree requirements of the College of Engineering and Applied Science.

Required Courses and Credits

Upper-Division Physics Electives

The selection of course offerings changes each semester. See the Engineering Physics Advising Guide for an up-to-date selection.

Sample Four-Year Plan of Study

Below is a suggested schedule only. For a complete description of the engineering physics course requirements, visit the Department of Physics website.

Learning Outcomes 

Upon completing the program, students will acquire:

• Knowledge of the basic subfields of physics (classical mechanics, electricity and magnetism, quantum mechanics, statistical mechanics and thermodynamics), as well as at least one specialty area of application (e.g., condensed matter physics or optics).
• The ability to apply major principles of physics towards solving problems in various subfields of physics, including the use of mathematical and computational tools as appropriate.
• Skills in assembling and using experimental apparatus to conduct and analyze measurements of physical phenomena.
• Knowledge of the role of systematic and random experimental errors, along with methods used to analyze experimental uncertainty and compare experiment with theory.
• Skills in collaborating effectively, and communicating results of scientific inquiries verbally and in writing.

Bachelor's–Accelerated Master's Degree Program(s)

The bachelor's–accelerated master's (BAM) degree program options offer currently enrolled CU Boulder undergraduate students the opportunity to receive a bachelor's and master's degree in a shorter period of time. Students receive the bachelor's degree first but begin taking graduate coursework as undergraduates (typically in their senior year).

Because some courses are allowed to double count for both the bachelor's and the master's degrees, students receive a master's degree in less time and at a lower cost than if they were to enroll in a stand-alone master's degree program after completion of their baccalaureate degree. In addition, staying at CU Boulder to pursue a bachelor's–accelerated master's program enables students to continue working with their established faculty mentors.

BS in Engineering Physics, MS in Physics

The BAM program in engineering physics aims to provide new opportunities for undergraduate engineering physics majors. The program is specifically addressed to engineering physics majors in the Department of Physics. The engineering physics major gives students a thorough grounding in theoretical physics, applied mathematics and broad exposure to engineering topics, so that they are well prepared either to proceed with graduate work or with professional employment in either basic science or in applied fields.

For students interested in graduate studies, the BAM program in engineering physics allows for participation in graduate coursework and research in a broad range of areas. For students interested in immediate professional employment, this program would serve as a terminal degree program that qualifies students for a higher level of employment.

Admissions Requirements

In order to gain admission to the BAM program named above, a student must meet the following criteria:

• Have a cumulative GPA of 3.30 or higher and a physics major GPA of 3.30 or higher.
• Have completed a minimum of 80 credit hours of coursework.
• Completion of all MAPS requirements and no deficiencies remaining (students admitted to CU Boulder prior to Summer 2023 only).
• Transfer students must have completed a minimum of 24 credit hours at CU Boulder.
• Have a letter of support from a faculty advisor to complete master's level research.

Program Requirements

Students may take up to and including 12 hours while in the undergraduate program which can later be used toward the master’s degree. However, only six hours may be double counted toward the bachelor’s degree and the master’s degree. Students must apply to graduate with the bachelor’s degree, and apply to continue with the master’s degree, early in the semester in which the undergraduate requirements will be completed.

If you are interested in the BAM degree program, please contact the Engineering Physics Faculty Director for more information.