This bachelor of science degree program is designed for students who have a strong interest in physics combined with a desire to acquire the skills and perspective of engineering. The program combines study in electrical engineering, materials science, and physics.
Honors College
Students are encouraged to pursue the joint degree between the School of Engineering and the University Honors College by completing the engineering physics program and satisfying the special degree requirements of the Honors College. This includes completing and defending a senior thesis administered by the Honors College. Students who decide not to seek Honors College degree candidacy or do not satisfy the special degree requirements will, upon successful completion of the curriculum, be awarded the bachelor of science from the School of Engineering. Graduates of this program will be well prepared for graduate study in any of its three areas: electrical engineering, materials science, or physics. Students entering the program should have a QPA of 3.0 or above. Exceptions are made on a case-by-case basis.
Required Engineering Physics Courses
Students must satisfactorily complete each of the following engineering physics courses. There are 2 required courses for a total of 6 units.
Required Electrical Engineering Courses
Students must satisfactorily complete each of the following mechanical engineering courses. There are 8 required courses for a total of 24 units.
Required Mathematics Courses
Students must satisfactorily complete each of the following mechanical engineering courses. There are 3 required courses for a total of 11 units.
- MATH 0240: Analytic Geometry and Calculus 3 (4 units)
- MATH 0250: Matrix Theory and Differential Equations (4 units)
- MATH 1560: Complex Variable and Applicaitons (3 units)
Required Materials Science and Engineering Courses
Students must satisfactorily complete each of the following mechanical engineering courses. There are 7 required courses for a total of 18 units.
- ENGR 0022: Materials Structure and Properties (3 units)
- MSE 1054: Materials Science 1 (3 units)
- MSE 1055: Materials Science Lab (1 unit)
- MSE 1056: Energetics 2 (3 units)
- MSE 1064: Materials Science 2 (3 units)
- MSE 1168: Electromagnetic Properties of Materials (3 units)
- MEMS 1085: Departmental Seminar (0 units)
Required Physics Courses
Students must satisfactorily complete each of the following mechanical engineering courses. There are 6 required courses for a total of 17 units.
Humanities and Social Sciences Electives
Students must satisfactorily complete a minimum of six humanities and social science electives for a total of 18 credits to satisfy the degree requirements for mechanical engineering. All courses selected must be on the list of approved humanity/social science courses that has been prepared by the Office of the Associate Dean. External studies courses are not acceptable, nor are ENGCMP 0150 and ENGCMP 0200.
Students must additionally satisfy the following requirements.
- Students must satisfactorily complete PHIL 0300, Introduction to Ethics. If there is a compelling reason, the undergraduate director may waive the requirement.
- Students must satisfactorily complete two humanities/social sciences courses from the same department or program, only one of which may be an introductory course (indicated by an asterisk [*] on the list of approved humanity/social science courses). This meets ABET's requirement for depth in the humanities and social sciences.
- Students must satisfactorily complete at least two humanities courses (PHIL 0300 counts as one of them) and at least two social science courses. For example, it is not acceptable for five of the six humanities/social science courses to be in the humanities. This meets ABET's requirement for breadth in the humanities and social sciences.
- The University of Pittsburgh requires that all students complete at least one "W" designated course; the "W" indicates that a course has a substantial writing component, with students revising their written work after receiving feedback from instructors.
If a student would like to take a humanity or social science elective that is not on the approved list, then the student must complete an Approval Request for Humanities/Social Science Elective form. The form must be submitted to the Office of the Associate Dean (323 Benedum Hall) for approval. Students can contact the Undergraduate Office approximately one week after submission to see whether the course was approved. It is helpful to include a copy of the course description.
