3/2 Dual-Degree in Physics and Engineering

student reading in Hammes Library3/2 Dual-Degree Program in Physics and Engineering

Through agreements with institutions offering degrees in engineering, it is possible for a student to earn both a Bachelor of Science in Physics from IU South Bend and a Bachelor of Science in Engineering from another institution, following at least three years of study at IU South Bend and at least two years of study at the partnering institution. Contact the Department of Physics and Astronomy for current information about this dual-degree program.


Degree Requirements

All courses are 3 credit hours, unless otherwise designated.

Concentration Requirements

Applied Physics Track (35 cr.)

  • PHYS-P 221 Physics 1 (5 cr.)
  • PHYS-P 222 Physics 2 (5 cr.)
  • PHYS-P 309 Modern Physics Laboratory
  • PHYS-P 323 Physics 3
  • PHYS-P 324 Physics 4
  • PHYS-S 406 Research Project (1-3 cr.)

Select at least two of the following:

  • PHYS-P 331 Theory of Electricity and Magnetism
  • PHYS-P 340 Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics
  • PHYS-P 441 Analytical Mechanics I
  • PHYS-P 453 Introduction to Quantum Mechanics

Select from the following:

  • AST-A 453 Topical Astrophysics
  • GEOL-G 413 Introduction to Geophysics
  • PHYS-P 321 Techniques of Theoretical Physics
  • PHYS-P 334 Fundamentals of Optics
  • PHYS-P 410 Computer Applications in Physics
  • PHYS-P 473 Introduction to String Theory
  • PHYS-S 405 Readings in Physics

For students in the dual-degree program, up to 10 credit hours of approved engineering or physics courses transferred from the partnering institution may be applied to the 35 credit hour concentration requirement in the Applied Physics Track. Contact the Department of Physics and Astronomy for current lists of approved courses at partnering institutions.


Additional Requirements, Applied Physics Track (35 cr.)
  • CHEM-C 105 Principles of Chemistry I
  • CHEM-C 125 Experimental Chemistry I (2 cr.)
  • CSCI-C 101 Computer Programming I (4 cr.)
  • MATH-M 215 Calculus I (5 cr.)
  • MATH-M 216 Calculus II (5 cr.)
  • MATH-M 301 Linear Algebra and Applications
  • MATH-M 311 Calculus 3 (5 cr.)
  • MATH-M 343 Introduction to Differential Equations I

No more than 6 credit hours of independent study PHYS-S 405 Readings in Physics and no more than 3 credit hours of PHYS-S 406 Research Project may be applied to the 35 credit hour concentration requirement in the Applied Physics Track. The requirement of PHYS-S 406 Research Project may be waived for students who complete a capstone engineering experience as part of the dual-degree program.

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